Basics
Location: Northwest Europe
Capital: Brussels
Official languages: Dutch, French, German
Area: Total 30,528 km2, Water (%) 6.4
Population: 2008 estimate 10,666,866
Currency: Euro (€)1 (EU)
Time zone: CET (UTC+1) Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)

The Kingdom of Belgium is a country in Northwest Europe. Straddling the cultural boundary between Germanic and Latin Europe, Belgium is home for two main linguistic groups, the Flemings and the French-speakers, mostly Walloons, plus a small group of German-speakers.

Belgium's two largest regions are the Dutch-speaking region of Flanders in the north, with 59% of the population, and the French-speaking southern region of Wallonia, inhabited by 31%. The Brussels-Capital Region, officially bilingual, is a mostly French-speaking enclave within the Flemish Region and near the Walloon Region, and has 10% of the population. A small German-speaking community exists in eastern Wallonia. Belgium's linguistic diversity and related political and cultural conflicts are reflected in the political history and a complex system of government.

Belgium shares borders with France (620 km), Germany (167 km), Luxembourg (148 km) and the Netherlands (450 km). Belgium has three main geographical regions: the coastal plain in the north-west and the central plateau both belong to the Anglo-Belgian Basin; the Ardennes uplands in the south-east are part of the Hercynian orogenic belt. The Paris Basin reaches a small fourth area at Belgium's southernmost tip, Belgian Lorraine.

The coastal plain form Belgium consists mainly of sand dunes and polders. Further inland lies a smooth, slowly rising landscape irrigated by numerous waterways, with fertile valleys and the northeastern sandy plain of the Campine (Kempen). The thickly forested hills and plateaus of the Ardennes are more rugged and rocky with caves and small gorges, and offer much of Belgium's wildlife but little agricultural capability. Extending westward into France, this area is eastwardly connected to the Eifel in Germany by the High Fens plateau, on which the Signal de Botrange forms the country's highest point at 694 metres (2,277 ft).

General
The climate is maritime temperate, with significant precipitation in all seasons. The average temperature is lowest in January at 3 °C (37 °F), and highest in Juli at 18  °C (64  °F). The average precipitation per month varies between 54 millimetres (2.1 in) in February or April, to 78 millimetres (3.1 in) in Juli.

Belgium has three official languages, which are, in order from the greatest speaker population to the smallest, Dutch, French, and German. A number of non-official, minority languages are spoken as well. Look for a Dutch translation list of allergy terms here . For a French one here and for German here.

Dieet products
Most allergyfree products are sold by Nature shops, reform stores or Biological stores.
Colruyt and Delhaize sell dieetproducts.
Look here for more shops.
Look here for branchmarkets.
Look here for biological products.
The association Glutenfree has a list with Bed and Breakfasts with glutenfree breakfasts overhere.

Food tradition
Belgium is well known in the world over for its cuisine. Many highly ranked Belgian restaurants can be found in the most influential gastronomic guides, such as the Michelin Guide. Belgians love waffles and french fries. Contrary to their name, french fries also originated in Belgium. The name "french fries" actually refers to the description of the manner in which the potato is cut. To "french" means to cut into slivers. The national dishes are "steak and fries with salad", and "mussels with fries". Brands of Belgian chocolate and pralines, like Callebaut, Côte d'Or, Neuhaus, Leonidas, Guylian and Godiva, are world renowned and widely sold. Belgium produces over 500 varieties of beer. The Trappist beer of the Abbey of Westvleteren has consistently been rated the world's best beer. The biggest brewer in the world by volume is Anheuser-Busch InBev, based in Belgium.

Healthcare
You can be assured of the highest-quality medical care in Belgium, regarded as among the best healthcare systems in Europe.  As in most countries, the system divides itself into state and private, though fees are payable in both, so you need to ensure that you are adequately covered through either the state insurance and/or private insurance.  The advantages of the state mutuelle/mutualiteit scheme is that you can choose any doctor, clinic or hospital you like, in any location and without referral, according to your needs in much the same way as you can with private insurance.
General practitioners can be found in private practices or attached to clinics and hospitals and you are free to consult or register with any you like.  Similarly with specialist consultants.
One thing to remember is to take cash with you. Consultations usually end with a handing over of money and very few doctors offer payment by card of any type.  If you have state social security, reimbursement rates are calculated but only after you’ve paid up front.  If you are on a private scheme, or are uninsured, you pay the whole lot there and then.  It's always worth checking fees before you book an appointment. 
If you need to use the emergency 100 or 112 number, an ambulance will arrive quickly and take you to the nearest emergency centre.  Sometimes, a decision may be made to admit you to the best centre suited for your needs.
Chemists are ubiquitous in Belgium, with the green cross sign everywhere. There is a rota system for chemists to open outside of usual hours and through the night.  Lists are available from any pharmacy or check newspapers for those open at night in your area.

Airquality: for actual information look here.
You can find information about ozon in Europe here.

Pollen: from April until Juni. The coast is the best place to be.

Non Smoking Policy: smokefree bars and restaurants. In some restaurants smoking is only allowed in seperated areas. You can find more information here.

Oxygen
For oxygen delivery worldwide, look here.They also deliver at cruise ships and aiports.

Internetadresses
For the Dutch Embassy look here.
For the Asthma and Allergie association, de Astma en Allergiekoepel, look here.
For the Coeliakie association, de Vlaamse Coeliakie Vereniging, look here.
You can find the Société Belge de la Coeliakie, SBC, here .
And you can find the German Coeliakie association overhere .