|
|
Useful info - Belgium and regional information
- 2Link
On-line website directory (in Dutch)
- Belgian Affairs
Belgian Affairs is a blog about politics and business in Belgium written by professional journalists of the business daily and website De Tijd.
- Belgium in the EU
Belgium is a federal state divided into three regions: Dutch-speaking Flanders in the north, Wallonia in the south where the language is French, and Brussels, the bilingual capital, where French and Dutch share official status. There is also a small German-speaking minority of some 70 000 in the eastern part of the country.
Belgium’s landscape varies widely: 67 kilometres of seacoast and flat coastal plains along the North Sea, hills in the centre and the uplands forests of the Ardennes region in the southeast.
Brussels hosts several international organisations: most of the European institutions are located there as well as the NATO headquarters.
Independent since 1830, Belgium is a constitutional monarchy. The two houses of Parliament are the Chamber of Representatives, whose members are elected for a maximum period of four years, and the Senate or upper house, whose members are elected or co-opted. Given its political make-up, Belgium is generally run by coalition governments.
Official website: www.belgium.be
Source: www.europa.eu
- Brussels in the EU
Brussels is the capital of Belgium and the administrative centre of the European Union. This has earned the city the title of the Capital of Europe. Brussels has been given its character by the coexistence of French and Flemish culture, and it is nowadays home to nationalities around the world, adding a cosmopolitan flavour to its atmosphere. The vibrant atmosphere of Brussels is further enhanced by picturesque medieval streets, lively squares, beautiful boulevards, impressive monuments, spacious parks, cosy cafés, interesting restaurants and an active cultural life.
Source www.brussels.org
- Flanders in the EU
Flanders borders onto the North Sea, and is situated between The Netherlands and France. It is the northern part of Belgium. Ever since the Middle Ages, Flanders has been at the crossroads of the great European trade routes. Flemish merchants swarmed out to every corner of the then known world. Foreign merchants and artists came to Flanders endowing the magnificent Flemish cities with prosperity and cultural vitality. Flemish people speak Dutch and can look back on an illustrious past with splendid cities abounding in culture, art and world famous painters. Even so, nowadays Flanders still is a well-kept secret: the world of top class contemporary art and design, pop and classical music, finance, gourmet, sport, its natural landscape? Antwerp recently was mentioned as one of the ten trendiest cities of the world in a famous international travel magazine.
Official website www.flanders.be
- Wallonia in the EU
Wallonia is located in the southeastern part of Belgium. The languages that are spoken in Belgium are what technically divide the country.
Following that description, Wallonia is Belgium’s French-speaking territory that is located right at the southern part. Its counterpart is Flanders, which is positioned to the north. People from Flanders mostly speak Flemish.
Wallonia is officially referred to as the romance region. It had reinvented itself several times from the day it was conquered and ruled over by different nations.
Source: www.wallonia.org
|
|
|
|
