Belgium: An Overview for Travelers

Between Holland, Germany and France, on the coast of the North Sea, you will find the country of Belgium, obtaining its name from the Celtic tribe of the Belgae.

Belgium has been influenced by many European powers through its history. Known as the crossroads of Europe, the influences of the Romans, Celts, Germans, the French and the Spanish are prevalent.

Belgium is made up of three separate regions independent of its federal government. The three regions are Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels. Divisions of these regions are significant and you might actually think of these as separate countries within the borders of Belgium.

The Kingdom of Belgium is located in Western Europe and only covers about 12,566 square miles. The capitol of Belgium is Brussels and a major center of finance in Europe, with a population of only 922,000. Antwerp’s population is a mere 452,000 estimated and is the second largest city in Belgium. The entire population for the country is about 10.4 million people and grows only at a rate of ½% a year.

A few additional facts about the country are a literacy rate of 95%, and the compositions of the religious faiths throughout. The Roman Catholic faith is the religion among the majority of Belgium. Other religions that exist within the country are Protestant, Jewish, Anglican, and Islam. There are three languages spoken in the country with French being the predominant language, and the others being Dutch and German. It is a guarantee that Belgium has a mixture of influences having been ruled by a host of European empires during its history. The country does boast famous artists and has cities that are considered major trading centers.

This country is definitely worth a visit!