Belgium:

Belgium :: Population: 10,438,353

Background:

     Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830; it was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. The country prospered in the past half century as a modern, technologically advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU. Tensions between the Dutch-speaking Flemings of the north and the French-speaking Walloons of the south have led in recent years to constitutional amendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy.

Geography:

    Crossroads of Western Europe; most West European capitals within 1,000 km of Brussels, the seat of both the European Union and NATO

Location:     Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands

Geographic coordinates:  50 50 N, 4 00 E

Area:  total: 30,528 sq km land: 30,278 sq km water: 250 sq km

Size comparison: about the size of Maryland

Land Boundaries:   total: 1,385 km border countries: France 620 km, Germany 167 km, Luxembourg 148 km, Netherlands 450 km

Coastline:     66.5 km

Maritime claims:     territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: geographic coordinates define outer limit continental shelf: median line with neighbors

Climate:       temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy

Terrain:        flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast

Elevation extremes:          lowest point: North Sea 0 m highest point: Botrange 694 m

Natural resources:  construction materials, silica sand, carbonates

Land use:     arable land: 27.42% permanent crops: 0.69% other: 71.89% note: includes Luxembourg (2005)

Irrigated land:        230 sq km (2003)

Natural hazards:     flooding is a threat along rivers and in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes

Current Environment Issues:      the environment is exposed to intense pressures from human activities: urbanization, dense transportation network, industry, extensive animal breeding and crop cultivation; air and water pollution also have repercussions for neighboring countries; uncertainties regarding federal and regional responsibilities (now resolved) had slowed progress in tackling environmental challenges

International Environment Agreements:          party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

People:     

          Population:  10,438,353 (July 2012 est.)

Age structure:        0-14 years: 15.9% (male 846,706/female 812,486) 15-64 years: 66.1% (male 3,475,404/female 3,416,060) 65 years and over: 18% (male 783,895/female 1,096,926) (2011 est.)

Median age: total: 42.6 years male: 41.2 years female: 43.9 years (2012 est.)

Population growth rate:    0.061% (2012 est.)

Birth rate:     10.03 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Death rate:   10.63 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

Net migration rate:  1.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Sex ratio:     at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Infant mortality rate:         total: 4.28 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.79 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.74 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:   total population: 79.65 years male: 76.49 years female: 82.95 years (2012 est.)

Total fertility rate:   1.65 children born/woman (2012 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:       0.2% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:    14,000 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:         fewer than 100 (2009 est.)

Nationality:   noun: Belgian(s) adjective: Belgian

Ethnic groups:       Fleming 58%, Walloon 31%, mixed or other 11%

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

Languages:   Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less than 1%, legally bilingual (Dutch and French)

Literacy:      definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.)

Government:

           Country name:      conventional long form: Kingdom of Belgium conventional short form: Belgium local long form: Royaume de Belgique/Koninkrijk Belgie local short form: Belgique/Belgie

Government type:  federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy

Capital:        name: Brussels geographic coordinates: 50 50 N, 4 20 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

Administrative divisions:  3 regions (French: regions, singular - region; Dutch: gewesten, singular - gewest); Brussels-Capital Region, also known as Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest (Dutch), Region de Bruxelles-Capitale (French long form), Bruxelles-Capitale (French short form); Flemish Region (Flanders), also known as Vlaams Gewest (Dutch long form), Vlaanderen (Dutch short form), Region Flamande (French long form), Flandre (French short form); Walloon Region (Wallonia), also known as Region Wallone (French long form), Wallonie (French short form), Waals Gewest (Dutch long form), Wallonie (Dutch short form) note: as a result of the 1993 constitutional revision that furthered devolution into a federal state, there are now three levels of government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a complex division of responsibilities

Independence:       4 October 1830 (a provisional government declared independence from the Netherlands); 21 July 1831 (King LEOPOLD I ascended to the throne)

National holiday:    21 July (1831) ascension to the Throne of King LEOPOLD I

Constitution:          drafted 25 November 1830; approved by a Belgium National Congress 7 February 1831; entered into force 26 July 1831; amended many times; revised 14 July 1993 to create a federal state; in 1967 an official Dutch version of the constitution was adopted; in 1991 an official German version of the constitution was adopted; in 1993 an official consolidated version of the constitution was adopted

Legal system:         civil law system based on the French Civil Code; note - Belgian law continues to be modified in conformance with the legislative norms mandated by the European Union; judicial review of legislative acts

Suffrage:      18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Executive branch:  chief of state: King ALBERT II (since 9 August 1993); Heir Apparent Prince PHILIPPE, son of the monarch head of government: Prime Minister Elio DI RUPO (since 6 December 2011); cabinet: Council of Ministers are formally appointed by the monarch (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: the monarchy is hereditary and constitutional; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the monarch and then approved by parliament

Legislative branch: bicameral Parliament consists of a Senate or Senaat in Dutch, Senat in French (71 seats; 40 members directly elected by popular vote, 31 indirectly elected; members serve four-year terms) and a Chamber of Deputies or Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordigers in Dutch, Chambre des Representants in French (150 seats; members directly elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate and Chamber of Deputies - last held on 13 June 2010 (next to be held no later than June 2014) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - N-VA 19.6%, PS 13.6%, CD&V 10%, sp.a 9.5%, MR 9.3%, Open VLD 8.2%, VB 7.6%, Ecolo 5.5%, CDH 5.1% Groen! 3.9%, other 7.7%; seats by party - N-VA 9, PS 7, CD&V 4, sp.a 4, MR 4, Open VLD 4, VB 3, Ecolo 2, CDH 2, Groen! 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - N-VA 17.4%, PS 13.7%, CD&V 10.9%, MR 9.3%, sp.a 9.2%, Open VLD 8.6%, VB 7.8%, CDH 5.5%, Ecolo 4.8%, Groen! 4.4%, List Dedecker 2.3%, the Popular Party 1.3%, other 4.8%; seats by party - N-VA 27, PS 26, CD&V 17, MR 18, sp.a 13, Open VLD 13, VB 12, CDH 9, Ecolo 8, Groen! 5, List Dedecker 1, the Popular Party 1 note: as a result of the 1993 constitutional revision that furthered devolution into a federal state, there are now three levels of government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a complex division of responsibilities; this reality leaves six governments, each with its own legislative assembly

Judicial branch:      Constitutional Court (12 judges, 6 Dutch-speaking and 6 French-speaking, appointed by the King); Supreme Court of Justice or Hof van Cassatie (in Dutch) or Cour de Cassation (in French) (judges are appointed for life by the government; candidacies have to be submitted by the High Justice Council)

Political parties and leaders:       Flemish parties: Christian Democratic and Flemish or CDV [Wouter BEKE]; Flemish Liberals and Democrats or Open VLD [Alexander DE CROO]; Groen! [Wouter VAN BESIEN] (formerly AGALEV, Flemish Greens); Libertarian, Direct, Democratic or LDD (formerly Dedecker's List) [Jean-Marie DEDECKER]; New Flemish Alliance or N-VA [Bart DE WEVER]; Social Progressive Alternative or SP.A [Bruno TOBBACK]; Vlaams Belang (Flemish Interest) or VB [Bruno VALKENIERS] Francophone parties: Ecolo (Francophone Greens) [Jean-Michel JAVAUX, Sarah TURINE]; Humanist and Democratic Center or CDH [Benoit LUTGEN]; Popular Party or PP [ Mischael MODRIKAMEN]; Reform Movement or MR [Charles MICHEL]; Socialist Party or PS [Thierry GIET]; other minor parties

Political pressure groups and leaders:  Federation of Belgian Industries other: trade unions; numerous other associations representing bankers, manufacturers, middle-class artisans, and the legal and medical professions; various organizations represent the cultural interests of Flanders and Wallonia; various peace groups such as Pax Christi and groups representing immigrants

International organization participation:          ADB (nonregional members), AfDB (nonregional members), Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUSCO, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, SELEC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Diplomatic representation in the US:    chief of mission: Ambassador Jan MATTHYSEN chancery: 3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 333-6900 FAX: [1] (202) 333-3079 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York

Diplomatic representation from the US:         chief of mission: Ambassador Howard W. GUTMAN embassy: 27 Boulevard du Regent [Regentlaan], B-1000 Brussels mailing address: PSC 82, Box 002, APO AE 09710 telephone: [32] (2) 508-2111 FAX: [32] (2) 511-2725

Economy:

           This modern, open, and private-enterprise-based economy has capitalized on its central geographic location, highly developed transport network, and diversified industrial and commercial base. Industry is concentrated mainly in the more heavily-populated region of Flanders in the north. With few natural resources, Belgium imports substantial quantities of raw materials and exports a large volume of manufactures, making its economy vulnerable to volatility in world markets. Roughly three-quarters of Belgium's trade is with other EU countries, and Belgium has benefited most from its proximity to Germany. In 2011 Belgian GDP grew by 2.0%, the unemployment rate decreased slightly to 7.7% from 8.3% the previous year, and the government reduced the budget deficit from a peak of 6% of GDP in 2009 to 4.2% in 2011. Despite the relative improvement in Belgium's budget deficit, public debt hovers near 100% of GDP, a factor that has contributed to investor perceptions that the country is increasingly vulnerable to spillover from the euro-zone crisis. Belgian banks were severely affected by the international financial crisis in 2008 with three major banks receiving capital injections from the government, and the nationalization of the Belgian arm of a Franco-Belgian bank. An ageing population and rising social expenditures are mid- to long-term challenges to public finances.

GDP (purchasing power parity):          GDP (purchasing power parity): $418.6 billion (2011 est.) $410.8 billion (2010 est.) $401.7 billion (2009 est.) note: data are in 2011 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):     GDP (official exchange rate): $513.4 billion (2011 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:    1.9% (2011 est.) 2.3% (2010 est.) -2.8% (2009 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):  GDP - per capita (PPP): $38,200 (2011 est.) $37,900 (2010 est.) $37,400 (2009 est.) note: data are in 2011 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:   agriculture: 0.7% industry: 21.7% services: 77.6% (2011 est.)

Labor force: 5.177 million (2011 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:     agriculture: 2% industry: 25% services: 73% (2007 est.)

Unemployment rate:         7.7% (2011 est.) 8.3% (2010 est.)

Population below poverty line:   15.2% (2007 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:  lowest 10%: 3.4% highest 10%: 28.4% (2006)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:     28 (2005) 28.7 (1996)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.5% (2011 est.) 2.3% (2010 est.)

Investment (gross fixed): Investment (gross fixed): 20.8% of GDP (2011 est.)

Budget:        revenues: $249.6 billion expenditures: $271.2 billion (2011 est.)

Public debt: 99.7% of GDP (2011 est.) 96.2% of GDP (2010 est.) note: data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment. Debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions.

Agriculture - products:     sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, tobacco; beef, veal, pork, milk

Industries:    engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, transportation equipment, scientific instruments, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum

Industrial production growth rate:        5.6% (2011 est.)

Electricity - production:   84.2 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - consumption:          84.78 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - exports:        11.32 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports:        1.837 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Oil - production:    11,220 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - consumption: 622,600 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - exports:         353,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - imports:         1.007 million bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - proved reserves:      0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.)

Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:        19.53 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports:       0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - imports:      19.32 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:    0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.)

Current account balance: -$4.2 billion (2011 est.) $6.351 billion (2010 est.)

Exports:       $344.9 billion (2011 est.) $279.7 billion (2010 est.)

Exports - commodities:   machinery and equipment, chemicals, finished diamonds, metals and metal products, foodstuffs

Exports - partners: Germany 18.7%, France 16.9%, Netherlands 12.5%, UK 7.2%, Italy 4.6%, US 4.5% (2011)

Imports:       $355.1 billion (2011 est.) $284.4 billion (2010 est.)

Imports - commodities:   raw materials, machinery and equipment, chemicals, raw diamonds, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, transportation equipment, oil products

Imports - partners: Netherlands 19.9%, Germany 14.8%, France 10.7%, UK 6%, US 5.3%, Ireland 4.5%, China 4.2% (2011)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:        $29.43 billion (31 December 2011 est.) $26.81 billion

Debt - external:      $1.399 trillion (30 June 2011) $1.241 trillion (30 June 2010)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $1.068 trillion (31 December 2011 est.) $988.3 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:  $943.5 billion (31 December 2011 est.) $868.6 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares:          $229.9 billion (31 December 2011) $269.3 billion (31 December 2010) $261.4 billion (31 December 2009)

Exchange rates:      euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.7106 (2011 est.) 0.754 (2010 est.) 0.7198 (2009 est.) 0.6827 (2008 est.) 0.7345 (2007 est.)

Fiscal year:  calendar year

Communications: 

           Telephones in use:         4.64 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 32

Cellular Phones in use:     12.154 million (2009)

  Telephone system:         general assessment: highly developed, technologically advanced, and completely automated domestic and international telephone and telegraph facilities domestic: nationwide mobile-cellular telephone system; extensive cable network; limited microwave radio relay network international: country code - 32; landing point for a number of submarine cables that provide links to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia; satellite earth stations - 7 (Intelsat - 3) (2007)

Radio broadcast stations:

Television broadcast stations:   

Internet country code:      .be

Internet hosts:        5.18 million (2010)

Internet users:        8.113 million (2009)

Transportation:

      Airports:          43 (2012) country comparison to the world: 100

Airports (paved runways):         total: 27 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 9 (2012)

Airports (unpaved runways):     total: 16 under 914 m: 16 (2012)

Heliports:     1 (2012)

Pipelines:     gas 2,826 km; oil 154 km; refined products 535 km (2010)

Railways:     total: 3,233 km standard gauge: 3,233 km 1.435-m gauge (2,950 km electrified) (2008)

Roadways:   total: 153,595 km paved: 120,111 km (includes 1,763 km of expressways) unpaved: 33,484 km (2006)

Waterways:  2,043 km (1,528 km in regular commercial use) (2012)

Merchant marine:   total: 87 by type: bulk carrier 23, cargo 15, chemical tanker 5, container 4, liquefied gas 23, passenger 2, petroleum tanker 8, roll on/roll off 7 foreign-owned: 15 (Denmark 4, France 7, Russia 1, UK 2, US 1) registered in other countries: 107 (Bahamas 6, Cambodia 1, Cyprus 3, France 7, Gibraltar 1, Greece 17, Hong Kong 26, Liberia 1, Luxembourg 11, Malta 7, Marshall Islands 1, Mozambique 2, North Korea 1, Panama 1, Portugal 8, Russia 4, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 7, Singapore 1, Vanuatu 1) (2010)

Ports and terminals:         cargo ports (tonnage): Antwerp, Gent, Liege, Zeebrugge container ports (TEUs): Antwerp (8,662,891), Zeebrugge (2,209,715)

Military:

      

Military branches:  Belgian Armed Forces: Land Operations Command, Naval Operations Command, Air Operations Commands (2010)

Military service age and obligation:      18 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; conscription abolished in 1994 (2012)

Manpower available for military service:        males age 16-49: 2,359,232 females age 16-49: 2,291,689 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service:        males age 16-49: 1,934,957 females age 16-49: 1,877,268 (2010 est.)