Brabant, former province, central Belgium. The region is drained by the Dijle, Senne, and Demer rivers. Much of its soil is fertile and under cultivation, and industry is prevalent. Belgian Brabant occupies the southern part of the former duchy of Brabant. In 1995 it was split into two provinces—Dutch-speaking Flemish Brabant (1995 pop. 999,186), 813 sq mi (2,106 sq km), with its capital at Louvain, and French-speaking Walloon Brabant (1995 pop. 339,062), 421 sq mi (1,091 sq km), with its capital at Wavre (1995 pop. 29,906). The Brussels capital region is surrounded by, but not part of, Flemish Brabant.