The Kingdom of Belgium is a country in northwest Europe. Belgium covers an area of 30,528 square kilometers (11,787 square miles) and has a population of about 10.5 million.
Belgium's two largest regions are the Dutch-speaking region of Flanders in the north, with 58% of the population, and the French-speaking southern region of Wallonia, inhabited by 32%. The Brussels-Capital Region, although officially bilingual, is a mostly French-speaking enclave within the Flemish Region and near the Walloon Region, and has 10% of the population. A small German-speaking Community exists in eastern Wallonia.
Belgium is well known for its cuisine. Belgian food is, like the country itself, a mix of Germanic and Latin influences. Belgians have a reputation for loving waffles and French fries; contrary to the name of the latter, both dishes originated in Belgium. The national dishes are steak-frites with salad, and moules-frites (mussels with frites).
Brands of Belgian chocolate and pralines, like Callebaut, Côte d'Or, Neuhaus, Leonidas, Guylian and Godiva, are world renowned and widely sold.
Belgium produces over 500 varieties of beer. The biggest brewer in the world by volume is InBev based in Belgium.
For more information on Belgium - click here
|