Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
The Kingdom of Belgium celebrates its national holiday Monday 21. This small country in terms of area and population, but with significant influence as it hosts the headquarters of the European Union and NATO institutions, is a public holiday in the country. It is a busy day for the royal family. As usual, they will attend the Te Deum mass at Brussels Cathedral and the military parade at the Royal Palace. Celebrations will then take place in Brussels and Cinquantenaire parks.
After the mass, the royal family greeted the citizens gathered in front of the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula in Brussels. A wonderful family photo was also taken.
For Prime Minister Bart De Wever, this is his first national holiday as prime minister. It follows all-night negotiations on the so-called Summer Agreement, which included new laws on pensions, taxes, healthcare, wages, and other matters, and which fortunately concluded successfully. The prime minister's political colleagues were also in attendance. Today's Celebrations
At 10:00 a.m. today, Princess Eleonore, Prince Gabriel, Queen Mathilde, King Philippe, Crown Princess Elisabeth, and Prince Emmanuel arrived at the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula in Brussels. Their feast day officially began. They are the only members of the royal family in Brussels. Princess Astrid and Prince Lorenz will attend the service in Antwerp, while Prince Laurent and Princess Claire will attend it in Mons. Later today, they will gather at Palace Square in Brussels during the military parade. King Albert, 91, and Queen Paola, 87, will not be attending this year either. They have missed the service every year since their abdication in 2013, except for 2023.
In the morning, the royal family gathered for the Te Deum Mass at the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula in Brussels. King Philippe, Queen Mathilde, and their children attended the service, along with Prime Minister Bart De Wever and federal government ministers, among others. At 4:00 PM, the military and civil parades will take place in the Royal Palace Square. Each parade will take place on a large platform, where, in addition to King Philippe, Commander-in-Chief of the Belgian Army, other members of the royal family, such as Princess Astrid, Princess Delphine, and Prince Laurent, will be seated.
The ceremony then heads to Warand Park for a ceremony that will conclude in the Cinquantenaire Park with a laser show and fireworks.
Belgium is small in size...great in impact.
The Kingdom of Belgium is located in the heart of Western Europe. It is one of the smallest countries geographically, but it has great political and economic influence on the continent.
It is bordered by:
- France to the south and southwest (620 km),
- Germany to the east (167 km),
- Luxembourg to the southeast (148 km),
- the Netherlands to the north (450 km),
and overlooks the North Sea to the northwest.
Population and area:
- Population: approximately 11.8 million (2024).
Belgium's total area is 33,990 km² (of which 30,528 km² is land), equivalent to approximately 11,787 square miles, making it a small country, but with a high population density.
- Population density: approximately 350 inhabitants/km², making it one of the most densely populated countries in Europe.
Geography and Nature:
Belgium's terrain varies between:
1. The coastal plain in the northwest,
2. The fertile central plateau,
3. The rugged Ardennes mountain range in the southeast, and the edges of the Paris Basin extend into the extreme south of Belgium.
Climate:
The climate is temperate, like that of other Western European countries, with cold, wet winters and mild, pleasant summers, with regular rainfall throughout the year.
Language:
Belgium is a multilingual country with official languages:
Dutch (59%) in the north (Flanders),
French (40%) in the south (Wallonia),
German (1%) in the east.
Religion:
Catholicism is the most widespread religion,
with minorities of Muslims, Protestants, Orthodox Christians, and Jews.
Major Cities:
Brussels: The political capital and largest city, it is the headquarters of the European Union and NATO.
Antwerp: A global port and a center for the diamond industry.
Ghent, Liège, and Charleroi: Major cultural and industrial cities.
History:
Belgium was established as an independent state in 1830 after separating from the Netherlands.
It played a pivotal role in both world wars, particularly as a major battleground during World War I.
Belgium was one of the first countries to colonize parts of Africa, its most famous colony being the Belgian Congo.
Today, Belgium is a prominent member of the European Union and one of its founding countries.
Economy:
Belgium has an advanced and diversified economy, based on services, industry, and international trade.
It is famous for producing chocolate, diamonds, precision machinery, and pharmaceutical products.
The Port of Antwerp is one of Europe's largest and busiest ports.
Official currency: Euro (€)
GDP: approximately $640 billion (2024).
Main trading partners: Germany, France, the Netherlands, the United States, and China.
Quick Facts:
Belgium has one of the highest standards of living in the world.
It ranks high in education and healthcare.
It is famous for its waffles, Belgian chocolate, and traditional beer.