Geography of Belgium (original) (raw)
**Location:**Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands
**Geographic coordinates:**50 50 N, 4 00 E
**Map references:**Europe
Area:
_total:_32,545 km�
_land:_30,278 km�
_surface water:_250 km� (est)
_sea:_2,017 km�
**Area - comparative:**about the size of Maryland
Land boundaries:
_total:_1,379.0 km
_border countries:_France 620.0 km, Germany 161.5 km, Luxembourg 148.0 km, Netherlands 449.5 km
**Coastline:**66.5 km
Maritime claims:
_continental shelf:_median line with neighbors
_exclusive fishing zone:_median line with neighbors (extends about 68 km from coast)
_territorial sea:_12 nautical miles
**Climate:**temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy
**Terrain:**flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast
Elevation extremes:
_lowest point:_North Sea 0 m
_highest point:_Signal de Botrange 694 m
**Natural resources:**coal, natural gas
Land use:
_arable land:_28% (2000)
_permanent crops:_1% (2000)
_permanent pastures:_17% (2000)
_forests and woodland:_20% (2000)
_other:_34%
**Irrigated land:**NA km�
**Natural hazards:**flooding is a threat in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes
**Environment - current issues:**the environment is exposed to intense pressures from human activities: urbanization, dense transportation network, industry, intense animal breeding and crop cultivation; air and water pollution also have repercussions for neighboring countries; uncertainties regarding federal and regional responsibilities (now resolved) have impeded progress in tackling environmental challenges
Environment - international agreements:
_party to:_Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
_signed, but not ratified:_Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
**Geography - note:**crossroads of Western Europe; majority of West European capitals within 1,000 km of Brussels which is the seat of both the EU and NATO
Reference
Much of the material in this article is adapted from the CIA World Factbook 2000.
