2.  Capital -> Brussels  Official Languages -> Dutch, French, German  Population -> 10,665,867  Government -> Parliamentary democracy & Constitutional Monarchy  King -> Albert II  Prime Minister -> Herman Van Rompuy  Motto -> Strength through Unity  Anthem -> The Brabançonne

3.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUplg16o vjY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUplg16o vjY  It has a French, a Dutch and a German version  written in September 1830

4. Flag of Belgium = + Flag of FlandersFlag of Walloon

5.  Kingdom of Belgium Koninkrijk België (Dutch) Royaume de Belgique (French) Königreich Belgien (German)

7.  Belgium was declared independent on the 4th of October 1830.  The First king, Leopold I, was crowned on the 21st of July 1831. Which is the National Holiday of Belgium.

8.  In World War I and II, Belgium stayed neutral but even so they were attacked by the Germans.  After World War II, Belgium was one of the founding members of the NATO.  Belgium also was one of the six founders of the European Union.  Five kings and 178 years later, Belgium is led by Herman Van Rompuy and his Government.

9.  Leopold I (1831-1865)  Leopold II (1865-1909)  Albert I (1909-1934)  Leopold III (1934-1951)  Baudouin (1950-1993)  Albert II (1993- )

10.  Belgium is known for their beer.  An average Belgian drinks 93 liters of beer a year.  Belgian breweries produce about 500 standard beers.  World famous beers are Westvleteren, Stella, Duvel, Geuze, ….  World’s biggest brewer by volume is Anheuser- Busch InBev, based in Leuven.

11.  Fries with mussels  Eel in a green sauce  Pâté  Gratin of chicory in béchamel sauce with cheese.  Brussels sprouts  Black Pudding: a type of sausage  Waffles  Chocolate, particularly pralines

12.  With 5 victories in the Tour de France, Eddy Merckx is the most known Belgian Sportsman of all time.  Second are Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters, the tennis players who won several Grand Slams and Olympic Gold.  Third is Jean-Marie Pfaff, the Belgian goalkeeper who played for Bayern Munich.

13.  The Atomium  Manneken Pis

14.  The Lion from Waterloo  Gravensteen in Gand

15. Thank you for your Attention,