Belgium. Abstract: Belgium Belgium in relation to neighboring countries

Political-geographical and economic-geographical characteristics of Belgium

State borders

Belgium directly borders four countries. A small narrow strait of the North Sea separates it from England. The land borders are in the north with the Netherlands, in the east with Germany, in the southeast with Luxembourg and in the south with France. Thus, having access to the sea, the country is truly located in the center of the most densely populated and industrialized zone of Western Europe. Via Its territory has long been traversed by trade routes connecting neighboring states with each other and with the North Sea. As the Belgians themselves put it, their homeland is “the crossroads of Western Europe.” The main rivers of the country are the Scheldt and the Meuse, originating in France.

Patterns of population distribution

Belgium ranks among the highest in the world in terms of population density. With an average density of 316 people. per 1 km2 (1968) in the central part of the country, gravitating towards the capital (in a zone with a radius of 60 km), the average density reaches 550 people. per 1 km2. The urban population makes up over 2/3 of the population of Belgium. Large cities (thousands of inhabitants, December 1967): Brussels (1079, with suburbs), Antwerp (239.8), Ghent (155.7), Liege (152.5). Official statistics distinguishes 7 urban agglomerations [with centers in the cities. Brussels, Antwerp, Liege, Ghent, Charleroi, Leuven (Louvain), Bruges].

Economy of Belgium

Belgium is a member of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the European Union (EU), and became the first member of the European Monetary Union in 1999.

The basis of the Belgian economy is the service sector (primarily transport and trade) and industry.

The production of steel, cement and chemical products is mainly concentrated in the valley of the Sambre and Meuse rivers. The largest industrial cities are Mons, Charleroi, Namur and Liege. There was also former coal mining in the area, but the last mines were closed in the 1980s. The center of the steel industry is Liege. Chemical industry products include fertilizers, dyes, pharmaceuticals, and various plastics. The center of the petrochemical industry is located in Antwerp, and the headquarters of the large chemical and pharmaceutical company Solvay is located in Brussels.

The textile industry, which originated in the Middle Ages, includes the processing of cotton, flax, wool, and synthetic fabrics. One of the most important types of textile industry products are carpets and blankets. The main centers of the textile industry are Ghent, Kortrijk, Tournai, Verviers. Brussels, Bruges and Mechelen are known as ancient centers of lace production.

Other industries include diamond processing (primarily in Antwerp), cement and glass production, woodworking, and food processing. There are several automobile production facilities.

Introduction______________ _ 3

Economic-geographical location_____________ 4

Natural conditions and resources_______ _5

Population_____ _ 7

Household ______________________ 10

Climate___________ _13

Culture______ _14

Introduction.

Economic and geographical location.

Belgium borders the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg and France; only a narrow strip of the North Sea separates it from Great Britain. Within a radius of 250 km from Brussels, the capital of the country, there are such large cities as Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Cologne, Dusseldorf, Lille, Reims. Thus, Belgium is located in the center of the most densely populated and industrialized Europe. Transport routes have long passed through its territory, connecting neighboring states with each other and with the North Sea. This geographical location contributed to a high level of economic development and the establishment of extensive international relations and at the same time brought many troubles to the country. There have been few wars in Western Europe that have bypassed Belgium.

Its location between the major Western European countries acquired a new aspect due to the abolition of some customs restrictions on trade with neighboring countries, which, together with Belgium, united in 1957 to form the European Economic Community. Belgium becomes, as it were, the geographical center of the community, where enterprises working for other countries of the “common market” are located. It is from here that it is most convenient to export to the Ruhr and Saar regions of Germany, Luxembourg, northern and eastern France, the Netherlands and the UK, the Belgian port of Antwerp is becoming one of the largest ports in Europe in terms of cargo turnover, and Brussels is becoming the administrative and financial capital of the “common market”. NATO headquarters is also located in Brussels. Many Western European countries are represented in the capital by three ambassadors or representatives "to the Belgian king", to the NATO council and to the "common market".

Location in Europe

Natural conditions and resources.

The nature of Belgium has been changed to such an extent by man that the natural landscapes on its territory have hardly been preserved. The exception is the Ardennes mountain region. The natural conditions of Belgium are favorable both for the population and for the economic development of the territory. The relief is generally flat and does not interfere with the development of agriculture, transport and urban growth. Approximately 3/4 of the country is occupied by lowlands; rising slightly from the coast inland to the south, it only in the southeast turns into the low Ardennes mountain range. The Belgian lowland is part of the Central European plain between the lowlands of France and Germany.

The Belgian sea coast is small - it stretches only 65 km - and also inconvenient for navigation, as it lacks natural harbors. Only two small rivers flow into the sea here, and their mouths are closed by locks. The sea's gently sloping coastline is composed mainly of fine white sand and is a beautiful natural beach that attracts tourists from both Belgium and other countries.

To the southeast, the coastal lowland rises, giving way to a strip of hilly plains crossed by rivers with altitudes ranging from 100 to 200 m above sea level. This is average Belgium. The plains are composed of tertiary clays and sands, on which fertile loess soils have formed, occupying one of the first places in Europe in terms of their arable properties. This is the best agricultural land in the country.

To the south of the Sambre and Meuse rivers, high Belgium begins, noticeably different in natural conditions from the rest of the country. Most of this territory is occupied by the heavily destroyed Ardennes and its foothills. This is a mountain range with rounded peaks and flat plateaus composed of shales, sandstones and limestones.

The proximity of the North Sea and the warm North Atlantic Current determines the formation in Belgium of a marine humid climate with mild winters and cool summers, with precipitation and temperature regimes quite favorable for agriculture. Winds prevail, so cloudy weather with frequent foggy rains prevails in winter and summer.

The mild climate favors the growth of broad-leaved forests consisting of oak, beech, hornbeam and ash. However, the high degree of development of the territory has led to a reduction in forest areas.

The fauna of indigenous forests has been preserved mainly in the Ardennes, where katanas, fallow deer, roe deer, hares, squirrels, and wood mice are also found.

The natural conditions of Belgium are generally favorable for the development of agriculture. However, the country is relatively poor in mineral resources needed for industry. The only type of mineral resource that Belgium has in sufficient quantities is coal. Coal reserves amount to about 6 billion tons and are concentrated in two basins: the Northern, or Kampinsky, which is a continuation of the Luxembourg basin in the Netherlands and the Aachen basin in Germany, and the Southern, which stretches in a narrow strip along the Sambre valley and then the Meuse from the French border to the border with Germany. The quality of the coal is low, the thickness of the seams is small, and mining conditions are complicated by the large depth and complex geological location of the seams.

The reserves of building materials in the Sambre and Meuse valleys are of economic importance: granite, lime, clays and quartz sands, which served as the basis for the creation of a large glass industry. Small deposits of iron and lead-zinc ores in the Ardennes are almost completely depleted.

Population

More than 1/2 of the population of Belgium are Flemings and about 2/5 are Walloons. In addition, about 700 thousand people of other nationalities live in the country - Italians, Spaniards, Germans, Poles, etc.

Almost the entire religious population of the country are politicians. The religiosity of the Belgians is quite high, at least its external manifestations are very diverse. There are many Catholic churches in cities and villages.

Belgium has two Catholic languages: French and Flemish. Their use in public life is largely determined by the division of the country into two linguistic-territorial zones - the northern, Flemish (provinces of Antwerp, Limburg, Western and Eastern Brabant) and the southern, Walloon (provinces of Liepce, Epault, Namur, Luxembourg, and the district of Nivelles province Brabant). Some Walloon families still speak the Walloon dialect of French, but in Walloon schools standard French is taught as the mother tongue. Literary Flemish is similar to Dutch, but spoken Flemish, divided into Brabant-Fransian and Limburgish, is somewhat different from spoken Dutch.

The French language has long been dominant, the spread of which was supported by the socio-cultural influence of France.

Belgium is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. It ranks second in Europe after the Netherlands. The central part of the country is especially populated - the valley of the Sambre and Meuse and the strip along the Antwerp - Brussels - Charleroi axis, where the main industrial, trade and transport life of the country is concentrated and the largest cities are located.

In Belgium there are almost no uninhabited territories and unused lands; there are many cities and urban-type settlements. Belgium is one of the most “traditionally urban” countries in the world. About 70% of the total population lives in cities, which include settlements. However, the border between city and village is very arbitrary. Some villages have the outward appearance of a city, and a significant part of their residents work outside agriculture. Therefore, the urban population is actually larger. Officially, the country has 5 large (for Belgium) agglomerations: Brussels, Antwerp, Liepe, Ghent and Charleroi. More than a quarter of the country's total population lives in these agglomerations. At the same time, several highly urbanized territories, representing a cluster of small towns and industrial towns that have developed together, can also be considered relatively significant agglomerations, for example, Borinage-Monet, Center-Epo, Courtray, Aalst-Ninove, La Louviere-Seneff-Manage. Such clusters are distinguished by the absence of a clearly defined single center, as if absorbing other cities and towns. Urban agglomerations are so close to each other that their zones of influence and the boundaries of developments touch.

The wars sweeping over Belgium relatively little affected its cities, so they preserved many monuments of ancient architecture dating back to the early Middle Ages. In each city, its old, usually central part, and the new, usually located on the outskirts, industrial and residential areas with modern-type houses are quite clearly distinguished.

Farming.

The basis of the Belgian economy is primarily industry, the importance of which is overshadowed by giant ports, museum cities filled with tourists, and agriculture. Belgium's share of world industrial output is more than three times its share of the world's population. The country ranks second in the world in steel production per capita, second only to Luxembourg, and in terms of industrial production it ranks twelfth in the capitalist world.

Belgium plays an important role in world trade. Belgium is one of the first places in the world in the production and export of metal germanium and cobalt, as well as the export of diamond drilling tools, caprolactam and cars. The country's agriculture, although it does not reach the level that it has in the neighboring Netherlands, is still one of the most highly organized in the capitalist sense in Western Europe, providing some of its products for export.

Important transport routes pass through Belgium, providing a significant volume of international transit traffic. The transit position, the abundance of historical and architectural monuments, the famous beaches of seaside resorts attract many foreign tourists to the country, who leave a lot of currency in hotels, campsites, shops and restaurants.

Advantageous geographical location, extensive intermediary trade, existing coal deposits combined with once large reserves of iron and zinc ore, colonial exploitation of the wealth of the Belgian Congo - all this contributed to the fact that at the beginning of the twentieth century. Belgium entered as an industrial imperialist power, the owner of large accumulations of free capital. It occupied one of the leading places in Europe in the development of capitalism. However, in the years following the two world wars, Belgium gradually lost its former role as one of the leading industrial powers, falling increasingly under the influence of stronger imperialist states.

After the Second World War, Belgium's economic development progressed at a slow pace; the country found itself in one of the last places in Europe in terms of growth in industrial production; it lags behind in the development of scientific research, labor productivity, the development of new industries and some other indicators. The Belgian industry, unlike most other small states, specializes in the production of semi-finished products, which are turned into finished products in other countries.

Foreign capital plays a major role in the economic development of Belgium. The increased interest of foreign monopolies in the economy of this small country is explained primarily by its favorable geographical location, the presence of a highly qualified workforce and a well-developed communications network of all types (primarily the large seaport of Antwerp), as well as an incentive tax system in relation to foreign enterprises and the opportunity obtaining a Belgian loan. As a rule, foreign firms invest their capital in the most dynamic and advanced industries, such as automobile assembly, radio electronics and petrochemicals, and take leading positions in these industries.

The United States ranks first in terms of direct investment in the Belgian economy. About 3/5 of the cars imported from Belgium are assembled at the General Motors and Ford plants.

In the industrial structure, the main sectors were ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, mechanical engineering (auto assembly, electrical engineering, electronics) and chemical. The glass, diamond-granite and weapons industries play a significant role.

The basis of energy is oil and natural gas, which make up more than 2/3 of Belgium's energy balance. The rest comes from coal and nuclear energy. Belgium has a developed oil refining industry. Since oil refineries operate on imported raw materials, almost all of them are located in the port area of Antwerp and in the Ghent-Terneuzen canal area. Antwerp has become a significant center of the oil refining industry in Western Europe. However, it is located 90 km from the sea. To improve the supply of oil to Antwerp factories, the Antwerven-Rotterdam oil pipeline was built and the Antwerp-Zeebrugge oil pipeline is being laid.

Coal mining, which was one of the main branches of Belgian industry in the 50s, now occupies one of the last places. Belgium's entry into the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) had a particularly painful impact on the coal mining industry, which was unable to withstand competition from other "common market" countries. The difficulty of operation, low level of mechanization and poor quality make Belgian coal more expensive than imported coal. In addition, Belgian mines have the most difficult working conditions in all of Europe: accidents often occur in them, and the level of occupational illness among miners here is higher than in the most hazardous industries. Since 1957, more than 100 unprofitable mines have been closed and coal production has fallen. Belgium imports almost half of the coal it needs, which seriously affects its balance sheet.

Almost all electricity is generated by thermal power plants burning coal, fuel oil and natural gas. Nuclear power plants are currently operating.

The main branch of Belgian industry remains ferrous metallurgy. It serves as a base for many industries either serving the metallurgical complex or consuming its products.

In addition, ferrous metallurgy is the country's main export industry. Belgium's smelters operate more than half on high-quality Swedish iron ore and only ¼ on ores from Lorraine.

Geographical location of Belgium

A small state in foreign Europe, located on the eastern coast of the North Sea. Not counting the sea area, the area of the kingdom is $30.5 thousand sq. km. The land borders in the north are with the Netherlands, Germany and Luxembourg - in the east, in the south and southwest the kingdom borders on France. The total length of the borders is $1,385$ km.

By tradition, Belgium is divided into $3 geographic regions. These include:

Located in the northwest is the coastal plain;
Low central plateau;
Arden Heights.

Coastal Plain- This is low Belgium with an altitude of up to $100$ m above sea level, represented by dunes and polders.

Heights rise up to $200$ m central plateau- This is middle Belgium.

Represents Haute Belgium Ardennes elevation. Its height reaches $500$ m.

Definition 1

Polders- These are low-lying areas of land protected from floods by dams.

The country has Mount Botrange, whose height is $694$ m - this is the highest place in Belgium. There are also rivers, the largest of which are the Scheldt and Meuse, which originate in France. The two rivers are connected to each other using canals. On a geographical map, Belgium looks like a small triangle, but it is one of the most populous countries in Europe. The average density of the country is $328$ people per sq km. This small country amazes with the diversity of its landscapes. The medium-height Ardennes, cut by precipices and gorges, adorn the southeast of the country. They are a continuation of the Rhine Slate Mountains. The highest peaks are located on the border with Germany. The mountains in the north are skirted by the most famous river in Europe - the Meuse. The mountain slopes are covered with forest, and the serpentine road connects small villages.

Finished works on a similar topic

Coursework 480 rub.
Essay Belgium: geographical location, economy and attractions 280 rub.
Test Belgium: geographical location, economy and attractions 200 rub.

The Belgian population is divided into 3 linguistic communities:

French Community;
Flemish Community;
German-speaking community.

Therefore, there are also three official languages - French, Flemish, German.

The languages are distributed throughout the territory as follows:

In the north of the country in Flanders, more than $5 million people use the Flemish language;
In the south of the country - Wallonia - more than $3 million people communicate in French;
In the eastern part of Wallonia, the German language is widely spoken, spoken by $67,000 people.

To enter Belgium you must obtain a Schengen visa. Belgians are mostly - $70% - Catholics, many Protestants and Jews, $2$% Muslims.

Economy of Belgium, priority sectors

Note 1

The Kingdom of Belgium is a small, highly developed industrial country in Europe, where industry and agriculture are intensively developing. Developed transport infrastructure, large cities and ports of not only European but also international importance, large industrial enterprises. The kingdom exports half of its industrial and agricultural products.

The country is a global exporter of ferrous and non-ferrous metals and is one of the world leaders in the chemical industry. The leading branches of mechanical engineering are the automotive assembly, electrical and radio-electronic industries. In the field of energy, the leading industry is the nuclear industry. There are $2$ nuclear power plants operating in the country. The country's subsoil does not have large reserves of mineral resources, so the mining sector does not function. Back in the $80s of the last century, coal mining was completely stopped. Belgium imports hydrocarbons from the Middle East, the Netherlands, and Algeria. France, USA, Canada, South Africa supply uranium concentrates, coal - USA and South Africa. The woodworking industry is also developing using imported raw materials; supplies come from China, Germany, and Finland.

The economies of the Belgian regions vary greatly, with the Flemish and Walloon economies differing in many respects, for example. Belgian cities also have their own distinctive economic features. Cities such as Liege, Mons, Charleroi, Namur are among the largest industrial centers.

In the country's economy, a large place is given to food industry. Such global groups as Danone, InBev, Coca-Cola, Unilever Belgium, Kraft Foods Belgium, Nestlé, Materne, Ferrero and others operate in Belgium.

Highly developed biotechnological a sector involving more than $200 biotech companies. In order for this industry to develop successfully, strong ties have been established between the main economic players, universities, and research centers. In the European Union, Belgian companies account for $16% of the industry's turnover. About $10$% of expenses goes to research and development activities.

Its automotive There is no industry in the country. The lack of industry is compensated by the location of large automobile assembly plants. This is facilitated by low import duties on car parts and, secondly, by the availability of highly qualified personnel. $1 million of cars roll off assembly lines at assembly plants every year. The country's strong position in the automotive industry is ensured by such factories as Ford Genk, Audi Forest-Brussels, Volvo Europa, Van Hool (buses) and Truco.

Belgium is ideal for logistics base. A complete environment for an attack on the European market is provided by infrastructure, skills, and IT tools. Brussels, the capital of Belgium, is a strategic location and an attractive real estate market for the head offices of the largest European corporations. The main bodies of the European Union are located in Brussels; all the most important decisions are made here. The headquarters of numerous American and Japanese multinational corporations are also located in the capital of Belgium.

Definition 2

In general, the leading sectors of the economy for Belgium are mechanical engineering, in particular the automobile industry, the chemical industry, microelectronics, pharmaceuticals, metallurgy, and the diamond complex.

Sights of a small country

A small speck on the geographical map is Belgium, but, nevertheless, the country deserves to be paid attention to. The cultural and political life of the kingdom is characterized by the word “tolerance”.

On its territory there is a lot that can and should be seen:

Cathedral Notre Dame. The cathedral is located in the city of Tournai and it is impossible to pass by this majestic architecture. The simplicity and elegance of Gothic design is immediately striking. The cathedral preserves unique examples of medieval painting;

architectural structure Atomium is located in the capital of Belgium - Brussels. From the observation deck of the Atomium you can admire the beautiful park “Europe in Miniature”. There are also exhibitions and museums where you can see the life of the Belgians in the $50s. You can visit the Atomium only to see with your own eyes a model of an iron molecule, enlarged by $165 million times;

Waterloo. Anyone who is interested in history remembers well that in $1815, the allied Anglo-Dutch army under the command of the Duke of Wellington and Prussian troops under the command of Marshal Blucher defeated Napoleon's army in this place. The complex accurately conveys the spirit of the Napoleonic era. There is also a wax museum in the complex, where you can see not only the commanders-in-chief of that time, but also the Emperor of France himself;

Pissing boy. The statue of the boy is located in Brussels and needs no introduction. By the way, the boy's name is Julien, he follows fashion and his own wardrobe contains more than $2000$ of suits.

Note 2

Of course, these are not all the attractions of Belgium; there are many more of them. The Belgians are proud of their cultural values and treat them with care.

Introduction

Belgium is one of the small capitalist countries of Europe; Only Luxembourg and microstates are smaller than it. The territory of Belgium occupies only 30.5 thousand square meters. km and its population is about 10 million inhabitants.

Belgium is a highly industrialized country, almost entirely smoky with the smoke of factory chimneys, densely intertwined with steel rails and highways, with large cities and ports of European and international importance, and with extensive foreign economic ties.

With a relatively small population, Belgium is one of the most densely populated, highly urbanized states in the world, whose population consists of two national groups - Walloons and Flemings; a state that has managed to preserve to this day the freshness of folk customs and traditions, rooted in the depths of centuries, a country of museums and architectural monuments of antiquity.

Economic-geographical location

Its location between the major Western European countries took on a new aspect due to the abolition of some customs restrictions on trade with neighboring countries, which, together with Belgium, united in 1957 to form the European Economic Community. Belgium becomes, as it were, the geographical center of the community, where enterprises working for other countries of the “common market” are located. It is from here that it is most convenient to export to the Ruhr and Saar regions of Germany, Luxembourg, northern and eastern France, the Netherlands and the UK, the Belgian port of Antwerp is becoming one of the largest ports in Europe in terms of cargo turnover, and Brussels is becoming the administrative and financial capital of the “common market”. NATO headquarters is also located in Brussels. Many Western European countries are represented in the capital by three ambassadors or representatives “to the Belgian king”, to the NATO council and to the “common market”.

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