II.

Land and Resources

Belgium has three main physiographic regions: the coastal plain, the central plateau, and the Ardennes highlands.

The coastal plain extends inland about 16 km to 48 km (10 mi to 30 mi) on the north-west. Along the North Sea is a low-lying area consisting mainly of sand dunes and polders. The polders, sections of land reclaimed from the sea and protected by dykes, were developed between the 13th and 15th centuries. Lying inland is a flat pastureland drained by canals. The coastal plain’s elevation ranges from sea level to about 20 m (65 ft).

The central plateau is a gently rolling, slightly elevated area, irrigated by many waterways and containing a number of wide, fertile valleys with a rich, alluvial soil. Caves, grottoes, and ravines are found in parts of this area.

The Ardennes highlands, a densely wooded plateau averaging 460 m (1,500 ft) in elevation, extends across south-eastern Belgium and into Luxembourg and north-eastern France. Located here is Botrange, the highest peak in Belgium, with an elevation of 694 m (2,277 ft). The area is generally rocky and poorly suited to agriculture.

A.

Rivers

The chief rivers are the Schelde (Scheldt) and the Meuse. Both rise in France and are for the most part navigable throughout Belgium. On the Schelde, the principal waterway of Belgium, are the ports of Antwerp, Brussels, and Ghent. The chief tributaries of the Schelde are the Lys, Dender, Senne (Zenne), and Rupel rivers. The Sambre and Ourthe rivers are the main tributaries of the Meuse.

B.

Climate

The climate near the sea is humid and mild. Farther inland, away from moderating maritime influences, a marked increase in the temperature range occurs. In the Ardennes region hot summers alternate with cold winters. Heavy rains are confined almost exclusively to the highlands. Fog and drizzle are common, and April and November are particularly rainy months. The mean annual temperature in Brussels is 10° C (50° F); the January mean is 2.2° C (36° F), and the July mean is 17.8° C (64° F). The average annual rainfall for the entire country is 699 mm (27y in); the average annual temperature is 8.3° C (47° F).

C.

Natural Resources

The natural resources of Belgium are almost entirely mineral. Coal was mined in abundance for many years, but most accessible supplies have been exhausted and most mines have closed since the late 1950s. Deposits of zinc, lead, copper, and manganese are also exploited but are of little commercial significance.

D.

Plants and Animals

Small animals, primarily fox, badger, squirrel, weasel, marten, and hedgehog, are found in Belgium. Deer and wild boar are present in the Ardennes region. Abundant plants include the hyacinth, strawberry, goldenrod, periwinkle, foxglove, wild arum, and lily of the valley. Forest trees include oak, beech, elm, and stands of pine that have been planted as part of reforestation programmes.

E.

Environmental Concerns

Belgium is heavily industrialized and experiences many of the environmental problems commonly associated with industrialization. The country is a significant producer of the greenhouse gases and industrial emissions that cause acid rain. Belgium's air quality has improved, however, and industrial emissions have steadily decreased since the United Nations (UN) Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) Sulphur Protocols were implemented, beginning in the 1970s. European Union (EU) directives expected to improve Belgium's environmental conditions concern water treatment and water quality; before these directives were issued, the Meuse, a major source of drinking water, had become polluted from steel production wastes. Other rivers were polluted with animal wastes and fertilizers. In 1995 the Flemish regional environmental minister attempted to restrict the widespread agricultural use of dung. His efforts were initially thwarted by a strong agricultural lobby but the legislation has since passed.

Belgium’s coastal lands are only separated from the sea by concrete defences and the land is especially threatened by flooding. Only 2.6 per cent (1997) of Belgium's land is protected in parks and other reserves. This is a small amount compared with neighbouring countries such as France (11.7 per cent), Netherlands (6.7 per cent), and Germany (27 per cent). Belgium is party to international agreements concerning air pollution and water pollution, biodiversity, ozone layer protection and climate control, endangered species, hazardous wastes, and wetlands.