Belgium Belgium • • • • • Region: Europe Area total: 30,528 km2 Coast line: North Sea Capital: Brussels (site of EU Parliament) One of the founding members of the European Union, Wooded landscape in the Ardennes Belgian Coastal Plain Government • Parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarch. Under the 1994 constitution, autonomy was granted to the Walloon region (Wallonia), the Flemish region (Flanders), and the bilingual Brussels-Capital region; autonomy was also guaranteed for the Flemish-, French-, and German-speaking “communities.” The central government retains responsibility for foreign policy, defense, taxation, and social security. The Royal Family Belgium Parliament, Brussels Economy • Belgium's strongly globalized economy and its transportation infrastructure are integrated with the rest of Europe. Its location at the heart of a highly industrialized region helps made it 2007 the world's 15th largest trading nation. The economy is characterized by a highly productive work force, high GNP and high exports per capita. EU Parliament, Brussels EU Parliament Theater Basilique Nationale, Brussels Park in Brussels THE TRIUMPHAL ARCH The Atomium Royal Palace, Brussels Grand Place, Brussels Palace at night King’s Greenhouse, Brussels Medieval Guild Houses, Main Square in Brussels Brugge, Belgium Brugge Windmill Brugge Brugge Gate Brugge "Broel" towers, Kortrijk Antwerp RR station (Art Nouveau) Antwerp Along the Kraanlei, Ghent Castle of Counts, Ghent Great setting on the River Meuse A lot of Beer Belgian Waffles Belgian Farmland Belgian Farming Belgian Farm Dog Pups Belgian Industry - steelmaking C.P. Bourg, High-tech Communications Equipment Janssen in Geel, Belgium Biopharmaceuticals Antwerp Diamond Market Volvo Cars Assembled in Antwerp Solar Cell Glass