My country Belgium!

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Belgium, one of the most historically important regions of Europe, has been a cultural gem for centuries. Now the capital of the European Union this small, yet important nation has contributed significantly to the arts, commerce and culinary appetite of the world. Approximately the size of Maryland, Belgium has a temperate climate with mild winters and cool summers. Both geography and a reasonable growing season led to Belgium's preminence and leadership in the production of world class beer. The diversity of beer styles and the growth of cottage industry brewing began in earnest, some say, as early as the ninth century in the small towns of central Belgium. Beer is not Belgium's sole claim to celebrity, of course. Famous painters, entreprenurs, musicians, religious and political leaders and scholars have all emerged as cultural influences. Visit our links to the right to learn more. Location: Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands. Population: 10,309,725(2002) Ethnic groups: Fleming 55% Walloon 33% Other 12% Government type: Federal Parlimentary Democracy under a Constitutional Monarch Chief of State King ALBERT II (since 9 August 1993); Heir Apparent Prince PHILIPPE, son of the Monarch Head of Government Guy Verhofstadt (since 12 July 1999) Religious Diversity: Roman Catholic 75%, Protestant or other 25% Languages Flemish 56%, French 32%, German 1% Comics Tintin - famous comic strip character by Belgian artist George Remi, alias Herge. Cuisine Belgium has more Michelin starred restaurants than France. Belgium has the most gastronomically intriguing beers of any nation in the world, and the most highly evolved and elaborated "cuisine a la biere.(cooking with beer)" Chocolates Belgium is famous for its wide variety of great chocolate. Belgium is an active competetor in the diamond trade, and possess some of the world largest and most beatiful diamonds The Arts Painting, Sculpture & Architecture. Popular Culture Belgian Radio In the Flemish part of Belgium there are two kinds of radio stations. The public stations, which are part of the BRTN (Belgian Radio and Television), and approx. 330 local radio stations. Yes, you've read it right: no commercial national stations! 61% of the daily listeners tune in to one of the six public stations (Radio 1, Radio 2, Radio 3, Radio Donna, Studio Brussels and Radio Vlaanderen International) .The BRTN owns 78% of the market. The local radio stations (which have a theoretical broadcast-radius of 8 km./5 miles) own 18% of the market. Pigeon Racing Racing Pigeons, or Homers, have an august and rich history in Belgium; It is a national pastime. Belgian children learn the sport like American boys learn Baseball. An estimated 60,000 adult fanciers value their racing pigeons as prize possessions., housing them in pigeonniers, lofts that often resemble miniature mansions, and competing in races of up to 600 miles with purses approaching one million dollars. Belgian chocolate, Belgian lace, Belgian beer, yes, but Belgian rock music? Isn't rock from Belgium about as unexpected as fish from Austria or mountain biking in the Netherlands? And yet, several Belgian bands have achieved high critical acclaim abroad, not only in Europe, but also in the United States. And your country?