Overview about Belgium

Overview about Belgium

Home to two main linguistic groups, French speaking Walloons in the south and Dutch speaking Flemish in the north, Belgium, is bordered by the North Sea, France, the Netherlands and a tiny part of Germany. Brussels, the capital is a mostly French speaking city in the northern Flemish region, home to a number of European Union institutions. Bruges is a historic canal based city designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Antwerp on the River Scheldt has one of the largest seaports in Europe. The cuisine in Belgium is very highly rated, while its chocolate is world famous. 

Climate

Belgium’s climate can vary greatly from the coast to the inland regions. The country sees an even amount of rainfall throughout the twelve months of the year and there are also frequent snowfalls during the cooler winter months. Winters are also characterized by temperatures close to the freezing mark. The summer months are also very pleasant with temperatures in the upper 60s to lower 70s. Belgium sees an average rainfall of about thirty to forty inches over the course of a year. The climate can become much more extreme the further inland you move, but mild winters and mild summers are a staple of locations near the coast. 

Quick Facts

Official Country Name: Kingdom of Belgium

Capital: Brussels

Largest City: Brussels

Official Language: Dutch, French, German

Area: 30,528 Sq km  

Population: 10,827,519

Currency: Euro

GDP (Per Capita):  36,274 US $

Calling Code: +32

Transportation

Being a small country, traveling around Belgium is extremely easy and can be accomplished in a matter of few hours. Public transport (www.infotec.be) in Belgium is extremely cost effective and convenient and can be planned to include all modes of transport like trains, trams, buses and subways.

 

Trains (www.b-rail.be) are excellent ways to travel around Belgium, as they are extremely comfortable and punctual. Alternatively, you could opt for buses to travel from one city to another. Bus routes are again extensive, connecting all parts of Belgium. Within certain cities, you could opt for trams or subways to travel.

 

Cars are also excellent modes of transport within Belgium, given the varied car rental companies available in the country.