Country Overview Belgium is a multicultural country. It is not only bordered by four countries the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, and France , but also consists of three distinct states with their own languages and cultures.
Its population of , is employed largely by governmental organizations. Belgium joins three relatively autonomous regions into a federal state: Flanders, Wallonia, and Brussels. Each region has its own language. In Flanders, the official language is Flemish, a language similar to Dutch. Walloons speak French. The capital of Belgium, Brussels, is officially bilingual. German is also spoken in Belgium, and most Belgians speak English. The government of Belgium is a constitutional monarchy headed by a prime minister.
Although the monarch is technically the source of all executive authority, the cabinet makes all governmental decisions. Parliamentary elections are held every four years. The capital of Belgium is Brussels, which is also the current capital of the European Union. Linguistic and regional rivalries account for Belgium's main troubles. Now that each region is relatively autonomous, these concerns are growing more mild. The climate is mild and tends to be wet. Summer temperatures average 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperatures rarely reach as low as 10 degrees or as high as 90 degrees. The country covers an area about the size of the state of Maryland.
The North is flat with a resort-dotted North Sea coastline. The South has the river valleys, forests, and small villages of the Ardennes Mountains. The official unit of currency is the Euro, which officially replaced the Belgian Franc on January 1, Belgium's major industries are services, agriculture, and chemical production.
Belgian artists have been very important in the art scene. More recently, artists like the surrealist Magritte have earned acclaim. This concern with artistry and innovation has carried over to lace and chocolate making, two products for which Belgium is renowned.
Both crafts are treated with great respect and utilize the traditional methods. Belgium cuisine is celebrated for more than just its chocolate, although the chocolate alone should be enough to confirm its culinary reputation. Belgium is also famous for its beer. The food they enjoy their beer with is considered on par with French cuisine. Belgians enjoy more three-star restaurants per capita than any other nation.
Meat and seafood are the basic ingredients of Belgian cooking. They claim to have invented frites, which we mistakenly known as French fries. Desserts, pastries, and waffles, of course, are delicious. School Education is considered of the utmost importance in Belgium. Youth are required to attend school until the age of Belgian high schools do not offer the range of extracurricular activities found at American high schools.
Belgian schools maintain a high degree of discipline, and teachers are well respected. About half of Belgian teens go on to university.
Teenagers Belgian teenagers enjoy many of the same activities as American teens. The most popular sport is soccer, but basketball, volleyball, swimming, track, and bicycling are all popular. Teens generally begin to date when they are 14 or Dating customs are the same as in the United States. Curfews vary from family to family, but in general, Belgian teens are accustomed to staying out later than American teens.
Drinking is loosely regulated, and it is socially acceptable for Belgian teens to drink. Dress is fairly casual. Like American teens, they wear jeans with sweaters, sweatshirts, or T-shirts. Belgian teens are accustomed to being fairly independent. Community Banks are generally open between 8a. Shopping centers are open later: Teens spend about two hours a day watching television.
Belgium has an excellent public transportation system, but private cars are also used. The driving age is 18, most people get their license then.
Your student will probably be used to getting around easily on public transportation. If this is not the case in your area, please work out with your student how he or she is to get around. Your student may be very hesitant to ask for rides because he or she would see it as a great favor. Recycling is common. The Family It is common for both parents to work in Belgium, but not as prevalent as it is in the U. The average family has two children. Cats and dogs are popular pets. It is common for students to continue to live with their parents after high school.
It is not common for elderly people to live with their grown children. Customs Belgian teens greet their elders with 'bon jour', and their friends with 'salut'.
Good friends are often greeted with kisses. Belgians eat 'continental style', with the fork in the left hand, and the knife in the right. Both the fork and knife are actively used. Church attendance is low, especially among the young, but religious traditions are still an important part of Belgian culture and life.
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The guest of honor is generally expected to offer a toast. In Flanders, business organization is generally horizontal and simple. Thus you can count on your Belgian guy to take you to the places where the best chocolates and finest liquor are served. Social Problems and Control. The stylistic height of this expansion is illustrated by the Art Nouveau houses built by Victor Horta. Food Customs at Ceremonial Occasions, Belgium dating norms. There is some contrast between the north and south in the use of traditional, rural Belgium dating norms. Teens spend about two hours a day watching television. Verstraete, Pieter Jan. Hard work and an appreciation for culture are important values to Belgians, who think of themselves as Europeans first, Walloons or Flemings second, and Belgians third.
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