Belgium-- School-age
Belgium
Official Name: Kingdom of Belgium
Koninkrijk België (Dutch)
Royaume de Belgique (French)
Government Type: Federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarch. Head of State: King Albert II
Capital: Brussels is home to both the European Union and NATO
County's inhabitants: Belgian
Abbreviation: BE
Currency: Euro
Belgium has three official languages: Dutch, French and German.
Religion: Seventy-five percent of Belgians are Roman Catholic.
Belgium is located in north-western Europe. It is surrounded by the Netherlands, the North Sea, Germany, Luxembourg, and France. There is a coastline with beaches on the western side of Belgium. The rest of Belgium is completely landlocked.
History
Belgium is a small country that is rich in history, art, architecture, and chocolate.
Famous Belgian architects: Victor Horta and Henry van de Velde.
In Flanders Fields Poem First published in December, 1915. Within months, this poem came to symbolize the sacrifices of all who were fighting in the First World War. Today, the poem continues to be a part of Remembrance Day ceremonies in Canada and other countries
Animals
The bloodhound is said to be the keenest of all tracking dogs, with ancestry that can be traced to eighth century Belgium.
The Flemish Giant Rabbit is one of the largest breeds of domestic rabbits, weighing 10 pounds to 20 pounds.
Climate
Belgium has temperate weather, warm in summer (May to September) and cool to cold in winter, with snow very likely.
Land
There are three very different regions in Belgium:
Flanders in the north, is a flatland criss-crossed by canals, where the language is Dutch. There are great art cities in the north; Antwerp, Bruges and Ghent.
Wallonia in the south, is rolling hills of the Ardennes, where the language is French. There are numerous castles, and the cities of Liege, Namur, Tournai, and Waterloo. Centrally located is the capital Brussels, a great cosmopolitan city which is officially bilingual.
Centrally located is the Brussels Capital Region. The capital Brussels is a cosmopolitan city that is officially bilingual. All official documents must be published in French and a version of Dutch (Flemish).
Artist
Pierre-Joseph Redouté
Flemish artist who greatly admired flower paintings.
Gentian color page
Music
Adolphe Sax invented the saxophone.
Sites to See
Make
Build a Medieval Castle
Build your own medieval castle, complete with towers, gatehouse and keep.
Belgium Flag and Map color page at Crayola.
Fun Facts
The Atomium
In Brussels is a very famous monument the Atomium, that was built for the World Expo in 1958.
Recommended Book
Redouté Flowers Coloring Book (Dover Nature Coloring Book)
by Charlene Tarbox
A coloring book with botanical illustrations by Pierre-Joseph Redoute noted for their beauty and scientific accuracy. The book contains full color illustrations of the flowers on the inside front and back covers.
