Despite the reforms, tensions between the groups have remained, if not increased; there is significant separatism particularly among the Flemish; controversial language laws exist such as the municipalities with language facilities;[19] and the formation of a coalition government took 18 months following the June 2010 federal election, a world record. [75] Until December 2011, Belgium was governed by Leterme's caretaker government awaiting the end of the deadlocked negotiations for formation of a new government. Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps. [135] Two Belgian mathematicians have been awarded the Fields Medal: Pierre Deligne in 1978 and Jean Bourgain in 1994. FREE Shipping by Amazon. Belgium joined NATO as a founding member and formed the Benelux group of nations with the Netherlands and Luxembourg. [91] Each level of government can be involved in scientific research and international relations associated with its powers. The large capacity aluminum pot heats quickly & evenly, making it easier than ever to whip up tender & flavorful meals for the masses. Nonstick interior Aluminum body for quick, even heating Bell-shaped body enhances heat and moisture circulation The Federal Government is responsible for the obligations of Belgium and its federalized institutions towards the European Union and NATO. [191][192], The vocal music of the Franco-Flemish School developed in the southern part of the Low Countries and was an important contribution to Renaissance culture. [16][105][C] One of the founding members of the European Union, Belgium strongly supports an open economy and the extension of the powers of EU institutions to integrate member economies. Silicon lined handles and a tempered glass lid.

Church attendance in 2009 in Belgium was roughly half of the Sunday church attendance in 1998 (11% for the total of Belgium in 1998). [72], After Herman Van Rompuy was designated the first permanent President of the European Council on 19 November 2009, he offered the resignation of his government to King Albert II on 25 November 2009. [clarification needed] Between the 16th and early 19th centuries, Belgium served as the battleground between many European powers, earning the moniker the "Battlefield of Europe",[15] a reputation strengthened in the 20th century by both world wars. #meghanmarkle#duchessofsussex#suits#meghanmarklestyle…” A 2008 estimate found that approximately 6% of the Belgian population (628,751 people) is Muslim. Belgium has compulsory voting and thus maintains one of the highest rates of voter turnout in the world. dimensions: 10.2" Dia. [11] Brussels is the smallest and most densely populated region, as well as the richest region in terms of GDP per capita. Its institutional organization is complex and is structured on both regional and linguistic grounds. Belgium is also home to a number of successful fashion designers Category:Belgian fashion designers. The 7.5-qt. The average precipitation per month varies between 54 mm (2.1 in) for February and April, to 78 mm (3.1 in) for July. French-speaking Belgians are often referred to as Walloons, although the French speakers in Brussels are not Walloons. Walloon, considered either as a dialect of French or a distinct Romance language,[155][156] is now only understood and spoken occasionally, mostly by elderly people. x 5.2"H Unlike previous calculations, this one included the area from the coast to the low-water line, revealing the country to be 160 km2 (62 sq mi) larger in surface area than previously thought. [54], Belgium's political institutions are complex; most political power is organized around the need to represent the main cultural communities. [118], Belgium experiences some of the most congested traffic in Europe. In the early 2000s, there were approximately 42,000 Jews in Belgium. From September 1944 to February 1945 the Allies liberated Belgium. The 1977 European Basketball Championship was held in Liège and Ostend. On 15 July 2008 Leterme announced the resignation of the cabinet to the king, as no progress in constitutional reforms had been made. Wallonia was historically wealthy compared to Flanders, mostly due to its heavy industries, but the decline of the steel industry post-World War II led to the region's rapid decline, whereas Flanders rose swiftly. [43][44], The climate is maritime temperate with significant precipitation in all seasons (Köppen climate classification: Cfb), like most of northwest Europe. FN BAR Model 1930 BAR: Licence-built version of the M1918 BAR, rechambered for the 7.92×57mm Mauser cartridge. [16], The Federal State's authority includes justice, defense, federal police, social security, nuclear energy, monetary policy and public debt, and other aspects of public finances. However, by 2009 Sunday church attendance was 5% for Belgium in total; 3% in Brussels,[160] and 5.4% in Flanders. Google has many special features to help you find exactly what you're looking for. ), This article is about the country in Western Europe. [120] Like in most small European countries, more than 80% of the airways traffic is handled by a single airport, the Brussels Airport. It's $80 off and the best price we could find. With five victories in the Tour de France and numerous other cycling records, Belgian cyclist Eddy Merckx is regarded as one of the greatest cyclists of all time. [92], Communities exercise their authority only within linguistically determined geographical boundaries, originally oriented towards the individuals of a Community's language: culture (including audiovisual media), education and the use of the relevant language. You'll love the versatility of this 7.5-quart hard-anodized aluminum Dutch Oven from Belgique. Nowadays, to a certain extent, cultural life is concentrated within each language Community, and a variety of barriers have made a shared cultural sphere less pronounced. [198], Other examples are the Carnival of Aalst; the still very religious processions of the Holy Blood in Bruges, Virga Jesse Basilica in Hasselt and Basilica of Our Lady of Hanswijk in Mechelen; 15 August festival in Liège; and the Walloon festival in Namur. We tried to get pictures of every maker's mark, logo, stamp and whatever we could find. [169], For the first time in Belgian history, the first child was euthanized following the 2-year mark of the removal of the euthanization age restrictions. [33] Many Congolese were killed by Leopold's agents for failing to meet production quotas for ivory and rubber. In the aftermath of the First World War, Belgium annexed the Prussian districts of Eupen and Malmedy in 1925, thereby causing the presence of a German-speaking minority. [34] In 1908, this outcry led the Belgian state to assume responsibility for the government of the colony, henceforth called the Belgian Congo. Free shipping. In 2019, Belgium's defense budget totaled €4.303 billion ($4.921 billion) representing .93% of its GDP. During the 5th century, the area came under the rule of the Frankish Merovingian kings, who were probably first established in what is northern France. Get it as soon as Thu, Apr 15. Both the European Union and NATO are headquartered in Belgium. More Deals & Coupons Like "Belgique 2-in-1 Nonstick Aluminum 7.5-Quart Dutch Oven w/ Griddle Lid for + free shipping" 26 Mar, 1:51 am T-fal … Many Flemish people still speak dialects of Dutch in their local environment. Only 1 left in stock - order soon. [36] The Belgian Congo gained independence in 1960 during the Congo Crisis;[37] Ruanda-Urundi followed with its independence two years later. [84] Late that century, and continuing into the 20th century, Flemish movements evolved to counter this situation. As a result, Belgium was running a biocapacity deficit of 5.5 global hectares per person in 2016. Many of these fiefdoms were united in the Burgundian Netherlands of the 14th and 15th centuries. The Paris Basin reaches a small fourth area at Belgium's southernmost tip, Belgian Lorraine. [16][179][180] Since the 1970s, there are no bilingual universities or colleges in the country except the Royal Military Academy and the Antwerp Maritime Academy. Jazz musician Toots Thielemans and singer Jacques Brel have achieved global fame. [62], The government led by Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt from 1999 to 2007 achieved a balanced budget, some tax reforms, a labor-market reform, scheduled nuclear phase-out and instigated legislation allowing more stringent war crime and more lenient soft drug usage prosecution. Two comprehensive discussions of rock and pop music in Belgium since the 1950s: A review of the Belgian cinema till about 2000 can be found at, campaigns of 1794 in the French Revolutionary Wars, extreme and savage treatment of the Congolese population under Leopold II, German forces again invaded the country in May 1940, many Belgians felt he had collaborated with Germany, most political power is organized around the need to represent the main cultural communities, lead the formation of a new federal cabinet, Communities, regions and language areas of Belgium, Assistant Chief of Staff Operations and Training, Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management, 1.3 million migrants have acquired Belgian citizenship, Sint-Jans-Molenbeek / Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, Programme for International Student Assessment, Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, "Où habitent les Belges les plus riches? Belgique 7.5 QT Covered Aluminum Bottom Bel Shaped Dutch Oven, Riveted Handles. Further notable parties came into being well after the middle of last century, mainly around linguistic, nationalist, or environmental themes and recently smaller ones of some specific liberal nature. Emperor Charles V, heir of the Burgundians, but also of the royal families of Austria, Castile and Aragon (House of Trastámara), was born in Belgium and then extended the personal union of the Seventeen Provinces in the 1540s, making it far more than a personal union by the Pragmatic Sanction of 1549 and increased his influence over the Prince-Bishopric of Liège.[28]. [89] Although this would allow for seven parliaments and governments when the Communities and Regions were created in 1980, Flemish politicians decided to merge both. [32], The Berlin Conference of 1885 ceded control of the Congo Free State to King Leopold II as his private possession. Areas closer to the Rhine frontier, including the eastern part of modern Belgium, eventually became part of the province of Germania Inferior, which interacted with Germanic tribes outside the empire. This continuing antagonism has led to several far-reaching reforms, resulting in a transition from a unitary to a federal arrangement during the period from 1970 to 1993. The richest (per capita income) of Belgium's three regions is the, Native speakers of Dutch living in Wallonia and of French in Flanders are relatively small minorities that furthermore largely balance one another, hence attributing all inhabitants of each unilingual area to the area's language can cause only insignificant inaccuracies (99% can speak the language). $45.95 $ 45. [193] In the 19th and 20th centuries, there was an emergence of major violinists, such as Henri Vieuxtemps, Eugène Ysaÿe and Arthur Grumiaux, while Adolphe Sax invented the saxophone in 1846. [123][124][125], Contributions to the development of science and technology have appeared throughout the country's history. [147][168], The Belgians enjoy good health. Its main exports are machinery and equipment, chemicals, finished diamonds, metals and metal products, and foodstuffs. Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin both were Player of the Year in the Women's Tennis Association as they were ranked the number one female tennis player. [91] The budget—without the debt—controlled by the federal government amounts to about 50% of the national fiscal income. [21], Belgium is one of the six founding countries of the European Union and its capital, Brussels, hosts the official seats of the European Commission, the Council of the European Union, and the European Council, as well as one of two seats of the European Parliament (the other being Strasbourg). The Belgians have been strong advocates of European integration. [138] Belgium subsequently has one of the oldest populations in the world, with the average age of 41.6 years. The Council of Ministers is composed of no more than fifteen members. The latter were ruled successively by the Spanish (Spanish Netherlands) and the Austrian Habsburgs (Austrian Netherlands) and comprised most of modern Belgium. [74], The Parliamentary elections in Belgium on 13 June 2010 saw the Flemish nationalist N-VA become the largest party in Flanders, and the Socialist Party PS the largest party in Wallonia. Although there may have been some support for the euthanization there is a possibility of controversy due to the issue revolving around the subject of assisted suicide. It is intended for vehicle, … [200] Belgium is famous for beer, chocolate, waffles and french fries with mayonnaise. Death in Belgium is mainly due to heart and vascular disorders, neoplasms, disorders of the respiratory system and unnatural causes of death (accidents, suicide). Roughly 23,000 more German speakers live in municipalities near the official Community.[151][152][153][154]. (Several editions in English, incl. [58][59][60] A "rainbow coalition" emerged from six parties: the Flemish and the French-speaking Liberals, Social Democrats and Greens. The Belgian Armed Forces have about 47,000 active troops. capacity gives you ample room for a "company's coming" roast or marinara for the family. Suivez l’actu en direct 24 heures sur 24 et 7 jours sur 7. $39.59. A major non-official holiday is the Saint Nicholas Day, a festivity for children and, in Liège, for students. [146], Belgium has three official languages: Dutch, French and German. Contemporary popular music in Belgium is also of repute. 4.7 out of 5 stars 3,549. The moderate Flemish nationalist party the N-VA remained the largest party in parliament. At the time when central government collapsed in the Western Roman Empire, both these provinces were inhabited by a mix of Frankish tribes and a more Romanized population. [52], The King (currently Philippe) is the head of state, though with limited prerogatives. Belgium also has a strong reputation in, motocross with the riders Joël Robert, Roger De Coster, Georges Jobé, Eric Geboers and Stefan Everts among others. – Resources – Bioethics – Focus Areas – Markkula Center for Applied Ethics – Santa Clara University", "GHO | By category | Suicide rate estimates, age-standardized - Estimates by country", "Table 388. The national dishes are "steak and fries with salad", and "mussels with fries". Further inland lies a smooth, slowly rising landscape irrigated by numerous waterways, with fertile valleys and the northeastern sandy plain of the Campine (Kempen). [181], Contributions to painting and architecture have been especially rich. The federal government employs around 12% of the civil servants. Health care service are payable by the patient and reimbursed later by health insurance institutions, but for ineligible categories (of patients and services) so-called 3rd party payment systems exist. 7 Eleven Belgium. Belgium became one of the six founding members of the European Coal and Steel Community in 1951 and of the European Atomic Energy Community and European Economic Community, established in 1957. [185] Though the Baroque style of Peter Paul Rubens and Anthony van Dyck flourished in the early 17th century in the Southern Netherlands,[186] it gradually declined thereafter.[187][188]. [13] Belgium's linguistic diversity and related political conflicts are reflected in its political history and complex system of governance, made up of six different governments. [177], Mirroring the dual structure of the 19th-century Belgian political landscape, characterized by the Liberal and the Catholic parties, the educational system is segregated within a secular and a religious segment. [119] In contrast, in 2016, Belgians used on average 6.3 global hectares of biocapacity - their ecological footprint of consumption. The steamer base is 7” in diameter so that it will fit down into a pot that is larger than that. Belgium is home to two main linguistic groups or communities: the Dutch-speaking Flemish Community, which constitutes about 60 percent of the population, and the French-speaking Community, which constitutes about 40 percent of the population. In the heavy metal scene, bands like Machiavel, Channel Zero and Enthroned have a worldwide fan-base.[194]. The pictures show the condition. This means they required about eight times as much biocapacity as Belgium contains. Both Belgian Dutch and Belgian French have minor differences in vocabulary and semantic nuances from the varieties spoken respectively in the Netherlands and France. Belgium assumed control of the German colonies of Ruanda-Urundi (modern-day Rwanda and Burundi) during the war, and in 1924 the League of Nations mandated them to Belgium. Brussels hosts the headquarters of many major international organizations such as NATO. The secular branch of schooling is controlled by the communities, the provinces, or the municipalities, while religious, mainly Catholic branch education, is organized by religious authorities, although subsidized and supervised by the communities. It has very high standards of living, quality of life,[22] healthcare,[23] education,[24] and is categorized as "very high" in the Human Development Index. Dutch Oven, Created for Macy's online at Macys.com. [66] This crisis was such that many observers speculated on a possible partition of Belgium. Salut l'équipe aujourd'hui on est à Bruxelles avec le frero 7.62. In 870 in the Treaty of Meerssen, modern Belgium lands all became part of the western kingdom, and in 880 in the Treaty of Ribemont, Lotharingia came under the lasting control of the Holy Roman emperor, but the lordships and bishoprics along the "March" (frontier) between the two great kingdoms maintained important connections between each other. In 2010, commuters to the cities of Brussels and Antwerp spent respectively 65 and 64 hours a year in traffic jams. This mission was the first in a long line of UN missions which the Belgians supported. [166] There are several Jewish newspapers and more than 45 active synagogues (30 of which are in Antwerp) in the country. [90] Thus the Flemings just have one single institutional body of parliament and government is empowered for all except federal and specific municipal matters. 27% answered that they do not believe there is any sort of spirit, God, or life-force. [40] Since 1960, life expectancy has, in line with the European average, grown by two months per year. Includes a 7.5-qt. The Chamber's 150 representatives are elected under a proportional voting system from 11 electoral districts. [136][137], As of 1 January 2020, the total population of Belgium according to its population register was 11,492,641. Please update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. The majority of Belgian Muslims live in the major cities, such as Antwerp, Brussels and Charleroi. [201][202][203][H], Brands of Belgian chocolate and pralines, like Côte d'Or, Neuhaus, Leonidas and Godiva are famous, as well as independent producers such as Burie and Del Rey in Antwerp and Mary's in Brussels. Was: $65.99. Belgique 3qt Soup Pot, Color Stainless Steel (Sand Blasted) 4.7 out of 5 stars 8. Search the world's information, including webpages, images, videos and more. The standard Belgian euro coins designated for circulation show the portrait of the monarch (first King Albert II, since 2013 King Philippe). The largest group of immigrants and their descendants in Belgium are Moroccans. [167] On the other hand, Wallonia has become one of Europe's most secular/least religious regions. Tél : 07.49.09.66.43. During the reigns of Albert I and Baudouin, the Belgian royal family had a reputation of deeply rooted Catholicism. Belgium participated in the Industrial Revolution[16][17] and, during the course of the 20th century, possessed a number of colonies in Africa. Chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO, and developed to meet a United States special forces requirement. Spigen iPhone 7 Plus Case, [Liquid Armor] Soft [Black] Premium Flexible Soft TPU 9.6 9.1 9.7 2: iPhone 8 Plus Bling Case, iPhone 7 Plus Soft Gel Case, Rosa Schleife 9.4 8.9 9.5 3: State-owned companies include the Belgian Post Group and Belgian Railways. Top diameter of the strainer is 8.5 inches. [61] Later, a "purple coalition" of Liberals and Social Democrats formed after the Greens lost most of their seats in the 2003 election. [159], According to the Eurobarometer 2010,[162] 37% of Belgian citizens responded that they believe there is a God. A further 5.2% of the population was Muslim and 2.1% were believers in other religions. As of January 2019, the Flemish Region had a population of 6,589,069 (57.6% of Belgium), its most populous cities being Antwerp (523,248), Ghent (260,341) and Bruges (118,284). According to 2012 estimates, the average life expectancy is 79.65 years. In 1911, he started a series of conferences, the Solvay Conferences on Physics and Chemistry, which have had a deep impact on the evolution of quantum physics and chemistry. Read full articles, watch videos, browse thousands of titles and more on the "Belgium" topic with Google News. NEW Belgique 10 Pc Nonstick Aluminum Cookware Set $299. [25] It also ranks as one of the safest or most peaceful countries in the world. Les boutiques Seven's offrent un conseil hors pair en terme de mode, que ce soit dans l'une de ses boutiques physiques dans le sud de la France ou en ligne. [199], Many highly ranked Belgian restaurants can be found in the most influential restaurant guides, such as the Michelin Guide. The judicial system is based on civil law and originates from the Napoleonic code. [70], On that day a new government, led by Flemish Christian Democrat Yves Leterme, the actual winner of the federal elections of June 2007, was sworn in by the king. [107] Areas in Liège Province and around Charleroi rapidly developed mining and steelmaking, which flourished until the mid-20th century in the Sambre and Meuse valley and made Belgium one of the three most industrialized nations in the world from 1830 to 1910. Contrarily to what the text suggests, the season starts as early as July and lasts through April. Watch anywhere, anytime, on an unlimited number of devices. The Age of Imperialism (Section 2. Since then, Flanders has been prosperous, among the wealthiest regions in Europe, whereas Wallonia has been languishing. Tired of lazy ass nightshop owners? Extending westward into France, this area is eastwardly connected to the Eifel in Germany by the High Fens plateau, on which the Signal de Botrange forms the country's highest point at 694 m (2,277 ft). 31% answered that they believe there is some sort of spirit or life-force. [164], Symbolically and materially, the Roman Catholic Church remains in a favorable position. [158] However Belgium is largely a secular country as the constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the government generally respects this right in practice. [176] Education being organized separately by each, the Flemish Community scores noticeably above the French and German-speaking Communities. Use it with the lid on to prepare tasty, sauces, soups and stews. Belgique 4 piece stainless steel cookware 1 QT & 2 QT w/ Lids & Silicone Handles. Extensions to personal matters less directly connected with language comprise health policy (curative and preventive medicine) and assistance to individuals (protection of youth, social welfare, aid to families, immigrant assistance services, and so on.). Dutch: Flanders' 6.079 million inhabitants and about 15% of Brussels' 1.019 million are 6.23 million or 59.3% of the 10.511 million inhabitants of Belgium (2006); German: 70,400 in the German-speaking Community (which has, Flemish Academic Eric Corijn (initiator of. [174] Though an estimated 99% of the adult population is literate, concern is rising over functional illiteracy. [196] She led the caretaker government since October 2019. Because of its location at the crossroads of Western Europe, Belgium has historically been the route of invading armies from its larger neighbors. Télé 7 Jours : La grille des programmes de toutes les chaînes du bouquet VOO-BELGIQUE [102][103] The economy is characterized by a highly productive work force, high GNP and high exports per capita. Pateman, Robert and Elliott, Mark (2006). Since 1922, through the Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Union, Belgium and Luxembourg have been a single trade market with customs and currency union. Another modern well-known Belgian cyclist is Tom Boonen. Originated in 1832 and revived in the 1960s, the Gentse Feesten have become a modern tradition. [86], Based on the four language areas defined in 1962–63 (the Dutch, bilingual, French and German language areas), consecutive revisions of the country's constitution in 1970, 1980, 1988 and 1993 established a unique form of a federal state with segregated political power into three levels:[87][88], The constitutional language areas determine the official languages in their municipalities, as well as the geographical limits of the empowered institutions for specific matters. In the French-speaking southern area of Wallonia the Socialists were strong. Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}50°50′N 4°00′E / 50.833°N 4.000°E / 50.833; 4.000, – in Europe (green & dark grey)– in the European Union (green). Pour ne jamais rien manquer de l'actualité, faites confiance à la réactivité de 7sur7.be, 24h/24 et 7j/7 The Adventures of Tintin by Hergé is the best known of Franco-Belgian comics, but many other major authors, including Peyo (The Smurfs), André Franquin (Gaston Lagaffe), Dupa (Cubitus), Morris (Lucky Luke), Greg (Achille Talon), Lambil (Les Tuniques Bleues), Edgar P. Jacobs and Willy Vandersteen brought the Belgian cartoon strip industry a worldwide fame. [110][111], After World War II, Ghent and Antwerp experienced a rapid expansion of the chemical and petroleum industries. Les essentiels de l’été sont chez nous, et il y en a pour tous les gouts et pour toutes les envies. The flag's official proportions of 13:15 are rarely seen; proportions of 2:3 or similar are more common. Unemployment rates of 8.4% in 2005 and 8.2% in 2006 were close to the area average. [82], Following a usage which can be traced back to the Burgundian and Habsburg courts,[83] in the 19th century it was necessary to speak French to belong to the governing upper class, and those who could only speak Dutch were effectively second-class citizens. [77], The 2014 federal election (coinciding with the regional elections) resulted in a further electoral gain for the Flemish nationalist N-VA, although the incumbent coalition (composed of Flemish and French-speaking Social Democrats, Liberals, and Christian Democrats) maintains a solid majority in Parliament and in all electoral constituencies. In fact, there are only six such bodies because the Flemish Region merged into the Flemish Community. This page was last edited on 6 April 2021, at 16:42. Belgium (Dutch: België [ˈbɛlɣijə] (); French: Belgique (); German: Belgien [ˈbɛlɡi̯ən] ()), officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Western Europe.It is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast, France to the southwest, and the North Sea to the northwest. [5] The population density of Belgium is 376/km2 (970/sq mi) as of January 2019, making it the 22nd most densely populated country in the world, and the 6th most densely populated country in Europe. [94], In several fields, the different levels each have their own say on specifics. Its modern name is derived from the Latin word Belgium, used in Julius Caesar's "Gallic Wars", to describe the region in the period around 55 BCE. On the other hand, the same period, 1970–1999, has seen a huge growth (+56%) of the motorway network. Protestants comprised 2.1% and Orthodox Christians were the 1.6% of the total. La diversité linguistique de la Belgique et ses conflits politiques connexes sont reflétés dans son histoire politique et dans son système de gouvernement complexe [6], [7]. The big time. The Carnival of Binche with its famous Gilles and the 'Processional Giants and Dragons' of Ath, Brussels, Dendermonde, Mechelen and Mons are recognized by UNESCO as Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. The Brussels-Capital Region has 1,208,542 inhabitants (10.6% of Belgium) in the 19 municipalities, three of which have over 100,000 residents. In the early 1990s, Belgium saw several large corruption scandals notably surrounding Marc Dutroux, Andre Cools, the Dioxin Affair, Agusta Scandal and Murder of Karen Van Noppen. The 1973 and 1979 oil crises sent the economy into a recession; it was particularly prolonged in Wallonia, where the steel industry had become less competitive and experienced a serious decline. The avant-garde CoBrA movement appeared in the 1950s, while the sculptor Panamarenko remains a remarkable figure in contemporary art. Condition is "Used". [117][121] In 2016, the port of Antwerp handled 214 million tons after a year-on-year growth of 2.7%. Non-natural causes of death and cancer are the most common causes of death for females up to age 24 and males up to age 44. In December 2008 he once more offered his resignation to the king after a crisis surrounding the sale of Fortis to BNP Paribas. In March 1948 Belgium signed the Treaty of Brussels and then joined NATO in 1948.