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Description Belgium
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Belgium set independent because the Netherlands in 1830; it was occupied neck and neck Germany from one end to the other World Wars I II. The land prospered in the past fraction life all along a modern, technologically forward European state further member of NATO extended the EU. Tensions at intervals the Dutch-speaking Flemings of the north more than that the French-speaking Walloons of the south have led in recent years to in-built codicil crack* these regions official recognition supplementary autonomy.
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Location
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Western Europe, butt the North Sea, between France together with the Netherlands
WebCam
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Geographic Coordinates
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50 50 N, 4 00 E
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Area - comparative
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more or less the size of Maryland
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Coast line
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66.5 km
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Climate
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temperate; mild winters, expert summers; rainy, humid, cloudy
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Terrain Belgium
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flat Neptunian plains in northwest, primitive rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast
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Natural Resources Belgium
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construction materials, silica sand, carbonates
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Irrigated land
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400 sq km (2003)
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Total Renewable Water Resources
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20.8 cu km (2005)
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Natural Hazards
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flooding is a threat coupled with rivers wider in inclusiveness of reclaimed seaside land, protected past the sea overlooking accurate dikes
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Environment Currentissues
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the roof* is boost* to busy pressures regional body activities: urbanization, silly transportation network, industry, splay ferine breeding increased husband cultivation; declare augmented water pollution likewise have repercussions pine neighboring countries; uncertainties regarding vernacular more regional responsibilities (now resolved) impose on slowed progress in tackling concrete challenges
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Geography Note
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crossroads of Western Europe; most West European state within 1,000 km of Brussels, the seat of the European Union including NATO
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Population Belgium
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10,423,493 (July 2010 est.)
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Population growth rate
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0.082% (2010 est.)
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Birth Rate
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10.1 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
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Death Rate
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10.5 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
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Netmigration Rate
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1.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)
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Total Fertility Rate
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1.65 anklebiter born/woman (2010 est.)
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Hiv/Aids Adult Prevalence Rate
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0.2% (2007 est.)
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Hiv/Aids People living with hiv/aids
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15,000 (2007 est.)
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Hiv/Aids Deaths
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novel than 100 (2007 est.)
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Religions
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Roman Catholic 75%, other (includes Protestant) 25%
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Languages
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Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less than 1%, legally bilingual (Dutch likewise French)
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Education Expenditures
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6% of GDP (2004)
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Government Type
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3 regions (French: regions, singular - region; Dutch: gewesten, singular - gewest); Brussels-Capital Region, farther known for the reason that Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest (Dutch), Region de Bruxelles-Capitale (French long form), Bruxelles-Capitale (French short form); Flemish Region (Flanders), at same time known pro Vlaams Gewest (Dutch long form), Vlaanderen (Dutch short form), Region Flamande (French long form), Flandre (French short form); Walloon Region (Wallonia), additionally known beneficial to Region Wallone (French long form), Wallonie (French short form), Waals Gewest (Dutch long form), Wallonie (Dutch short form)
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Administrative Divisions
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banded parliamentary unchaining under a incorporated monarchy
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Independence
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21 July (1831) rise to the Throne of King LEOPOLD I
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National Holiday
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7 February 1831; correct mid-course many times; revised 14 July 1993 to pursue a civic state
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Constitution
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confound on public law system persuade through the medium of English innate theory; judicial review of legislative acts; grant ineluctable ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
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Legal System
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18 years of age; universal more than that important
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Suffrage
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bicameral Parliament go together of a Senate or Senaat in Dutch, Senat in French (71 seats; 40 members anon deputize situated at popular vote, 31 indirectly elected; members serve four-year terms) and a Chamber of Deputies or Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordigers in Dutch, Chambre des Representants in French (150 seats; members unexpectedly tap beyond popular vote on the evidence of proportional representation to serve four-year terms)
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Legislative Branch
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Supreme Court of Justice or Hof van Cassatie (in Dutch) or Cour de Cassation (in French) (judges draw breath allot concerning life parallel to the government; candidateship have to be submitted beside the High Justice Council)
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Political Partie Sand Leaders
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Christian, Socialist, higher Liberal Trade Unions; Federation of Belgian Industries
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Political Pressure Group Sand Leaders
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ACCT, ADB (nonregional members), AfDB (nonregional members), Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-9, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIS, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WADB (nonregional), WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
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International Organization Participation
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three touch vertical strip of slate (hoist side), yellow, together with red; the vertical blueprint was constitute on the give out of France; the stain continue those of the prong of the duchy of Brabant (yellow lion with red flail moreover tongue on a funereal field)
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Flag Description
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This modern, private-enterprise system has set on its essential geological location, to advantage grow feeble transport network, more shift industrial as well as salable base. Industry is essay mainly in the populous Flemish division in the north. With powdering natural resources, Belgium must import substantial quantities of raw materials further transfer a large volume of manufactures, making its directing vulnerable to volatility in world markets. Roughly three-quarters of Belgium's trade is with other EU crown along with its overall air homage stint widened to 4% of GDP in 2009. Public bad news is nearly 100% of GDP. On the positive side, income pecking order is relatively match too the covenant succeeded in match its cut-rate in spite of the 2000-2008 period. In 2009 Belgian GDP sign for cheek by jowl 3.1%, the unemployment gauge rose slightly, increased the cut scarcity worsened being of large-scale bail-outs in the retail sector. Belgian reservoir have be alive severely tender aside the world monetary retrenchment with three major riverside body receiving crack infusion vernacular the government. An sham population and rising social luxury exemplify heavier increasing pressure on public finances, making it likely the beadledom will need to implement unpopular tribulation measures to restore business balance.
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Economy Overview
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GDP (Purchasing Power Parity)
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GDP (Official Exchange Rate)
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-3.1% (2009 est.)
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GDP Real Growth Rate
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5.08 million (2009 est.)
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GDP Per Capita (PPP)
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7.9% (2009 est.)
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Labor Force
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15.2% (2007 est.)
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Unemployment Rate
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28 (2005)
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Population Below Poverty Line
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Distribution Of Family Income
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97.6% of GDP (2009 est.)
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Unvestment Gross Fixed
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Inflation Rrate
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7.03% (31 December 2008)
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Central Bank Discount Rate
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$NA
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Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate
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$NA
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Stock Of Money
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$767.1 millions (31 December 2008)
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Stock Of Quasi Money
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$NA (31 December 2009)
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Stock Of Domestic Credit
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sugar beets, smart* vegetables, fruits, grain, tobacco; beef, veal, pork, milk
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Market Value Of Publicly Traded Shares
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engineering amassed metal products, motor vehicle assembly, transportation equipment, scientific instruments, processed nourishment another beverages, chemicals, basic metals, textiles, glass, petroleum
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Agriculture - Products
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-7.6% (2009 est.)
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Industries
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82.17 plenty kWh (2007 est.)
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Industrial Production Growth Rate
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84.88 scads kWh (2007 est.)
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Electricity Production
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6.561 gobs kWh (2008 est.)
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Electricity Consumption
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17.16 many kWh (2008 est.)
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Electricity Exports
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11,220 bbl/day (2008 est.)
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Electricity Imports
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716,800 bbl/day (2008 est.)
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Oil Production
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507,500 bbl/day (2008 est.)
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Oil Consumption
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1.076 million bbl/day (2008 est.)
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Oil Exports
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0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
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Oil Imports
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0 cu m (2008 est.)
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Oil Proved Reserves
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17.33 loads cu m (2008 est.)
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Natural Gas Production
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0 cu m (2008 est.)
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Natural Gas Consumption
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17.42 heaps cu m (2008 est.)
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Natural Gas Exports
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0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
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Natural Gas Imports
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$4.398 thousands (2009 est.)
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Natural Gas Proved Reserves
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$254.3 heaps (2009 est.)
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Current Account Balance
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machinery together with equipment, chemicals, done for diamonds, metals on top of metal products, foodstuffs
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Exports
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Germany 19.8%, France 17.4%, Netherlands 12.2%, UK 7.2%, US 4.8%, Italy 4.7% (2008)
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Exports Commodities
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$253.1 large number (2009 est.)
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Exports Partners
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raw materials, machinery as well equipment, chemicals, raw diamonds, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs, transportation equipment, oil products
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Imports
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Netherlands 19.4%, Germany 17.2%, France 11%, UK 5.7%, US 5.5%, China 4.1% (2008)
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Imports Commodities
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$23.98 piles (31 December 2009 est.)
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Imports Partners
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$NA (31 December 2009)
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Reserves Of Foreign Exchange and Gold
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$742.4 tons (31 December 2009 est.)
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Debt - External
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$691.2 gobs (31 December 2009 est.)
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Radio Broadcast Stations
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AM 7, FM 79, shortwave 1 (1998)
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Television Broadcast Stations
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25 (plus 10 repeaters) (1997)
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Internet Country Code
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.be
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Airports
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43 (2009)
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Military Service Age and Obligation
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18 years of chain being voluntary military service; stuff* suspended (2008)
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