2005 Edition

Administrative divisions

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

Dutch

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

Age structure

0-14 years: 16.9% (male 892,995/female 855,177) 15-64 years: 65.7% (male 3,435,282/female 3,373,917) 65 years and over: 17.4% (male 745,178/female 1,061,839) (2005 est.)

Agriculture - products

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

Airports

43 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways

total

25 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 7 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

18 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 16 (2004 est.)

Area

land

30,278 sq km

total

30,528 sq km

water

250 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

10.48 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Budget

expenditures

$174.8 billion, including capital expenditures of $1.56 billion (2004 est.)

revenues

$173.7 billion

Capital

Brussels

Climate

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

Coastline

66.5 km

Constitution

7 February 1831; amended many times; revised 14 July 1993 to create 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 (code)

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

Current account balance

$11.4 billion (2004 est.)

Death rate

10.22 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Debt - external

$28.3 billion (1999 est.)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Tom C. KOROLOGOS

embassy

Regentlaan 27 Boulevard du Regent, B-1000 Brussels

FAX

[32] (2) 511-2725

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, Los Angeles, and New York

FAX

[1] (202) 333-3079

telephone

[1] (202) 333-6900

Disputes - international

none

Distribution of family income - Gini index

28.7 (1996)

Economic aid - donor

ODA, $1.072 billion (2002)

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 nearly 100% of GDP. On the positive side, the government has succeeded in balancing its budget, and income distribution is relatively equal. Belgium began circulating the euro currency in January 2002. Economic growth in 2001-03 dropped sharply because of the global economic slowdown, with moderate recovery in 2004.

Electricity - consumption

78.82 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports

9.1 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports

16.7 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - production

76.58 billion kWh (2002)

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-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, 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 - 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000)

Executive branch

cabinet

Council of Ministers formally appointed by the monarch

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 note: government coalition - VLD, MR, PS, SP.A-Spirit

head of government

Prime Minister Guy VERHOFSTADT (since 13 July 1999)

Exports

$255.7 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Germany 19.9%, France 17.2%, Netherlands 11.8%, UK 8.6%, US 6.5%, Italy 5.2% (2004)

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 - composition by sector

agriculture

1.3%

industry

25.7%

services

73% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $30,600 (2004 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

2.6% (2004 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$316.2 billion (2004 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 (2004 est.) Military Belgium

Highways

paved

116,540 km (including 1,729 km of expressways)

total

149,028 km

unpaved

32,488 km (2002)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.2% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

less than 100 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

10,000 (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 3.2% highest 10%: 23% (1996)

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; despite a strengthening of legislation, the country remains vulnerable to money laundering related to narcotics, automobiles, alcohol, and tobacco This page was last updated on 20 October, 2005 ======================================================================

Imports

$235 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, chemicals, diamonds, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, transportation equipment, oil products

Imports - partners

Germany 18.4%, Netherlands 17%, France 12.5%, UK 6.8%, Ireland 6.3%, US 5.5% (2004)

Independence

4 October 1830 (a provisional government declares independence from the Netherlands); 21 July 1831 (King Leopold I ascends to the throne)

Industrial production growth rate

3.5% (2004 est.)

Industries

engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, transportation equipment, scientific instruments, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum

Infant mortality rate

female

4.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

male

5.27 deaths/1,000 live births

total

4.68 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.9% (2004 est.)

International organization participation

ACCT, AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, 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, MIGA, MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, ONUB, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIK, UNMOGIP, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCL, WCO, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Internet country code

.be

Internet hosts

166,799 (2004)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

61 (2000)

Internet users

3.4 million (2002) Transportation Belgium

Investment (gross fixed)

19.1% of GDP (2004 est.)

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 Government; candidacies have to be submitted by the High Justice Council)

Labor force

4.75 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture 1.3%, industry 24.5%, services 74.2% (2003 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

23.28%

other

76.32% note: includes Luxembourg (2001)

permanent crops

0.4%

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 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

elections

Senate and Chamber of Deputies - last held 18 May 2003 (next to be held no later than May 2007)

Life expectancy at birth

female

81.94 years (2005 est.)

male

75.44 years

total population

78.62 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

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 2,436,736 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 1,998,003 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually

males

64,263 (2005 est.)

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

continental shelf

median line with neighbors

exclusive economic zone

geographic coordinates define outer limit

territorial sea

12 nm

Median age

female

41.81 years (2005 est.)

male

39.29 years

total

40.55 years

Merchant marine

by type

bulk carrier 15, cargo 2, chemical tanker 2, container 8, liquefied gas 17, petroleum tanker 9

foreign-owned

12 (Denmark 4, France 4, Greece 4)

registered in other countries

101 (2005)

total

53 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 1,146,301 GRT/1,588,184 DWT

Military branches

Land, Naval, and Air Components (2005)

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$3.999 billion (2003)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

1.3% (2003) Transnational Issues Belgium

Military service age and obligation

16 years of age for voluntary military service; women comprise some 7% of the Belgian armed forces (2001)

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 along rivers and in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes

Natural resources

construction materials, silica sand, carbonates

Net migration rate

1.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 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 (2004)

Political parties and leaders

Flemish parties

Christian Democrats and Flemish or CD & V [Jo VANDEURZEN]; Flemish Liberal Democrats or VLD [Bart SOMERS]; GROEN! (formerly AGALEV, Flemish Greens) [Vera DUA]; New Flemish Alliance or NVA [Bart DE WEVER]; Socialist Party.Alternative or SP.A [Caroline GENNEZ]; Spirit [Geert LAMBERT] (new party now associated with SP.A); Vlaams Belang (Flemish Interest) or VB [Frank VANHECKE]

Francophone parties

Ecolo (Francophone Greens) [Jean-Michel JAVAUX, Evelyne HUYTEBROECK, Claude BROUIR]; Humanist and Democratic Center of CDH [Joelle MILQUET]; National Front or FN [Daniel FERET]; Reformist Movement or MR [Didier REYNDERS]; Socialist Party or PS [Elio DI RUPO]; other minor parties

Political pressure groups and leaders

Christian, Socialist, and Liberal 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

10,364,388 (July 2005 est.)

Population below poverty line

4% (1989 est.)

Population growth rate

0.15% (2005 est.)

Ports and harbors

Antwerp, Brussels, Gent, Liege, Oostende, Zeebrugge

Public debt

96.2% of GDP (2004 est.)

Radio broadcast stations

FM 79, AM 7, shortwave 1 (1998)

Radios

8.075 million (1997)

Railways

standard gauge

3,521 km 1.435-m gauge (2,927 km electrified) (2004)

total

3,521 km

Religions

Roman Catholic 75%, Protestant or other 25%

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$14.45 billion (2003)

Sex ratio

at birth

1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female

total population

0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

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

country code - 32; 5 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Eutelsat

Telephones - main lines in use

5,120,400 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular

8,135,500 (2002)

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

1.64 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Unemployment rate

12% (first half, 2004)

Waterways

2,043 km (1,528 km in regular commercial use) (2003)