408
edits
Changes
Belgium
,no edit summary
{{infobox Country|country = Belgium|map = <map lat='50.8146124199899953' lng='4.4165039062544' zoom='7' view='0' floatwidth='360' height='310' country='rightBelgium' />|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. In Flanders most people will be able to help you out easily in English. In French speaking Belgium English is quite a bit less commonly spoken, but on the whole people will be able to help you out (especially younger people).
Hitch-hiking in the country is usually in general fairly easy within , and, due to the high number of foreigners working in the country and to reach abroad, getting a ride out of the country is usually just as easy. The country has one of the most dense road and motorway networks in Europe which can makes make it slightly complex when trying to find a direct route to a destination. Still, hitching out of a city or moving from on-ramp to on-ramp is usually fairly simple.
The best places to start are the roundabouts near the entrance of the main highways (such spots can be found very easily in [[Oostende]], [[Liège]], [[Louvain-la-Neuve]] and [[Namur]]).
Belgium has a very high density of gas 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 aboard a driver approach drivers in its their native language. Although there is no specific way to be sure of it beforehandtelling what language a driver speaks, the some solutions are:* To quickly say 'Hi' in both Dutch (dag) or French,(bonjour)* To check up the sticker of the car retailler retailer to notice in what part of the country it has been bought,* To 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 [[Netherlands]]Post Hitchgathering 2013 in Houyet]]* [[Antwerpen]]* [[BrugesBrussels]] (BruggeFrench: ''Bruxelles'', Brügge)* [[Brussels]]* [[Gent]]* [[Liège]] (LuikDutch: ''Brussel'', LüttichGerman: ''Brüssel'')* [[Namur]]* [[Louvain-la-Neuve]]
* [http[Liège]] (French: ''Liège'', Dutch: ''Luik'', German://www.taxistop.be Taxi Stop''Lüttich'')* [[Charleroi] is an agency that offers carsharing possibilities to drivers in destination or from ] (''idem'')* [[Europe|europeanNamur]] countries as well as passengers looking for a destination. The website is available in English (on the contrary of its French: ''Namur'', Dutch: ''Namen'', German: ''Namur'')* [[Germany|germanMons]] equivalent(French: ''Mons'', Dutch: ''Bergen'', German: ''Mons'') but requires a free subscription account to contact a driver or a passenger. Although the availability listing does not require to log in. This service is called * [[Arlon]] (French: ''Arlon'', Dutch: 'eurostop'Aarlen'' and has a set rule regarding the fees which is pretty simply, German: registration to the service is free of charge, a passenger is simply asked to pay 3€/100km to the driver once at destination.''Arlon'')* [[Louvain-la-Neuve]] (''idem'')
== License plates ==
Belgian license plates do not contain information about where the car comes from. A Belgian license plate is assigned for life to the owner of a car. Usually the plates are white with red text. Cars owned by employees of institutes of the European Union in Brussels and Diplomatic Technical and Administrative Staff have a white plate with blue letters. Diplomatic license plates start with "CD". When Belgians replace their cars, they will keep the same license plate number. Often the name and the city of the garage where the car was bought is indicated just under or at the left side of the license plate on the backside of the car. A license plate of an old timer starts with "O".
Also make sure you try out the beer. Belgians have the most and best types of beer in the world, and often it'll be cheaper then water or soda.
== Useful links Links ==<!-- {{nomadwiki}}* The [httphttps://enwww.wikipediafacebook.orgcom/groups/wiki467054706678994/List_of_motorways_in_Belgium List of motorways Facebook group Hitchhiking in Belgium] on wikipedia contains useful information. -->* [http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lijst_van_Belgische_autosnelwegen The Dutch Wikipedia] contains much more useful information than the English Wikipedia (even you don't read Dutch), with specific information about locations of gas stations, e.g. about and the [http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/A13_%28Belgi%C3%AB%29 A13Netherlands].
{{IsIn|Western Europe}}
{{Template:Regions Belgium}}
{{Highways BE}}
{{Template:Europe/countries}}
[[Category:Belgium| ]]
[[Category:Western Europe]]
[[de:Belgien]]
[[es:Bélgica]]
[[fi:Belgia]]
[[fr:Belgique]]
[[tr:Belçika]]