101 Interesting Facts About Belgium: You Need to Know!

Are you curious about Belgium? This small European country has a rich history, culture, and cuisine that is sure to fascinate you. From world-famous chocolate and waffles to the birthplace of comic book legends Tintin and the Smurfs, Belgium has a lot to offer. In this article, we've compiled 101 interesting facts about Belgium that will give you a glimpse into the country's unique identity.

101 Interesting Facts About Belgium: From Chocolate to Comics and EU HQ

Belgium is a country located in Western Europe.
The official name of Belgium is the Kingdom of Belgium.
Belgium is a federal state, consisting of three regions: Flanders, Wallonia, and Brussels-Capital.
The capital of Belgium is Brussels, which is also the capital of the European Union.
Belgium has a total area of 30,528 square kilometers.
Belgium has a population of approximately 11.7 million people.
The official languages of Belgium are Dutch, French, and German.
The currency used in Belgium is the Euro.
Belgium is known for its chocolate, waffles, and beer.
Belgium is also famous for its diamond industry, with Antwerp being a major diamond trading center.
The Belgian flag has three vertical stripes of black, yellow, and red.
Belgium gained independence from the Netherlands in 1830.
Belgium is a founding member of the European Union and NATO.
The highest point in Belgium is Signal de Botrange, which is 694 meters above sea level.
The official religion of Belgium is Catholicism, although freedom of religion is guaranteed by law.
Belgium has a constitutional monarchy, with King Philippe as the current monarch.
The Belgian national anthem is called "La Brabançonne".
Belgium has a highly developed economy, with a GDP per capita of $47,025 in 2020.
The Belgian railway network is one of the densest in the world.
The Atomium, a large metal structure in Brussels, is one of Belgium's most famous landmarks.
The comic book character Tintin was created by the Belgian cartoonist Hergé.
Belgium has two major seaports: Antwerp and Zeebrugge.
Belgium has a temperate maritime climate with mild winters and cool summers.
Belgium is home to several UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the historic center of Bruges and the Major Mining Sites of Wallonia.
The Belgian Grand Prix is a Formula One race held at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium.
Belgium has a high life expectancy of 81.3 years.
The Belgian police force is divided into two main branches: the Federal Police and the Local Police.
Belgium is home to several international organizations, including the European Commission and NATO.
The national football team of Belgium is known as the Red Devils.
Belgium has a well-developed healthcare system, with universal healthcare coverage.
Belgium is home to several famous painters, including René Magritte and Paul Delvaux.
The Belgian government is a parliamentary democracy with a bicameral parliament.
The official motto of Belgium is "Unity makes strength".
The Belgian healthcare system is based on a social insurance model, with both public and private healthcare providers.
Belgium has a high percentage of people who speak more than one language, with approximately 60% of the population being multilingual.
The Eurostar train connects Brussels with London and Paris.
Belgium has a long history of comic book culture, with the Brussels Comic Strip Festival being a major event.
The Belgian national football team reached the semi-finals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
The Belgian coastline stretches for approximately 66 kilometers.
Belgium is known for its strong tradition of cycling, with the Tour of Flanders and Liège–Bastogne–Liège being two of the country's most famous cycling races.
Belgium has a well-developed education system, with both public and private schools available.
The Belgian government provides a wide range of social services, including healthcare, education, and social welfare programs.
The Belgian fashion industry is renowned for its avant-garde designs and high-quality materials.
Belgium has a rich cultural heritage, with museums and art galleries located throughout the country.
The Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium in Brussels is one of the largest and most important art collections in the world.
Belgium is home to several universities, including the University of Leuven and the Université catholique de Louvain.
The Belgian postal service, bpost, is one of the oldest postal services in the world, dating back to the 16th century.
Belgium has a highly developed transportation infrastructure, with an extensive network of highways, railways, and waterways.
The Belgian coastline is dotted with several resort towns, including Ostend and Knokke-Heist.
Belgium is famous for its Trappist beers, which are brewed by monks in monasteries throughout the country.
Belgium is also known for its lambic beers, which are fermented using wild yeast and bacteria.
The Battle of Waterloo, a significant event in European history, took place in Belgium in 1815.
Belgium is home to several famous musicians, including Stromae and Jacques Brel.
The Belgian national dish is moules-frites, which consists of mussels and fries.
The Belgian chocolate industry dates back to the 17th century and is renowned for its high-quality cocoa.
The Belgian government provides subsidies to the film industry, resulting in a thriving Belgian cinema scene.
Belgium has a diverse landscape, ranging from the rolling hills of the Ardennes to the flat plains of Flanders.
The Belgian railway system is operated by the National Railway Company of Belgium, known as SNCB.
The Belgian national football team is currently ranked number one in the FIFA world rankings.
Belgium has a strong tradition of jazz music, with the Brussels Jazz Marathon being a major event.
The Belgian flag was first adopted in 1831, shortly after the country gained independence.
Belgium has a low unemployment rate, with a rate of 4.7% in 2020.
The Belgian education system is divided into four main levels: pre-school, primary education, secondary education, and higher education.
Belgium is home to several famous landmarks, including the Atomium, the Manneken Pis statue, and the Grand Place in Brussels.
The Belgian postal service offers a range of services, including express delivery, postal banking, and insurance.
Belgium is a member of the Schengen Area, allowing for free movement of people and goods within most of Europe.
The Belgian healthcare system is based on the principles of universal coverage, equity, and accessibility.
Belgium has a strong tradition of art nouveau architecture, with several buildings in Brussels and other cities exhibiting this style.
The Belgian diamond industry is one of the largest in the world, with Antwerp being a major diamond trading center.
The Belgian government operates a system of public libraries, providing access to books and other media to all citizens.
Belgium is home to several famous writers, including Georges Simenon and Amélie Nothomb.
The Belgian national anthem was originally written in French and later translated into Dutch and German.
Belgium is a member of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization.
The Belgian police force is overseen by the Federal Ministry of the Interior.
Belgium has a well-developed tourism industry, with millions of visitors coming to the country each year.
The Belgian economy is heavily dependent on exports, with machinery, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals being among the top exports.
Belgium is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the historic center of Bruges and the Major Mining Sites of Wallonia.
The Belgian comic book industry is renowned for producing popular series, including The Adventures of Tintin and The Smurfs.
Belgium is one of the founding members of the European Union and hosts the headquarters of several EU institutions, including the European Commission and the Council of the European Union.
The Belgian healthcare system is funded through a combination of government subsidies, social security contributions, and out-of-pocket payments.
Belgium has a well-developed renewable energy sector, with wind and solar power being the most widely used sources.
The Belgian cuisine is influenced by French, Dutch, and German cuisine, and is known for its rich, hearty dishes.
Belgium is home to several world-famous fashion designers, including Raf Simons and Dries Van Noten.
The Belgian legal system is based on the civil law system, with courts organized into four levels: justices of the peace, district courts, appellate courts, and the Court of Cassation.
Belgium has a diverse population, with people from many different ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
The Belgian government is a federal parliamentary democracy, with the King serving as a figurehead.
Belgium is home to several famous painters, including Pieter Bruegel the Elder and René Magritte.
The Belgian healthcare system is highly ranked by the World Health Organization for its accessibility, quality, and efficiency.
Belgium has a strong tradition of cycling, with the Tour de France often passing through the country.
The Belgian education system is known for its high standards, with several Belgian universities ranked among the top universities in Europe.
Belgium has a rich musical heritage, with genres ranging from classical music to electronic dance music.
The Belgian government operates a system of public transportation, including buses, trams, and trains.
Belgium has a high standard of living, with a high Human Development Index ranking and a high per capita income.
The Belgian royal family is popular among the Belgian people, with King Philippe and Queen Mathilde being highly regarded for their work in promoting social causes.
Belgium is home to several important international organizations, including NATO and the European Union.
The Belgian beer culture is highly regarded, with over 1,500 varieties of beer being brewed in the country.
Belgium has a diverse economy, with the service sector being the largest contributor to the country's GDP.
The Belgian healthcare system is known for its strong primary care services, which help to prevent chronic diseases and improve overall health outcomes.
Belgium has a strong tradition of theater, with the Brussels Theatre Festival being a major event in the European theater calendar.
The Belgian government provides a range of social welfare programs, including unemployment benefits, child allowances, and pension schemes.
Belgium has a reputation for being a peaceful and stable country, with a long history of neutrality and a commitment to international cooperation.

Belgium may be a small country, but it packs a big punch when it comes to its contributions to the world. From its delicious cuisine and world-renowned chocolate to its thriving comic book industry and international organizations, Belgium has a lot to offer. We hope this list of 101 facts about Belgium has piqued your interest in this fascinating country and its people.