BELGUIM BY ANTHONY MCCALL

1. BELGUIM BY ANTHONY MCCALL

2. Fast Facts: Capital: Brussels Location: Western Europe Government: Federal Parliamentary/Constitutional Monarchy Area: 30,528 (Size of Maryland) Coastline: 66.5 Climate: Temperate Life rate: Male – 39.29 women – 41.81

3. LocationBelgium located in Western Europe is surrounded by Germany, France, the Netherlands and the North Sea

4. Background: 1. Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 18302. Was occupied by Germany in both World Wars3.Belguim proposed in the past century as a modern technolgically advanced European state.4. It is now a member of the NATO and the EU

5. GovermentBelgium’s economic freedom score is 69, making its economy the 38th freest in the 2012 Index. Its overall score has declined 1.2 points from last year, primarily reflecting a significant deterioration in government finance. Belgium is ranked 18th freest among the 43 countries in the Europe region, and its overall score is above the regional and global averages.Prime Minister: Van RompuyCurrancy: Euro

6. Holidays in BelgiumNew Year’s – January 1stEaster Variable - (on a Sunday)Labour Day – May 1stAscension – 39 days after EasterPentecost – 49 days after Easter Assumption of Mary – August 15All Saint’s Day – November 1stArmistice Day – November11Christmas – December 25

7. Popular Tourist Attractions in Belgium

8. 1. AntwerpThe river at this point is some 500m/550yds wide and, in spite of the distance from the sea, still experiences a tidal choice of over 4m /13ft. Antwerp is the capital of the region of Antwerp and the second biggest harbor in Europe. Thanks to its harbor Antwerp was a main center of trade and commerce even before records began. In addition to its long recognized traditions in banking and insurance, the repeated expansion and modernization of the port has seen the emergence of a multitude of trades and industries processing imported raw materials on the spot.

9. 2. BouillonIn the south of the Belgian area of Luxembourg, close up to the French border, Bouillon nestles attractively in a loop of the River Semois, surrounded by the wooded heights of the southern Ardennes. Dominated by its impressive castle, the small town is a well-liked summer resort and makes a energetic center for excursion into the surrounding countryside. Outdoor behavior such as hiking, biking or canoeing is popular. Bouillon is closely linked in name and by history with Godfrey of Bouillon (Godefroy de Bouillon), the "most Christian of all knights”.

10. 3. BrugesBruges (Flemish Brugge, French Bruges), the old capital of Flanders and an arch bishopric since 1559, is situated on the little river Reie 12km/7.5miles south of the port of Zeebrugge to which it is connected by the Boudewijn-Kanaal. Other canals attach Bruges with Ostende, Nieuwpoort, Veurne, Ghent and Sluis Despite the addition of new building and the loss of its old town walls, Bruges with its entirely sealed medieval town center remains a tourist dream, a attraction drawing more than two million visitors a year. Bobbin lace, for which Bruges has long been famous, continues to be main. Complementing all this industry is a strong service sector which makes a significant contribution to the local economy.

11. 4. BrusselsBrussels, capital of Belgium and principal seat of the Belgian Royal Family, is located at the geographical center of the country. It occupies rising ground on the border of the valley of the Senne, a tributary of the Scheldt, at a End where the hills drop away to the plain of Flanders. Brussels is also host to the headquarters for NATO, the Western European Union and EUROCONTROL. In addition, there are numerous other international organizations and corporations within the city. The city is also highly regarded as a host of international conferences.

12. 5. GhentGhent is the biggest industrial conurbation in West Belgium. For centuries the most important industry was textiles which made Ghent into a "Manchester of the European mainland". Thus, today factories in and around Ghent produce paper, chemicals, cars, optical, engineering, electrical and electronic components with a large steelworks being the major industry. Many of these companies are on the Ghent-Terneuzen canal, exploiting the advantages of the waterway network. Together with Antwerp and Zeebrugge, Ghent is one of the three most important sea ports in Belgium

13. Football Motocross Cycling Auto RacingSwimmingHockey

14. http://www.heritage.org/index/country/belgium http://geography.about.com/library/cia/blcbelgium.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgium http://travelling-around-the-earth.blogspot.com/2010/10/top-tourist-attraction-places-in_26.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sport_in_Belgium THANKS FOR WATCHING!!