BELGIUM, a kingdom of western Europe, consisting of the former Spanish Netherlands. It is situated on the North Sea, between France, Prussia, and Hol land. It has an area of 11,373 square miles, and is divided into the following provinces: Antwerp, Brabant, East Flanders, West Flanders, Luxembourg, Liege, Namur, Limbourg, and Hainaut. The country is one of the most densely populated in Europe, having about 650 inhabitants to the square mile. The population is made up chiefly of Flemish and Walloons (of French descent) ; the two languages are officially recognized now, but, although the Flemish language prevails in half of the provinces, French is understood everywhere, and prevails socially. As to religion, the Roman Catholics predominate. Brussels is the capital of the kingdom. The trade of Belgium prior to the war was prosperous, owing largely to its excellent harbors and the natural productions of the country. Coal, iron, machinery, linen and woolen goods, glass, lace, etc., were the prin cipal articles of export; grain, cattle, and raw material, of import. The king dom was a part of the old Roman and Frankish dominions; and, since the Mid dle Ages, has been ruled successively by the Dukes of Burgundy, the Kings of Spain, and the House of Austria. In 1794 the country was ceded by Austria to France; but in 1814 Belgium was united with Holland into the Kingdom of the Netherlands. In 1830, however, the whole country revolted against a union with the Dutch, and the following year Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg was elected King of the Belgians. Since that time Belgium's history has been quiet and prosperous. On April 11, 1900, King Leopold presented to the Belgian nation the whole of his vast tracts of real estate, scattered throughout the kingdom, for the purpose of providing ornamental parks for the public. The Kongo Free State is under the personal sovereignty of the King of the Belgians. Leopold died in 1909. Albert, second son of his brother, Philippe Eugene, Count of Flanders, succeeded to the throne. See
ALBERT I. ; WORLD WAR.
Politically, Belgium is a constitutional, representative, and hereditary monarchy. The executive power is vested in the King (acting through eight responsible ministers), the legislative power jointly in King, Senate, and Chamber of Depu ties. The new government that came into power in 1919 declared universal suf frage at the age of 21 years—one man, one vote. Before the European War the priests had four votes, and the landown ers and nobles as many as they had es tates in different parts of the kingdom. This had enabled the Catholic party to hold power forty years.
The country is divided into two sec tions; the N. is chiefly agricultural, and the S. industrial. Full religious liberty prevails, and grants are made from the National treasury to all denominations.
Economic Conditions.—In spite of the losses and suffering during the World War, economic conditions in Belgium at its close were more favorable than those of other countries of Europe. The Ger man Government, while it was in control, anticipating the annexation of Belgium, if the war went in favor of Germany, was careful to maintain the industrial plants and railroads practically intact. Only such machinery was removed from the factories as would be immediately use ful in Germany. By the terms of the Treaty of Peace, the greater part of the machinery taken away was returned by Germany and was installed as rapidly as possible in Belgian plants, which were thus enabled to turn to operation. As a notable example of the quick industrial recovery, it may be noted that by Septem ber, 1919, the coal production had reached 87 per cent. of what it had been previous to the war. The number of miners actually at work was nearly 100,000. Not only was there enough coal to run the railroads, but Belgium apparently was producing a larger proportion of the pre war output than any of the other Euro pean countries, and it was able to export coal on account of the comparatively small demand of factories, which had only been partially reopened.