Guy Verhofstadt
Prime Minister

(pronounced "GEE fer-HOFE-stott")

"This country must function better and rebuild its image in the world."

The Kingdom of Belgium lies in the northwest corner of Europe and shares borders with France, Luxembourg, Germany, and the Netherlands. Even by European standards, Belgium is a small country with a total area of 30,510 sq km (11,781 sq mi), making it smaller than Switzerland or the Netherlands. The population of Belgium was estimated at 10.2 million in 2002. The majority of Belgian citizens profess Christianity as their faith, with approximately 75% of citizens being Roman Catholic, and 25% Protestant or other denomination. However, the Belgian people are divided linguistically, with attendant social and cultural differences that are expressed in a contentious political climate. While the country is officially bilingual (Dutch and French), the northern part of the country, known as Flanders, is largely Dutch (Flemish)-speaking (60% of...