Physical Geography
Belgium is located in Western Europe and shares borders with France, the Netherlands, Germany, and Luxembourg. It has three major geographical regions: the coastal plain in the northwest, the central plateau, and the Ardennes uplands in the southeast. The coastal plain consists of sand dunes and reclaimed land, while the central plateau is a fertile agricultural area. The Ardennes is a forested plateau that extends into France and Germany. Belgium's highest point is Signal de Botrange at 694 meters (2,277 feet) in the Ardennes.
Waterways
Belgium's rivers and canals play an important role in transportation and irrigation. The major rivers are the Scheldt, Meuse, and Yser, which all flow into the North Sea. The country also has a network of artificial waterways, including the Brussels-Scheldt Maritime Canal and the Albert Canal.
Climate
Belgium has a temperate maritime climate characterized by mild winters and warm summers. Precipitation is moderate and occurs throughout the year. The average temperature range is from 3 °C (37.4 °F) in January to 18 °C (64.4 °F) in July.
Human Geography
Belgium is a densely populated country with a population of around 11.5 million. The largest cities are Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent, Charleroi, and Liège. The country is divided into three regions: the Flemish Region (Flanders), the Walloon Region (Wallonia), and the Brussels-Capital Region (Brussels). Flanders is the most densely populated region and is home to the country's largest cities. Wallonia is less densely populated and is known for its rugged terrain and natural beauty. Brussels is the capital of Belgium and is also the de facto capital of the European Union.