Country Profile: Belgium

Sep 08, 2024 News

Kaieteur News – Belgium a country which is of north Europe, is one of the smallest and most densely populated European countries, and it has been, since its independence in 1830, a representative democracy headed by a hereditary constitutional monarch. Initially, Belgium had a unitary form of government.

Belgium Flag

In the 1980s and ’90s, however, steps were taken to turn Belgium into a federal state with powers shared among the regions of Flanders, Wallonia, and the Brussels-Capital Region.

Culture

According to Britannica (https://www.britannica.com/place/Belgium) Culturally, Belgium is a heterogeneous country straddling the border between the Romance and Germanic language families of western Europe.

Place of interest: Luxembourg

With the exception of a small German-speaking population in the eastern part of the country, Belgium is divided between a French-speaking people, collectively called Walloons (approximately one-third of the total population), who are concentrated in the five southern provinces (Hainaut, Namur, Liège, Walloon Brabant, and Luxembourg), and Flemings, a Flemish- (Dutch-) speaking people (more than one-half of the total population), who are concentrated in the five northern and northeastern provinces (West Flanders, East Flanders [West-Vlaanderen, Oost-Vlaanderen], Flemish Brabant, Antwerp, and Limburg). Just north of the boundary between Walloon Brabant (Brabant Walloon) and Flemish (Vlaams) Brabant lies the officially bilingual but majority French-speaking Brussels-Capital Region, with approximately one-tenth of the total population. (See also Fleming and Walloon.)

History

Belgium Coat of Arm

Belgium and the political entities that preceded it have been rich with historical and cultural associations, from the Gothic grandeur of its medieval university and commercial cities and its small, castle-dominated towns on steep-bluffed winding rivers, through its broad traditions in painting and music that marked one of the high points of the northern Renaissance in the 16th century, to its contributions to the arts of the 20th century and its maintenance of the folk cultures of past eras. The Belgian landscape has been a major European battleground for centuries, notably in modern times during the Battle of Waterloo (1815) and the 20th century’s two world wars. Given its area and population, Belgium today is one of the most heavily industrialized and urbanized countries in Europe. It is a member of the Benelux Economic Union (with the Netherlands and Luxembourg), the European Union (EU), and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)—organizations that all have headquarters in or near the capital city of Brussels.

Cuisine

One of Belgium cuisines; Belgian Waffles

Frietjes – Fries– Supposedly the inspiration for French fries, Frites are the unofficial national dish of Belgium. A trip here would not be complete without at least a couple of servings. Belgium fries are created with the finest potatoes, twice fried for the ultimate crispy chip. The sauce is almost as important as the fries themselves with most opting for simple mayonnaise. Frietjes are so popular you’ll often see restaurants and food trucks dedicated solely to them called ‘frituur’.

Grey Shrimp – Crevettes grises, tiny grey shrimp, are everywhere in Belgium. Harvested from the North Sea by people on horseback there are dozens of ways to eat these tasty creatures. One of the most popular ways to eat them is in a croquette. They’re rolled in a bechamel sauce, packed together, dipped in breadcrumbs, and fried as a delicious snack. Tomaat met Grijze Garnalen is another Belgian staple. These tasty shrimp are mixed with mayo and salad and stuffed inside an uncooked tomato. To be extra Belgian, pair it with a pistolet, a crusty round bread roll.

Belgian Waffles – Contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as Belgian Waffles – locals know there are either Liège Waffles or Brussels Waffles. Liège Waffles are chewier, sweeter and thicker than their Brussels counterparts which are lighter and crispier. Both waffles have deeper grooves and are bigger than typical US waffles. Both waffles are usually topped with sweet cream, sugar, fruit or chocolate but you can get creative. The Belgian royal family is known to be especially partial to Liège waffles but it’s a matter of personal taste. (Leopold Hotel Oudenaarde)

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Belgium, country profile, Cuisine, Cultural, History

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