Belgium

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About Belgium

The Kingdom of Belgium is a country in northwest Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts its headquarters, as well as those of other major international organizations, including NATO. Belgium covers an area of 30,528 square kilometers (11,787 square miles) and has a population of about 10.5 million.

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Straddling the cultural boundary between Germanic and Latin Europe, Belgium's two largest regions are the Dutch-speaking region of Flanders in the north, with 58% of the population, and the French-speaking southern region of Wallonia, inhabited by 32%. The Brussels-Capital Region, although officially bilingual, is a mostly French-speaking enclave within the Flemish and near the Walloon Region, and has 10% of the population. A small German-speaking Community exists in eastern Wallonia. Belgium's linguistic diversity and related political and cultural conflicts are reflected in the political history and a complex system of government.

The name 'Belgium' is derived from Gallia Belgica, a Roman province in the northernmost part of Gaul that was inhabited by the Belgae, a mix of Celtic and Germanic peoples. Historically, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg were known as the Low Countries, which used to cover a somewhat larger area than the current Benelux group of states. From the end of the Middle Ages until the 17th century, it was a prosperous centre of commerce and culture. From the 16th century until the Belgian revolution in 1830, many battles between European powers were fought in the area of Belgium, causing it to be dubbed "the battlefield of Europe" and "the cockpit of Europe" — a reputation strengthened by both World Wars. Upon its independence, Belgium eagerly participated in the Industrial Revolution, generating wealth and also a demand for raw materials; the latter was a factor during the era of its African colonies.

  1. Mentioned In 10 Articles

  2. Lower House of Belgian Parliament Passes Burqa Ban

    Explore Article Religion Clause (Apr 30 2010)

    According to reports from RTT News and CNN, yesterday Belgium's Chamber of Deputies-- the lower house of the Belgian Parliament-- passed a bill that would ban Mu... (Read Full Article)

    Comment on Article Mentions:   Belgium   France   U.S. Senate

  3. Belgian Court Suspends Ban On Islamic Headscarves

    Explore Article Religion Clause (Mar 19 2010)

    Yesterday, Belgium's Council of State suspended a ban on Islamic headscarves that had been imposed on Muslim school gi... (Read Full Article)

    Comment on Article Mentions:   Belgium   Constitutional Court

  4. Where in the world is there no Discrimination?

    Explore Article Asian Tribune (Jun 10 2009) Human Rights

    ...in five have actually witnessed these incidents. In Demark ethnic discrimination is 69%, Italy 58%, Belgium 56% while Cyprus is 23%. The bulk of discrimination is targeted at Roma category. 75% of Czechs do ... (Read Full Article)

    Comment on Article Mentions:   South Africa   Sri Lanka   Algeria

  5. Challenges and Threats Posed by New Religious Movements

    Explore Article American Chronicle (Mar 11 2009) Human Rights , Proselytization

    ...ups, the Fellowship has sent and supported missionaries to Niger, Senegal, Mali, Benin, Guinea, and Belgium. In Tanzania the focus is on reaching the nation´s 160 cultural groups and 120 tribes. Its concerte... (Read Full Article)

    Comment on Article Mentions:   Ethiopia   Billy Graham   Denmark

  6. Urgent Appeal by OMCT for Hindraf Leaders

    Explore Article malaysianindian1.blogspot.com (Feb 14 2009) Human Rights

    ...a@ties.itu.intEmbassy of Malaysia in Brussels, 414 A avenue de Tervueren, 1150 Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, Belgium, Fax: + 32 2 762 50 49. Email: malbrussels@kln.gov.myPlease also write to the embassies of Malaysia... (Read Full Article)

    Comment on Article Mentions:   Paris   Belgium   Switzerland

  7. The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders requests your urgent intervention in Malaysia

    Explore Article malaysianindian1.blogspot.com (Feb 14 2009) Human Rights

    ...ties.itu.int• Embassy of Malaysia in Brussels, 414 A avenue de Tervueren, 1150 Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, Belgium, Fax: + 32 2 762 50 49. Email: malbrussels@kln.gov.myPlease also write to the embassies of Malaysia... (Read Full Article)

    Comment on Article Mentions:   Paris   Belgium   Switzerland

  8. Unprecedented Honoring Of A Hindu Leader By Christians-Muslims ...

    Explore Article OfficialWire (Jan 8 2009) Interfaith

    Unprecedented Honoring Of A Hindu Leader By Christians-Muslims ... ...eeting, honoring his achievements and recognizing his recent meeting with EP President in Brussels (Belgium). Rajan Zed was invited by EP President Hans-Gert Pottering for a meeting to promote interfaith dia... (Read Full Article)

    Comment on Article Mentions:   Nevada   Randolph R. Calvo   Mandali Mendrilla

  9. Christian-Muslim-Buddhist-Jewish Leaders To Honor Hindu Statesman Zed

    Explore Article OfficialWire (Jan 5 2009) Interfaith

    Christian-Muslim-Buddhist-Jewish Leaders To Honor Hindu Statesman Zed ...ho is president of the Universal Society of Hinduism, met with President Pottering in his Brussels (Belgium) office on December 10th. This was the first major formal visit of a Hindu leader to the EP during ... (Read Full Article)

    Comment on Article Mentions:   Universal Society of Hinduism   Rajan Zed   U.S. Senate

  10. Christian-Muslim-Buddhist-Jewish Leaders to Honor Hindu Statesman Zed

    Explore Article newsblaze.com (Jan 3 2009) Interfaith

    ...ho is president of the Universal Society of Hinduism, met with President Pottering in his Brussels (Belgium) office on December 10th. This was the first major formal visit of a Hindu leader to the EP during ... (Read Full Article)

    Comment on Article Mentions:   Nevada   Newsweek   Mandali Mendrilla

  11. Government committed to helping Indians: Malaysia

    Explore Article chennaionline.com (Oct 19 2008)

    ...at:Gotabhaya Madhesi movement lacks 'ideological' commitment: Prachanda 200 Indian illegals held in Belgium, trafficking ring smashed 3 killed, 5 injured in blast in Balochistan Pakistan to get refurbished w... (Read Full Article)

    Comment on Article Mentions:   Penang   Japan   Mohamed Yakcop

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