Belgium

Belgium (Dutch: België; French: Belgique; German: Belgien), officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal monarchy in Western Europe.
It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters as well as those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.
Belgium covers an area of 30,528 square kilometres (11,787 sq mi) and has a population of about 11 million people.
Straddling the cultural boundary between Germanic and Latin Europe, Belgium is home to two main linguistic groups: the Dutch-speaking, mostly Flemish community, which constitutes about 59% of the population, and the French-speaking, mostly Walloon population and Brussels inhabitants, which comprises 41% of all Belgians.
Additionally, there is a small group of German-speakers who are officially recognized.
Belgium's two largest regions are the Dutch-speaking region of Flanders in the north and the French-speaking southern region of Wallonia.
The Brussels-Capital Region, officially bilingual, is a mostly French-speaking enclave within the Flemish Region.
A German-speaking Community exists in eastern Wallonia.
Belgium's linguistic diversity and related political conflicts are reflected in its political history and complex system of government.

Belgium's Notable Births

1929 May 04

Audrey Hepburn, actress (born at Bruxelles,Belgium) (dead 1993 January 20) Taurus

(1390)

Jan Van Eyck, painter (born at Maaseik, Belgium) (dead 1441)

1898 November 21

Rene Magritte, painter belga (born at Lessines, Belgium) (dead 1967 August 15) Scorpio

1962 June 05

Astrid Quenn of Belgio , Noble (born at Bruxelles, Belgium) Gemini

1945 June 17

Eddy Merckx , cycle driver (born at Meensel-Kiezegem, Belgium) Gemini

1952 February 13

Freddy Maertens , cycle driver (born at Nieuwpoort,Belgium) Aquarius

1960 October 18

Jean Claude Van Damme , actor (born at Sint-Agatha-Berchem, Brussels, Belgium) Libra

Belgium's Notable Deaths

1441

Jan Van Eyck, painter (dead at Bruges,Belgium) (born (1390))

1640 May 30

Pieter Paul Rubens, painter fiammingo (dead at Anversa, Belgium) (born 1577 June 28) Cancer

1967 August 15

Rene Magritte, painter belga (dead at Brussels, Belgium) (born 1898 November 21) Scorpio