Belgium

Kingdom of Belgium : Koninkrijk België: Royaume de Belgique
←    1830 – Present
Waffles 🧇
General Information
Aliases:	Waffle House Speed Bump of Europe Buffer state between France, the Netherlands and Prussia
Time of Exist:	4 October 1830 – Present
Government:	Federal Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy
Languages:	Dutch French German
Affiliation:	Benelux OECD European Union Eurozone Schengen Area United Nations UNESCO World Health Organization NATO Mediterranean Union Council of Europe Interpol Formerly: EEC ECSC Allied Powers Entente Powers
Religions:	Christianity Roman Catholicism (main) Protestantism Islam Judaism Atheism
Capital City:	Brussels
Gender:	Male
Relations and Opinions
Friends:	Brother Little brother France Guardian USA Denmark Taiwan Iceland
Enemies:	German Empire Nazi Germany
Likes:	Waffles, fires, chocolate
Dislikes:	Getting ran over (occupied/invaded)
Historical Information
Preceded By:	1830: UK of the Netherlands 1918: General Government of Belgium

“”Belgium is a country invented by the British to annoy the French.

— Charles de Gaulle

Belgium is a country located in Western Europe. He always tried to act peaceful and neutral, however it never works and he has been an early victim of both World Wars. He is also the home of many delicious foods, like waffles and French fries. He gets irritated whenever people think that French fries are invented by France or the USA.

History

In 1830, Belgium broke away from the Dutch, declaring itself as a new kingdom. A year later, Belgium adopts a progressive constitution, creating a constitutional monarchy with a parliament and strong protections for individual liberties.

Belgium transformed into an industrial center in the 19th century, doing lots of coal mining and steel production.

Belgium exploited Congo in 1885 and officially colonized in 1908. Belgium persecuted natives in the colony, with brutal and ruthless tactics. But this was faced with instant karma as in both World Wars, Belgium was one of the first to fell to Germany, hence the nickname, “Europe’s speed bump”.

In the 1960s, Belgium granted independence to his colonies.

After WWII, Belgium became one of the founding members for the European Union.

The Belgian government reacted with poor macroeconomic policies to the 1973 and 1979 oil price hikes by hiring the redundant work force into the public sector and subsidizing industries like coal, steel, textiles, glass, and shipbuilding, which had lost their international competitive edge. As a result, cumulative government debt reached 121% of GDP by the end of the 1980s. However, thanks to Belgium's high personal savings rate, the Belgian government financed the deficit from mainly domestic savings, minimizing the deleterious effects on the overall economy.

Belgium's reaction to the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001 was strong and supportive. For example, Belgium played a key role in helping to obtain EU-wide agreement on a European arrest warrant and in facilitating extradition of terrorist suspects.

In 2006, Belgium sent about 400 peacekeepers to Lebanon in support of the UN mission there.

Waffles

Belgian waffles, renowned for their light, airy texture and deep pockets, are a beloved culinary delight originating from Belgium. Unlike traditional American waffles, Belgian waffles are typically made with a yeast-leavened batter, which gives them a fluffier and crispier texture. These waffles are often enjoyed as a sweet treat, generously topped with whipped cream, fresh berries, powdered sugar, and sometimes drizzled with chocolate or maple syrup.

Geography

Belgium shares his borders with France (620 km), Germany (162/167 km), Luxembourg (148 km), and the Netherlands (450 km). His total surface, including water area, is 30,689 km² (11,849 sq mi). Before 2018, Belgium’s total area was believed to be 30,528 km² (11,787 sq mi). However, when the country's statistics were measured in 2018, a new calculation method was used. Unlike previous calculations, this one included the area from the coast to the low-water line, revealing the country to be 160 km² (62 sq mi) larger in surface area than previously thought. Belgium’s land area alone is 30,494 square kilometers.

Belgium lies between latitudes 49°30' and 51°30' N, and longitudes 2°33' and 6°24' E.

Although generally flat, the terrain in Belgium becomes increasingly hilly and forested in the southeast region. Climate is cool, temperate, and rainy; summer temperatures average 77 °F, winters average 45 °F. Annual extremes (rarely attained) are 10 °F and 100 °F.

Economy

Belgium's strongly globalized economy and his transport infrastructure are integrated with the rest of Europe. His location at the heart of a highly industrialized region helped make him the world's 15th largest trading nation in 2007. His economy is characterized by a highly productive work force, high GNP and high exports per capita. Belgium's main imports are raw materials, machinery and equipment, chemicals, raw diamonds, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, transportation equipment, and oil products. His main exports are 📠 machinery and equipment, 🧪 chemicals, 💎 finished diamonds, 🔩 metals and metal products, and 🥩 foodstuffs.

About 75% of Belgium's trade is with his fellow EU member states. Given this high percentage, Belgium seeks to diversify and expand trade opportunities with non-EU countries. Belgium ranks as the 11th-largest market for the export of U.S. goods and services. If goods in transit to other European countries are excluded, Belgium ranks as the 12th-largest market for U.S. goods.

Relationships

Friends

• France - Thank you for teaching moi French! But "French Fries" are my creation, no matter how much you whine about it.
• Iceland - He likes my waffles and fries. :), and I also like his show Lazy Town. And unlike other balls, I like his weird food.
• Taiwan - Chinese Asian friend. Gib bubble tea plox.
• USA - Cool guy, helped me out with the Nazi that time.
• European Union - My half-sibling, I host his capital. Don't tell him, but Germany and France adopted him from me.
• Türkiye - Fellow genocide denier.

Enemies

• German Empire - WHY YOU INVADE MOI??? BAD!!!
• German Third Reich - THE WORST!!! YOU KILLED SO MANY BELGIANS!!!

How to draw

Flag of Belgium

Belgium has a drawing rating of trivial.

1. Draw a ball.
2. Fill the ball with three vertical stripes in the following order, left to right: black, yellow, red
3. Add the eyes and you are done!

Color Name		HEX
	Black	#000000
	Yellow	#FDDA24
	Red	#EF3340

Gallery

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