Belgium Federal state
Belgium is a federal state with a population of 11,365,800 (2017). The country’s local political and government system has undergone sweeping reforms in the past 30 years.
Belgium is divided into municipalities (Dutch: gemeeten), provinces (provincies), regions (gewenten) and communities (gemeenschappen).
Not all of these levels are subnational. Article 1 of the Belgian Constitution states that “Belgium is a federal state composed of Communities and Regions”. Its cultural communities and regions now share, with the federal government, powers that were once the sole preserve of the state.
Belgium is divided into municipalities (Dutch: gemeeten), provinces (provincies), regions (gewenten) and communities (gemeenschappen).
Not all of these levels are subnational. Article 1 of the Belgian Constitution states that “Belgium is a federal state composed of Communities and Regions”. Its cultural communities and regions now share, with the federal government, powers that were once the sole preserve of the state.
Markers
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STATE STRUCTURE: Federal |
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CURRENCY: Euro (EUR) |
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VOTE Compulsory |
21 |
SEATS AT THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT |
Ratification of the European Charter
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602 |
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS (IN 2016) |
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CAPITAL CITY:
Brussels |
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POPULATION:
11 365 800 |
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GEOGRAPHICAL SIZE:
30 528 km2 |
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MEMBER STATE
EU since 1958Council of Europe since 1949 |
12 |
SEATS AT THE COMMITTEE OF REGIONS |
4 |
LEVELS OF SUB-NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS |
Evolution
NUMBER OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES*
* Dates of CEMR publications