Belgium is a federal state divided into three regions: Dutch-speaking Flanders in the north, francophone Wallonia in the south and Brussels, the bilingual capital, where French and Dutch share official status. There is also a small German-speaking minority of some 70 000 in the eastern part of the country.

Belgium’s landscape varies widely: 67 kilometres of seacoast and flat coastal plains along the North Sea, a central plateau and the rolling hills and forests of the Ardennes region in the southeast.

Belgian beer and mussels

Independent since 1830, Belgium is a constitutional monarchy. The two houses of Parliament are the Chamber of Representatives, whose members are elected for a maximum period of four years, and the Senate or upper house, whose members are elected or co-opted. Given its political make-up, Belgium is generally run by coalition governments.

Among the best known Belgians are Georges Rémi (Hergé), creator of the Tintin comic-strip, writers Georges Simenon and Hugo Claus, composer and singer Jacques Brel and cyclist Eddy Merckx. Painters like James Ensor, Paul Delvaux and René Magritte are the modern-day successors of Rubens and the other Flemish masters of yesteryear.

Belgium is famous for its chocolates, which are appreciated the world over. A favourite dish is mussels and chips (French fries) which, according to legend, are a Belgian invention. The country also produces over 1 000 brands of beer.

USEFUL LINKS:

National public administration portal
The official website of the Belgian Government provides general information on Belgium. It presents the political structure of the state and explains the role of the federal government and of the monarchy. Special features are the sections on the euro and the European Union as well as a database of press releases.
Introduction to the country
The website of the Tourism Promotion Office Wallonia-Brussels gives an overview of the artistic and natural heritage of the Wallonia region and Brussels. The website also provides an array of practical information, including a search tool for accommodation, useful links to museums and parks, suggestions for activities and places to visit.

The VisitFlanders website presents Flanders’ historic cities and the Flemish coast and features a special section on the city of Ypres. The site also provides a great variety of information on travelling formalities as well as practical details and contacts for the major Flemish cities.