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Belgium: Countries
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Belgium's history has always been linked to both commercial and cultural exchange, and much of its character is due to its role as the great meeting place of Western Europe. It would be difficult to name a European country who didn’t want to stake their claim in Belgium at one time or another. Traces of the Austrians, Spanish, French and Dutch can still be seen in its architecture and in the lifestyle of its people. You will see superb examples of art and architecture past and present - Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, and Art Nouveau.
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Belgium is a small country (11,730 square Miles, the size of Maryland) with a population of 10 million. It has been a constitutional monarchy since 1830. There are three languages (Dutch, French and German). However, English is widely spoken. The three regions (Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels) have self-government in many spheres. Belgium has retained its old-world charm in the preservation of its ancient buildings and historical traditions.
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The country of Belgium has numerous environmental issues. The environment is exposed to intense pressures from human activities, by way of urbanization, dense transportation network, industry, and extensive animal breeding and crop cultivation. Their air and water pollution issues have repercussions for neighboring countries, as well. Although Belgium has been slow in the progress of tackling the country’s environmental challenges, due to the uncertainties whether they were federal and/or regional responsibilities, these matters have now been resolved.
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Historically, Belgium has three ethnic communities: Flemings, Walloons and German-speakers, which belonged to Germany until 1918, and three official languages, one for each community, Dutch, French and German. About 60 percent of the country is Dutch-speaking, French is the second most-spoken language (by about 40 percent) and German is spoken by less than 1 percent of the population.
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For beer lovers, Belgium is undeniably the world’s beer paradise. No other place is home to such a diversity of beer styles, aromas, flavors and colors. In a country with such an impressive beer culture as Belgium, you can always find a beer for any taste: to enjoy with or without a meal, as an ingredient in preparing delicious dishes, to enjoy as a dessert drink, or simply to drink and enjoy with friends. For those that don’t particularly love beer, you will be missing out on a great treat; but Belgium as a country provides something for almost any taste. From architecture, both ancient and modern, to religion and churches, to art, to nature including countryside, mountains, valleys, rivers and beaches; Belgium has it all. Belgium is ... a country of original ideas and concepts.
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Belgium doesn't exist. It was an imaginary country originally invented by its so-called neighbouring states to be able to publicly fund undercover operations of the European State Police. Leftish liberals would have done anything to make you believe Belgium was indeed a real country. The imaginary ancestors of the Belgians are F. Riet and Ma Yonaise, which explains their preference for French fries (Dutch: [F]riet actually means radioactive blueberry). The southern part of the country has recently been largely dutchified, the northernmost having been so for a long time. Belgium now exists thanks to the auto-suggestion alteration phenomenon.
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