Belgium, map of Belgium

July 31, 2007

Brief information about the country

Оfficial name: Kingdom of Belgium

Location: is a low lying country on the North Sea coast in Western Europe. With the majority of West European capitals within 1,000 km of Brussels, the seat of both the European Union and NATO, and a member of the long-standing international Benelux community, Belgium sits at the crossroads of Western Europe. Its immediate neighbours are France to the southwest, Luxembourg to the south east, Germany to the east and the Netherlands to the north.

Total area: 30,528 sq km

Population: 10,392,226 (July 2007 est.). Ethnic groups: Fleming 58%, Walloon 31%, mixed or other 11%

Capital: Brussels

Principal cities: Antwerp, Liege

Climate: mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy. The average temperature is lowest in January at 3 C, and highest in July at 18 C.

Official language: Dutch, French, German – all official.

The political structure: federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy

International organization participation: EU, UN, UNESCO, WTO. Member of Shengen agreement.

How to get there: Brussels Airport (also known as Zaventem due to the town in which it is mainly located) is Belgium's main airport, IATA code BRU. It is not located in Brussels proper, but in surrounding Flanders. The airport is the base of the national airline Brussels Airlines, which was founded when SN Brussels Airlines and its low budget sister company Virgin Express merged in March 2007.

Time zone: 2 hours behind Moscow time.

Currency: euro (EUR), 1 EUR = 35 rubles (on 16th of October 2007)

Religion: Roman Catholic - 75%, other (includes Protestant) - 25%

Holidays:

January 1 - New Year's Day
Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday - variable dates
May 1 - Labour Day
July 11 - Flemish Community Holiday only held in Flanders - not a public holiday
July 21 - National holiday
September 27 - French Community Holiday only held in Wallonia - not a public holiday
November 1 - All Saints
November 2 - All Souls Day - not a public holiday, most companies are closed
November 15 - Dynasty Day & German Community Holiday only held in German speaking areas
December 25 - Christmas Day

Map of Belgium