Belgium
Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830; it was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. The country prospered in the past half century as a modern, technologically advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU. Political divisions 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. Its capital, Brussels, is home to numerous international organizations including the EU and NATO.
🇧🇪 Belgium Tourism Information…
🇧🇪 The Best of Belgium…
Brussels
Brussels – for more detailed information go to our ➾ Brussels page.
Flanders
- Provinces: Antwerp, East Flanders, Flemish Brabant, Limburg, West Flanders
- Cities:
- Antwerp
- Grote Markt
- Bruges
- Basilica of the Holy Blood, Bruges Belfry, Groeninge Museum, Grote Markt, Onze Lieve VrouwkerkHasselt
- Ghent
- Leuven
- Mechelen
- Dossin Barricks, Markt Square, St. Rumbold’s Cathedral
- Ostend
- Roeseiare
- Roeseiare Belfry
- Ypres
- Casemates, City Fortifications, Hill 60, In Flanders Fields Museum, Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917, Menin Memorial Gate
- Antwerp
- Costal Resorts:
- De Haan, De Panne, Knokke-Heist, Koksijde, Nieupoort, Veurne
- Towns:
- Damme, Diksmulde, Menen, Oudenburg, Poperinge
- Villages: Heuvelland, Lissewege
- Others Sights & Attractions:
Wallonia
- Provinces:Liége, Luxembourg, Wallonia, Wallonia Brabant
- Cities: Charleroi, Liége, Mons, Namur
- Towns:Dinant, Tournai
- Villages:
- Others Sights & Attractions: The Ardennes, Boullion Castle
🇧🇪 Belgium Country Information…
Capital:
Brussels
Largest City:
Brussels
Government:
Federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarch
Currency:
Euro (€)
Area:
30,510km² – ranked 140th water: 6.4%
Climate:
Temperate; humid and overcast; mild, windy winters and cool summers
Population:
11,409,077 (July 2016 est.) ranked 78th
Language:
Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less than 1%
Ethnic Groups:
Flemish 58%, Walloon 31%, mixed or other 11%
Religion:
Roman Catholic 75%, other (includes Protestant) 25%
Electricity:
230V, 50Hz (European plug C,E)
Telephone Code:
+32
Local Emergency Phone Number:
112 (mobile) / 101
Internet TLD:
.be
Time Zone:
CET (UTC+1) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March, ends last Sunday in October
Road Driving Side:
Right
Anthem:
The Brabançonne
Motto:
“Eendracht maakt macht” (Dutch) “L’union fait la force” (French) “Einigkeit macht stark” (German)” Strength through Unity”
Monarch:
King Philippe
Prime Minister:
Alexander De Croo
🇧🇪 Holidays and Observances in Belgium in 2021…
| Date | Name | Type | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Friday | New Year’s Day | National holiday | |
| Jan 6 | Wednesday | Epiphany | Observance | |
| Feb 14 | Sunday | Valentine’s Day | Observance | |
| Mar 20 | Saturday | March Equinox | Season | |
| Mar 28 | Sunday | Daylight Saving Time starts | Clock change/Daylight Saving Time | |
| Apr 2 | Friday | Good Friday | Bank holiday | |
| Apr 4 | Sunday | Easter Sunday | National holiday | |
| Apr 5 | Monday | Easter Monday | National holiday | |
| May 1 | Saturday | Labor Day / May Day | National holiday | |
| May 8 | Saturday | Iris Day | Regional government holiday | Brussels |
| May 13 | Thursday | Ascension Day | National holiday | |
| May 14 | Friday | Day after Ascension Day | Bank holiday | |
| May 23 | Sunday | Whit Sunday | National holiday | |
| May 24 | Monday | Whit Monday | National holiday | |
| Jun 21 | Monday | June Solstice | Season | |
| Jul 11 | Sunday | Day of the Flemish Community | Regional government holiday | Antwerp, East Flanders, Flemish Brabant, Limburg, West Flanders |
| Jul 21 | Wednesday | Belgian National Day | National holiday | |
| Aug 15 | Sunday | Assumption of Mary | National holiday | |
| Sep 19 | Sunday | Day of the Walloon Region | Regional government holiday | Namur |
| Sep 22 | Wednesday | September Equinox | Season | |
| Sep 27 | Monday | Day of the French Community | Regional government holiday | Hainaut, Liège, Luxembourg, Namur, Walloon Brabant |
| Oct 31 | Sunday | Halloween | Observance | |
| Oct 31 | Sunday | Daylight Saving Time ends | Clock change/Daylight Saving Time | |
| Nov 1 | Monday | All Saints’ Day | National holiday | |
| Nov 11 | Thursday | Armistice Day | National holiday | |
| Nov 15 | Monday | Day of the German-speaking Community | Regional government holiday | Liège* |
| Dec 6 | Monday | St. Nicholas Day | Observance | |
| Dec 21 | Tuesday | December Solstice | Season | |
| Dec 24 | Friday | Christmas Eve | Observance | |
| Dec 25 | Saturday | Christmas Day | National holiday | |
| Dec 26 | Sunday | Boxing Day | Bank holiday | |
| Dec 31 | Friday | New Year’s Eve | Observance |
Travel Facts
US State Dept. Travel Advisory:
The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens DO NOT TRAVEL to the United Kingdom due to COVID-19. Exercise increased caution due to terrorism. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws and special circumstances in this country.
Passport/Visa Requirements:
US citizens should make sure their passport is valid at the date of their entering the country and during the length of their entire visit. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required as long as you do not stay in the country more than 6 months.
US Embassy/ Consulate:
[44] 20 7499-9000; Embassy of the United States of America, 33 Nine Elms Lane, London, SW11 7US (mailing postcode), SW8 5DB (driving/GPS postcode), United Kingdom; SCSLondon@state.gov; https://uk.usembassy.gov/
Telephone Code:
44
Local Emergency Phone:
112, 999
Internet TLD:
.uk
Vaccinations:
See WHO recommendations at http://www.who.int
Climate
Temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current; more than one half of the days are overcast
Currency (Code)
British pounds (GBP)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s):
230 V / 50 Hz / plug type(s): G
Major Languages:
English, Scots, Scottish Gaelic, Welsh, Irish, Cornish
Religions:
Christian (includes Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist) 59.5%, Muslim 4.4%, Hindu 1.3%, none 25.7%
Time Zone
UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time); daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March, ends last Sunday in October; note: applies to the United Kingdom proper, not to its crown dependencies or overseas territories
Potable Water
Yes
International Driving Permit
Suggested
Road Driving Side
Left
Tourist Destinations
London (includes the Tower of London, British Museum, Parliament, Trafalgar Square); Windsor Castle; Stonehenge; Roman Baths & Georgian City of Bath; York Minster & historic Yorkshire; Chester Zoo; Cotswolds & Lake District; Hadrian’s Wall; Edinburgh; Cardiff
Major Sports
Soccer, cricket, rugby, badminton, tennis, netball, field hockey
Cultural Practices
It is considered rude to wave one’s hand or to call when summoning a waiter at a restaurant.
Tipping Guidelines
It is customary to leave 10-15% of the total bill as a tip when eating out, although some restaurants add on a service charge instead. Tip bartenders 1 pound. It is polite to tip 10-15% of the taxi fare, or round up to the nearest pound as a convenience. Tip porters 2 pounds to bring luggage to your room.
Government
Chief of State:
Queen ELIZABETH II
Government:
Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy
Capital:
London
Largest City:
London
Legislature:
London
Judiciary:
London
Ambassador to US:
Ambassador (vacant); Charge d’Affaires Michael Tatham
US Ambassador:
Ambassador Robert Wood “Woody” Johnson IV
Geography
Area:
Total: 243,61km world rank 80th, land: 241,930km, water: 1,680km
Natural Resources:
Coal, petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, lead, zinc, gold, tin, limestone, salt, clay, chalk, gypsum, potash, silica sand, slate, arable land
People & Society
Population:
64,430,428 (July 2016 est.) world rank 23rd England 84%, Scotland 8%, Wales 5%, Northern Ireland 3%
Population Growth:
0.51% (2018 est.)
Ethnic Groups:
White 87.2%, black/African/Caribbean/black British 3%, Asian/Asian British: Indian 2.3%, Asian/Asian British: Pakistani 1.9%, mixed 2%, other 3.7% (2011 est.)
Urbanization:
Urban population: 83.7% of total population (2019)
rate of urbanization: 0.89% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
Economy
Economic Overview:
Leading trading power and financial center; third-largest economy in Europe after Germany and France; large coal, natural gas, and oil resources; banking, insurance, and business services, drive GDP growth
GDP (Purchasing Power Parity)
$2.92 trillion (2017 est.)
GDP per capita
$44,300 (2017 est.)
Exports:
$441.2 billion (2017 est.)
partners: US 13.2%, Germany 10.5%, France 7.4%, Netherlands 6.2%, Ireland 5.6%, China 4.8%, Switzerland 4.5% (2017)
Travel Facts
US State Dept. Travel Advisory:
The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens DO NOT TRAVEL to the United Kingdom due to COVID-19. Exercise increased caution due to terrorism. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws and special circumstances in this country.
Passport/Visa Requirements:
US citizens should make sure their passport is valid at the date of their entering the country and during the length of their entire visit. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required as long as you do not stay in the country more than 6 months.
US Embassy/ Consulate:
[44] 20 7499-9000; Embassy of the United States of America, 33 Nine Elms Lane, London, SW11 7US (mailing postcode), SW8 5DB (driving/GPS postcode), United Kingdom; SCSLondon@state.gov; https://uk.usembassy.gov/
Telephone Code:
44
Local Emergency Phone:
112, 999
Internet TLD:
.uk
Vaccinations:
See WHO recommendations at http://www.who.int
Climate
Temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current; more than one half of the days are overcast
Currency (Code)
British pounds (GBP)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s):
230 V / 50 Hz / plug type(s): G
Major Languages:
English, Scots, Scottish Gaelic, Welsh, Irish, Cornish
Religions:
Christian (includes Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist) 59.5%, Muslim 4.4%, Hindu 1.3%, none 25.7%
Time Zone
UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time); daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March, ends last Sunday in October; note: applies to the United Kingdom proper, not to its crown dependencies or overseas territories
Potable Water
Yes
International Driving Permit
Suggested
Road Driving Side
Left
Tourist Destinations
London (includes the Tower of London, British Museum, Parliament, Trafalgar Square); Windsor Castle; Stonehenge; Roman Baths & Georgian City of Bath; York Minster & historic Yorkshire; Chester Zoo; Cotswolds & Lake District; Hadrian’s Wall; Edinburgh; Cardiff
Major Sports
Soccer, cricket, rugby, badminton, tennis, netball, field hockey
Cultural Practices
It is considered rude to wave one’s hand or to call when summoning a waiter at a restaurant.
Tipping Guidelines
It is customary to leave 10-15% of the total bill as a tip when eating out, although some restaurants add on a service charge instead. Tip bartenders 1 pound. It is polite to tip 10-15% of the taxi fare, or round up to the nearest pound as a convenience. Tip porters 2 pounds to bring luggage to your room.
Government
Chief of State:
Queen ELIZABETH II
Government:
Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy
Capital:
London
Largest City:
London
Legislature:
London
Judiciary:
London
Ambassador to US:
Ambassador (vacant); Charge d’Affaires Michael Tatham
US Ambassador:
Ambassador Robert Wood “Woody” Johnson IV
Geography
Area:
Total: 243,61km world rank 80th, land: 241,930km, water: 1,680km
Natural Resources:
Coal, petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, lead, zinc, gold, tin, limestone, salt, clay, chalk, gypsum, potash, silica sand, slate, arable land
People & Society
Population:
64,430,428 (July 2016 est.) world rank 23rd England 84%, Scotland 8%, Wales 5%, Northern Ireland 3%
Population Growth:
0.51% (2018 est.)
Ethnic Groups:
White 87.2%, black/African/Caribbean/black British 3%, Asian/Asian British: Indian 2.3%, Asian/Asian British: Pakistani 1.9%, mixed 2%, other 3.7% (2011 est.)
Urbanization:
Urban population: 83.7% of total population (2019)
rate of urbanization: 0.89% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
Economy
Economic Overview:
Leading trading power and financial center; third-largest economy in Europe after Germany and France; large coal, natural gas, and oil resources; banking, insurance, and business services, drive GDP growth
GDP (Purchasing Power Parity)
$2.92 trillion (2017 est.)
GDP per capita
$44,300 (2017 est.)
Exports:
$441.2 billion (2017 est.)
partners: US 13.2%, Germany 10.5%, France 7.4%, Netherlands 6.2%, Ireland 5.6%, China 4.8%, Switzerland 4.5% (2017)
Imports:
$615.9 billion (2017 est.)
partners: Germany 13.7%, US 9.5%, China 9.3%, Netherlands 8%, France 5.4%, Belgium 5% (2017)