Belgium–Netherlands relations
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.svg.png){kind=small} Belgium |
 Netherlands |
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Belgian–Dutch relations refer to interstate relations between the Belgium and the Netherlands. Relations were established after Belgium became independent from the United Kingdom of the Netherlands in 1839. Both nations are great allies with cultural similarities and close cooperation between both governments. Dutch, known in Belgium as Flemish, is the most-spoken language in both countries.
Belgium has an embassy in The Hague and consulates in Amsterdam, Maastricht, Nijmegen, Roosendaal, Rotterdam, Terneuzen, Vlissingen and Winsum, while the Netherlands has an embassy in Brussels and consulates in Antwerp, Ghent, Liège and Namur. Both nations are members of the European Union and NATO and, together with Luxembourg, form the Low Countries and the Benelux economic union.
The two countries were joint hosts of the Euro 2000 football tournament.
Country comparison
| Belgium |
Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,099,554 | 16,819,595 |
| Area | 31 000 km2 (11.969 sq mi) | 42 000 km2 (16.216 sq mi ) |
| Population Density | 364/km2 (942/sq mi) | 405/km2 (1,049/sq mi) |
| Capital | Brussels | Amsterdam |
| Largest City | Brussels – 1,138,854 (1,830,000 Metro) | Amsterdam – 810,084 (2,349,870 Metro) |
| Government | Federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy | Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy |
| Official language | Dutch, French, German (de facto and de jure) | Dutch (de facto and de jure) |
| Main religions | 58% Catholicism, 7% other Christian, 5% Islam, 2% Other, 27% irreligious |
29% Catholicism, 19% Protestantism, 5% Islam, 5% Other, 42% irreligious |
| Ethnic groups | 59% Flemish, 32% Walloon, 10% other | 81% Dutch, 19% other |
| GDP (PPP) | $420.307 billion, $37,883 per capita | $696.308 billion, $41,447 per capita |
| GDP (nominal) | $484.692 billion, $43,686 per capita | $800.535 billion, $47,651 per capita |
See also
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