Belgium Flag

Local name: Belgique/Belgie

Capital: Brussels

Population: 10,379,067

Government: federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy

Currency: euro (EUR)

Land size: 30,528 sq km

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

Typical foods: pommes frites moules bruxellois

Major exports: machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds, metals and metal products, foodstuffs

Official language: Dutch 60%, French 40% German 1%

Other languages spoken:

Religions: Roman Catholic 75%, Protestant or other 25%

Literacy rate: 99%

Male/Female Ratio: 0.96 male(s) to every 1 female

Life expectancy: 78.77 years

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

Internet users: 5.1 million

Famous people: King Leopold II; Django Reinhardt