Page 24 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Belgium & Luxembourg

22  INTRODUCING BEL GIUM AND L UXEMBOURG

has been reversed in recent times. As the
economy shifted towards light industries,
financial services and international
trade, Flanders prospered and Wallonia
drifted into the doldrums. Politically,
Flanders became more assertive,
achieving ever greater degrees of self-
rule. However, new resentments grew in
these changed circumstances.
Luxembourg is also a constitutional
monarchy. The head of state is the grand
duke, who has genuine authority over
an elected government. The grand
ducal family has strong dynastic ties to
Belgium – the mother of Grand Duke
Henri, the present incumbent, was
Princess Joséphine-Charlotte of Belgium,
the aunt of King Philippe. However,
it would be a mistake to think that
Luxembourg lives in Belgium’s slipstream.
Modern façade of the European Parliament in Brussels, looming Small it may be, but Luxembourg is an
above a statue of industrialist John Cockerill utterly independent country with its
own distinct culture and identity.
Government and Politics
Belgium is a federal constitutional The Economy
monarchy and King Philippe is the head Belgium has a mixed economy of
of state. Politically, Dutch-speaking manufacturing, agriculture, trade, financial
Flanders and French-speaking Wallonia services and knowledge-based industries
have each been given their own regional such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology
governments, which has, to some degree, and information and communication
satisfied the desire for autonomy. However, technology. Its old traditional industries,
it has also reinforced the divisions. There is such as steel and chemicals, are now
an overarching federal government, based mainly in the hands of multinational
in Brussels, but intercommunal strains in companies. The prime exports are
recent years have resulted in unstable foodstuffs, textiles, iron and steel, cars
national governments composed of and plastics. Antwerp in Flanders is a
precarious and complex coalitions. world leader in the trade and processing
The resentment attached to
Belgium’s linguistic divide has
a long history, dating back to
the Middle Ages, when Flanders
was ruled by a French-speaking
elite. When Belgium began to
industrialize, French-speaking
Wallonia became the centre
of production for coal, steel
and manufactured goods.
The Flemish fell victim to
economic, social and cultural
discrimination. This situation The old docks at Antwerp, Belgium’s most important port-city

022-023_EW_Belgium.indd 22 18/10/16 3:00 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Portrait template “UK” LAYER
(SourceReport v1.2)
Date 5th December 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm