45. Its official currency is Euro (€) (EUR). The neighboring states of Belgium are Netherlands, France, Germany, Luxembourg, and also links with the North Sea.The total mass of the area is around 30,689 km2. Fun Belgium facts 1. The Euro is used by 19 out of the 28 European Union countries. The king was against it and he was dethroned and reinstated after the law was passed. 10. The world’s first printed newspaper was produced in Belgium in 1605 in Antwerp. The misnomer stems from a geographical error during World War I, when American soldiers stationed in Belgium believed they were situated in France (due to the fact that part of Belgium speaks French). Belgium, officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a small and densely populated country located in Western Europe. English is widely spoken throughout Belgium as a foreign language. The practice of intentionally ending a life (Euthanasia) to relieve pain and suffering is also legal in the country. Belgium is among the top 10 countries for the highest road and railroad density, although TomTom ranks Brussels as the seventh most congested city in Europe. The Battle of Waterloo was fought on Sunday, 18 June 1815. The Eiffel Tower in the centre of Paris is often referred to as the "Iron Lady" and is 324 m high/ 1,063 ft. 6. The main Dutch dialects spoken in Belgium are Brabantian, West Flemish, East Flemish, Antwerp and Limburgish. Belgium is known all over the world for making unbeatable chocolates. Click below to consent to the use of this technology on our website – and don’t worry, we respect your privacy. Merckx is the only cyclist to have won the general, points and king of the mountains classifications in the same tour, and is among a small group of cyclists who won a tour on their first attempt. Brussels – the capital of Belgium – has a majority of French-speaking (85%) population. The population of Belgium is divided into three linguistic communities. Both of these rivers originate in France, cross Belgium and flow towards the Netherlands. UNESCO-acclaimed sites in the capital city of Brussels range from 14th-century guildhalls surrounding the elegant Grand Place to the early 20th-century Art Nouveau townhouses of Victor Horta. Here is a mix of informative, interesting facts to prepare you for visiting or living in Belgium. 7. It is estimated that they have 3,000 castles. 9. Learn more about this great Belgian legacy in seven fun facts. In French-Belgium culture, there is a greater sense of freedom regarding emotional expression. 13. 1. Belgium along with the Netherlands and Luxembourg are historically known as the Low Countries. Belgium has the highest level of taxes in all OECD countries; the Royal Palace of Brussels is bigger than Buckingham Palace; a native of Belgium founded the Holy Roman Empire; Belgium (Francophone) creates the most comics per capita in the world; it is a Belgian who founded the city of New York; the first printed newspaper in the world was published in Antwerp Are there other things you do not know about Belgium? CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. Around two-thirds of all marriages in Belgium are between first-time couples, while in the remaining third at least one person has been divorced. Euthanasia was also legalized in 2002. Belgium also has the world’s largest court of Justice – the Law Courts of Brussels. Belgium is actually officially trilingual, with approximately 59% Dutch speakers, 40% French speakers As for education, Flemish schools often require children to learn French, Walloon schools require either Dutch or English at some point, and German community schools require French lessons. In addition, Belgium has a Flemish Community, a French Community and a German-speaking Community (in the Walloon Region) that deals with culture and education, all with their own governments. Those are German, French and Dutch. Alongside some 15 stages and 400+ performers, the festival is known for impressive stage design and tickets sell out months in advance and is aptly located near a Belgian town called Boom. The Belgian government is also known for dethroning its king for 36 hours in 1990, at the king’s request, to pass a pro-abortion law the king was against and didn’t want to sign. Facts about Belgium 2: the official languages. 22. 19. Belgium is famous for its mouthwatering cuisine which features everything from moules frites and stoemp to chocolate and of course, waffles. Justine Henin, a former world number one tennis player, is a Belgian. There are 13 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Belgium. The official languages of Belgium are French, Dutch and German. Belgium is a low-lying country which is mostly flat. Belgium’s official name today is the Kingdom of Belgium, known in the country’s three official languages as Koninkrijk België (Dutch), Royaume deBelgique (French) and Königreich Belgien (German). 14. Under the Habsburg rulers, the use of Flemish progressively declined, but the position of French was reinforced during the French administration (1794–1814). Belgian Luc Luycx’s design was the chosen winner of a European Union design competition. Education in the country is compulsory until the age of 18. Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Sweden, and the United Kingdom are the EU members that do not use the euro. Belgium’s tax revenue is among the highest in Europe representing around 48 percent of the country’s GDP. Nope, not Belgian. But what does Belgae stand for and where did these tribes come from? Belgium is also among the top diamond exporters in the world. The Belgian-French Diet . NOTE: These settings will only apply to the browser and device you are currently using. His statue can be seen near Antwerp’s diamond district. 15 Interesting and Fun Facts about French Fries By PositiveMed-Team Edited By: Stephanie Dawson. Belgium is also among the topmost citizenship granting country per capita in the world. Belgium is also home to the world’s biggest chocolate selling point – Brussels National Airport. Belgium became an independent country in 1830. 44. Brussels is its capital and largest city. After being expelled from France, Karl Marx wrote The Communist Manifesto in Brussels in 1848 with Friedrich Engles, and French author Victor Hugo also worked on Les Miserables while living in Brussels in exile in 1851. However, both French and Dutch are its official languages. It has 11.5 million population considers as the most populated state around the world. All Rights Reserved. 41. Because Belgium was controlled by different foreign powers for centuries, the country is It was also voted as the world’s best festival by DJ Magazine and its youtube channel has more than five million subscribers. Belgium has an average elevation of 181 m above sea level. Twelve are cultural and one is Natural. With the diamond trade happening in Antwerp since 1447, the city is also known as the world’s diamond capital. 5. On the topic of construction, the façade of Brussels’ Royal Palace is 50 percent longer than Buckingham Palace. Brussels, Antwerp, Bruges, Charleroi, Ghent, and Liege are among the most important urban areas in Belgium. The word “spa” originated from the town of spa in Belgium. Locals often ate small fried fish, when the river was frozen they used potatoes as a substitute. Today, the country has more than 2,000 chocolate shops, and it produces over 173,000 tons of chocolate every year. Johann Carolus (1575-1634) was the publisher of the newspaper. It is 68 km long and connects the cities and towns along the entire Belgian (West Flanders) coast, between De Panne near the French border and Knokke-Heist. It was made legal in 2002 and the next year in 2003, the country also legalized gay marriage. Dutch, French, and German are all accepted as Belgium’s official languages. 21. 15. Facts about France for kids: Learn all about France, with facts about French history, people, politics, culture and geography, including a map of France. Europe’s first modern health resort and casino ‘la Redoute’ opened in Spa in the 18th century, although the famed springs have been reportedly used for health and healing purposes as far back as Roman times. This move was made to pass a law favoring abortion (the ending of a pregnancy by removing a fetus or embryo before it can survive outside the uterus.) In the north the Flemings, who constitute more than half of Belgium’s population, speak Flemish, which is equivalent to Dutch (sometimes called Netherlandic). Belgium is located on the language border between the Germanic languages Dutch and German and the Latin language French. 37. Today visitors can walk Brussels’ comic strip trail. 3. 2. About one-tenth of the population of Belgium is completely bilingual (speaking two languages fluently.). It has four bordering countries that are France, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. Flemish, French, and German-speaking communities have their own school system with small differences among them. How well do you know Belgium? Known as the Torengebouw in 1928 in Antwerp. Belgium is publically well-known as the Kingdom Of Belgium. Including: actors Audrey Hepburn (born Edda van Heemstra Hepburn-Ruston in Brussels) and Jean-Claude van Damme; artists Jan Van Eyck, Peter Paul Rubens and René Magritte; fashion designers Liz Claiborne and Dries Van Noten; composer and singer Jacques Brel; and writer Georges Simenon with his protagionist Inspector Maigret. 1. 28. See how many of these top 30 Belgian facts you know. Today, the European Union has a total of 28 countries. Belgium has the highest divorce rate in Western Europe. People who make more than €38 830 are taxed at 50%. 42. Dutch-versus-French language divide was established in the Middle Ages when Roman Emperor Charlemagne was forced to divide his kingdom between his three grandsons. However, on the whole, accents may vary more according to one's social class and education. Antwerp World Diamond Centre is situated in Antwerp and is also among the world’s largest diamond districts. A Belgium king was dethroned in 1990 for 36 hours. Tax rates are high in Belgium. Belgium has a high population of noncitizens which is the reason why the country is culturally diverse. It is ranked as the world’s second best airport for on-time performance, just behind Japan’s Osaka International, in OAG’s punctuality report. The country produced more than 1100 varieties of Beer. It is one of the smallest and most densely populated European countries, and it has been, since its independence in 1830, a representative democracy headed by a hereditary constitutional monarch. Belgium is a densely populated country. Belgians consume in average 150 liters of beer per person per year. 17. Belgians eat a rich variety of foods, including pork, game birds, fish, sausages, cheeses, fruits, vegetables, breads, and soups. Do you know which country provides the most? Paris: The capital city houses the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Montmartre, Arc de Triomphe, the river Seine, the Louvre Museum and many other great attractions. 8. 29. With three languages under one roof, what can go wrong? Regional accents however, can vary from city to city (the Liège accent being an example). France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherland border Belgium. Test your Belgian knowledge with these top 30 Belgian facts – did you know the Big Bang theory and the game of cricket originated in Belgium? The Belgian chocolate industry is almost 400 years old. 39. It is a tricolor with black, yellow and red vertical strips. The Belgian-French Diet. 20. Where 98 percent of the population live in urban areas and cities, also among the highest rate in the world. It was constructed from 1866 to 1883 on a surface area of 26,000m². Belgium has the second most cycling Tour de France winners. The northern part of Belgium is less hilly than the southern part. However, there is one food in particular that causes quite the stir when it comes to politics – pomme frites. Belgium holds a world record for castles. The same can’t be said for Belgian women, however, who rank 21 at 165.5cm tall. Belgium shares a land border with 4 countries including France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Other Western European countries include France, Ireland, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands and United Kingdom. 40. Expatica uses technology such as cookies and scripts to personalize content and ads, provide social media features, and analyze our traffic. After conquering much of continential Europe in the early 19th century, French military leader and emperor Napoleon Bonaparte was defeated in 1815 by allied forces, ending the Napoleonic era of European history, the Napoleonic Wars, and Napoleon’s Hundred Days’ reign. You have surely heard of, read or watched animated or film adaptations of the Smurfs, Spirou and Fantasio, Tintin, Asterix, Blake and Mortimer, Thorgal, Gaston… the list is endless. Thus, with the help of canals, storage basins, and pipelines, water is transferred to meet the demand in the north. The newspaper was called Relation. When they called their province in the north of Gaul Gallia Belgica, after its previous inhabitants the Celtic and German Belgae. 1. Perhaps more than half of your childhood came from Belgium! Jean Neuhaus invented the pralines chocolate in Brussels in 1912. 34. Famous Belgian tour winners include Eddy Merckx and Philippe Thys. 47. The world's first beer academy opened in Herk-de-Stad, in the Belgian province of Limburg, in 1999. The Dutch-speaking population is concentrated in the five northern and northeastern provinces. Belgium is also known as the “Battlefield of Europe” because the country served as a battlefield between many European powers and during the two World Wars as well. Liege is a very small town in the south of Belgium, a major French-speaking city of Wallonia that has fantastic arts museums, ancient 12th century architecture and French-style cafes on the foot paths and boulevards. 12. Covering an area of just 30,528 km² (11,787 mi²), Belgium is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. With a height of 181.7cm, only Dutchmen are taller at 182.5cm. The European Parliament, the EU’s law-making body has 21 members from Belgium. With an estimated annual turnover of more than EUR 20 billion, around three times more than the next competitor (US). Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. Belgium has more castles per kilometer than any other country in the world. The flag of Belgium and Germany have the same color combination – black, yellow and red. The metric system is the legal standard of weights and measures in Belgium. The almost 100 percent-lit highway network is one of the few man-made structures seen that far at night. Bhutan has the highest average elevation of all the countries in the world – 3,280 m. See list of countries by average elevation. It has an area of 30,528 square kilometers and a population in excess of 11 million. 13) The longest tramway line in the world at 68 kilometres is the Belgian coast tram which operates from the French border to the Dutch border. Anheuser-Busch InBev from Belgium is the largest beer brewery in the world. For more information on taxes in Belgium and other European Union countries, please visit this link. Diamonds have been traded here since 1447, and today the city handles more than 80 percent of the world’s rough diamonds and 50 percent of all cut diamonds. This site uses functional cookies and external scripts to improve your experience. Belgian cuisine is much more than good chocolate and beer. This site uses functional cookies and external scripts to improve your experience. It has an area of 30,528 square km. 26. One more thing I have to mention is that Belgium produces the highest number of comic books in the world (even more than Japan). He was handed defeat in Waterloo, a city south of Brussels. 43. 35. Belgium has the highest number of castles per square kilometer than any other country in the world. It is said to be the cultural centre of Belgium and the shopping city of Belgium. Belgium is also the place where Napoleon Bonaparte was defeated. With a construction area of some 26,000sqm, it is bigger than St Peter’s Basilica in Rome by 5,000sqm. According to some historians, potatoes were being fried by 1680 in the Meuse Valley of Belgium. The Schelde and the Meuse are the two main rivers of Belgium. 7. Belgium is the world’s second most chocolate exporting ($2.9bn in 2016) country after Germany ($4.5bn in 2016). You may change your settings at any time. We delve into the history behind Belgium’s world-famous Belgian fries, which believe it or not, have nothing to do with France. However, the orientation of the colors is different. There are over 800 kinds of beers made in Belgium. Aaaand Belgium is a federal monarchy, so they do have kings, queens, princesses, etc. Which amount to some 57.8 percent for the highest earners, according to the CGI report, which ranked Belgium’s tax rates as fourth highest in Europe after France (66.6 percent), Italy and Spain, while OECD ranks Belgium third highest for tax rates out of its 34 members. The French-speaking population of the country is called Walloons who are residing in the five southern provinces. The origin of French fries can be traced back to Belgium, not France. 18. In the south the French-speaking Walloons make up about one-third of the country’s population. Belgium is also one of the most heavily industrialized and urbanized country in Europe. You can of course change your mind and withdraw your consent at any time, by returning to this site after clearing the cookies on your computer or device. The Belgians are also accredited with the suggestion of the € symbol. Visitors can see Napoleon’s and other war artifacts at the site today. France is the one of the world's biggest exporter of films. Belgium has three official languages. It is still the tallest building in Antwerp today at around 96m (26 floors).The art-deco edifice, now known as Boerentoren or KBC Tower, was the tallest building on the continent until 1940 when Terazza Martini Tower opened in Genoa, Italy. The country is also the world’s leading exporter of billiard balls. The Belgian Coast Tram – the Kusttram— is the longest tram line in the world. 15) 15 percent of Belgium's population or 1.6 million people are immigrants. It is one of the six founding countries of the European Union. United Kingdom; ... Its lengthy borders touch Germany and Belgium in the north, the Atlantic Ocean in the … Same-sex marriages are legal in the country. Have a cookie The origin of French fries is Belgium. It is France. 38. Along with the above facts, a Belgian – Adolphe Sax invented saxophone, the first printed newspaper was published in 1605 in Belgium, oil painting was invented here in the 15th century. 23. France Facts Tourist Attractions in France. Today Belgium produces over 173,000 tons of the stuff a year, and has an estimated 2,000 chocolate shops. 11. Interesting Facts About France ... Italy, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Belgium. The French Community of Belgium includes 4.5 million people, of whom: See if you can spot his connected initials ‘LL’ on all numerical sides of euro coins. 25. Belgium has more castles per kilometer than any other country in the world. 16. The six countries came together to sign the 1951 Treaty of Paris that resulted in the European Communities’ establishment which would later transform into the European Union. Saluc AC, established in 1923, has its own chemical plant to make the phenolic resin, which give Aramith balls their characteristic high-gloss, rock-hard finish. Brussels is its capital and largest city. 8. 36. In fact, it became the second country in the world to legalize same-sex marriages in 2003, after the Netherlands. Belgium’s highest point (the Signal de Botrange on the High Fens plateau in far-east Belgium at 694m) is lower than the tallest building (the Burj Khalifa at 828m) in the world. Belgium has a population of 10.5 million people (10,444,268) as of July 2013. Also, French fries are called Belgian fries in the country, why not, they have invented them. 5. The national flag of Belgium was adopted in 1931. 4. Written by Jess Lee Nov 17, 2020. 33. Your choices will not impact your visit. More than 40 percent of the people who live in the south of Wallonia region speak French. We may earn a commission from affiliate links (). Learn more about billiard balls. Origins of the name: It is believed that Belgium derives its name from the Belgae tribes which lived in the northern part of what was then Gaul around the third century BC. Elio di Rupo, a Socialist from the Walloon (French-speaking) community took … Which cookies and scripts are used and how they impact your visit is specified on the left. With around 120 international governmental organisations, 1,400 non-governmental organisations and 181 embassies employing 3,000 diplomats. 30. The Flemish jeweller Lodewyk van Bercken is credited to inventing the first pear cut diamond and the polishing wheel (scaif), which uses diamond dust to cut diamonds to achieve greater precision and more complex cuts. Belgium is divided into three main geographical regions with the coastal plain in the north-west, the central plateau and the Ardennes uplands in the south-east. The first evidence of chocolate production in Belgium dates back to 1635. Belgium, country of northwestern Europe. See the map below. In the 17th century, the territories that would eventually comprise the … King Philippe of Belgium is the current monarch. Academics believe immigrants from north Belgium could have imported the game to Britain, based on a poem thought to have been written in 1533 that calls Flemish weavers ‘king of crekettes’ and also mentions ‘wickettes’, predating English references dating to the 1600s. The largest urbanized population in the world is in Belgium. The Dutch and French-speaking linguistic groups are the two main groups in Belgium. It is Canada. Initially, Belgium had a … Chocolate production in the country dates back to 1635. Expatica helps make your expat journey the experience you've always wanted. Is the birthplace of the famous comic book series The Smurfs (Pierre Culliford) and The Adventures of Tintin (Hergé), the latter which has been translated into more than 100 languages. The Belgian Franc was replaced by the Euro in 2002. The minority people speak German. Almost 98% of the country’s population lives in cities and urban areas. Belgium is also one of the most cabled countries in the world, where some 97 percent of Belgian households receive cable TV. Over time, in the region of what's now called Belgium, the border has migrated from south to north due to French linguistic imperialism (Francization), from the idea that French would be superior to Dutch. Belgium, officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a small and densely populated country located in Western Europe. Belgium consists of three federal regions – Flanders, Brussels, and Wallonia. Languages of Belgium. It was a Belgian, the priest and physicist (apparently not a contradiction in terms) Georges Lemaitre, who first came up with what is now called the Big Bang theory of the origin of the universe in 1927. Among a number of other world-changing inventions, such as co-designing the World Wide Web, Imodium, inline skates, and a safe contraceptive pill. Belgium took the record from Iraq for the longest government formation in history when parties took 541 days to form coalitions, plus 48 days to finalize government positions. 46. Belgium is also known worldwide for their inventions which include – plastic, the saxophone – invented by Adolphe Sax in 1840, the Body Mass Index (BMI) – invented by mathematician Lambert Adolphe Quetelet, and also have made significant contributions towards the World Wide Web, contraceptive pills, Imodium and inline skates. Belgium’s water reserves are concentrated in the southern region while the majority of the country’s population lives in the north. Belgium introduced same-sex marriage in 2003, after the Netherlands. The average Dutchman is now 183cm tall and Belgians have an average height of 182cm. As a concern of population, it lies in the 22nd number compare to other states. He was also involved in the development of the Art Deco movement. Brussels is also home to the European headquarters of more than 2,000 multi-national organisations, plus the headquarters of the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). As it turns out, there’s a lively trio of official languages spoken in Belgium. Belgium is a developed country and has an advanced high-income economy. First French Speaker to Lead New Government. According to some estimate, the percentage of non-nationals in Brussels is 28% while that in the country is 15%. 14) It grants the most new citizenships per capita in the world. Dutch, French, and German are all accepted as Belgium’s official languages. The Kusttram travels the full 68km of Belgian coast between the French and Dutch borders, making some 68 stops from Knokke-Heist to De Panne and running every 10 minutes during summer peak hours. Belgium may be small but it's packed full of sights. 24. The Signal de Botrange on the High Fens plateau in far-east Belgium is the highest point at 694m, shorter than the world’s tallest building in Dubai, the Burj Khalifa at 828m. A diamond district is an area where the cutting, polishing, and trade of diamonds and other gems takes place. Do you know which country has the most? Add the Belgian Federal Government and there are a total of six governments to administer a … The country also has a small percentage of German speakers who live in the eastern part of the country. Belgian fries, not French Don’t be fooled by the name ‘French’ fries; the origins of this ubiquitous dish can be traced back to Belgium. The Big Bang theory is considered to have originated in Belgium. Nearly 80 percent of the world’s billiard balls are made in Belgium. It's located in Western Europe and consists of three federal regions: Flanders in the north, Wallonia in the south, and Brussels in the center. With these 74 facts about Belgium, let us learn more about its people, culture, economy, history, geography and more. To reduce the number of governments, the Flemish Region and Community merged in 1980. © 2021 TheFactFile.Org. An original cover from Tintin In America became the world’s most valuable when it sold for EUR 1.3mn. All these are spoken across the border in the Netherlands as well. The French-Belgians are prolific comic creators. Belgium is also attributed to having Europe’s oldest shopping arcades, The Galeries St Hubert, which opened in Brussels in 1847. After being expelled from France, Karl Marx wrote The Communist Manifesto in Brussels in 1848 with Friedrich Engles, and French author Victor Hugo also worked on Les Miserables while living in Brussels in exile in 1851. 27. There are a few consistent phonological differences between the French in France and Belgium but usually no more than the differences between regional dialects within France (or the ones that exist between in the English of Toronto and Vancouver (Canada) for instance), which might even be nonexistent. It is reputed to be the largest building constructed in the 19th century. More than 60 percent of the people who live in the north of Flanders area speak Dutch. The theory is often attributed to Edwin Hubble, although records show Lemaitre published a similar theory two years before Hubble. It has an area of 30,528 square km. Other top chocolate producing countries include: the Netherlands, Italy, U.S., Poland, Canada, France, United Kingdom, and Switzerland. Even locals of Brussels would venture to Antwerp for a Saturday shopping spree. Today four of his town houses in Belgium are designated UNESCO world heritage sites; one is a now museum and the others were hotels. 31. After a record 541 days in the hands of a caretaker administration, Belgium was prompted by Europe's debt crisis to finally form a new government. After the defeat of Napoleon, the Congress of Vienna established the kingdom of the Netherlands, including present-day Belgium. After the Dutchmen, men from Belgium are the second tallest in the world. Belgium occupies the same area as the state of Maryland. Georges Lemaitre came up with the Big Bang theory two years before Edwin Hubble. Its … Read about all the inventions you didn’t know were Belgian. Only Latvia and Lithuania surpass Belgium’s divorce rate, which is estimated at around 70 percent.
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