Here is general and detailed information about Belgium:

🌍 General Information

Official Name: Kingdom of Belgium (Kingdom of Belgium / Royaume de Belgique / Koninkrijk België / Königreich Belgien)

Capital: Brussels

Area: Approximately 30,688 km²

Population: Approximately 11.7 million (2025 est.)

Location: Western Europe, bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast, France to the southwest, and the North Sea to the northwest.

Official Languages: Dutch (Dutch), French, German

Currency: Euro (€)

Form of Government: Federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy

Head of State: King Philippe (since 2013)

🏛 Political Structure

Belgium is a federal state and consists of three main territorial units:

Flemish Region (Dutch-speaking)

Walloon Region (French-speaking)

Brussels-Capital Region (bilingual: French and Dutch)

There are also three language communities: the Dutch, French, and German communities.

📜 History

1830: Belgium declared independence from the Netherlands.

1914–1918 & 1940–1945: Occupied during World War I and World War II.

1957: It became a founding member of the European Economic Community (now the EU).

The headquarters of NATO and the EU are located in Brussels.

🌆 Important Cities

Brussels: The capital, headquarters of the EU and NATO.

Antwerp: One of Europe’s largest ports, famous for its diamond trade.

Ghent: Known for its medieval architecture and university.

Bruges: Known as the “Venice of the North,” it is a touristic and historical city.

Liège: A center of industry and culture.

🌐 Economy

Belgium has a developed industrial and service economy.

Key sectors: Chemicals, pharmaceuticals, steel, machinery, diamond processing, finance, and transportation.

The Port of Antwerp is the second largest port in Europe.

Per capita income is well above the world average.

🎭 Culture

Belgium is famous for its chocolate, beer, waffles, and French fries.

The world-famous cartoonist Hergé (creator of Tintin) is Belgian.

It is culturally rich with Gothic cathedrals, medieval towns, and modern art museums.

Belgian cinema and music are also revered throughout Europe.

🏰 Tourism

Grand Place (Brussels): A magnificent square listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Atomium (Brussels): A famous structure built for the 1958 Expo.

Bruges: Popular for its canals and historic buildings.

Waterloo: The famous battlefield where Napoleon was defeated in 1815.

The Ardennes: A forested region ideal for outdoor activities and hiking.

📊 Interesting Facts

Belgium produces the most types of beer per capita (over 1,500 types).

Some of the world’s best chocolate brands (Godiva, Leonidas, Neuhaus) originate from Belgium.

The Comics Museum is located in Brussels.

Considered the heart of Europe, Brussels is home to approximately 180 different nationalities.