TAMWORTH

147
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As of February 2008
This Gavel is now in
BELGIUM
Facts about Belgium
Capital; Brussels ~ Population, 10,392,226 (July 2007 est. ~ Religions – Roman Catholic 75%, various
Protestant denominations ~ Physical features – fertile coastal plain, rolling hills in central region
withmountains of the Ardennes Forest in the south east ~ Exports – livestock and livestock products, gem
diamonds, iron and steel manufactures, chemicals ~ Currency – Euro – formerly Belgian Franc ~ Language
– in the north Flemish / in the south Walloon
(French dialect) Located in Western Europe, Belgium has about 40 mi of seacoast on the North Sea, at the Strait
of Dover, and is approximately the size of Maryland. The Meuse and the Schelde, Belgium’s principal rivers,
are important commercial arteries.
Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830; it was
occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. The country
prospered in the past half century as a modern, technologically
advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU.
Tensions between the Dutch-speaking Flemings of the north and the
French-speaking Walloons of the south have led in recent years to
constitutional amendments granting these regions formal
recognition and autonomy.
Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the
Netherlands
Free Map