Belgium is known worldwide for their great food including chocolate, waffles, beer and seafood; they are also connoisseurs of fine dinning. The country is also a center for trade and peace talks as Brussels, the capitol of Belgium is home to the European Union headquarters and NATO. Belgium is located in the center of western Europe and shares borders with France, Netherlands, Germany and Luxemburg with Great Britain only a short distance by sea. Often involved in many European wars as a battle grounds the area that is Belgium today has been occupied by many different countries and has been influenced by different cultures. In 1830 Belgium received its independence from the Netherlands and became its own state with its own government and now believes in peace and resolution of conflict like their motto that translates literally as "Unity makes strength".
The country is now ruled by a federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy although many decisions are made on a regional level. The federal government is responsible for such things as defence, foreign affairs and social security but many other decision making has been passed to the different communities that make up Belgium. Since 1970 Belgium has undergone six state reforms, the most recent in 2011 that have given more power to regional and linguistic levels of government that allow them to make policy on things like education and culture.
Visit the Belgian Governments Website to learn more
The country is now ruled by a federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy although many decisions are made on a regional level. The federal government is responsible for such things as defence, foreign affairs and social security but many other decision making has been passed to the different communities that make up Belgium. Since 1970 Belgium has undergone six state reforms, the most recent in 2011 that have given more power to regional and linguistic levels of government that allow them to make policy on things like education and culture.
Visit the Belgian Governments Website to learn more