6 Questions
What is the ethnic composition of Belgium like?
59% Flemish, 40% Wallonia, 1% German
In which region of Belgium do 80% of people speak French?
Wallonia region
What was the cause of tension between Dutch-speaking and French-speaking communities in Belgium during the 1950s and 1960s?
Economic disparities
Which city in Belgium had a unique situation where Dutch-speaking people were a minority despite being a majority in the country?
Brussels
What is the population size of Belgium compared to Haryana?
Smaller than Haryana
What percentage of Belgians speak German?
1%
Study Notes
Belgium's Geography and Demographics
- Belgium is a small country in Europe, smaller in area than the state of Haryana.
- It shares borders with France, the Netherlands, Germany, and Luxembourg.
- The country has a population of approximately one crore, roughly half the population of Haryana.
Ethnic Composition and Language
- 59% of the population lives in the Flemish region and speaks Dutch.
- 40% of the population lives in the Wallonia region and speaks French.
- 1% of Belgians speak German.
- In the capital city Brussels, 80% of the population speaks French, while 20% speaks Dutch.
Historical Tensions between Communities
- The French-speaking community was relatively rich and powerful, leading to resentment from the Dutch-speaking community.
- The Dutch-speaking community received benefits of economic development and education later, causing tensions between the two communities during the 1950s and 1960s.
- The tension was more acute in Brussels due to the Dutch-speaking majority in the country but minority in the capital.
Comparison with Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka is an island nation located off the southern coast of Tamil Nadu, with a population of approximately two crore, similar to Haryana.
- The country has a diverse population, like other nations in the South Asia region.
Explore key information about Belgium, including its size, population, geographic location, and unique ethnic composition. Learn about the linguistic divisions in the country and the regions where Dutch and French are predominantly spoken.
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