Belgium
By: Madeline Buchman
Brief History of Belgium
Most of the time, Belgium was joined with another country such as France, Germany, Luxembourg, or the Netherlands. Due to it's location, numerous battles were fought there, therefor giving this country the name "The Battlefield/Cockpit of Europe". One of these battles was the Thirty Years' War, beginning in 1618 and ending in 1648. It's people have always spoken many different languages, though most are variations of French and Germanic Dutch. It was also part of Germany until the end of World War 1 and was part of France in the French Revolution in 1795. Belgium was thought to have originated in the 1500's in the Seventeen Provinces. Afterwards, many wars took place and eventually, after the Belgian Revolution, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Belgium had finally become their own countries. Later, in 1952 Belgium joined the European Union and was actually one of the few founders.
Location
Belgium is located a above France, to the left of Germany and Luxembourg, and under the Netherlands. Its geographical features include those of an average European country. (Rivers, lakes, man made waterways, hills, mountains, etc....)
Physical Features
Belgium is on the coast of the North Sea. Most of this country has flat land, but there are still various mountainous areas. It covers a total of 30,528 kilometers, about 250 of those kilometers being water.
Capital and cities
The capital of Belgium is Brussels. Four other major cities are Antwerp, Ghent, Mons, and Liège.
Belgian Revolution
This flag existed during the Belgian Revolution from 1830-1831.
Current Flag
This flag is prominent at this moment in Belgium.
Tourism
One of Belgium's many attractions is the Museum of Fine Arts in Mons, which is extremely popular. Another is Gravensteen, a castle from the Middle Ages is in Ghent, and will teach you about some of the history of Belgium. The last suggested tourist attraction is the Lys or Leie River flowing through Ghent in Belgium, and through France. This stretches more than 200 kilometers.
Government
Belgium has a federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional democracy. Its currency at this moment is the Euro. Previously, it was the French Franc.
Belgium and UK
Belgium and the UK are allies. In fact, the UK aided Belgium during both world wars.
French Fries
French fries weren't made in France. Actually, they were thought to be made from abelgium.
Population
Belgium's population at this very moment is 10.7 million people.