10,143,047 (1995).

332.3 per sq km.

Brussels (Bruxelles, Brussel).

948,122 (1995).

Belgium is situated in Europe and bordered by France, Germany, Luxembourg and The Netherlands. The landscape is varied, the rivers and gorges of the Ardennes contrasting sharply with the rolling plains which make up much of the countryside. Notable features are the great forest of Ardennes near the frontier with Germany and Luxembourg and the wide, sandy beaches of the northern coast, which run for over 60km (37 miles). The countryside is rich in historic cities, castles and churches.

Constitutional monarchy. The Kingdom of Belgium was established in 1830. In 1993, Belgium became a federal state comprising three autonomous regions. Head of State: King Albert II since 1993. Head of Government: Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt since 1999.

The official languages are Flemish, French and German; Flemish is slightly more widely spoken than French. German is spoken by fewer than 1% of the population.

Mainly Roman Catholic, with small Protestant and Jewish communities.

GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).

220 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs are of the round 2-pin type.

Belgium is a major historical European crossroads for communications and possesses a fully integrated service for all aspects of telecommunications. Telephone: Fully automatic IDD. For operator services, dial 1324. Country code: 32. Outgoing international code: 00. There are call boxes in all major towns and country districts. The cost of local calls is BFr10. Some coinless cardphones and credit card phones are also available. Telecards are available from newsagents, railway stations and post offices. Price: BFr100 and 500. Post: Airmail takes two to three days to other West European destinations. A letter sent to Belgium from another country should have a 'B' as a prefix to the Belgian postal district concerned. Poste Restante facilities are available in main cities. Post office hours: 0900-1600 Monday to Friday. Press: Principal daily newspapers are Le Soir, La Meuse, La Lanterne (French) and Het Laatste Nieuws, De Standaard, Het Nieuwsblad, De Gentenaar (Flemish). There is an English-language magazine, The Bulletin, printed in Belgium.