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Belgium and its institutions
Belgium became an independent country in 1830, straddling the frontier between the Latin and Germanic halves of Europe and uniting citizens from a variety of cultures under the same national flag. To offer the various constituents of its population the autonomy they were demanding, the country has recently moved towards a federal model by means of a series of institutional reforms, which were introduced gradually to avoid destroying the national fabric. The complexity of Belgium’s social structure -- which comprises Dutch (Flemish) speakers, French speakers and German speakers -- is clearly the root cause of the difficulties in finding a definitive form. For instance, there are places close to regional borders that are not uniform in terms of language: Brussels, whose 19 communes make up the "Brussels-Capital" region, has a population of 85% French speakers and 15% Dutch speakers, while the province of Liège, with a majority of French speakers, is also home to the country’s German-speaking population. Belgium therefore has been compelled to divide itself up into both (geographical) regions and (linguistic) communities.
To know more: www.belgium.fgov.be
Brussels in figures
 Like the Parisian arrondissements and the London boroughs, every Brussels commune is designated by a specific postcode: 1050 for Ixelles, 1180 for Uccle, etc. The Brussels-Capital region consists of 19 communes: Anderlecht (1070), Auderghem (1160), Berchem-Sainte-Agathe (1082), Bruxelles-Ville (1000 and 1020), Etterbeek (1040), Evere (1140), Forest (1190), Ganshoren (1083), Ixelles (1050), Jette (1090), Koekelberg (1081), Molenbeek-Saint-Jean (1080), Saint-Gilles (1060), Saint-Josse-Ten-Noode (1210), Schaerbeek (1030), Uccle (1180), Watermael-Boitsfort (1170), Woluwe-Saint-Lambert (1200) and Woluwe-Saint-Pierre (1150). • The conurbation covers a total surface area of 16,179 ha. • The population has around 990,000 inhabitants. Roughly a quarter of the city’s total population is foreign. • The city’s green spaces (parks - woods - forest) account for 13.8% of the region’s territory. • The time is GMT +1 in winter GMT + 2 in summer • Brussels has a temperate, maritime climate. • The average temperature in summer is ± 16°Celsius (± 60° Fahrenheit). • The average winter temperature is ± 3°Celsius (± 37° Fahrenheit). • Brussels’s central boulevards are 15 m above sea level, Place Madou is 52 m above sea level, and the area between Forest and Duden parks is 100 m above sea level. • A motorway ring road (RING) has been built roughly 6 km from the centre of Brussels to make both transit and entry into the city easier. |
Distance between Brussels and other European cities
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Cities
Amsterdam
Berlin
Copenhague
Dublin
Düsseldorf
Lille
Lisbonne
London
Luxembourg
Madrid
Paris
Rome
Stockholm |
By train
2h40’
9h30'
14h00'
-
3h00'
40'
16h00'
2h15'
1h50'
15h00'
1h25'
17h00'
23h00' |
By plane
45'
1h40'
1h30'
1h30'
50'
40'
2h45'
1h00'
45'
2h30'
55'
2h10'
2h15' |
Currency
The unit of currency is the Euro, which exists in notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 e. There are coins of 1 and 2 € and 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents.
Banks are usually open from 9 a.m. to 3.30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Some are also open on Saturday mornings.
Automatic telling machines can be found in all parts of the city and cash withdrawals may be made using your credit card. The logos of the cards accepted are shown beside the machine.
Credit Cards
Credit cards are accepted in numerous stores, boutiques, restaurants, car hire firms, etc. In case of loss or theft: telephone the emergency service, which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
General number: Tel 070 344 344
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American Express
Diners Club
Mastercard
Japanese Credit card
Visa |
Tel. + 32 (0)2 676 21 21
24h/24 : Tel. (0)2 676 26 26
Tel. + 32 (0)2 626 50 24
24h/24 : Tél. (0)2 626 50 04
Tel. + 32 (0)2 205 85 85
24h/24 : Tél. (070) 344 344
Call : Visa International
Tel. 0800/18756
Tel. (0)2 205 85 85
24h/24 : Tél. (070) 344 344 |
bd du Souverain 100 • 1170
bd Gén. Jacques 263g • 1050
bd du Roi Albert II 9 • 1210
bd. du Roi Albert II 9 • 1210
bd du Roi Albert II 9 • 1210 |
Public holidays
12/04/2009 Easter
13/04/2009 Easter Monday
01/05/2009 Labour Day - Ascension
02/05/2009 Extra public holiday
31/05/2009 Whitsun
01/06/2009 Whit Monday
21/07/2009 National Day
15/08/2009 Assumption
01/11/2009 All Saints Day
11/11/2009 Armistice 1918
25/12/2009 Christmas
01/01/2010 New Year's Day
Useful telephone numbers
Fire brigade and emergency medical care T 100
Federal Police T 101
European Emergency call T 112
Anti poison Center T 070 245 245
Red Cross T 105
Information - national T 1307 and 1234 (automatic)
- international T 1304
Post
Postal information:
T (0)2 226 21 11
www.laposte.be
Main postal rates:
Letters, letter-cards, postcards (max. 50 g): Belgium: prior: 0,54 €; within EU:
prior: 0,80 €; other countries: prior: 0,90 €; registered letters: + 4,30 €
Opening times:
usually from 9a.m.- 5 p.m. Some post offices stay open on Saturday mornings (De Brouckère, City 2, Central Station, Flagey, Porte de Namur, Louise…). However, certain operations may be carried out only at specific times
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