Belgians
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| Script error: No such module "InfoboxImage". Flag of Belgium | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| Approximately 11.5 million | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Languages | |
| Dutch, French, German | |
| Religion | |
| Predominantly Christian (mainly Roman Catholicism), with minorities of Islam, Judaism, and non-religious |
Belgians are the citizens and natives of Belgium, a country located in Western Europe. Belgium is known for its rich cultural diversity, historical significance, and as the headquarters of the European Union and NATO.
History[edit | edit source]
The history of Belgium is marked by its strategic location at the crossroads of Europe, which has made it a site of numerous invasions and cultural exchanges. The region was originally inhabited by Celtic tribes known as the Belgae, from whom the name "Belgium" is derived. It later became part of the Roman Empire, the Frankish Empire, and the Burgundian Netherlands.
In the 19th century, Belgium gained independence from the Netherlands in 1830, establishing itself as a constitutional monarchy. The country played a significant role during both World Wars and has since become a founding member of the European Union.
Culture[edit | edit source]
Belgium is renowned for its cultural contributions, particularly in the fields of art, architecture, and cuisine. The country is famous for its Belgian chocolate, Belgian waffles, and a wide variety of beers. Belgian art is exemplified by the works of René Magritte and the Flemish Primitives, such as Jan van Eyck.
The country is also known for its comic strip culture, with famous characters like Tintin and The Smurfs.
Languages[edit | edit source]
Belgium is a multilingual country with three official languages: Dutch, French, and German. The linguistic diversity is a reflection of the country's complex regional and cultural identities.
Regions[edit | edit source]
Belgium is divided into three regions:
- Flanders: The Dutch-speaking northern region.
- Wallonia: The French-speaking southern region.
- Brussels-Capital Region: A bilingual region where both Dutch and French are spoken.
Economy[edit | edit source]
Belgium has a highly developed economy, characterized by a strong industrial and service sector. It is known for its advanced transportation infrastructure and is a major hub for international trade.
Also see[edit | edit source]
Overview map of the peoples of Europe | |
|---|---|
Size and geographic distribution of the 87 peoples of Europe, according to Pan & Pfeil (2003).[1]
Font size reflects population size (groups smaller than 2 million not to scale) Groups not shown due to lack of geographic concentration: Romani (3.8 million), Jews (1.3 million), Karaim (4,600). Small Baltic Finns, Volga Finns and Caucasian groups (<0.2 million) not shown in map: Votes, Ludes, Setos, Võros; Balkars, Karachays, Laks, Lazs, Nogais, Rutuls, Tabasarans, Tats, Tsakhurs. | |
[[Galicians iards]]
|
- ↑ (a breakdown by country of these 87 groups is given in Table 5, pp. 17–31.)
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