note
on 1 January 1999, the EU introduced the euro as a common currency that is now being used by financial institutions in Belgium at a fixed rate of 40.3399 Belgian francs per euro and will replace the local currency for all transactions in 2002
Languages:
Dutch 58%, French 32%, German 10%, legally bilingual (Dutch and French)
Elevation:
highest point: Signal de Botrange 694 m
lowest point: North Sea 0 m
Natural hazards:
flooding is a threat in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes
This modern private enterprise economy has capitalized on its central geographic location, highly developed transport network, and diversified industrial and commercial base. Industry is concentrated mainly in the populous Flemish area in the north, although the government is encouraging investment in the southern region of Wallonia. With few natural resources, Belgium must import substantial quantities of raw materials and export a large volume of manufactures, making its economy unusually dependent on the state of world markets. About three-quarters of its trade is with other EU countries. Belgium's public debt is expected to fall below 100% of GDP in 2002, and the government has succeeded in balancing is budget. Belgium became a charter member of the European Monetary Union (EMU) in January 1999. Economic growth in 2000 was broad based, putting the government in a good position to pursue its energy market liberalization policies and planned tax cuts.
Industry:
engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum, coal
Ethnicgroups:
Fleming 58%, Walloon 31%, mixed or other 11%
Vaccination requirements:
No vaccination requirements for any international traveller.
