The People
Belgium's people are split into two main groups, the northern Flemings who speak a rendition of Dutch called 'Flemish', and the southern Walloons who speak French. These two groups have had a long lasting feud caused from French speakers moving to Belgium and refusing to learn Dutch, and instead create French societies in Belgium. This led to an increase in real estate prices that forced many of the original Flemish inhabitants to lose their homes Since then there has been many political struggles between the two groups over freedom of language and even segregation of the two groups. Belgium's answer to this problem was to give each region a certain degree of autonomy where the Flemish and Walloons could stay in their own spheres. The leading religion in Belgium is catholic, with around 60% of citizens being Roman catholic. Despite Catholicism having a large role in Belgian education, Belgians have slowly become less religious over time. Belgium is well known for its ability to create and train artists, with the nation as a whole having a large appreciation for all the arts.
What makes Belgium beautiful?
One of the biggest reasons to go to Belgium is to enjoy the architecture. Belgium is a great place for architecture because it has both the Roman style churches with arches and columns, but also Gothic style buildings. The architecture in Belgium is a prime example of historical progression in building styles. The other big reason to go to Belgium is to eat the food. Most notably, eating local made Belgian chocolates in Belgium. The nation is also flooded with restaurants that make even the French jealous. Another reason Belgium is beautiful is because of its art, mainly its surrealist art such as the Atomium, and Belgium has some museums in Brussels dedicated completely to surrealist artists like Rene Margritte. Aside from surrealist art Belgium has a history of famous artists and plenty of art galleries filled with great pieces.
Difficulty/Challenges in the Region?
The biggest problem in Belgium is that the language difference is tearing the country apart. The Dutch and French speakers have been at ends with each other for over a century and has seeped into politics. There is really no unified Belgium whatsoever, the Walloon and Flemish regions act autonomously and spare little time for the other region. There is no national newspaper, new channel, or education, everything is split into the regions desires. What makes it worse is that the Walloon people are slowly falling down the social ladder, with unemployment growing to twice that of its Dutch counterpart. Instead of coming together to solve this problem Flemish leaders stray away from the Walloons and tire for even more autonomy.
Borrowed from John Verzeele
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Sources
“Belgium.” Countries and Their Cultures, www.everyculture.com/A-Bo/Belgium.html.
Mason, Antony. “30 Reasons Why You Must Keep Visiting Belgium.” The Telegraph, Telegraph Media Group, 24 Mar. 2016, www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/belgium/articles/why-you-must-keep-visiting-belgium/.
Planet, Lonely. “Belgian Architecture.” Lonely Planet, Lonely Planet, 4 July 2010, www.lonelyplanet.com/belgium/travel-tips-and-articles/belgian-architecture/40625c8c-8a11-5710-a052-1479d2777c24.
Traynor, Ian. “The Language Divide at the Heart of a Split That Is Tearing Belgium Apart.” The Observer, Guardian News and Media, 8 May 2010, www.theguardian.com/world/2010/may/09/belgium-flanders-wallonia-french-dutch.
Wee, Herman F.A. Van der, and Alexander B. Murphy. “Belgium.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 19 Sept. 2017, www.britannica.com/place/Belgium/Ethnic-groups-and-languages
Mason, Antony. “30 Reasons Why You Must Keep Visiting Belgium.” The Telegraph, Telegraph Media Group, 24 Mar. 2016, www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/belgium/articles/why-you-must-keep-visiting-belgium/.
Planet, Lonely. “Belgian Architecture.” Lonely Planet, Lonely Planet, 4 July 2010, www.lonelyplanet.com/belgium/travel-tips-and-articles/belgian-architecture/40625c8c-8a11-5710-a052-1479d2777c24.
Traynor, Ian. “The Language Divide at the Heart of a Split That Is Tearing Belgium Apart.” The Observer, Guardian News and Media, 8 May 2010, www.theguardian.com/world/2010/may/09/belgium-flanders-wallonia-french-dutch.
Wee, Herman F.A. Van der, and Alexander B. Murphy. “Belgium.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 19 Sept. 2017, www.britannica.com/place/Belgium/Ethnic-groups-and-languages
Header borrowed from Mark Scott