Country's Full Name: Kingdom of Belgium; Royaume de Belgique/Koninkrijk Belgie

Brief History: Belgium was ruled by diverse tribes until Romans came in 1st century BC defeating them all unifying the country. The country was later part of Carolingian empire in the eighth century AD. The country after getting independence from Netherlands in 1830, prospered into an industrialized nation. The country is largely divided in two regions. The Northern or Flemish (Flanders) region is Dutch speaking; the Southern or Walloon (Wallonia) region is French speaking. The smaller German speaking area lies in Walloon region.

What is the country known for:
Belgium is famous for high quality chocolates.
Belgium is also famous for its beers of roughly four hundred different kind.
Take hydrotherapy in natural spas.
NATO headquarters are located in Brussels. The European Union has its establishment in Brussels.
Brussels has over 100 museums to explore; it also has beautiful architectural monuments.
Antwerp is famous for diamond cutting.
We all know Waterloo the place where Napolean was defeated, it lies south of Brussels.
Belgians won Nobel Prize of peace three times.
The countryside entices with beautiful red colored houses and cows.

Main Industries: Most of the industries are located in the Northern Flemish Area. Major industries are - Engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, transportation equipment, scientific instruments, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, and petroleum.

Main Trading Partners: Main trading partners remain the EU countries with which Belgium maintains three fourth of trading relations. The country exports machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds, metals and metal products, foodstuffs to Germany 19.9%, France 17%, Netherlands 12%, UK 7.9%, US 6.1%, Italy 5.2% (2006). Belgium imports from Netherlands 18.4%, Germany 17.5%, France 11.3%, UK 6.6%, Ireland 5.9%, US 5.3% (2006).

Major Cities:
Brussels: the capital city.
Antwerp: the second largest port in Europe.
Ghent and Bruges
Leuven
Namur: the capital of Wallonia region.
Liege
Bastogne
Spa: Famous for mineral springs.
Durbuy
Charleroi
Mons

Location:
50 50 N, 4 00 E
It is in the Western Europe with Netherlands at the north. The other neighbors are Germany, Luxemburg in the east and France to the south-west area.

Size:
Total land area: 30,278 sq km
Total water area: 250 sq km
The country is about the size of Maryland.

Time Zone:
GMT 1 hour
Daylight Saving Time: GMT 2 hour

Type of Government: Belgium is ruled by a monarch King Albert II since 1993. Prime Minister is appointed who is ratified by the Parliament. Present Prime Minister since 1999 is Guy Verhofstadt, hailing from Social Democratic Party. The bicameral Parliament consists of Senate (Senaat in Dutch/Senat in French) and Chamber of Deputies (Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordigers in Dutch, Chambre des Representants in French). The Senate consists of 71 seats where 40 senators are elected by popular vote for four years. The Chamber of Deputies consists of 150 members who are elected every four years by popular vote. Belgium is one of the few countries where voting is compulsory. All the members are equally drawn on proportional basis with the language.

National Holidays:

2010
1 Jan New Year's Day.
5 Apr Easter Monday.
1 May Labour Day.
13 May Ascension Day.
24 May Whit Monday.
11 Jul * Flemish Community Holiday.
21 Jul Independence Day
21 Jul Independence Day.
15 Aug Assumption.
27 Sep *French Community Holiday.
1 Nov All Saints' Day.
11 Nov Armistice Day.
15 Nov German Community Holiday.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec Boxing Day.
26 Dec Boxing Day.

2011
1 Jan New Year's Day.
22 Apr Easter Monday.
1 May Labour Day.
2 Jun Ascension Day.
13 Jun Whit Monday.
11 Jul * Flemish Community Holiday.
15 Aug Assumption.
27 Sep * French Community Holiday.
1 Nov All Saints' Day.
11 Nov Armistice Day.
15 Nov German Community Holiday.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

Note
*Observed by the respective communities.

Population and Breakdown:
July 2007 estimated: 10,392,226
0-14 years: 16.5% (male 873,130/female 836,785)
15-64 years: 66.1% (male 3,467,044/female 3,406,030)
65 years and above: 17.4% (male 746,969/female 1,062,268)
Life expectancy: 78.92 years (male 75.75/female 82.24)

Religion: Roman Catholic 75%, Protestants 25%

Language: Belgium has 3 official languages - Dutch 60%, French 40%, Traces of people speaking in German bordering to Germany. The percentage figures are estimated as official census on languages are banned.

Local Customs:
Northern Belgium is French speaking and southern Dutch. Many speak English, learn a few words on daily use to communicate.
When men meet women for the first time they kiss her 3 times - First on the left, then right and then left. Men usually shake hands or kiss each other one time.

Best Time to go: During summer season from May to August it is best to visit the country getting enough sunlight. In winter the climate remains hazy sometimes temperature dropping below zero.

Currency:
Belgium is the member of European Union which holds common currency, Euro.
1 Euro = 0.67937 British Pound
1 British Pound (GBP) = 1.47195 Euro (EUR)
1 Euro = 1.36801 US Dollar
1 US Dollar (USD) = 0.73099 Euro (EUR)

Customs Regulations: How much liquor or cigarettes can you bring in with you
European Union - No more duty free allowances are allowed in EU countries. Visitors entering from EU countries can bring 200 cigars, 3200 cigarettes, 400 cigarillos, 10 liters of spirit, 110 liters of beer, 20 liters of fortified wine/and or 90 liters of wine. Visitors can purchase VAT free articles at the airport while traveling between EU countries.

Non EU countries - Visitors above the age 15 and above may enter duty free with up to 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, a liter of alcohol and 2 liters of wine.

Tipping:
Service charge is included in the price. Tipping is at your discretion.
Suggested tip: 1 Euro per piece for portage, 30 to 50 cents for bathroom attendants, Discos or concert halls 1-2 euro. Chambermaid can be given tip of 1- 2 Euro per day to get good service.