Power Sharing

What percentage of Belgium's population speaks Dutch and lives in the Flemish Region?

59%

What percentage of Belgium's population speaks French and lives in the Wallonia Region?

40%

What is the percentage of people in Belgium that speak German?

1%

How is the ethnic composition of Brussels divided between Dutch and French speakers?

80% Dutch and 20% French.

What are the two main reasons for ethnic tension in Belgium?

1. Dutch-speaking are a minority in Brussels;

2. 2. French-speaking are more economically developed.

In Belgium, how are the number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers arranged in the Central Government?

They are kept equal.

What special law was required for majority approval in the Belgian government?

Some laws required majority approval from both linguistic groups.

How are the governments of the Flemish and Wallonia regions structured in relation to the Central Government?

They are not subordinate to the central government.

What kind of government does Brussels have regarding language representation?

A separate government with equal representation of both linguistic groups.

What is the percentage of Sinhala-speaking people in Sri Lanka?

74%

What is the religious majority among the Sinhala-speaking population in Sri Lanka?

Buddhist.

What percentage of Sri Lankans are Tamil-speaking?

18%

What is the percentage of Christians in Sri Lanka, and what languages do they speak?

7%, both Sinhala and Tamil-speaking.

How did the Sinhalese establish superiority in the Sri Lankan government after 1948?

By passing acts that recognized Sinhala as the official language and implementing preferential policies for Sinhalese.

What was one effect of the majoritarian policies in Sri Lanka on the Tamil-speaking population?

A feeling of isolation and discrimination.

What did Tamil leaders demand in response to their treatment in Sri Lanka?

Recognition of Tamil as an official language and equal opportunities.

What significant conflict arose in Sri Lanka by the 1980s?

The demand for Tamil Eelam or Tamil state.

What was the ultimate impact of the civil war in Sri Lanka?

It drastically affected life and the cultural, social, and economic situation of the country.