Geography & environment — Belgium
Location, land area, terrain, climate, and natural resources.
Profile updated 2026-06-02
⚡ Geography & environment at a glance
Location, land area, terrain, climate, and natural resources. Key figure for Belgium: Europe
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Location & size
- Geographic Location
Europe
- Geographic Coordinates
50 50 N, 4 00 E
- Total Area
11,787 Square Miles 30,528 Square Kilometers
- Land Area
11,690 Square Miles 30,278 Square Kilometers
- Water Area
97 Square Miles 250 Square Kilometers
- Land Boundaries
861 Miles 1,385 Kilometers
- Border Countries
France 620 km, Germany 167 km, Luxembourg 148 km, Netherlands 450 km
- Coastline
41 Miles 66 Kilometers
Physical geography
- Terrain
Flat coastal plains in the northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast
- Highest Point
694 Meters
- Highest Point Location
Signal de Botrange 694 m
- Lowest Point Location
North Sea 0 m
- Natural Resources
Coal, natural gas, construction materials, silica sand, carbonates
- Irrigated Land
90 Square Miles 233 Square Kilometers
Climate & time
- Time Zone
UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
- Daylight saving time
+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Climate
- Climate
Belgium's climate is characterized by moderate temperatures, prevailing westerly winds, cloudy skies, regular rainfall, and a little snow. The weather is variable. Summer temperatures average 60°F (16°C). Rare annual extremes are l0°F (-12°C) and 90°F (33°C).
- Terrain
Flat coastal plains in the northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast
- Location
Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands
- Total Area
11,787 Square Miles 30,528 Square Kilometers
- Border Countries
France 620 km, Germany 167 km, Luxembourg 148 km, Netherlands 450 km
Environment
- Environment - Current Issues
The environment is exposed to intense pressures from human activities: urbanization, dense transportation network, industry, extensive animal breeding, and crop cultivation
air and water pollution also have repercussions for neighboring countries
uncertainties regarding federal and regional responsibilities (now resolved) have slowed progress in tackling environmental challenges
- Environment - International Agreements
Party To: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
