Belgium,The facts Of The Founder Of Europe

Belgium is a small country in the northwest of europe, between; France, Germany, The netherlands, and the UK, across the sea. Belgium covers an area of 30,528 square kilometres (11,787 sq mi) and has a population of about 10.7 million. Belgium is also the founding member of the european union together with luxemburg and holland, these 3 country's are also known as the Benelux.

Belgium is a multi lingual country, where French, German and Flemish are the main languages. (Flemish is the same as Dutch, but sounds a bit different, compare it with brittish and American english, same language, different sounds.) Belgium's 2 main area's are the largest Flemish speaking area of Flanders, and the French speaking area of Wallonia. Flanders hosts the largest population of the small country with about 60% of the inhabitants and Wallonia hosts 31% of the french speaking citizens.

Then there is also the Brussels capital region,It is a mostly French speaking enclave within the Flanders region and has 10% of the population.A small German speaking enclave can be found in the eastern part of Wallonia, at the border with germany. Belgium's linguistic diversity and related political and cultural conflicts are reflected in the political history and a complex governement system.

The name Belgium comes from 'Gallia Belgica, a roman province in the north of Gaul, inhabited by the Belgae, a mix of celtic and germanic people. In history, Belgium, Holland and luxemburg where called the lower lands and was a bit larger than what is now the benelux.

During the middle ages from the 13th to the 17th century, it was a prosperous centre of commerce and culture. From the 16th century until the Belgian revolution in 1830, Belgium was a place where many wars between europes greater powers where fought and was therefor called the cockpit of Europe. This reputation only grew by both world wars. After it's independence in 1830, Belgium did it's part in the industrial revolution, so that by the end of the 19th century, the country owned several colonies in Africa.

The 2th half of the 20th century was marked by communual conflicts between the Flemish and the Wallonians, the reason?, Cultural differences at on side, an asymetrical economic evolution of both regions on the other side, these conflicts still live in the country and has even reformed the unitary Belgian state into a federal state.

This small country with only around 10.7 million inhabitants has 4 different parliaments, the Flemish, the Wallonian, and the Brussels Parliament, and offcourse the federal parliament where all of these parliaments are brought together.

King Albert the 2th is still the head of state, but has as many monarchs only a symbolical function. Belgians tend to believe he is the force that keeps the country together. He appoints ministers, the prime minister, strengtend by the chamber of representatives. The number of ministers of the Flemish region and the French region is equal as stated in the constitution.

science and technology has florished in the country from the 16 th century untill the present day. starting of with people like; cartographer Gerardus Mercator, anatomist Andreas Vesalius, herbalist Rembert Dodoens and mathematician simon stevin.

Belgium is also known for there very well known arts, and artists, specially those from around the middle ages like; Jan van Eyck, Pieter Brueghel, Pieter Paul Rubens, Anthony Van Dyck, James Ensor, Constant Permeke and one of the most well known Renè Magritte.

Also in music this small country finds his way in the world, starting of with Adolf sax, who invented the saxofone in 1846. Contemporary music in belgiam is also of repute with people like, jazz player Toots Tielemans and singer Jacques Brel have achieved global succeses.

Famous pop/rock bands; Telex, Front 242, K's choise, Soulwax, hooverphonic, Zap mama and Deus, Zornik are also very well known. The country also has a respectable influance in the world of techno and house music with succesfull artists like; Milk inc, Silver, 2Fabiola,Technotronic and a bit more extreem Pragha kahn, lords of aceid, etc...

Belgium is well known al over the world for there cuisine. A lot of the highly ranked restaurants are included in the highly respected michelin guide. Belgians love to eat Belgian waffles and french fries(wich is actually a belgian invention and not french.) the national dishes are; steak with fries, and a salad, mussels with fries, flemish carbonades(a stew with beef, made with a dark beer).

The small country is also internationaly well known for there chocolates and pralines like; Callebout, Côte d'or, Neuhaus, Leonidas,Guyllian, Godiva and Galler, these brands are loved and soled around the world and is one of the biggest export products of the country.

Another famous product is there beer offcourse. The country produces over 500 varieties of beer, The trappist beer of the abbey of Westvleteren has consistently been rated the best beer in the world, this beer is very hard to get even for people in belgium, causse they only make a small badge of beer each year. Prices for this beer can go up to $500-$1000 for 1 crate.

Other famous beers are; stella Artois, jupiler, Maes, palm,hoegaarden, De Konick, Leffe, Westmalle and Duvel offcourse.The biggets brewer in the world(volume) is Anhauser-Busch-Inbev, located in Leuven, Belgium.