• Norway!

    Norway: Sunnylvsfjord. Go Now!

    Norway
    Known for its natural beauty, Norway is home to isolated villages, fjords, and mountains that create a culture and landscape without compare. Begin Your Journey!

  • Vatican City!

    Vatican City: Vatican Museums. Go Now!

    Vatican City
    The smallest country in the world offers the heart of Catholicism and among the world's finest art collections, including the Sistine Chapel and the Raphael Rooms (ceiling pictured). Go to Vatican City!

  • Macedonia!

    Macedonia: Traditional architecture. Go Now!

    Macedonia
    Macedonia is a country still finding its unique identity, but its architecture is already one of a kind. Explore Macedonia!

  • Austria!

    Austria: Belvedere Palace. Go Now!

    Austria
    Belvedere Palace (pictured) is just one of many palaces found in Vienna. The capital is a good start to Austria, which also features the Alps, the Lakes District, and incredible history & food. Go Now!

  • Spain!

    Spain: Guell Park and Gaudi architecture. Go Now!

    Spain
    Fusion foods, lively music, historic ruins, and cultural events like the Running of the Bulls and La Tomatina make Spain and Barcelona (pictured) a favorite tourist destination. Explore Spain!

  • Ukraine!

    Ukraine: Traditional Village. Go Now!

    Ukraine
    Ukrainian culture is based on village life, particularly that found in the Carpathian Mountains (pictured). Begin Your Journey!

Geography, Weather, & Wildlife of Belgium

Geography

Belgian Geography - Landscape
Landscape

Belgium is located on the North Sea in mainland Europe's northwest corner, a region commonly known as "Benelux," which is a combination of the names "Belgium," "Netherlands," and "Luxembourg." Belgium is bordered by France (south), Luxembourg (southeast), Germany (east), and the Netherlands (north).

Geographically, Belgium is fairly consistent. The country is flat and low-lying with a number of rivers, creating one of Europe's more densely populated countries. Only in the country's southeast is there any real elevation gain, and even there the hills do little to alter life as it is in the rest of the country.

Weather

Belgium rarely experiences cold, snowy winters due to its location on the water, but this location also creates unpredictable conditions. Being on the water, winters tend to be warmer, summers are cooler, and rain can go on for extended periods of time with little relief.

Winters get the most rain and tend to be foggy with average low temperatures reaching just above freezing 32° F (0° C) on the coasts and just below freezing inland. Summers get a daily high of about 70° F (21° C) in much of the country including Brussels.

Wildlife

Although most historic wildlife is now rare in Belgium, there were a few large mammals that existed and can still be found in isolated natural havens such as boar, fox, badger, and small woodland creatures like squirrels and hedgehogs. There is a decent variety of sea life, including pike, carp, and trout, which can all be found in the country's lakes and rivers. Plus, off the coast there are numerous other species of sea life.

There is a huge variety of birds that travel through Belgium as they migrate along the Atlantic Ocean. Depending on the particular species, these birds may stay a season or just stop by in passing to their final destinations.

This page was last updated: January, 2012