Belgium: a Non-Country?

World Political and Economic GeographyMetropolitan University Prague

Martin Kolmhofer, Ph.D.

After Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo in 1815, the major victorious powers (Britain, Austria, Prussia, and Russia) agreed at Congress of Vienna on creating the United Kingdom of the Netherlands, which was to serve as a buffer state against any future French invasions. Religion was one of the differences between the almost solidly Roman Catholic south and the predominantly Protestant north of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands, formed in 1815. The union broke up in 1830 when the south seceded to form the Kingdom of Belgium.

Upon its independence, Belgium participated in the Industrial Revolution and, during the course of the 20th century, possessed a number of colonies in Africa The second half of the 20th century was marked by the rise of contrasts between the Flemish and the Francophones fuelled by differences of language and the unequal economic development of Flanders and Wallonia.

The Belgian economy is heavily service-oriented and shows a dual nature: a dynamic Flemish economy and a Walloon economy that lags behind

Port of Antwerp: The inland location means that the port of Antwerp enjoys a more central location in Europe than the majority of North Sea ports. Antwerp's docks are connected to the hinterland by rail, waterway and road. As a result the port of Antwerp has become one of Europe's largest sea ports, ranking second behind Rotterdam by total freight shipped.

Belgium is a federal State consisting of three regions: Brussels, Flanders and Wallonia.

Belgium is a constitutional monarchy. The power of the monarch has always been very limited . The role of the monarch became more important when Belgium was officially divided between Dutch-speaking Flanders and Francophone Wallonia. As a result of this the king has been forced to play a greater role as mediator between the two factions in the formation of governments.

HISTORY OF POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC THOUGHT

FINANCIAL MARKETS: THE CITY OF LONDON

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