Brussels, Belgium
Belgium is a country in Northwest Europe bordered by the Netherlands to the North, Germany to the East, Luxembourg to the South and France to the West. Through it's history, the coutry has been culturally divided into French-speaking and Flemmish (Dutch-speaking) parts. Nowadays it's about 60% of the country who speak Dutch, and 40% speaking French, many people are bilingual and speak German or English, too.
System of government: Constitutional monarchy.
Area : 30,528 square kilometres (11,580 square miles).
Number of inhabitants : 10 million.
Density of population : 300 people per square kilometre.
Official languages : French, Flemish and German.
Regions : Flanders (the Flemish/Dutch-speaking region), Wallonia (the French-speaking region), Brussels-Capital Region (Flemish-French bilingual).
Provinces : Flanders is divided into 5 provinces: Antwerp, Flemish Brabant, Eastern Flanders, Western Flanders, and Limburg. Wallonia is also divided into 5 provinces: Hainaut, Liège, Namur, Luxembourg and Wallonian Brabant.
Communities : Flemish, French and German.
Neighbouring countries: Belgium has land borders with France, Holland, Germany and Luxembourg.
Big cities: Brussels, Ghent (Gent/Gand), Bruges (Brugge), Antwerp (Antwerpen/Anvers).
Climate : Temperate, with mild winters and gentle summers. Average temperature in July: 23 oC (73 oF) and in January: 3 oC (38 oF).
Public holidays:
- New Year’s Day – 1 January
- Easter Sunday
- Easter Monday
- Labour Day – 1 May
- Ascension Day
- Whit Sunday
- Whit Monday
- Belgian National Day – 21 July
- Assumption Day – 15 August
- All Saints’ Day – 1 November
- Armistice – 11 November
- Christmas Day – 25 December
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