2003 Edition

Administrative divisions

10 provinces (French: provinces, singular - province; Dutch: provincies, singular - provincie) and 3 regions* (French: regions;

Age structure

0-14 years: 17.2% (male 905,856; female 865,589) 15-64 years: 65.6% (male 3,400,419; female 3,346,182) 65 years and over: 17.2% (male 725,162; female 1,045,880) (2003 est.)

Agriculture - products

sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, tobacco; beef, veal, pork, milk

Airports

42 (2002)

Airports - with paved runways

over 3,047 m

6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 1

total

25

under 914 m

7 (2002) 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

17 914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m

15 (2002)

Area

land

30,230 sq km

total

30,510 sq km

water

280 sq km

Area - comparative

about the size of Maryland

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. Geography Belgium

Birth rate

10.45 births/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Budget

expenditures

$106 billion, including capital expenditures of $7.17 billion (2000)

revenues

$113.4 billion

Capital

Brussels

Climate

temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy

Coastline

66 km

Constitution

7 February 1831, last revised 14 July 1993; parliament approved a constitutional package creating a federal state

Country name

conventional long form

Kingdom of Belgium

conventional short form

Belgium

local long form

Royaume de Belgique/Koninkrijk Belgie

local short form

Belgique/Belgie

Currency

euro (EUR)

note

on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries

Currency code

EUR

Death rate

10.07 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Debt - external

$28.3 billion (1999 est.)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Stephen Franklin BRAUER

embassy

Regentlaan 27 Boulevard du Regent, B-1000 Brussels

mailing address

PSC 82, Box 002, APO AE 09710

telephone

[32] (2) 508-2111

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Franciskus VAN DAELE

consulate(s) general

Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York

Disputes - international

none

Distribution of family income - Gini index

28.7 (1996)

Dutch

gewesten); Antwerpen, Brabant Wallon, Brussels* (Bruxelles), Flanders*, Hainaut, Liege, Limburg, Luxembourg, Namur, Oost-Vlaanderen, Vlaams-Brabant, Wallonia*, West-Vlaanderen

Economic aid - donor

ODA, $764 million (1997)

Economy - overview

This modern private enterprise economy has capitalized on its central geographic location, highly developed transport network, and diversified industrial and commercial base. Industry is concentrated mainly in the populous Flemish area in the north. With few natural resources, Belgium must import substantial quantities of raw materials and export a large volume of manufactures, making its economy unusually dependent on the state of world markets. Roughly three-quarters of its trade is with other EU countries. Public debt is about 100% of GDP, and the government has succeeded in balancing its budget. Belgium, together with 11 of its EU partners, began circulating the euro currency in January 2002. Economic growth in 2001-03 dropped sharply due to the global economic slowdown. Prospects for 2004 again depend largely on recovery in the EU and the US.

Electricity - consumption

78.18 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports

6.712 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports

15.82 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - production

74.28 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

38.4%

hydro

0.6%

nuclear

59.3%

other

1.8% (2001)

Elevation extremes

highest point

Signal de Botrange 694 m

lowest point

North Sea 0 m

Environment - current issues

the environment is exposed to intense pressures from human

activities

urbanization, dense transportation network, industry, extensive animal breeding and crop cultivation; air and water pollution also have repercussions for neighboring countries; uncertainties regarding federal and regional responsibilities (now resolved) have slowed 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, Kyoto Protocol, 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

Ethnic groups

Fleming 58%, Walloon 31%, mixed or other 11%

Exchange rates

euros per US dollar - 1.06 (2002), 1.12 (2001), 1.09 (2000), 0.94 (1999), 36.3 (1998)

Executive branch

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch and approved by Parliament

chief of state

King ALBERT II (since 9 August 1993); Heir Apparent Prince PHILIPPE, son of the monarch

elections

none; the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch and then approved by Parliament

head of government

Prime Minister Guy VERHOFSTADT (since 13 July 1999)

note

government coalition - VLD, MR, PS, SP, AGALEV, and ECOLO

Exports

$162 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Exports - commodities

machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds, metals and metal products, foodstuffs

Exports - partners

Germany 18.6%, France 16.3%, Netherlands 11.6%, UK 9.6%, US 7.9%, Italy 5.4% (2002)

FAX

[1] (202) 333-3079

[32] (2) 511-2725

telephone

[1] (202) 333-6900

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications Belgium

Flag description

three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, and red; the design was based on the flag of France Economy Belgium

GDP

purchasing power parity - $299.7 billion (2002 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

1.3%

industry

24.4%

services

74.3% (2001)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $29,200 (2002 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

0.7% (2002 est.)

Geographic coordinates

50 50 N, 4 00 E

Geography - note

crossroads of Western Europe; majority of West European capitals within 1,000 km of Brussels, the seat of both the European Union and NATO People Belgium

Government type

federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarch

Heliports

1 (2002) Military Belgium

Highways

paved

116,687 km (including 1,727 km of expressways)

total

148,216 km

unpaved

31,529 km (2000)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.2% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

less than 100 (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

8,500 (2001 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

23% (1996)

lowest 10%

3.2%

Illicit drugs

growing producer of synthetic drugs; transit point for US-bound ecstasy; source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine processors; transshipment point for cocaine, heroin, hashish, and marijuana entering Western Europe; money laundering related to trafficking of drugs, automobiles, alcohol, and tobacco This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003

Imports

$152 billion f.o.b. (2001)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals and metal products, foodstuffs

Imports - partners

Germany 17.2%, Netherlands 15.6%, France 12.8%, UK 7.3%, Ireland 7%, US 6.4%, Italy 4% (2002)

Independence

4 October 1830 a provisional government declared independence from the Netherlands; 21 July 1831 the ascension of King Leopold I to the throne

Industrial production growth rate

4.5% (2000 est.)

Industries

engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum, coal

Infant mortality rate

female

3.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)

male

5.16 deaths/1,000 live births

total

4.57 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.7% (2002 est.)

International organization participation

ACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G- 9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMOGIP, UNMOP, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCL, WCO, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO, ZC

Internet country code

.be

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

61 (2000)

Internet users

3.76 million (2002) Transportation Belgium

Irrigated land

40 sq km (includes Luxembourg) (1998 est.)

Judicial branch

Supreme Court of Justice or Hof van Cassatie (in Dutch) or Cour de Cassation (in French) (judges are appointed for life by the monarch, although selected by the Government)

Labor force

4.44 million (2001)

Labor force - by occupation

services 73%, industry 25%, agriculture 2% (1999 est.)

Land boundaries

border countries

France 620 km, Germany 167 km, Luxembourg 148 km, Netherlands 450 km

total

1,385 km

Land use

arable land

25%

note

includes Luxembourg (1998 est.)

other

75%

permanent crops

0%

Languages

Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less than 1%, legally bilingual (Dutch and French)

Legal system

civil law system influenced by English constitutional theory; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Legislative branch

bicameral Parliament consists of a Senate or Senaat in Dutch, Senat in French (71 seats; 40 members are directly elected by popular vote, 31 are indirectly elected; members serve four-year terms) and a Chamber of Deputies or Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordigers in Dutch, Chambre des Representants in French (150 seats; members are directly elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms)

election results

Senate - percent of vote by party - SP.A-Spirit 15.5%, VLD 15.4%, CD & V 12.7%, PS 12.8%, MR 12.1%, VB 9.4%, CDH 5.6%; seats by party - SP.A-Spirit 7, VLD 7, CD & V 6, PS 6, MR 5, VB 5, CDH 2, other 2 (note - there are also 31 indirectly elected senators); Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - VLD 15.4%, SP.A-Spirit 14.9%, CD & V 13.3%, PS 13.0%, VB 11.6%, MR 11.4%, CDH 5.5%, Ecolo 3.1%; seats by party - VLD 25, SP.A-Spirit 23, CD & V 21, PS 25, VB 18, MR 24, CDH 8 Ecolo 4, other 2

elections

Senate and Chamber of Deputies - last held 18 June 2003 (next to be held in NA May 2007)

note

as a result of the 1993 constitutional revision that furthered devolution into a federal state, there are now three levels of government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a complex division of responsibilities; this reality leaves six governments each with its own legislative assembly; for other acronyms of the listed parties see the Political parties and leaders entry

Life expectancy at birth

female

81.78 years (2003 est.)

male

74.97 years

total population

78.29 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

NA% Government Belgium

male

NA%

total population

98%

Location

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

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

continental shelf

median line with neighbors

exclusive economic zone

median line with neighbors (extends about 68 km from coast)

territorial sea

12 NM

Median age

female

41.3 years (2002)

male

38.7 years

total

40 years

Merchant marine

convenience

Finland 1, Netherlands 3 (2002 est.)

ships by type

cargo 6, chemical tanker 10, petroleum tanker 4, includes some foreign-owned ships registered here as a flag of

total

20 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 32,215 GRT/55,725 DWT

Military branches

Army, Navy, Air Components, Federal Police

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$3.077 billion (FY01/02)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

1.4% (FY01/02) Transnational Issues Belgium

Military manpower - availability

males age 15-49

2,497,423 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

males age 15-49

2,059,131 (2003 est.)

Military manpower - military age

19 years of age (2003 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually

males

60,921 (2003 est.)

National holiday

21 July (1831) ascension to the Throne of King Leopold I

Nationality

adjective

Belgian

noun

Belgian(s)

Natural gas - consumption

15.5 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports

15.4 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural hazards

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

Natural resources

coal, natural gas

Net migration rate

0.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 est.)

Oil - consumption

595,100 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports

450,000 bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports

1.042 million bbl/day (2001)

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Pipelines

gas 1,485 km; oil 158 km; refined products 535 km (2003)

Political parties and leaders

AGALEV (Flemish Greens) [Dirk HOLEMANS]; Christian Democrats and Flemish or CD & V [Yves LETERME]; note - used to be the Flemish Christian Democrats or CVP; Ecolo (Francophone Greens) [Jean-Michel JAVAUK, Evelyne HUYTEBROECK, Claude BROUIR]; Flemish Liberal Democrats or VLD [Karel DE GUCHT]; Francophone Humanist and Democratic Center of CDH (used to be Social Christian Party or PSC) [Joelle MILQUET]; Francophone Reformist Movement or MR (used to be Liberal Reformation Party or PRL) [Antoine DUQUESNE]; Francophone Socialist Party or PS [Elio DI RUPO]; National Front or FN [Daniel FERET]; New Flemish Alliance or NVA [Geert BOURGEOIS]; note - new party that emerged after the demise of the People's Union or VU; Social Progressive Alternative Party or SP.A [Steve STEVAERT]; note - was Flemish Socialist Party or SP; Spirit [Els VAN WEERT]; note - new party that emerged after the demise of the People's Union or VU; Vlaams Blok or VB [Frank VANHECKE]; other minor parties

Political pressure groups and leaders

Christian and Socialist Trade Unions; Federation of Belgian Industries; numerous other associations representing bankers, manufacturers, middle-class artisans, and the legal and medical professions; various organizations represent the cultural interests of Flanders and Wallonia; various peace groups such as Pax Christi and groups representing immigrants

Population

10,289,088 (July 2003 est.)

Population below poverty line

4%

Population growth rate

0.14% (2003 est.)

Ports and harbors

Antwerp (one of the world's busiest ports), Brugge, Gent, Hasselt, Liege, Mons, Namur, Oostende, Zeebrugge

Radio broadcast stations

FM 79, AM 7, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios

8.075 million (1997)

Railways

standard gauge

3,471 km 1.435-m gauge (2,631 km electrified) (2002)

total

3,471 km

Religions

Roman Catholic 75%, Protestant or other 25%

Sex ratio

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

0.96 male(s)/female (2003 est.)

under 15 years

1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Telephone system

domestic

nationwide cellular telephone system; extensive cable network; limited microwave radio relay network

general assessment

highly developed, technologically advanced, and completely automated domestic and international telephone and telegraph facilities

international

5 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Eutelsat

Telephones - main lines in use

4.769 million (1997)

Telephones - mobile cellular

974,494 (1997)

Television broadcast stations

25 (plus 10 repeaters) (1997)

Televisions

4.72 million (1997)

Terrain

flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast

Total fertility rate

1.62 children born/woman (2003 est.)

Unemployment rate

7.2% (2002 est.)

Waterways

1,570 km (route length in regular commercial use) (2001)