[106], Chemist Ernest Solvay[107] and engineer Zenobe Gramme (École Industrielle de Liège)[108] gave their names to the Solvay process and the Gramme dynamo, respectively, in the 1860s. Take your favorite fandoms with you and never miss a beat. Walloon, considered either as a dialect of French or a distinct Romance language,[132][133] is now only understood and spoken occasionally, mostly by elderly people. In 1908 this outcry led the Belgian state to assume responsibility for the government of the colony, henceforth called the Belgian Congo. The Turks are the third largest group, and the second largest Muslim ethnic group, numbering 220,000. Template:Multiple image, Belgium is a constitutional, popular monarchy and a federal parliamentary democracy. [115] The population density of Belgium is 365 per square kilometre (952 per square mile) as of March 2013. Culture of Luxembourg - history, people, traditions, women, beliefs ... and Belgium to the west. Belgium is a multicultural country. [39] Belgium: Kwintessential Language and Culture Specialists Kwintessential includes several useful tools, including several language tools (language identifier, popular phrases, translation guides) as well as several culture related guides (doing business in guides, expat relocation guides, and business etiquette around the world) for a number of countries. Falconry, a Living Human Heritage With the possible exception of the Prime Minister, the Council of Ministers is composed of an equal number of Dutch-speaking members and French-speaking members. Belgium’s interesting, varied, and frequently violent history goes a long way to explaining the equally varied linguistic and cultural aspects of this small country. Bakelite was developed in 1907–1909 by Leo Baekeland. From around 1900 there was growing international concern for the extreme and savage treatment of the Congolese population (millions of whom are thought to have died) under Leopold II, for whom the Congo was primarily a source of revenue from ivory and rubber production. [78] The Belgians, along with the Luxembourg government, sent a detachment of battalion strength to fight in Korea known as the Belgian United Nations Command. [175], Other examples are the Carnival of Aalst; the still very religious processions of the Holy Blood in Bruges, Virga Jesse Basilica in Hasselt and Basilica of Our Lady of Hanswijk in Mechelen; Template:Nowrap festival in Liège; and the Walloon festival in Namur. [64] Intercommunal tensions rose and the constitution was amended to minimise the potential for conflict. [192], Belgium hosted the 1972 European Football Championships, and co-hosted the 2000 European Championships with the Netherlands. Singer/songwriter Jacques Brel (1929-78) brought unequalled passion to his performances of songs of love, comedy, low life, and more. State-owned companies include the Belgian Post Group and Belgian Railways. By Template:Nowrap, this had grown to 8.5% compared to an average rate of 9.6% for the European Union as a whole (EU 27). [7][83][nb 3] One of the founding members of the European Union, Belgium strongly supports an open economy and the extension of the powers of EU institutions to integrate member economies. Travel Tip: Pop Culture and Cinema in Belgium Memory of Congo: The Colonial Era . Login ; Create account ; … Yet, despite the conflicting interests of the two main population groups, the country has achieved a unity that does not appear to be seriously threatened. Or, perhaps it sounds familiar? [26] It lies between latitudes 49°30 and 51°30 N, and longitudes 2°33 and 6°24 E.[27], Belgium has three main geographical regions: the coastal plain in the north-west and the central plateau both belong to the Anglo-Belgian Basin; the Ardennes uplands in the south-east are part of the Hercynian orogenic belt. [142] There are several Jewish newspapers and more than 45 active synagogues (30 of which are in Antwerp) in the country. As of 2007, the unemployment rate of Wallonia is over double that of Flanders. He appoints ministers, including a Prime Minister, that have the confidence of the Chamber of Representatives to form the federal government. [182][183] The Trappist beer of the Abbey of Westvleteren has repeatedly been rated the world's best beer. Contrary to their name, french fries are claimed to have originated in Belgium, although their exact place of origin is uncertain. What they lack in aesthetics they more than make up for in flavor. [36], The King (currently Philippe) is the head of state, though with limited prerogatives.