Belgium - overview
The Kingdom of Belgium, is bordered on the
north by the Netherlands and the North Sea,
on the east by Germany and the Grand Duchy
of Luxembourg, and on the west and south-west
by France. Stretching from the picturesque
Ardennes region in the south to the windswept
North Sea coastline in the North, it is zigzagged
extensively by a network of canals. Belgium
is divided into 3 main regions, Flanders
in the north, Walloon in the south, and the
capital, Brussels. It abounds with medieval
cities, quaint towns, gothic cathedrals and
town halls, museums, historical buildings,
theatres, music and festivals. In Belgium,
the architecture styles comes from both the
past and present; Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque,
and Nouveau.
The capital of Belgium, Brussels, is a cosmopolitan
city, with a liveliness and an appeal that
are intimately related to its role as a crossroads
for all of Europe. The many aspects of Brussels
are expressed in the four quarters of the
city. The Lower Town, which extends from
Manneken Pis via the Grand Place to the Botanique.
The Royal District in the Upper Town occupies
the area between the Warande and the Palace
of Justice. In the North of the city lies
the Heizel with the Atomium and Bruparck.
Just outside the city centre visitors will
find the Cinquantenaire park and the European
District facet.
Antwerp is the second largest city in Belgium,
and is also a very busy port city. It is
a splendid city with numerous architectural
highlights, most of which date from the 16th
and the 17th century. It has the world’s
biggest diamond industry, and many museums
housing fabulous artworks. The city of Bruges
remains a medieval city of stunning beauty
and charm. It is rich in architectural and
artistic treasures, graced by quiet canals
and waterways. The Belfry at the old city
centre is widely considered Belgium's finest,
with a carillon that has rung every quarter
hour for nearly seven and a half centuries. |
