Belgium became an independent state in 1830, by adopting a Constitution providing for a parliamentary system of government, with provisions for operating within the framework of a unitary, highly centralized state apparatus on the Napoleonic model (Mughan). In recent ti

Communications systems as of 1995 included:

(Value Added taxes), which operates basically the same as the customs duties, except that the value added tax rates vary from country to country. The EU has provisions which enable it to operate within limits to decide the applicable rates for countries. These rates have no bearing in the single market since. For example, products manufactured in Germany and sold in Germany will pay VAT at the German rate, but a products produced in Belgium and sold in Germany will not have to pay the VAT in Belgium, but are subject to the German rate. Value added taxes are paid by means of a monthly declaration, while at the same time, the VAT is recoverable under the payment deductions formula provided for in the VAT system. All goods which are imported into Belgium from countries outside the European Union are subject to VAT unless they are goods that are in transit, consigned to a customs warehouse, or imported temporarily. There are also some domestic and imported consumer products, such as tobacco, alcohol, coffee, beverages, and petroleum products are charged excise duties (www.belgium.fgov.be).

The diet patterns are also separated by the tow major culture groups of the Walloons and the Flemish. Since much of Belgium is rural and agricultural, most of what families produce are consumed by the same (1). The country produces and consumes abundances of dairy products and eggs, which make up a major part of the diets along with wheat and rye breads. Walloons eat four or more times per day. They start off with an early breakfast of bread and fruit preserves or cheese, and coffee. Dinner, which is the noon-time meal consists mostly of one or more types of soup, bacon or ham, seasonal vegetables, and always fried potatoes, which of course Belgium is famous for (Belgium, not France, is the birthplace of french-fries). There is often a mid-afternoon snack frequently made up of tartines, which is the combination of bread, butter, and preserves, such as those eaten for breakfast. A typical late supper is commonly made up of fried potatoes, bread and, bacon, eggs, and sometimes rabbit, which is very well liked, especially on farms. Pastries are also common with supper, as is pork with head cheese (Moss & Wilson).

Common leisure is very similar to that of France. Belgians spend most of their leisure time in the small cafes having coffee and discussing politics, work, and their families. This is especially popular in small towns and villages. However, it is also extremely popular in the larger, more developed cities, such as Brussels. The national Belgian passion is British-style football, to which huge numbers of fans turn out to watch, and avidly take sides in the contests. In fact, in 1985, at a football game in the city of Garmesh at which a riot broke out, debates got so heated that they nearly brought down the government. Bicycling is also very common and very popular among Belgians, especially being done on roads through rural areas (Belgium: A Country Study)

Some topics in this essay:
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