Belgium

One of the smallest countries in Europe, Belgium is bordered by France, Luxembourgh, the Netherlands, and Germany. The country also has a narrow coastline along the North Sea. Belgium primarily lies close to sea level, though the country does reach 2,277 feet (694 metres) at a point known as Botrange, which lies within the Ardennes plateau. Belgium is a federal constitutional monarchy in which the king is the head of state and the prime minister is the head of government in a multi-party system. Decision-making powers are not centralised, but divided between 3 levels of government: the federal government, 3 language-based communities (Flemish, French and German-speaking) and 3 regions (Flanders, Brussels Capital and Wallonia). Legally they all are equal, but have powers and responsibilities for different fields. Brussels, the capital city of Belgium, is together with Luxembourg City and Strasbourg, one of the three official seats of the European institutions. The official languages in the country are Dutch, French and German.

In Belgium, food is a big deal and yet the country is only just starting to be recognised as a gastronomic destination. Typical Belgian cuisine isn't that known abroad and beyond the classic “snacks”, such as Belgian chocolate, beer, and waffles, most people couldn’t name a traditional Belgian dish, let alone know where to eat it. Flemish Stew, also known as the national dish of Belgium, is the ultimate form of comfort food, eaten both in the winter (to combat the long dark days) and in the summer (the cheap festival food of choice for many youngsters). While the basic ingredients are the same (beef or pork meat, onion, bread, beer and mustard), curiously every household has its very own recipe. Flemish stew is traditionally eaten with a healthy portion of french fries and a generous dollop of mayonnaise, and washed down of course with a hearty and equally filling dark Belgian beer. Vol-au-vent or puff pastry with a creamy chicken filling is another classic Belgian food and competes with the Flemish Stew for the title of national dish. It is eaten year-round and can be found on the menu of most restaurants. This perfect comfort food consists of mushrooms, small meatballs (often pork), chicken and a lot of butter. The dish is traditionally eaten with a side of french fries and mayonnaise to add a bit of extra creaminess. Flemish Asparagus is one of the popular Belgian dishes that could also be vegetarian if you omit the eggs on top. This dish is traditionally found in the northern (Flemish) region of the country during asparagus season with starts in March/April and ends in June. Flemish asparagus is made with white asparagus, which are slightly sweeter than their green counterpart. The white asparagus is boiled, coated in a butter sauce, topped with hard-boiled eggs and a sprinkling of chopped parsley. Traditionally, it is eaten as a starter at the beginning of the meal with a slice of bread.

Belgium is one of the most industrialized countries in Europe, with industries including metal manufacturing, food production, and construction. The capital city, Brussels, is considered a center of the world economy and diplomacy, with headquarters of the European Union, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and other organizations located in the city. Despite its small geographical size, Belgium is not a homogeneous country with a single national identity. Since World War II, Belgium has transformed itself into a multicultural, liberal and modern nation. Its regional languages also influence culture – Flemish Belgians are said to be culturally similar to the Dutch and Germans, whereas in Wallonia there is more of a French way of life. Belgium is also a nation of expats, which has further added to the cultural diversity of the country. However, it can be said that on the whole, Belgians are modern and well-educated people who are proud of their multicultural country as well as their regional and national traditions.

Activity 1: Read the text and answer the questions: