101 Interesting Facts About Belgium: You Need to Know!

Are you curious about Belgium? This small European country has a rich history, culture, and cuisine that is sure to fascinate you. From world-famous chocolate and waffles to the birthplace of comic book legends Tintin and the Smurfs, Belgium has a lot to offer. In this article, we've compiled 101 interesting facts about Belgium that will give you a glimpse into the country's unique identity.

101 Interesting Facts About Belgium: From Chocolate to Comics and EU HQ

• Belgium is a country located in Western Europe.
• The official name of Belgium is the Kingdom of Belgium.
• Belgium is a federal state, consisting of three regions: Flanders, Wallonia, and Brussels-Capital.
• The capital of Belgium is Brussels, which is also the capital of the European Union.
• Belgium has a total area of 30,528 square kilometers.
• Belgium has a population of approximately 11.7 million people.
• The official languages of Belgium are Dutch, French, and German.
• The currency used in Belgium is the Euro.
• Belgium is known for its chocolate, waffles, and beer.
• Belgium is also famous for its diamond industry, with Antwerp being a major diamond trading center.
• The Belgian flag has three vertical stripes of black, yellow, and red.
• Belgium gained independence from the Netherlands in 1830.
• Belgium is a founding member of the European Union and NATO.
• The highest point in Belgium is Signal de Botrange, which is 694 meters above sea level.
• The official religion of Belgium is Catholicism, although freedom of religion is guaranteed by law.
• Belgium has a constitutional monarchy, with King Philippe as the current monarch.
• The Belgian national anthem is called "La Brabançonne".
• Belgium has a highly developed economy, with a GDP per capita of $47,025 in 2020.
• The Belgian railway network is one of the densest in the world.
• The Atomium, a large metal structure in Brussels, is one of Belgium's most famous landmarks.
• The comic book character Tintin was created by the Belgian cartoonist Hergé.
• Belgium has two major seaports: Antwerp and Zeebrugge.
• Belgium has a temperate maritime climate with mild winters and cool summers.
• Belgium is home to several UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the historic center of Bruges and the Major Mining Sites of Wallonia.
• The Belgian Grand Prix is a Formula One race held at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium.
• Belgium has a high life expectancy of 81.3 years.
• The Belgian police force is divided into two main branches: the Federal Police and the Local Police.
• Belgium is home to several international organizations, including the European Commission and NATO.
• The national football team of Belgium is known as the Red Devils.
• Belgium has a well-developed healthcare system, with universal healthcare coverage.
• Belgium is home to several famous painters, including René Magritte and Paul Delvaux.
• The Belgian government is a parliamentary democracy with a bicameral parliament.
• The official motto of Belgium is "Unity makes strength".
• The Belgian healthcare system is based on a social insurance model, with both public and private healthcare providers.
• Belgium has a high percentage of people who speak more than one language, with approximately 60% of the population being multilingual.
• The Eurostar train connects Brussels with London and Paris.
• Belgium has a long history of comic book culture, with the Brussels Comic Strip Festival being a major event.
• The Belgian national football team reached the semi-finals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
• The Belgian coastline stretches for approximately 66 kilometers.
• Belgium is known for its strong tradition of cycling, with the Tour of Flanders and Liège–Bastogne–Liège being two of the country's most famous cycling races.
• Belgium has a well-developed education system, with both public and private schools available.
• The Belgian government provides a wide range of social services, including healthcare, education, and social welfare programs.
• The Belgian fashion industry is renowned for its avant-garde designs and high-quality materials.
• Belgium has a rich cultural heritage, with museums and art galleries located throughout the country.
• The Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium in Brussels is one of the largest and most important art collections in the world.
• Belgium is home to several universities, including the University of Leuven and the Université catholique de Louvain.
• The Belgian postal service, bpost, is one of the oldest postal services in the world, dating back to the 16th century.
• Belgium has a highly developed transportation infrastructure, with an extensive network of highways, railways, and waterways.
• The Belgian coastline is dotted with several resort towns, including Ostend and Knokke-Heist.
• Belgium is famous for its Trappist beers, which are brewed by monks in monasteries throughout the country.
• Belgium is also known for its lambic beers, which are fermented using wild yeast and bacteria.
• The Battle of Waterloo, a significant event in European history, took place in Belgium in 1815.
• Belgium is home to several famous musicians, including Stromae and Jacques Brel.
• The Belgian national dish is moules-frites, which consists of mussels and fries.
• The Belgian chocolate industry dates back to the 17th century and is renowned for its high-quality cocoa.
• The Belgian government provides subsidies to the film industry, resulting in a thriving Belgian cinema scene.
• Belgium has a diverse landscape, ranging from the rolling hills of the Ardennes to the flat plains of Flanders.
• The Belgian railway system is operated by the National Railway Company of Belgium, known as SNCB.
• The Belgian national football team is currently ranked number one in the FIFA world rankings.
• Belgium has a strong tradition of jazz music, with the Brussels Jazz Marathon being a major event.
• The Belgian flag was first adopted in 1831, shortly after the country gained independence.
• Belgium has a low unemployment rate, with a rate of 4.7% in 2020.
• The Belgian education system is divided into four main levels: pre-school, primary education, secondary education, and higher education.
• Belgium is home to several famous landmarks, including the Atomium, the Manneken Pis statue, and the Grand Place in Brussels.
• The Belgian postal service offers a range of services, including express delivery, postal banking, and insurance.
• Belgium is a member of the Schengen Area, allowing for free movement of people and goods within most of Europe.
• The Belgian healthcare system is based on the principles of universal coverage, equity, and accessibility.
• Belgium has a strong tradition of art nouveau architecture, with several buildings in Brussels and other cities exhibiting this style.
• The Belgian diamond industry is one of the largest in the world, with Antwerp being a major diamond trading center.
• The Belgian government operates a system of public libraries, providing access to books and other media to all citizens.
• Belgium is home to several famous writers, including Georges Simenon and Amélie Nothomb.
• The Belgian national anthem was originally written in French and later translated into Dutch and German.
• Belgium is a member of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization.
• The Belgian police force is overseen by the Federal Ministry of the Interior.
• Belgium has a well-developed tourism industry, with millions of visitors coming to the country each year.
• The Belgian economy is heavily dependent on exports, with machinery, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals being among the top exports.
• Belgium is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the historic center of Bruges and the Major Mining Sites of Wallonia.
• The Belgian comic book industry is renowned for producing popular series, including The Adventures of Tintin and The Smurfs.
• Belgium is one of the founding members of the European Union and hosts the headquarters of several EU institutions, including the European Commission and the Council of the European Union.
• The Belgian healthcare system is funded through a combination of government subsidies, social security contributions, and out-of-pocket payments.
• Belgium has a well-developed renewable energy sector, with wind and solar power being the most widely used sources.
• The Belgian cuisine is influenced by French, Dutch, and German cuisine, and is known for its rich, hearty dishes.
• Belgium is home to several world-famous fashion designers, including Raf Simons and Dries Van Noten.
• The Belgian legal system is based on the civil law system, with courts organized into four levels: justices of the peace, district courts, appellate courts, and the Court of Cassation.
• Belgium has a diverse population, with people from many different ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
• The Belgian government is a federal parliamentary democracy, with the King serving as a figurehead.
• Belgium is home to several famous painters, including Pieter Bruegel the Elder and René Magritte.
• The Belgian healthcare system is highly ranked by the World Health Organization for its accessibility, quality, and efficiency.
• Belgium has a strong tradition of cycling, with the Tour de France often passing through the country.
• The Belgian education system is known for its high standards, with several Belgian universities ranked among the top universities in Europe.
• Belgium has a rich musical heritage, with genres ranging from classical music to electronic dance music.
• The Belgian government operates a system of public transportation, including buses, trams, and trains.
• Belgium has a high standard of living, with a high Human Development Index ranking and a high per capita income.
• The Belgian royal family is popular among the Belgian people, with King Philippe and Queen Mathilde being highly regarded for their work in promoting social causes.
• Belgium is home to several important international organizations, including NATO and the European Union.
• The Belgian beer culture is highly regarded, with over 1,500 varieties of beer being brewed in the country.
• Belgium has a diverse economy, with the service sector being the largest contributor to the country's GDP.
• The Belgian healthcare system is known for its strong primary care services, which help to prevent chronic diseases and improve overall health outcomes.
• Belgium has a strong tradition of theater, with the Brussels Theatre Festival being a major event in the European theater calendar.
• The Belgian government provides a range of social welfare programs, including unemployment benefits, child allowances, and pension schemes.
• Belgium has a reputation for being a peaceful and stable country, with a long history of neutrality and a commitment to international cooperation.

Belgium may be a small country, but it packs a big punch when it comes to its contributions to the world. From its delicious cuisine and world-renowned chocolate to its thriving comic book industry and international organizations, Belgium has a lot to offer. We hope this list of 101 facts about Belgium has piqued your interest in this fascinating country and its people.