1 GeoFroggy

Belgium

Continent: Europe

Geography

People &
Society

Government

Economy

Energy

Communications

Military &
Security

Transportation

Terrorism

Transnational Issues
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Background

Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830 and was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. It has 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.

Location

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

Area Comparative

About the size of Maryland

Maritime Claims

Continental shelf: median line with neighbors

Exclusive fishing zone: median line with neighbors (extends about 68 km from coast)

Territorial sea: 12 NM

Climate
Temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy

Natural Hazards

Flooding is a threat in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes

Environment Current Issues

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

Environment International Agreements

Party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

Signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol

Geography Note

Crossroads of Western Europe; majority of West European capitals within 1,000 km of Brussels which is the seat of both the EU and NATO
Year

Map Reference

  • Europe

Irrigated Land

  • NA sq km

Area 2001

  • Total
    30,510 sq km
  • Land
    30,230 sq km
  • Water
    280 sq km

Coastline

  • 66 km

Geographical Coordinates

  • 50 50 N, 4 00 E

Land use 2001

  • Arable Land
    24%
  • Permanent Crops
    1%
  • Permanent Pastures
    20%
  • Forests And Woodland
    21%
  • Other
    34%

Terrain

  • Flat coastal plains in northwest
  • Central rolling hills
  • Rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast

Elevation

  • Lowest Point: North Sea 0 m
  • Highest Point: Signal de Botrange 694 m

Land Boundaries

  • Total
    1,385 km
  • France
    620 km
  • Germany
    167 km
  • Luxembourg
    148 km
  • Netherlands
    450 km

Natural Resources

  • Coal
  • Natural gas
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