OUR COUNTRY BELGIUMONS LAND BELGIË

Belgium, a country in Europe

Learning about Belgium

Country: Belgium

Capital: Brussels (also European Capital)

Government: Federal parliamentary

democracy and constitutional

monarchy

Motto: Strenght through Unity

Anthem: The Brabançonne

King: Albert II

Prime Minister: Yves Leterme

Population: 10 414 336

Currency: Euro €

President of the European Council

Herman Van Rompuy

Our King

Albert II

Prime Minister

Yves Leterme

Belgium has 3 …

…Regions

…languages

Flemisch Region

Brussels – Capital Region

Walloon Region

Flemisch Community

Flemisch / French Community

French Community

German – speaking Community

Known for its 5 cities of artBekend om zijn 5 kunststeden

Bruges: the market

Brugge: de markt

Antwerp: Royal Museum of Fine Arts

Antwerpen: Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten

Ghent: The Counts

Gent: het Gravensteen

Known for its 5 cities of artBekend om zijn 5 kunststeden

Brussels: the Atonium Brussel: het Atonium

Mechelen: The beguinage by the UNESCO World Heritage.

Mechelen: Het begijnhof is door de UNESCO uitgeroepen tot Werelderfgoed.

Education in BelgiumOnderwijs in België

The different stages of education are the same in

all comunities.

Basic education consisting of :

Pre-school : 2,5 - 6 years

In most schools the child can start in school as soon as

they reach this age, so class size for the youngest

children grows during the year.

Primary school : (compulsory education) 6-12 years

consists of six years and the subjects given are generally the

same at all the schools. Secondary school : 12-18 years

When graduating from primary school around the age of

12, students enter secondary education. Here they have

to choose a direction that they want to follow,depending

on their skill level and interests.

Higher education: 18 - …

University 18 - …

The schools can be divided in three groups: * Schools owned by the communities * Subsidized public schools organized by provinces and municipalities * Subsidized free schools organized by an organization affiliated to the Catholic church

Known for its great food Bekend om zijn lekker eten

Frites

Frietjes

Belgian chocolate

Chocolade

Belgian beers

Belgische bieren

Candy: The babe lutte

Snoep: de babelutte

Known for its inventors Bekend om zijn uitvinders

Walter Van Beirendonck

Fashion designer

Mode ontwerper

Adolf Sax

Inventor of the saxophone

Uitvinder van de saxofoon

Zénobe Gramme

Inventor of the Gramme dynamo, a DC generator

Uitvinder van de Gramme-dynamo, een gelijkstroom dynamo

Charles Van Depoele

Inventor of the electric tram.

Uitvinder van de elektrische tram.

Known for its paintersBekend om zijn schilders

• Paul Delvaux• The wedding dress, 1976 • La robe de mariée, 1976.

• James Ensor• Masks• Les Masques

Known for its paintersBekend om zijn schilders

• Constant Permeke • The former home and

studio in Jabbeke, now museum

• Het voormalige huis en atelier in Jabbeke, nu museum

• Peter Paul Rubens• Massacre of the Innocents • Slachting van de

onschuldigen

Known for its paintersBekend om zijn schilders

René MagritteCastle in the PyreneesKasteel in de Pyreneeën

Jan Van Eyck

Arnolfini Wedding Portrait Arnolfini Huwelijksportret

Known for its paintersBekend om zijn schilders

Hans MemlingMaria Portinari

Pieter Bruegel de OudeThe peasant wedding

De boerenbruiloft

Known for its sports(wo)menBekend om zijn sportievelingen

Justine Hennintennis

Eddy Merckxcycling / wielrennen

Kim Klijsterstennis

Kim Gevaertrunning /hardlopen

Tia Hellebauthigh jump /hoogspringen

Known for its saintsBekend om zijn heiligen

Father DamianPater Damiaan

Saint ArnoldusHeilige Arnoldus