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Population
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:
| New Year's Day |
1 January |
| Easter Monday |
1 April |
| Labour Day |
1 May |
| Ascension Day |
9 May |
| Whit Monday |
20 May |
| FLEMISH Community
Holiday |
1 July |
| National Independence
Day |
21 July |
| Assumption Day |
15 August |
| FRENCH Community
Holiday |
27 September |
| All Saint's Day |
1 November |
| Armistice Day |
11 November |
| GERMAN Community
Holiday |
15 November |
| Christmas Day |
25 December |
(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.
