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Belgium: Geography
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Location:
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Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands
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Geographic coordinates:
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50 50 N, 4 00 E
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Map references:
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Europe
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Area:
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total: 30,510 sq km
land: 30,230 sq km
water: 280 sq km
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Area - comparative:
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about the size of Maryland
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Land boundaries:
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total: 1,385 km
border countries: France 620 km, Germany 167 km, Luxembourg 148 km, Netherlands 450 km
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Coastline:
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66 km
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Maritime claims:
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continental shelf: median line with neighbors
territorial sea: 12 NM
exclusive economic zone: median line with neighbors (extends about 68 km from coast)
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Climate:
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temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy
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Terrain:
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flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: North Sea 0 m
highest point: Signal de Botrange 694 m
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Natural resources:
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coal, natural gas
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Land use:
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arable land: 25%
permanent crops: 0%
note: includes Luxembourg (1998 est.)
other: 75%
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Irrigated land:
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40 sq km (includes Luxembourg) (1998 est.)
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Natural hazards:
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flooding is a threat in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes
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Environment - current issues:
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the environment is exposed to intense pressures from human activities: urbanization, dense transportation network, industry, extensive animal breeding and crop cultivation; air and water pollution also have repercussions for neighboring countries; uncertainties regarding federal and regional responsibilities (now resolved) have slowed progress in tackling environmental challenges
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Environment - international agreements:
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party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Kyoto Protocol, 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-Persistent Organic Pollutants
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Geography - note:
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crossroads of Western Europe; majority of West European capitals within 1,000 km of Brussels, the seat of both the European Union and NATO
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