10.2 million (2001)

Capital City

Brussels (population around 1 million )

Language

Flanders - Flemish (Dutch)
Wallonia - French
Brussels - officially bi-lingual, but predominantly French

English is widely spoken in commercial circles, in Flanders and increasingly in Brussels, but less so in Wallonia.

Principal Religions

Roman Catholic 75%, Protestant or other religions 25%

International dialling code from UK

00 32

Local currency

The euro which is divided into 100 cents. For conversion rate see www.oanda.com (use Quick Converter, top left). The euro was worth 61.5p end March 2002.

Belgium is a member of the Euro zone.

As part of Economic and Monetary Union twelve European Union countries have now introduced a single European currency - the euro. Even though the UK did not join the single currency, UK businesses cannot afford to ignore the euro.

Weights and measures

Metric

Public holidays

Public Holidays are:

(Boxing day is not an official holiday in Belgium)

Passports / Visas

UK/EU nationals entering Belgium should have a full passport. Visas are not required.

Health advice / risks

Risks to health are the same as those in the UK. The form E111 from any Post Office will enable UK visitors to get urgent medical treatment for free in Belgium. This should be completed and stamped at the Post Office before you leave, and carried with you in Belgium.

Travel routes to Belgium

AIR

Brussels airport is linked by direct flights from almost all European cities including the UK. Flight time is around 1 hour and a quarter to London.

RAIL

London to Brussels Channel Tunnel services on Eurostar run 11 times a day (Monday to Saturday). Contact Eurostar UK Ltd, Tel : 0990 186 186 for booking office and information. Passengers must check in 20 minutes before departure. The journey takes about 3 hours 45 minutes.

SEA

There are ferry and hovercraft crossings between Dover and Felixstowe to Ostend and Zeebrugge. There are also car and passenger ferries from Ramsgate to Dunkirk and from Hull to Zeebrugge.

COACH

There are direct coach services from London and several provincial centre in Britain to Brussels.

How to get to & from the airport

The main international airport is at Zaventem 12 km north-east of Brussels. It is 8 miles north-east of the city. There is direct rail link between the airport and Gare du Nord and Gare Centrale stations in Brussels, which take approximately 23 minutes. Trains depart every twenty minutes from 05.24 to 23.46.

Taxis from the airport to Brussels city can be picked up from the front of the airport terminal and will cost quite a bit more than the train fare. The journey will take around 35 minutes.

A bus service also connects Zaventem with Gare du Nord station in Brussels.

Travelling in Belgium

Brussels has an excellent network of metro (subway) lines that run through the city. Subway services are continuous from 0600 until midnight as are the tram and bus services that run above ground.

Taxis charge per kilometre, with tips included in the meter price. They can be hired from taxi ranks on all principal streets.

Belgium has an excellent rail system. Trains are fast and generally on time. From Brussels there are trains to most other European countries.

The main towns in Belgium are linked by toll-free motorways. The carrying of a warning triangle (to be used in the event of an accident or breakdown) is compulsory.

Hotels

Belgium has a wide range of accommodation to suit every budget.

The Belgian Tourist Board issues a shield to all approved hotels, which is displayed on the front of the hotel.

Restaurants

The standard of cuisine is very high in Belgium, and although restaurants can be expensive, they are generally good value for money. A 14% service charge is normally included in restaurants.

Electricity supply

Electricity: 220 Volts 50 cycles AC. Industrial supply 380 volts, 3 phase 50 cycles AC. Plugs with two round pins are used. Adapters are recommended.