148 Interesting and Fun Facts about Belgium

...

...

1. The change from summer to winter time (moving clockwise back one hour) is on the last Sunday in October.

2. According to the law, every patient, even a tourist with insurance, must cover the cost of treatment and only later can apply for reimbursement at the “sickness fund”.

3. There are free, well-lit highways in this country.

4. 25% of fatal accidents were caused by people under the influence of alcohol.

5. This country has more than 6,994,000 motor vehicles (619 vehicles per 1,000 inhabitants).

6. The top-level national domain is .be . There are over 1 328 010 websites with this extension.

7. The most popular pages with the extension .be are google.be, hln.be and standaard.be.

8. The Kingdom of Belgium is one of 12 monarchies in Europe.

9. In this country you will not find premises known for the world-famous American chain of fast food bars KFC.

10. In this country there are over 154,012 km of paved roads, including over 1,756 km of expressways (0.24% of all roads in the world).

11. The country has 41 airports, 26 of the paved surface.

12. There is a 39.9 km metro line in Brussels (59 stations). It was opened in 1976. About 130 million people use it annually.

13. In Belgium, the post office has sold half a million stamps with a chocolate smell and glue flavor.

14. The Smurfs were created by the Belgian cartoonist Peyo in 1958.

15. The average speed of fixed-line internet is 12.8 Mb / s and the maximum 59.3 Mb / s (data from the end of 2015).

16. Full name of the country – Kingdom of Belgium.

17. Political system – constitutional monarchy.

18. Sylvain Arend, a Belgian astronomer on February 3, 1935, called one of the discovered asteroids – Wawel, in honor of the Polish royal castle.

19. Belgian entrepreneurs are massively transferring their companies to “tax havens”. It is estimated that in 2016 alone they transferred over EUR 221 billion in revenues.

20. A strawberry museum, Le Musee de la Fraise, has opened in Belgium, with a store selling products made from strawberries. You can even buy strawberry beer there.

21. In Belgium, long queues line up at the restaurants serving the best fries and the fries themselves are served with several dozen types of sauces.

22. In Antwerp, in the Rubens House Museum, you can see an example of a very well-equipped kitchen from those times.

23. All street names, advertisements, information boards, signs are written in two languages: French and Flemish.

24. Belgians consider themselves the inventors of fries.

25. A saxophone was invented in this country.

Geography in Belgium

1. The country is 10 times smaller than Poland.

2. The longest river is Skalda, 200 km.

3. Belgium borders with countries such as: France 620 km, Germany 167 km, Luxembourg 148 km, the Netherlands 450 km.

4. The highest peak is Signal de Botrange, 695 m above sea level.

5. In November 2016, a long-standing territorial dispute between Belgium and the Netherlands ended. Belgium renounced 14 hectares of land, and the Netherlands gave away 3 hectares.

6. There are 13370 km2 of agricultural land in Belgium (44% of the country).

7. The highest situated town in the country is Rocherath.

8. 6670 sq km of land is covered by forests (22%)

9. Durbuy is the smallest town in Belgium, with about 500 inhabitants.

10. Baarle-Hertog is a town on the border with the Netherlands. In 1995, an exact line was established that separates the two countries. It crosses streets, pavements and even buildings. The rule is applied – on which side of the line is the front door, the building belongs to this country.

147. The nearest capital city in a straight line from Brussels is Amsterdam (Netherlands) – 174 km.

148. The furthest capital city in a straight line from Brussels is Wellington (New Zealand) – 18723 km.

Finance in Belgium

1. The minimum wage is 1,502 euros per month, 9.12 euros per hour (data from 2013).

2. The amount of income tax in Belgium is 33.99%.

3. In this country, the amount of income tax for natural persons is 50%, and for companies 29.58% (2018).

4. The tax on goods and services is 21% (2018).

5. The level of inflation in 2018 is 2.1%.

6. Gross domestic product (GDP) …
– in 2015 it is $ 536 142 000 000 (PLN 2 294 687 760 000 ),
– in 2018 it is $ 493,000,000,000 (PLN 2,110,040,000,000).

7. Internal debt at the beginning …
– 2015 of year was 106.5% of GDP, which is about: $ 570 991 230,000 (PLN 2 443 842 464 400),
– 2018 year was 103% GDP, i.e. around: $ 507 790,000,000 (PLN 2,173,341,200,000). To pay it back, each citizen would have to give about $ 44,970 (PLN 192 472).

8. Foreign debt at the beginning of …
– 2015 year was around: $ 1 312 918 000 000 ,
– 2018 is around: $ 1 292 891 000 000 .

9. The percentage share in the global economy of Belgium in 2015 is 0.71% (for comparison, Poland’s share is 0.74%, and the United States – 23.32%).

10. This country has 2018 over year $26 210,000,000 of foreign exchange reserves (0.21% of foreign exchange reserves of all countries of the world).

11. Belgium has 227400 kg of gold reserves (2018).

Law in Belgium

1. The permissible blood alcohol content in a person driving a car is 0.5 promille.

2. By exceeding the speed by 30 km / h in the built-up area you can lose your driving license.

3. The Polish driving license from before June 30, 2006 is not valid in Belgium.

4. Built-up area allowed speed depending on the area varies from 30 to 50 km / h.

5. Outside the built-up area, the speed limit on the regular road is 90 km / h, and 120 km / h on fast roads.

6. Men and women can retire at the age of 65.

7. In this country, the amount of income tax for natural persons is 50%, and for companies 29.58% (2018).

8. The tax on goods and services is 21% (2018).

9. In Belgium, euthanasia is allowed regardless of age.

10. In this country, men and women can get married at the age of 18.

11. In this country, a person of 16 years of age is subject to criminal liability.

12. In this country, you can buy cigarettes from 16 years of age.

13. In this country, the formalities related to the establishment of the company last for 27 days.

14. The last death penalty was carried out in 1950.

15. In this country homosexual marriages have been legal since June 1, 2003.

16. Since 2002, euthanasia is legal.

Education in Belgium

1. In this country, compulsory education lasts 12 years.

2. The beginning of education begins at the age of 6.

3. The average IQ level is 99.

4. In this country there is 1% of people above 15 years of age who can not read or write (approximately 112 917 people).

5. At Herk-de-Stad in 1999, the world’s first beer academy was opened.

Work in Belgium

1. The minimum wage is 1,502 euros per month, 9.12 euros per hour (data from 2013).

2. The tax-free amount is EUR 8,680.

3. In 2018, the average monthly salary in this country is 3 440 €.

4. The amount of income tax in Belgium is 33.99%.

5. Men and women can retire at the age of 65.

6. The unemployment rate in 2018 is 6% .

7. In this country, the amount of income tax for natural persons is 50%, and for companies 29.58% (2018).

8. In this country, the formalities related to the establishment of the company last for 27 days.

9. The work week is 38 hours.

Best in Belgium

1. Belgium uses the most paper in Europe, counting per capita. The main reason is the bureaucracy in Brussels that requires printing all kinds of documents in many languages.

2. The highest building in the country is BRTN Toren in Sint-Pieters-Leeuw with a height of 300 meters. Established in 1996.

3. Bruxelles Galeries St. Hubert is the oldest trading house in Europe. It was founded in 1847.

4. Brussels is the largest court in the world. The Palace of Justice has an area of ​​26,000 m2.

5. In Brussels, there is the deepest pool in the world, 35 m deep.

6. The most deadly disease in this country is heart failure.

7. In Belgium, the first “Academy of Beer” was created in the world.

8. In 1066, the Huy region became the first European city.

9. In Brussels is the deepest swimming pool in the world, 35 meters deep.

10. In this country there is the longest tram line in the world leading from the border with France to the border with the Netherlands (about 68 km).

11. In Belgium, in 1763, the first casino in Europe called “la Redoute” was opened.

12. There are an average of 140 restaurants per square kilometer in Brussels.

13. Up to 97% of households have cable TV.

14. In December 2006, the largest child in Europe weighing 5.4 kg and 57 cm tall was born in Knokke.

15. Belgium has the most dense railway network in the world, a total of 4,078 kilometers of tracks.

16. In Belgium, the largest number of castles is calculated per square kilometer.

17. This is the first country where an electronic passport has been introduced.

18. The longest river is Skalda, 200 km.

19. The highest peak is Signal de Botrange, 695 m above sea level.

20. The record heatwave that struck Europe in 2003, from August 4 to 13 killed about 250 people in this country.

21. In 2003, it was the warmest summer since 1833.

22. The highest situated town in the country is Rocherath.

23. Belgium has the best chocolate in the world, with over 300 years of tradition.

24. Brussels is the largest percentage of officials in the world. There are 700,000 of them per million inhabitants.

25. There are over 800 types of beer.

26. 220,000 tons of chocolate are produced there annually.

27. The lowest temperature: -30.1 °C was measured in the Valley of the Lesse.

28. The highest temperature: 38.8 °C was measured in Uccle.

Army in Belgium

1. Belgium participates in the US nuclear weapons sharing program within NATO. It has 10-20 heads.

2. Position in the list of the best armies of the world:
– 2015 year – 33 place,
– 2018 > year – 67 place.

3. Number of soldiers:
– 2014 year – 33,000 professional and 6,000 reservists,
– 2018 year – 32 300 professional and 6500 reservists.

4. Number of equipment:
– 2014 year – 50 tanks, 3200 > armored vehicles, 160 jet aircraft and 30 helicopters,
– 2018 year – 50 tanks, 545 armored vehicles, 162 jet aircraft and 33 helicopters.

5. Army expenditure:
– 2014 year – $ 5,000,000,000 (PLN 21,400,000,000),
– 2018 year – $ 5,085,000,000 (PLN 21,763,800,000).

6. The naval fleet …
– in 2014 there were about 35 ships, in 2018 it was about < strong style = "color: green;"> 38 ships.

Society in Belgium

1. 3 Belgians have accumulated assets greater than one billion US dollars.

2. In Belgium, an average person consumes about 11 liters of pure alcohol per year.

3. The most beer is beer – 49%, then wine – 36%, spirit – 14.9%, and other alcoholic beverages – 0.1%.

4. In 2013, 724 people lost their lives as a result of traffic accidents.

5. Men and women can retire at the age of 65.

6. The average IQ level is 99.

7. Every second baby born has Muslim parents. At this rate, as early as 2030, Belgium will become an Islamic country.

8. About 25% of Brussels residents are Muslims.

9. 15% of the Belgian population are immigrants.

10. 25% of Brussels residents are Muslims. They led to the removal from the calendar of Easter and Christmas.

11. 22% of adults living in this country are overweight.

12. Up to 97% of households have cable TV.

13. In this country, women having their first child on average 28.2 years old.

14. On average, a woman gives birth to 1.8 children.

15. In this country over 9 569 000 (2015) 10 857 126 (2018) people have access to internet (around 96% of the population).

16. About 5,900,000 (2015) 6,500,000 (2018) accounts on Facebook.

17. Cable TV is in more than 95% of homes.

18. The population density is 346 people / km2.

19. The main religion is the Catholic Church, 58%.

21. 11 Belgian citizens received the Nobel Prize.

22. The average age people living in this country is 41.4 years old.

23. In this country there are approximately:
– 1,931,000 people (17.08%) in the age range 0-14 years.
– 7 314,000 people (64.69%) in the age range 15-64 years.
– 2,061 100 people (18.23%) over 65 years old.

24. In this country, about 129,000 children are born each year (1.1% of the population), and about 109,000 people die (1.0% of the population).

25. 172 people in 1000 possess firearms.

26. 97% of the country’s population lives in urban areas.

27. In this country an adult person smokes an average of 121 cigarettes a month.

28. The average life expectancy in this country is 80.5 years (women – 83 years and men – 78 years).

29. The largest groups of Poles in Belgium are in Antwerp and Liege.

Symbols of Belgium

1. The national alcohol is Jenever and beer.

2. The national animal is the common kestrel bird.

3. Motto of the country – “In unity, strength.”

4. On January 23, 1831, the Belgian flag changed from horizontal stripes to vertical.

5. The Belgian flag has an unusual ratio of 13:15, for every 2.6 m height it is 3 m wide.

Customs in Belgium

1. In Belgium, fries are eaten with mayonnaise.

2. Belgians more often sweeten popcorn than salt.

3. One of the main life goals of the Belgians is to have your own home. Hence the saying that every Belgian is born with a brick in the stomach.

Holidays in Belgium

1. 25% of Brussels residents are Muslims. They led to the removal from the calendar of Easter and Christmas.

2. In the city of Ypres, on the second Sunday of May, the Kattenstoet festival is held, dedicated to cats.

History of Belgium

1. In 1958, the “human zoo” was opened, where people could watch African children.

2. In 1066, the Huy region became the first European city.

3. In Belgium, in 1763, the first casino in Europe called “la Redoute” was opened.

4. In the fifteenth century, Belgians invented painting with oil paints.

5. In Belgium, personal identity cards have been used since 2003.

6. Independence from the Kingdom of the Netherlands obtained in 1839.

7. The record heatwave that struck Europe in 2003, from August 4 to 13 killed about 250 people in this country.

8. In 2003, it was the warmest summer since 1833.

9. In November 2016, a long-standing territorial dispute between Belgium and the Netherlands ended. Belgium renounced 14 hectares of land, and the Netherlands gave away 3 hectares.

10. The country joined the UN on December 27, 1945.

11. At Waterloo, south of Brussels, the final defeat of Napoleon occurred.

12. Belgium is one of the 12 countries in the world that on April 4, 1949, after the North Atlantic Treaty was signed, formed a political and military organization called NATO.

13. In Belgium, until 1977, you could legally buy a driving license without taking exams.

14. On January 23, 1831, the Belgian flag changed from horizontal stripes to vertical.

...

What is the highest peak in Belgium?

The highest peak in Belgium is Signal de Botrange (694 m above sea level).

answer: Marta

What is the largest river in Belgium?

The largest river in Belgium is Skaldi, 200 km.

answer: Marta

What is the largest lake in Belgium?

The largest lake in Belgium is Genval (area 18 ha).

answer: Marta

Which Belgium has national colors?

National colors: red.

answer: Marta

What is national alcohol?

The national alcohol is Jenever and beer.

answer: Marta

What is the national animal?

The national animal is the common kestrel bird.

answer: Marta

What is the national sport?

National football is football.

answer: Marta

Which countries borders Belgium?

Belgium borders on such countries as France 620 km, Germany 167 km, Luxembourg 148 km, the Netherlands 450 km.

answer: Marta

What is the average age of people living in this country?

The average age of people living in this country is 41.4 years.

answer: Marta

What is the minimum wage?

The minimum wage is 1 502 euro per month, 9.12 euro per hour (data from 2013).

answer: Marta

What is the density of population in Belgium?

The population density is 373 people per km2.

answer: Marta

What is the motto of this country?

Motto of the country – “In unity, strength.”

answer: Marta

What is the highest temperature recorded in this country?

The highest temperature: 38.8 ° C was measured in Uccle.

answer: Marta

What is the lowest temperature recorded in this country?

The lowest temperature: -30.1 ° C was measured in the Valley of the Lesse.

answer: Marta

With how many years can you legally buy alcohol?

In this country, alcohol can be bought at 16-18. Beer and wine for 16 years, vodka for 18 years.

answer: Marta