Inflation rate (consumer prices):
7% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 177 12.9% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
13.5% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 30 12% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
11.68% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 8.55% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$4.747 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 92 $4.381 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$13.62 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 92 $14.07 billion (31 December 2008)
Stock of domestic credit:
$19.99 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 78 $17.15 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Agriculture - products:
grain, potatoes, vegetables, sugar beets, flax; beef, milk
Industries:
metal-cutting machine tools, tractors, trucks, earthmovers, motorcycles, televisions, synthetic fibers, fertilizer, textiles, radios, refrigerators
Industrial production growth rate:
10.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 13
Electricity - production:
29.92 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 63
Electricity - consumption:
30.54 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 58
Electricity - exports:
5.062 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - imports:
9.406 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Oil - production:
31,400 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 70
Oil - consumption:
173,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 59
Oil - exports:
303,900 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 40
Oil - imports:
444,800 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 28
Oil - proved reserves:
198 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 59
Natural gas - production:
152 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 77
Natural gas - consumption:
17 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 37
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2009) country comparison to the world: 58
Natural gas - imports:
17.6 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 13
Natural gas - proved reserves:
2.832 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 94
Current account balance:
-$5.062 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 169 -$6.402 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$24.49 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 66 $21.34 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, mineral products, chemicals, metals, textiles, foodstuffs
Exports - partners:
Russia 33.6%, Netherlands 13.78%, Ukraine 8.68%, Latvia 6.32%,Poland 4.19%, Germany 4.17% (2009)
Imports:
$29.79 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 $28.31 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
mineral products, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs, metals
Imports - partners:
Russia 56.42%, Germany 8.31%, Ukraine 4.79%, China 4.04% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$5.755 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 63 $4.831 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$24.8 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 $19.74 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
Belarusian rubles (BYB/BYR) per US dollar - 3,019.9 (2010), 2,789.5 (2009), 2,130 (2008), 2,145 (2007), 2,144.6 (2006)
Communications ::Belarus
Telephones - main lines in use:
3.969 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 40
Telephones - mobile cellular:
9.686 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 67
Telephone system:
general assessment: Belarus lags behind its neighbors in upgrading telecommunications infrastructure; modernization of the network progressing with roughly two-thirds of switching equipment now digital
domestic: state-owned Beltelcom is the sole provider of fixed-line local and long distance service; fixed-line teledensity is improving although rural areas continue to be underserved; multiple GSM mobile-cellular networks are experiencing rapid growth; mobile-cellular teledensity reached 100 telephones per 100 persons in 2009
international: country code - 375; Belarus is a member of the Trans-European Line (TEL), Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line, and has access to the Trans-Siberia Line (TSL); 3 fiber-optic segments provide connectivity to Latvia, Poland, Russia, and Ukraine; worldwide service is available to Belarus through this infrastructure; additional analog lines to Russia; Intelsat, Eutelsat, and Intersputnik earth stations (2008)
Broadcast media:
4 state-controlled national TV channels; Polish and Russian TV broadcasts are available in some areas; state-run Belarusian Radio operates 3 national networks and an external service; Russian and Polish radio broadcasts are available (2007)
Internet country code:
.by
Internet hosts:
147,311 (2010) country comparison to the world: 71
Internet users:
2.643 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 69
Transportation ::Belarus
Airports:
67 (2010) country comparison to the world: 74
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 35
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 22
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 7 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 32
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 27 (2010)
Heliports:
1 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 5,250 km; oil 1,528 km; refined products 1,730 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 5,537 km country comparison to the world: 32 broad gauge: 5,512 km 1.520-m gauge (874 km electrified)
standard gauge: 25 km 1.435-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
total: 94,797 km country comparison to the world: 49 paved: 84,028 km
unpaved: 10,769 km (2005)
Waterways:
2,500 km (use limited by location on perimeter of country and by shallowness) (2003) country comparison to the world: 36
Ports and terminals:
Mazyr
Military ::Belarus
Military branches:
Belarus Armed Forces: Land Force, Air and Air Defense Force, SpecialOperations Force (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18-27 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 12-18 months, depending on academic qualifications (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,435,318
females age 16-49: 2,466,762 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,708,634
females age 16-49: 2,043,083 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 55,758
female: 52,572 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.4% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 105
Transnational Issues ::Belarus
Disputes - international:
Boundary demarcated with Latvia and Lithuania in 2006; 1997 boundary delimitation treaty with Ukraine remains unratified over unresolved financial claims, preventing demarcation and diminishing border security
Illicit drugs:
limited cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis, mostly for the domestic market; transshipment point for illicit drugs to and via Russia, and to the Baltics and Western Europe; a small and lightly regulated financial center; anti-money-laundering legislation does not meet international standards and was weakened further when know-your-customer requirements were curtailed in 2008; few investigations or prosecutions of money-laundering activities (2008)
page last updated on January 20, 2011
======================================================================
@Belgium (Europe)
Introduction ::Belgium
Background:
Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830; it was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. The country prospered in the past half century as a modern, technologically advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU. Tensions between the Dutch-speaking Flemings of the north and the French-speaking Walloons of the south have led in recent years to constitutional amendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy.
Geography ::Belgium
Location:
Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and theNetherlands
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 30,528 sq km country comparison to the world: 140 land: 30,278 sq km
water: 250 sq km
Area - comparative:
about the size of Maryland
Land boundaries:
total: 1,385 km
border countries: France 620 km, Germany 167 km, Luxembourg 148 km, Netherlands 450 km
Coastline:
66.5 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: geographic coordinates define outer limit
continental shelf: median line with neighbors
Climate:
temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy
Terrain:
flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: North Sea 0 m
highest point: Botrange 694 m
Natural resources:
construction materials, silica sand, carbonates
Land use:
arable land: 27.42%
permanent crops: 0.69%
other: 71.89%
note: includes Luxembourg (2005)
Irrigated land:
400 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
20.8 cu km (2005)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 7.44 cu km/yr (13%/85%/1%)
per capita: 714 cu m/yr (1998)
Natural hazards:
flooding is a threat along rivers and in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes
Environment - current issues:
the environment is exposed to intense pressures from human activities: urbanization, dense transportation network, industry, extensive animal breeding and crop cultivation; air and water pollution also have repercussions for neighboring countries; uncertainties regarding federal and regional responsibilities (now resolved) had slowed progress in tackling environmental challenges
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources,Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, MarineDumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, ShipPollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
crossroads of Western Europe; most West European capitals within 1,000 km of Brussels, the seat of both the European Union and NATO
People ::Belgium
Population:
10,423,493 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 79
Age structure:
0-14 years: 16.1% (male 857,373/female 822,303)
15-64 years: 66.3% (male 3,480,072/female 3,419,721)
65 years and over: 17.6% (male 760,390/female 1,074,477) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 42 years
male: 40.7 years
female: 43.3 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.082% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 188
Birth rate:
10.1 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 194
Death rate:
10.5 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 50
Net migration rate:
1.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 52
Urbanization:
urban population: 97% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.045 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female
total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 4.38 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 195 male: 4.92 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 79.37 years country comparison to the world: 37 male: 76.21 years
female: 82.68 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.65 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 175
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 108
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
15,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 86
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 151
Nationality:
noun: Belgian(s)
adjective: Belgian
Ethnic groups:
Fleming 58%, Walloon 31%, mixed or other 11%
Religions:
Roman Catholic 75%, other (includes Protestant) 25%
Languages:
Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less than 1%, legally bilingual (Dutch and French)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 16 years
male: 16 years
female: 16 years (2008)
Education expenditures:
6.1% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 36
Government ::Belgium
Country name:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Belgium
conventional short form: Belgium
local long form: Royaume de Belgique/Koninkrijk Belgie
local short form: Belgique/Belgie
Government type:
federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy
Capital:
name: Brussels
geographic coordinates: 50 50 N, 4 20 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
3 regions (French: regions, singular - region; Dutch: gewesten, singular - gewest); Brussels-Capital Region, also known as Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest (Dutch), Region de Bruxelles-Capitale (French long form), Bruxelles-Capitale (French short form); Flemish Region (Flanders), also known as Vlaams Gewest (Dutch long form), Vlaanderen (Dutch short form), Region Flamande (French long form), Flandre (French short form); Walloon Region (Wallonia), also known as Region Wallone (French long form), Wallonie (French short form), Waals Gewest (Dutch long form), Wallonie (Dutch short form)
note: as a result of the 1993 constitutional revision that furthered devolution into a federal state, there are now three levels of government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a complex division of responsibilities
Independence:
4 October 1830 (a provisional government declared independence from the Netherlands); 21 July 1831 (King LEOPOLD I ascended to the throne)
National holiday:
21 July (1831) ascension to the Throne of King LEOPOLD I
Constitution:
7 February 1831; amended many times; revised 14 July 1993 to create a federal state
Legal system:
based on civil law system influenced by English constitutional theory; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch:
chief of state: King ALBERT II (since 9 August 1993); Heir Apparent Prince PHILIPPE, son of the monarch
head of government: Prime Minister Yves LETERME (since 25 November 2009); note - the king accepted the resignation of LETERME on 26 April 2010; LETERME remains as caretaker
cabinet: Council of Ministers are formally appointed by the monarch (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: the monarchy is hereditary and constitutional; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the monarch and then approved by parliament
Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament consists of a Senate or Senaat in Dutch, Senat in French (71 seats; 40 members directly elected by popular vote, 31 indirectly elected; members serve four-year terms) and a Chamber of Deputies or Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordigers in Dutch, Chambre des Representants in French (150 seats; members directly elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms)
elections: Senate and Chamber of Deputies - last held on 13 June 2010 (next to be held no later than June 2014)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - N-VA 19.6%, PS 13.6%, CD&V 10%, sp.a 9.5%, MR 9.3%, Open VLD 8.2%, VB 7.6%, Ecolo 5.5%, CDH 5.1% Groen! 3.9%, other 7.7%; seats by party - N-VA 9, PS 7, CD&V 4, sp.a 4, MR 4, Open VLD 4, VB 3, Ecolo 2, CDH 2, Groen! 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - N-VA 17.4%, PS 13.7%, CD&V 10.9%, MR 9.3%, sp.a 9.2%, Open VLD 8.6%, VB 7.8%, CDH 5.5%, Ecolo 4.8%, Groen! 4.4%, List Dedecker 2.3%, the Popular Party 1.3%, other 4.8%; seats by party - N-VA 27, PS 26, CD&V 17, MR 18, sp.a 13, Open VLD 13, VB 12, CDH 9, Ecolo 8, Groen! 5, List Dedecker 1, the Popular Party 1
note: as a result of the 1993 constitutional revision that furthered devolution into a federal state, there are now three levels of government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a complex division of responsibilities; this reality leaves six governments, each with its own legislative assembly
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court of Justice or Hof van Cassatie (in Dutch) or Cour deCassation (in French) (judges are appointed for life by thegovernment; candidacies have to be submitted by the High JusticeCouncil)
Political parties and leaders:
Flemish parties: Christian Democratic and Flemish or CDV [WouterBEKE]; Dedecker List or LDD [Lode VEREECK]; Flemish Liberals andDemocrats or Open VLD [Alexander DE CROO]; Groen! [Wouter VANBESIEN] (formerly AGALEV, Flemish Greens); New Flemish Alliance orN-VA [Bart DE WEVER]; Social Progressive Alternative or SP.A[Caroline GENNEZ]; Vlaams Belang (Flemish Interest) or VB [BrunoVALKENIERS]
Francophone parties: Ecolo (Francophone Greens) [Jean-Michel JAVAUX,Sarah TURINE]; Humanist and Democratic Center or CDH [JoelleMILQUET]; Popular Party or PP [ Mischael MODRIKAMEN]; ReformMovement or MR [Didier REYNDERS]; Socialist Party or PS [Elio DIRUPO]; other minor parties
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Christian, Socialist, and Liberal Trade Unions; Federation ofBelgian Industries
other: numerous other associations representing bankers, manufacturers, middle-class artisans, and the legal and medical professions; various organizations represent the cultural interests of Flanders and Wallonia; various peace groups such as Pax Christi and groups representing immigrants
International organization participation:
ADB (nonregional members), AfDB (nonregional members), AustraliaGroup, Benelux, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO,FATF, G-9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA,IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU,ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUSCO, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer),OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI(observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIS, UNRWA,UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Jan MATTHYSEN
chancery: 3330 Garfield Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 333-6900
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Howard W. GUTMAN
embassy: 27 Boulevard du Regent [Regentlaan], B-1000 Brussels
mailing address: PSC 82, Box 002, APO AE 09710
telephone: [32] (2) 508-2111
Flag description:
three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, and red; the vertical design was based on the flag of France; the colors are those of the arms of the duchy of Brabant (yellow lion with red claws and tongue on a black field)
National anthem:
name: "La Brabanconne" (The Song of Brabant)
lyrics/music: Louis-Alexandre DECHET[French] Victor CEULEMANS [Dutch]/Francois VAN CAMPENHOUT
note: adopted 1830; Louis-Alexandre DECHET was an actor at the theater in which the revolution against the Netherlands began; according to legend, he wrote the lyrics with a group of young people in a Brussels cafe
Economy ::Belgium
Economy - overview:
This modern, private-enterprise economy has capitalized on its central geographic location, highly developed transport network, and diversified industrial and commercial base. Industry is concentrated mainly in the populous Flemish area in the north. With few natural resources, Belgium imports substantial quantities of raw materials and exports a large volume of manufactures, making its economy vulnerable to volatility in world markets. Roughly three-quarters of Belgium's trade is with other EU countries. In 2009 Belgian GDP contracted by 2.7%, the unemployment rate rose slightly, and the budget deficit worsened because of large-scale bail-outs in the financial sector. Belgium's budget deficit widened to 4.8% of GDP in 2010, while public debt was just over 100% of GDP. Belgian banks have been severely affected by the international financial crisis with three major banks receiving capital injections from the government. An ageing population and rising social expenditures are also increasing pressure on public finances, making it likely the government will need to implement unpopular austerity measures to assuage investor concerns about Belgium's ability to restore fiscal balance.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$394.9 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 $388.7 billion (2009 est.)
$399.5 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$461.3 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
1.6% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 -2.7% (2009 est.)
0.8% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$37,900 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 27 $37,300 (2009 est.)
$38,400 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 0.7%
industry: 22.1%
services: 77.2% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
5.02 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 74
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 2%
industry: 25%
services: 73% (2007 est.)
Unemployment rate:
8.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 7.9% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
15.2% (2007 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3.4%
highest 10%: 28.4% (2006)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
28 (2005) country comparison to the world: 121 28.7 (1996)
Investment (gross fixed):
20.8% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 80
Public debt:
102.5% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 101% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 0% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
1.75% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 113 3% (31 December 2008)
note: this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
6.15% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 128 7.03% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$172.9 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 19 $178.7 billion (31 December 2009 est)
note: see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 16 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money circulating within their own borders
Stock of broad money:
$539.4 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 $536.7 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$801.1 billion (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 17 $767.1 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$261.4 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 26 $167.4 billion (31 December 2008)
$386.4 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
sugar beets, fresh vegetables, fruits, grain, tobacco; beef, veal, pork, milk
Industries:
engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, transportation equipment, scientific instruments, processed food and beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum
Industrial production growth rate:
4% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 79
Electricity - production:
82.17 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 36
Electricity - consumption:
84.88 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 33
Electricity - exports:
6.561 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports:
17.16 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Oil - production:
11,220 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 82
Oil - consumption:
608,200 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 27
Oil - exports:
433,700 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 31
Oil - imports:
1.12 million bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 16
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 201
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 204
Natural gas - consumption:
16.87 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 39
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 57
Natural gas - imports:
16.78 billion cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 14
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 202
Current account balance:
-$1.129 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 141 $1.251 billion (2009 est.)
Exports:
$279.2 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 $261.1 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, chemicals, finished diamonds, metals and metal products, foodstuffs
Exports - partners:
Germany 19.58%, France 17.71%, Netherlands 11.84%, UK 7.21%, US 5.37%, Italy 4.77% (2009)
Imports:
$281.7 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 17 $261.3 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
raw materials, machinery and equipment, chemicals, raw diamonds, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, transportation equipment, oil products
Imports - partners:
Netherlands 17.93%, Germany 17.14%, France 11.69%, Ireland 6.26%, US 5.74%, UK 5.07%, China 4.09% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$NA (31 December 2010 est.)
$23.98 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$1.241 trillion (30 June 2010) country comparison to the world: 12 $1.354 trillion (31 December 2008)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$741.7 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 $705.2 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$632.8 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 10 $595.8 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.7715 (2010), 0.7179 (2009), 0.6827 (2008), 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006)
Communications ::Belgium
Telephones - main lines in use:
4,255 (2009) country comparison to the world: 215
Telephones - mobile cellular:
12.419 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 55
Telephone system:
general assessment: highly developed, technologically advanced, and completely automated domestic and international telephone and telegraph facilities
domestic: nationwide mobile-cellular telephone system; extensive cable network; limited microwave radio relay network
international: country code - 32; landing point for a number of submarine cables that provide links to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia; satellite earth stations - 7 (Intelsat - 3) (2007)
Broadcast media:
a segmented market with the three major communities (Flemish, French, and German-speaking) each having responsibility for their own broadcast media; multiple TV channels exist for each community; additionally, in excess of 90% of households are connected to cable and can access broadcasts of TV stations from neighboring countries; each community has a public radio network co-existing with private broadcasters (2007)
Internet country code:
.be
Internet hosts:
4.465 million (2010) country comparison to the world: 19
Internet users:
8.113 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 36
Transportation ::Belgium
Airports:
43 (2010) country comparison to the world: 99
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 27
over 3,047 m: 6
2,438 to 3,047 m: 9
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 9 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 16
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 15 (2010)
Heliports:
1 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 1,330 km; oil 158 km; refined products 535 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 3,233 km country comparison to the world: 54 standard gauge: 3,233 km 1.435-m gauge (2,950 km electrified) (2008)
Roadways:
total: 152,256 km country comparison to the world: 35 paved: 119,079 km (includes 1,763 km of expressways)
unpaved: 33,177 km (2006)
Waterways:
2,043 km (1,528 km in regular commercial use) (2008) country comparison to the world: 44
Merchant marine:
total: 81 country comparison to the world: 55 by type: bulk carrier 21, cargo 8, chemical tanker 5, container 4, liquefied gas 23, passenger 2, petroleum tanker 11, roll on/roll off 7
foreign-owned: 13 (Denmark 4, France 5, UK 2, US 2)
registered in other countries: 104 (Bahamas 9, Cambodia 1, Cyprus 2,France 7, Gibraltar 2, Greece 16, Hong Kong 16, Liberia 1,Luxembourg 9, Malta 14, Moldova 2, Mozambique 2, North Korea 1,Panama 2, Portugal 8, Russia 4, Saint Kitts and Nevis 1, SaintVincent and the Grenadines 6, Vanuatu 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
cargo ports (tonnage): Antwerp, Gent, Liege, Zeebrugge
container ports (TEUs): Antwerp (8,662,891), Zeebrugge (2,209,715)
Military ::Belgium
Military branches:
Belgian Armed Forces: Land Operations Command, Naval OperationsCommand, Air Operations Commands (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription suspended (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 2,377,191
females age 16-49: 2,309,941 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 1,949,361
females age 16-49: 1,891,966 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 60,726
female: 57,882 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
1.3% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 119
Transnational Issues ::Belgium
Disputes - international:
none
Illicit drugs:
growing producer of synthetic drugs and cannabis; transit point for US-bound ecstasy; source of precursor chemicals for South American cocaine processors; transshipment point for cocaine, heroin, hashish, and marijuana entering Western Europe; despite a strengthening of legislation, the country remains vulnerable to money laundering related to narcotics, automobiles, alcohol, and tobacco; significant domestic consumption of ecstasy
page last updated on January 20, 2011
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@Belize (Central America and Caribbean)
Introduction ::Belize
Background:
Belize was the site of several Mayan city states until their decline at the end of the first millennium A.D. The British and Spanish disputed the region in the 17th and 18th centuries; it formally became the colony of British Honduras in 1854. Territorial disputes between the UK and Guatemala delayed the independence of Belize until 1981. Guatemala refused to recognize the new nation until 1992 and the two countries are involved in an ongoing border dispute. Guatemala and Belize plan to hold a simultaneous referendum to determine if this dispute will go before the International Court of Justice at The Hague, though they have not yet set a date. Tourism has become the mainstay of the economy. Current concerns include the country's heavy foreign debt burden, high unemployment, growing involvement in the South American drug trade, high crime rates, and increasing incidences of HIV/AIDS.
Geography ::Belize
Location:
Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala andMexico
Geographic coordinates:
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 22,966 sq km country comparison to the world: 151 land: 22,806 sq km
water: 160 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Massachusetts
Land boundaries:
total: 516 km
border countries: Guatemala 266 km, Mexico 250 km
Coastline:
386 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm in the north, 3 nm in the south; note - from the mouth of the Sarstoon River to Ranguana Cay, Belize's territorial sea is 3 nm; according to Belize's Maritime Areas Act, 1992, the purpose of this limitation is to provide a framework for negotiating a definitive agreement on territorial differences with Guatemala
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May)
Terrain:
flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Doyle's Delight 1,160 m
Natural resources:
arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 3.05%
permanent crops: 1.39%
other: 95.56% (2005)
Irrigated land:
30 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
18.6 cu km (2000)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 0.15 cu km/yr (7%/73%/20%)
per capita: 556 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
frequent, devastating hurricanes (June to November) and coastal flooding (especially in south)
Environment - current issues:
deforestation; water pollution from sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff; solid and sewage waste disposal
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean
People ::Belize
Population:
314,522 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 176
Age structure:
0-14 years: 37.9% (male 59,462/female 57,117)
15-64 years: 58.6% (male 91,298/female 89,170)
65 years and over: 3.5% (male 5,185/female 5,667) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 20.7 years
male: 20.5 years
female: 20.9 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
2.102% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 48
Birth rate:
26.84 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 54
Death rate:
5.82 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 171
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population country comparison to the world: 90
Urbanization:
urban population: 52% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 3.1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female
total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 22.52 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 92 male: 25.22 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 19.68 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 68.23 years country comparison to the world: 150 male: 66.54 years
female: 70 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
3.28 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 52
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
2.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 30
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: