Belgium is a small but multinational country. Its population speaks different languages, not always understanding each other. Therefore, a foreigner who is going to Belgium needs to stock up on knowledge of local linguistic features.
Currently, the bulk of the Belgian population is divided into two large groups - the Dutch-speaking Flemish group and the French-speaking Walloon group. There is also a fairly large group of Germans living in the east of Belgium, so German is also recognized as a state language in Belgium. English is also quite common in Belgium, although it is not recognized as the official language of the country. Belgium also has a decent number of Roma, so the Roma language is quite common here.
Flemish group in Belgium
There is a Flemish Community in Belgium. It has its own Parliament, where the Flemings have the power to make decisions about their community. They also have their own television, radio broadcasting, education (except for the award of academic degrees), culture, sports. The Flemish community includes the Flemish region and most of the Belgian capital, Brussels. Flemings speak Dutch.
Walloon Group in Belgium
It is a French-speaking community in Belgium. It includes Wallonia and part of the Belgian capital, Brussels. The total number of the Walloon group is about five million people.
The French community has its own Parliament, as well as a government and a minister-president. In general, the powers of French-speaking Belgians are somewhat broader than those of the Flemish community. Walloons also have their own education, culture, television, radio broadcasting, sports, health care, youth policy.
German group in Belgium
It is the smallest linguistic community in Belgium. Its number is just over seventy thousand people. The entire German-speaking population is located in the eastern part of Belgium and borders Germany and the state of Luxembourg. The capital of the German-speaking community is Eupen.
Earlier, the Eastern Cantons, where the Belgian Germans now live, belonged to Prussia. After World War I, the Germans transferred these settlements to Belgium as compensation. But in World War II, Germany re-captured the Eastern Cantons of Belgium and annexed them to the Third Reich. After the end of the war, the lands were returned back to Belgium. It should be noted that most of the population of the Cantons considers themselves to be Germans and they are not at all happy with their belonging to Belgium.
The German community also has its own Parliament, but its sphere of activity is not as wide as that of the Flemings and Walloons. The powers of the Parliament extend to education, health care, culture, youth policy, as well as some social issues.
