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Belgium
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{{infobox Country|country = Belgium|map = <map lat='50.8146124199899953' lng='4.4165039062544' zoom='7' view='0' floatwidth='right360' height='310' country='Belgium' />|language = Dutch, French, German|capital = [[Brussels]]|pop = 11,007,020|currency = Euro (€)|hitch = <rating country='be' />|BW = BE}}'''Belgium''' is a small country between , clockwise from the North, the [[FranceNetherlands]], the [[NetherlandsGermany]], [[GermanyLuxembourg]] and [[LuxembourgFrance]]. It is a member state of the [[European Union]] as well as the [[Schengen Agreement]].The country is divided into a Dutch speaking part in the North ([[Flanders]]), and a French speaking part in the South (WalloniaWallonie) and a tiny German speaking part in the East . [[Brussels]], the country and european CapitalEuropean capital, has a bilingual status.__NOTOC__Hitch-hiking is usually easy within the country and In Flanders most people will be able to reach abroadhelp you out easily in English. The country has one of the most dense road and motorway networks in Europe which can makes it slightly complex when trying to find a direct route to In French speaking Belgium English is quite a destination. Stillbit less commonly spoken, hitching out of a city or moving from but on-ramp the whole people will be able to on-ramp is usually fairly simplehelp you out (especially younger people).
Belgium has a very high density of petrol stations and service areas on the motorways. This makes it easier to find one, but also leads to less traffic on a single service area. Because of its bilingual status, it could be helpful to approach drivers in their native language. Although there is no specific way to be sure of telling what language a driver speaks, some solutions are:* quickly say 'Hi' in both Dutch (dag) or French (bonjour)* check up the sticker of the car retailer to notice in what part of the country it has been bought* introduce yourself as a foreigner Useful tip: Free use of Internet PC's in every many city librarylibraries.Useful tip: Most petrol stations in Belgium are open 24/7, the staff is friendly and you can have a nap during the night, if you end up on the road. However, be careful since the traffic is high all night long, many people stop and some can be drunk.
It is common practice to use the E-numbers for motorways, instead of A-numbers like in most countries. Even on road signs you will only find E-numbers.
== Main Cities ==[[ImageFile:NetherlandsHitchhiking-without-canoe-belgium-2013.jpg|thumb|right300px|200px|Leaving for Hitchhiking without a canoe, coming from the Post Hitchgathering 2013 in Houyet]]* [[Netherlands]]Brussels]](French: ''Bruxelles'', Dutch: ''Brussel'', German: ''Brüssel'') * [[Antwerpen]] (French: ''(Anvers'', Dutch: ''Antwerpen'', Antwerp)German: ''Anwerpen'')* [[Bruges|Brugge]] (French: ''Bruges'', Dutch: ''(Brugge'', German: ''Brügge'')* [[Gent]] (French: ''Gand'', Dutch: ''Gent'', German: ''Gent'')* [[BrusselsHasselt]] (''idem'')* [[Leuven]] (BruxellesFrench: ''Louvain'', Dutch: ''Leuven'', Brussel)German: ''Löwen'')* [[GentOostende]] (French: ''Ostende'', Dutch: ''Oostende''(Gand, Ghent)German: ''Ostende'') * [[Liège]] (French: ''Liège'', Dutch: ''(Luik'', German: ''Lüttich'')* [[Charleroi]] (''idem'')* [[Namur]](French: ''Namur'', Dutch: ''Namen'', German: ''Namur'')* [[Mons]] (French: ''Mons'', Dutch: ''Bergen'', German: ''Mons'')* [[Arlon]] (French: ''Arlon'', Dutch: ''Aarlen'', German: ''Arlon'')* [[Louvain-la-Neuve]](''idem'')* [[Leuven]]== Food & Toilets ==The price of food on motorway services is very high, so try to stock up before leaving and note that very few motorway services have free toilets. The price (usually between EUR 0.30 and 0.70) sometimes includes a voucher that can be used in the restaurant. However, it is easy to jump over the barrier and use the toilet for free. The cheapest supermarkets in the country are ''Lidl'', ''Aldi'' and ''Colruyt'', and food bought in them will be significantly cheaper than on motorway services. ''Carrefour'' and ''Delhaize'' are more expensive options, but are extensively located downtown with longer opening hours (Often 20:00, but not all of them!) which will offer better prices than the convenience stores. Note that in Belgium most shops close at 18:00 and very few shops are open on Sundays.
[[Category:Belgium| ]]
[[Category:Western Europe]]
[[de:Belgien]]
[[es:Bélgica]]
[[fi:Belgia]]
[[fr:Belgique]]
[[tr:Belçika]]