Belgium, officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organizations such as NATO. Belgium covers an area of 30,528 square kilometers (11,787 sq. mi), and it has a population of about 11 million people. Straddling the cultural boundary between Germanic and Latin Europe, Belgium is home to two main linguistic groups, the Dutch-speakers, mostly Flemish (about 60%), and the French-speakers, mostly Walloons (about 40%), plus a small group of German-speakers. Belgium's two largest regions are the Dutch-speaking region of Flanders in the north and the French-speaking southern region of Wallonia. The Brussels-Capital Region, officially bilingual, is a mostly French-speaking enclave within the Flemish Region. A German-speaking Community exists in eastern Wallonia. Belgium's linguistic diversity and related political conflicts are reflected in the political history and a complex system of government.
Historically, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg were known as the Low Countries, which used to cover a somewhat larger area than the current Benelux group of states. The region was called Belgica in Latin because of the Roman province Gallia Belgica which covered more or less the same area. From the end of the Middle Ages until the 17th century, it was a prosperous center of commerce and culture. From the 16th century until the Belgian Revolution in 1830, when Belgium seceded from the Netherlands, many battles between European powers were fought in the area of Belgium, causing it to be dubbed the battleground of Europe, a reputation strengthened by both World Wars.
Tourism
Tourism in Belgium is one of Belgium's industries, and its accessibility from elsewhere in Europe still makes it a popular tourist destination. The tourist industry generates 2.8% of Belgium's Gross Domestic Product and employs 3.3% of the working population (142,000 people). 6.7 million people travelled to Belgium in 2005. Two thirds of them come from the larger nearby countries - France, The Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Germany.
In 1993, 2% of the total workforce was employed in tourism, less than in many neighboring countries. Much of the tourism industry is located either at the heavily developed coastline or in the Ardennes. Brussels and the Flemish cities of Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp attract many cultural tourists.
Belgium ranked 21st on the World Economic Forum's 2007 Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index, lower than all the neighboring countries. Although the country scored highly for 'natural and cultural resources', it was ranked only 114th in the world for both 'price competitiveness' and 'availability of qualified labor'. In recent years the number of international tourists has stayed relatively stable, but the income they generate has increased to 9.863 billion US Dollars in 2005.
Attractions
Brussels, a good starting point to explore the whole country, is not only the capital of Belgium but also the capital of Europe. The heart of the city is the historic market square Grand Place (Grote Markt), considered to be one of the most exceptional city squares in Europe with its splendid houses and the Gothic grandeur of the Town Hall. Opposite the Town Hall there are another of historical treasures of Brussels: the fantastic neo-Gothic building filled with the many statues known as the Maison du Roi (Broodhuis in Dutch), which now houses the historical City Museum.
Another Brussels’ curiosity, situated on the hills west of the center, the tremendous Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Koekelberg is often referred to as the national Basilica of Belgium. Apart from sightseeing, Brussels offers many other attractions. Sablon, the center of art galleries and antiques shops, is one of the most attractive areas in this town. Brussels owes its vibrant ambiance to Medieval boulevards and squares, cosy cafés, impressive historical sights, original restaurants and an buoyant cultural life, as well as a multicultural atmosphere linking Flemish and French influences with a pinch of cosmopolitan flavor.
Apart from its capital, Brussels boasts a number of towns rich in cultural heritage and tourist attractions. Antwerp, on the River Scheldt, is the second largest city in Belgium, the second largest European harbor and a place with so many different faces that it takes some time to explore it all. What’s more, it is a splendid city with endless architectural monuments, a large Medieval cathedral, and richly-decorated well-to-do houses. Antwerp alsoserves as the fashion capital where The Antwerp Six designers come from and houses Europe’s most important diamond trading center. Many tourists flock to another splendid Belgian city – Bruges. Both cosmopolitan and cosy, Bruges enchants with its ancient streets, historical houses, romantic canals and bridges, contributing to its somewhat fairy-tale like atmosphere.
The Atomium
Situated in Brussels, originally built for Expo '58, the 1958 Brussels World's Fair. Designed by André Waterkeyn, it stands 102 meters (335 ft.) tall. It has n
ine steel spheres connected so that the whole forms the shape of a unit cell of an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times.
Tubes connect the spheres along the 12 edges of the cube and all eight vertices to the center. They enclose escalators connecting the spheres containing exhibit halls and other public spaces. The top sphere provides a panoramic view of Brussels. Each sphere is 18 meters in diameter. Three spheres are currently (2008) closed to visitors, others can be reached easily by escalators. The vertical vertex contains a lift which was very fast and advanced at the time of building (the speed is 5 m/s).
Eglise Notre Dame du Sablon
The Eglise Notre Dame du Sablon (Church of Our Lady of Sablon) is a Late Gothic church situated in an exclusive area of Brussels, a few blocks south of the Grand Place and southwest of the Place Royal.
Manneken Pis
What the Eiffel Tower is to Paris and the Statue of Liberty is to New York, the figure of Manneken Pis is to Brussels. Although the tiny figure of a peeing boy is unparalleled to the two massive landmarks as far as size and spectacular effect, the Manneken Pis is just as dear to the hearts of residents of its home city. It hasn’t always been like this. The original version of the statue, cast in bronze by Jerome Duquesnoy, was installed on the site in 1619 and quickly became the favourite object of vandals. Destroyed a number of times, it has always been restored. On one occasion, the figure was shattered to pieces. The remains were used to create the mold from which the contemporary version of the statue was cast.
Hotels
From fine dining and hearty country cuisine to decadent chocolates and delicious beers, Belgians have a keen sense for the good things in life. The country also has an extensive range of accommodation from luxury five-star hotels to small family inns. Public transportation is inexpensive and efficient.
Royal Windsor Hotel Grand Place, Sofitel Brussels Europe, Rocco Forte Hotel Amigo, Conrad Brussels, Le Meridien Brussels, Hotel Metropole Brussels.
