Historical Dictionary of Belgium (Volume 51) (Historical Dictionaries of Europe, 51)

In 1830, the inhabitants of the southern part of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands revolted against King William I. The National Congress then declared independence and proclaimed the installation of a parliamentary monarchy, and thus, the new country of Belgium was created. Belgium's vibrant culture and society have produced such artists as Peter Paul Rubens, Jan Van Eyck, and Antoon Van Dijk, as well as the influential scientists Gerardus Mercator and Andreus Vesalius. Brussels, the country's capital city, also houses the headquarters of the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. This second edition of the Historical Dictionary of Belgium relates the history of this country through a detailed chronology, an introduction, appendixes, a bibliography, and cross-referenced dictionary entries on some of the more significant persons, places, and events; institutions and organizations; and political, economic, social, cultural, and religious facets. Contents......Page 4 Editor's Foreword......Page 6 Acronyms and Abbreviations......Page 8 Map ......Page 13 Chronology......Page 14 Introduction......Page 28 The Dictionary......Page 50 Appendix A: Kings of Belgium (1831— )......Page 278 Appendix B: Belgian Governments since World War II (1944– )......Page 280 Appendix C: Main Indicators of the Belgian Economy......Page 282 Appendix D: Exports from and Imports to Belgium, 2004 (in million euros)......Page 284 Bibliography......Page 286 "This second edition of Historical Dictionary of Belgium relates the history of this country through a chronology, an introduction, appendixes, a bibliography, and cross-referenced dictionary entries on significant persons, places, and events; institutions and organizations; and political, economic, social, cultural, and religious facets."--BOOK JACKET