One of the three countries of Benelux – Belgium – is typical European country with long history and rich culture. It lies in northwestern Europe and borders with
the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg and France. This low-lying country has its coasts bathed by the North Sea. Sand dunes and polders along the coast gradually change to agricultural walleys, rough hills and forests inland. It has a maritime temperate climate. Belgium is a rich country but heavily populated, so it has big enviromental problems.

Politics and Economy

The Kingdom of Belgium is a federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarch – king Albert II. The capital city is Brussels. Belgium, divided into there regions: Flanders, Wallonia and the Brussels-Capital Region, covers the area of around 30, 500 km². Before 1999 Belgian franc was a state currency, but now was replaced by Euro. Belgium is ranked among the founding members of the European Union and NATO. The EU is important for Belgian economy. The main exports are industry products, e. g. automobiles, textiles, plastics or finished diamonds. Services also play the significant role in Belgian economy.

People and Language

Belgium has a population of about 10,4 milion people. Great majority of them are Belgians, but Italian, French and Dutch minorities live there too. Belgians generally use more than one language, but the official ones are Dutch, French and German. Old language Walloon and modern English are spoken too.

History

The first settlement was made by Celtic tribes. Then the Romans established a new province there, which was called Gallia Belgica. After Roman decline, the Francs ruled over the territory. The other development was quite complicated, because the area was not united. The most considerable was the rule of German kings, Spanish and Austrinan Habsburgs and the French. In the thirties of the 19th century Belgium was recognized as and independet nation. Leopold of Saxe-Coburg was chosen as the first king. During both the WWI and WWII Belgium fell under German control. The postwar development was oriented towards the unity of Europe and Belgium became the capital of it.

Culture

Because of its location between Germanic and Latin Europe and its historical development Belgium has very specific cultural life. It varies according to regions and languages. Lots of outstanding people was born in Belgium, e. g. Zenome Gramme famous for his Gramme dynamo, Christian De Duve and Maurice Maeterlinck awarded by Nobel Prize or painters: Jan van Eyck, Pieter Brueghel the Elder, Peter Paul Rubens and Anthony van Dyck. The Carnival of Binche with Gilles is recognized by UNESCO.

Conclusion

This purely European country offers above all generous cultural experience. Belgians keep their traditions, so the folklore fests take place during the whole year. Don´t forget to try something from its cuisine, especially waffels! Belgium chocolate is world famous. Historical sites and nature spots are undoubtedly worth to see.