BELGIUM.Bel´je-ŭm.
A kingdom of West Central Europe. Formerly united with Holland to form the Netherlands. Independence achieved in 1830. Executive power is vested in a King; legislative, in King, Senate and House of Representatives.
The most densely populated of the European countries, Belgium ranks eighteenth in area, but ninth in population. Area, 11,373 square miles. One-sixtieth of the territory artificially gained by means of dykes. Length of canal and river system, 995 miles. Capital, Brussels. Population, 389,782.
Agriculture chief industry. Only about one-eighth of territory uncultivated. In 1882, population, 5,655,197; average density, 497 per square mile; 1,160,149 freeholders held 88 per cent. of land.
This country is very rich in minerals. Over 17,500,000 tons of coal are produced annually. Belgium is noted for its flax. The chief products are wheat, rye, oats, barley, flax, hemp, tobacco. In 1880 there were 46,210 horses, 411,551 oxen, and 90,100 sheep.
Imports, 1882, $570,320,000; exports, $512,780,000. Manufactures are important. About 190,000 persons employed in flax, hemp, woolen and cotton manufactories. The lace of Brussels and the fire-arms of Liege are among the finest in the world. The value of pig and wrought iron alone, in 1882, was $34,473,260. Product of iron foundries about $3,000,000 per annum; of quarries, $8,459,400.
Roman Catholicism professed by nearly the entire population. Education is zealously promoted by the government; total sum spent, 1881, $6,503,670. Four universities in the kingdom.