Introduction to Belgium

Quick Overview

Key Facts

• Location: between France and Netherlands, with a small outlet on the North Sea.

• Latitude/longitude: 50.51' N, 4.21' E

• Local time: Heure : 4445

• Capital: Brussels

• Nature of the state: constitutional monarchy.

• Official languages: French, Dutch, and German.

• Currency: euro.

• Population: 11,570,762 inhabitants (2018)

• Area: 30,528 km².

• Density: 379 inhabitants/km².

• Highest point: Signal de Botrange (694 m)

• Lowest point: sea level.

• Coastline: 73 km.

• Driving: on the right.

• Flag: [drapeau: Belgique]

Tourism

Between Flanders and Wallonia, the "flat country" (or nearly so) is more than just its capital and a few clichés. The country is a full-fledged tourist destination that will delight culture lovers above all.

Of the 9 million visitors Belgium welcomes each year (9.154 million in 2018), the Dutch (25% of arrivals) and French (15%) are the most numerous, followed by the British, Germans, Americans, and Spaniards.

Travel Essentials

• Destination: for beginner travelers.

• By air: France-Brussels.

• Entry requirements: ID card or passport.

• Currency to bring: euros.

• Exchange rate:

• Daily "backpacker" budget:

• Best for accommodation:

• Best for getting around:

• Risks: none in terms of health and low in terms of security.

• Best time for climate/crowds/prices: from late April to early October, favoring times outside school holidays or long weekends—especially May-June and September.

• Interests (out of ★★★★): Nature ★★; Adventure ⊘/ ★; Culture ★★★★; Relaxation-holidays ★/ ★★.

Useful Addresses

As with many things in the country, there are two tourist information structures based on linguistic divisions. Both are closed to the public.

• Flanders-Brussels Tourist Office: online or by phone (in France) at +33 1 56 89 14 42.

• Wallonia-Brussels Tourist Office: online or by phone (in France) at +33 1 53 85 05 20.

Socio-Economic Statistics

• "Quality of life": 17/188 (rank in 2018)

• GDP per capita: $46,600 (2017)

• Average monthly income:

• Inflation: +2.2% (2017)

• "Official" unemployment: 7.1% (2017)

• Population below the poverty line: 15.1% (2013)

• Life expectancy: 81 years (2016)

• Migration rate per 1,000 inhabitants: 5.4 (2017)

• Population growth: +0.67% (2018)

• Literacy rate: 100% (2019)

• Urban population: 98% (2018)

• Press freedom: 7/180 (rank in 2018)

• Political regime: flawed democracy (31/167 in 2018)

Sources: World Bank, Human Development Indicators, RSF, The Economist, The World Factbook