Wallonia

Wallonien (German)
Walonreye (Walloon)

Wallonie (French)

National motto: Walon todi ! (Walloon forever!)

Official languages

French, German

Capital

Namur

Minister-President

Jean-Claude Van Cauwenberghe

Area
- Total

16,844 km²

Population
- Total (2002)
- Density

3,358,560 dimorants
199.39/km²

National anthem

Li Tchant des Walons

Wallonia (Wallonie in French) or Walloon Region (Région Wallonne in French) is the predominantly French-speaking region that constitutes one of the three federal regions of Belgium, with its capital at Namur. It encompasses the southern half of Belgium and comprises the following provinces:

Its economy was once dominated by the extensive iron and coal industries, as Wallonia was one of the first regions of continental Europe to see industrialisation. Subsequent downturns in the profitability of these types of heavy industries saw Wallonia exchange its position as the major economic engine of Belgium with its northern neighbour, Flanders.

Its major cities and towns include Liege, Namur, Charleroi, Mons, Tournai, Arlon, Bastogne, Wavre, Verviers and Dinant.

The French dialect Belgian French is spoken throughout the region, except in the East Cantons, an area where German is used instead. In 1990, Belgium also officially recognised Champenois, Gaumais, Picard, and Walloon as regional languages.

The name Wallonia is related to the name Wales, as the old Germanic term Wale/Walis simply means "stranger". Both Wallonia and Wales are regions where a "strange" (i.e. non-Germanic) language and culture exist.

Wallonia

See also