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| State of Belgium | |
|---|---|
| Conventional long name | Kingdom of Belgium |
| Common name | Belgium |
| Capital | Brussels |
| Largest city | Antwerp |
| Official languages | Dutch, French, German |
| Government type | Constitutional monarchy |
| Monarch | Philippe |
| Prime minister | Alexander De Croo |
| Area km2 | 30528 |
| Population estimate | 11500000 |
| Currency | Euro |
| Calling code | +32 |
| Internet tld | .be |
State of Belgium Belgium is a sovereign constitutional monarchy situated at the crossroads of Western Europe, bordering France, Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, and the North Sea. Its capital, Brussels, hosts major international institutions including the European Union, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and numerous diplomatic missions. Belgium's history intertwines with entities such as the Burgundian Netherlands, the Habsburg Netherlands, the United Kingdom of the Netherlands, and the Belgian Revolution that established independence in 1830.
The territory now known as Belgium was part of the Roman province of Gallia Belgica and later influenced by the Frankish Empire, the Carolingian Empire, and principalities like County of Flanders, Duchy of Brabant, and Prince-Bishopric of Liège. In the late Middle Ages the region formed the Burgundian Netherlands and subsequently the Habsburg Netherlands, affected by events such as the Eighty Years' War and the Peace of Westphalia. The War of the Spanish Succession and the Treaty of Utrecht altered sovereignty, leading to integration into the Austrian Netherlands before French Revolutionary armies brought the French First Republic's administration. After the Napoleonic Wars the Congress of Vienna placed the territory in the United Kingdom of the Netherlands; the Belgian Revolution resulted in the establishment of an independent kingdom under Leopold I. Belgium's 19th-century industrialization connected it to the Industrial Revolution and colonial expansion under King Leopold II, notably the Congo Free State. During the 20th century Belgium experienced occupation in both World War I (including the Battle of Liège and the Ypres Salient) and World War II (see Battle of Belgium and the Battle of the Bulge), and subsequently became a founding member of multilateral bodies like the Benelux and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Postwar developments include the evolution of the European Coal and Steel Community into the European Union and internal federalization through constitutional reforms influenced by linguistic disputes such as the Leuven Crisis.
Belgium's constitutional framework originates from the Belgian Constitution of 1831, amended repeatedly by constitutional revisions and state reforms. The monarchy of Belgium functions under rules defined by constitutional provisions and succession regulated by acts including the 1831 Charter. Executive authority is vested in the King and a council of ministers led by the Prime Minister, with cabinet formation influenced by parties such as Christian Democratic and Flemish (CD&V), PS, Open VLD, N-VA, and Ecolo. Legislative power resides in the bicameral Federal Parliament: the Chamber of Representatives and the Senate, with electoral processes governed by the Belgian electoral system and proportional representation mechanisms manifest in lists and coalitions. Judicial authority is exercised via courts like the Court of Cassation and the Constitutional Court, with jurisprudence interacting with international instruments such as the European Convention on Human Rights.
Belgium's political landscape is marked by multi-party competition and consociational arrangements spurred by linguistic cleavages between Dutch-speaking Flanders and French-speaking Wallonia, as well as the German-speaking German-speaking Community. State reforms from 1970 through reforms culminating in 1993 and 2011 transformed the unitary monarchy into a federal state with competencies distributed among the federal level and federated entities. Political actors include parties like Vlaams Belang, Workers' Party of Belgium, DéFI, and cdH, and institutions such as the High Council of Justice (Belgium). Coalition bargaining often involves mediators and informateurs appointed from figures like Di Rupo and Leterme in government formation crises, illustrated by protracted negotiations after elections in 2010 and 2019.
Belgium comprises three Regions—the Flemish Region, the Walloon Region, and the Brussels-Capital Region—and three Communities—the Flemish Community, the French Community, and the German-speaking Community. The Flemish Region and Flemish Community institutions are integrated under the Flemish Government, while the Walloon Region maintains the Walloon Government and the Walloon Parliament. Brussels' governance involves the Brussels Parliament and bilingual institutions interacting with municipal authorities including the City of Brussels and the Antwerp City Council. Region-community relations encompass issues managed by bodies such as the Council of Ministers of the Brussels-Capital Region and intergovernmental agreements addressing transport providers like SNCB/NMBS, regional development agencies, and language facilities in municipalities like Voeren.
Belgium's economy is highly open and diversified, with key sectors including shipping centered in Port of Antwerp, manufacturing in Charleroi, chemicals associated with firms such as Solvay, pharmaceuticals including UCB and Janssen Pharmaceutica, and a significant services sector in Brussels tied to institutions like the European Commission. Financial centers include banks like KBC Group and BNP Paribas Fortis. Belgium uses the Euro and participates in the European Central Bank system. Fiscal policy and public finance are managed under the federal budget and regional budgets subject to rules influenced by EU frameworks like the Stability and Growth Pact; public debt and taxation debates involve measures targeting social security systems such as the RSZ and labor markets shaped by unions like FGTB-ABVV and Febelco (note: employer organizations include Federation of Belgian Enterprises). Infrastructure and energy policy intersect with projects like Doel Nuclear Power Station and cross-border networks linking to Thalys and Eurostar.
Belgium is an active participant in multilateral diplomacy through membership in the United Nations, European Union, NATO, the World Trade Organization, and the OECD. Its foreign policy coordinates with Belgian ministries and embassies such as the Embassy of Belgium in Washington, D.C. and contributes to missions like Operation Atalanta and KFOR alongside partners including France, Germany, and the United States. Defense responsibilities are carried out by the Belgian Armed Forces, with units such as the Belgian Air Component and the Motorized Brigade integrating with NATO structures. Belgium hosts NATO headquarters in Brussels and participates in European security initiatives including the Permanent Structured Cooperation and partnerships with European Defence Agency.
Belgium's population reflects linguistic communities and urban concentrations in Brussels-Capital Region, Antwerp, and Liège. Demographic trends include aging populations, migration connected to countries such as Morocco and Turkey, and internal mobility between regions. Cultural life is shaped by institutions like the Royal Library of Belgium, festivals such as Tomorrowland and the Ghent Festival, and heritage sites including Gravensteen and the Grand-Place. Belgium's educational institutions include KU Leuven, Université catholique de Louvain, and Ghent University, while scientific organizations such as Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences and Instituut voor Tropische Geneeskunde contribute to research. Sports and cultural figures range from Eddy Merckx and Justine Henin to composers like Adolphe Sax, inventor of the saxophone, and artistic movements connected to René Magritte and the Flemish Primitives.
Category:Countries in Europe