OUR COUNTRY BELGIUM ONS LAND BELGIË

Belgium, a country in Europe

Learning about Belgium Country: Belgium Capital: Brussels (also European Capital) Government: Federal parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy Motto: Strenght through Unity Anthem: The Brabançonne King: Albert II Prime Minister: Yves Leterme Population: Currency: Euro €

President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy Our King Albert II Prime Minister Yves Leterme

Belgium has 3 … …Regions…languages Flemisch Region Brussels – Capital Region Walloon Region Flemisch Community Flemisch / French Community French Community German – speaking Community

Known for its 5 cities of art Bekend om zijn 5 kunststeden Bruges: the market Brugge: de markt Antwerp: Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerpen: Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten Ghent: The Counts Gent: het Gravensteen

Known for its 5 cities of art Bekend om zijn 5 kunststeden Brussels: the Atonium Brussel: het Atonium Mechelen: The beguinage by the UNESCO World Heritage. Mechelen: Het begijnhof is door de UNESCO uitgeroepen tot Werelderfgoed.

Education in Belgium Onderwijs in België The different stages of education are the same in all comunities. Basic education consisting of : Pre-school : 2,5 - 6 yearsPre-school In most schools the child can start in school as soon as they reach this age, so class size for the youngest children grows during the year. Primary school : (compulsory education) 6-12 yearsPrimary school consists of six years and the subjects given are generally the same at all the schools. Secondary school : yearsSecondary school When graduating from primary school around the age of 12, students enter secondary education. Here they have to choose a direction that they want to follow,depending on their skill level and interests. Higher educationHigher education: 18 - … UniversityUniversity 18 - … The schools can be divided in three groups: * Schools owned by the communities * Subsidized public schools organized by provinces and municipalities * Subsidized free schools organized by an organization affiliated to the Catholic churchCatholic

Known for its great food Bekend om zijn lekker eten Frites Frietjes Belgian chocolate Chocolade Belgian beers Belgische bieren Candy: The babe lutte Snoep: de babelutte

Known for its inventors Bekend om zijn uitvinders Walter Van Beirendonck Fashion designer Mode ontwerper Adolf Sax Inventor of the saxophone Uitvinder van de saxofoon Zénobe Gramme Inventor of the Gramme dynamo, a DC generator Uitvinder van de Gramme-dynamo, een gelijkstroom dynamo Charles Van Depoele Inventor of the electric tram. Uitvinder van de elektrische tram.

Known for its painters Bekend om zijn schilders Paul Delvaux The wedding dress, 1976 La robe de mariée, James Ensor Masks Les Masques

Known for its painters Bekend om zijn schilders Constant Permeke The former home and studio in Jabbeke, now museum Het voormalige huis en atelier in Jabbeke, nu museum Peter Paul Rubens Massacre of the Innocents Slachting van de onschuldigen

Known for its painters Bekend om zijn schilders René Magritte Castle in the Pyrenees Kasteel in de Pyreneeën Jan Van Eyck Arnolfini Wedding Portrait Arnolfini Huwelijksportret

Known for its painters Bekend om zijn schilders Hans Memling Maria Portinari Pieter Bruegel de Oude The peasant wedding De boerenbruiloft

Known for its sports(wo)men Bekend om zijn sportievelingen Justine Hennin tennis Eddy Merckx cycling / wielrennen Kim Klijsters tennis Kim Gevaert running / hardlopen Tia Hellebaut high jump / hoogspringen

Known for its saints Bekend om zijn heiligen Father Damian Pater Damiaan Saint Arnoldus Heilige Arnoldus