Interesting facts about Belgium. What is Belgium known for? Interesting facts about the country

Belgium is considered a wonderful country for excursions, because its centuries-old history is reflected in the architecture of Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent and Liege, and historical artifacts are carefully preserved in numerous local museums. However, in Belgium there are also prestigious beach resorts (De Panne, Knokke-Heist), located on the shores of the North Sea (don’t be fooled by the word “north”), as well as various folk festivals, ranging from the Witches Festival in Elsel and ending with the Carnival of Binche.

Geography of Belgium

Belgium is located in northwestern Europe. In the southwest, Belgium borders with France, in the north with the Netherlands, in the east with Luxembourg and Germany, and in the northwest it is washed by the waters of the North Sea. The total area of ​​this country is 30,528 square meters. km. Belgium is divided into three main geographical regions - the northwestern coastal plain, the central plateau (Anglo Belgian Basin) and the Ardennes uplands in the south.

Capital of Belgium

The capital of Belgium, since the 1830s, has been Brussels. This city was founded in the 9th century AD, although some historians suggest that the first settlement on the site of modern Brussels appeared in the 6th century. Now the population of Brussels is more than 1.1 million people. It is in this city that the NATO headquarters is located.

Official language

Belgium has three official languages ​​– Dutch, French and German. Dutch is spoken by residents of Flanders and Brussels, French is spoken by residents of the Walloon region and Brussels, and German is spoken in the province of Liege (about 100 thousand people).

Religion of Belgium

More than 75% of the inhabitants of Belgium belong to the Roman Catholic Church. This country is also home to Protestants (25% of the population), and in recent years there have been an increasing number of Sunni Muslims (3.5%). Also in Belgium there are about 100 thousand people belonging to the Greek Catholic Church, about 40 thousand Jews, and more than 20 thousand Anglicans.

State structure of Belgium

Belgium is a hereditary constitutional monarchy. According to the 1831 Constitution, executive power is vested in the king, who appoints and removes ministers, civil servants, judges and military officers. Thanks to a constitutional amendment in 1991, the Belgian throne can also be inherited by a woman.

The King of Belgium is the Supreme Commander. With the approval of Parliament, he has the right to declare war.

Legislative power in Belgium is exercised by the king and the bicameral Parliament, which consists of the House of Representatives (150 people) and the Senate (71 people). Belgians aged 18 and over are required to vote in parliamentary elections. Belgians are fined for not showing up at elections.

In accordance with the constitutional reform of 1980, there are three communities in Belgium - French-speaking, Dutch-speaking and German-speaking.

Climate and weather

The coastal regions of Belgium have a mild and humid climate. In the southeastern regions, hot summers alternate with cold winters. In Brussels, the average air temperature is +10 C. In July, the average air temperature is +18 C, and in January it drops to -3 C. An average of 74 mm of precipitation falls in Belgium every month.

Rivers and lakes

Two large rivers flow through the territory of Belgium - the Scheldt and the Meuse, into which small Belgian rivers flow. The country has created a special system of dams and sluices to avoid floods. There are very few lakes in Belgium.

History of Belgium

Belgium gets its name from the Celtic tribe of the Belgae. In the 1st century BC. The Belgae were conquered by Roman legionaries, and Belgium became a province of Rome. During the 300 years of Roman rule, Belgium became a prosperous country. However, gradually the power of Rome decreased, and around the 3rd century AD. Hunnic tribes led by Atilla invaded the territory of modern Germany. Because of this, part of the Germanic tribes was forced to move to the north of Belgium. In the 4th century AD. Belgium was invaded by the Franks, who took possession of this country.

A few centuries later, Belgium came under the rule of the Duke of Burgundy, and from the end of the 14th century this country became part of the Habsburg possessions (i.e., it was part of the Holy Roman Empire).

In 1519-1713 Belgium was occupied by the Spaniards, and in 1713-1794 by the Austrians. In 1795, Belgium became part of Napoleonic France. In 1830, a revolution took place in Belgium and the country became independent. In 1831, a constitutional monarchy was established in Belgium.

During the First World War, Belgium was occupied by German troops. The same thing happened in 1940, after the outbreak of World War II. In 1944, American, British and Canadian troops liberated Belgium.

In 1970, Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels received quite significant political autonomy.

Since 1994, after constitutional reform, Belgium is not a unitary, but a federal state.

Belgian culture

Since Belgium was part of Ancient Rome for more than 300 years, the Roman influence on the culture of Belgium became decisive. To this day, a large number of monuments from the Roman era have been preserved in this country.

However, the real flowering of Belgian culture began in the Middle Ages. This is evidenced by the Notre Dame Cathedral in Tournai, which has survived to this day, which was built in the 12th century.

Medieval Belgian painting was greatly influenced by Flemish artists, in particular Pieter Bruegel the Elder and A. Van Dyck. Since the 17th century, Belgian artists have been influenced by their colleagues from France. Thus, the Belgian school of painting only emerged in the mid-1800s, after Belgium became independent. The most famous Belgian artist of this period is Gustav Wappers, who painted Van Dyck and his Model, Defense of Rhodes and Savior in the Tomb.

The most famous Belgian poet and playwright is Maurice Maeterlinck, who received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1911.

Folk holidays play a major role in the cultural life of Belgium. The most popular and famous among them are: Carnival Week (February, celebrated throughout Belgium), Carnival in Aalst and Binche (February 25-26), Festival in Liege (August), Witches Festival in Elsel (June), as well as the Walloon Festival in Namur.

Belgian cuisine

Belgian cuisine was formed under the influence of French and German chefs. In everyday life, Belgians eat potatoes, meat (pork, chicken, beef), seafood and bread. Beer is considered the national drink in Belgium. By the way, beer lovers will probably be interested to know that more than 400 varieties of this drink are currently produced in Belgium. In addition, wine is imported into Belgium in large quantities.

In the north of Belgium, a popular dish is fries with mussels and "waterzooi", a broth of vegetables and meat (sometimes fish is used instead of meat). In general, French fries are very popular throughout Belgium (most often they are eaten with mayonnaise).

Among the traditional Belgian dishes are the following: “Liège pork chops”, “Ghent chicken”, “country beer stew”, “Flandish fish cakes”, as well as “beer marinated mussels”.

Belgian chocolate has long been legendary, and local waffles are rightfully considered the best in the world.

The large number of immigrants has meant that there are a lot of "ethnic" restaurants in Belgium, which is why Belgians are gradually changing their eating habits.

Sights of Belgium

Belgium has always taken care of its history. Therefore, there are a lot of different attractions here, and it is difficult to select the best of them. In our opinion, the top five most interesting attractions in Belgium include the following:

Cities and resorts of Belgium

In addition to Brussels, the largest cities in Belgium are Antwerp (population - more than 2.3 million people), Ghent (about 250 thousand people), Liege (more than 200 thousand people), Charleroi (more than 200 thousand people), and Bruges ( about 120 thousand people).

Belgium has only 70 km of coastline near the North Sea, so it is not surprising that it has a very high population density - every Belgian wants to be close to the beautiful local beaches. There are so many high-rise buildings along the Belgian coast from De Panne to Knokke-Heist that you feel more like you're in Tokyo than in the Low Countries. Every wealthy Belgian considers it his duty to have a second home or apartment on the North Sea coast.

Souvenirs/shopping

We recommend that tourists bring from Belgium as souvenirs local chocolates (for example, Neuhaus, Leonidas or Godiva), as well as wonderful Belgian waffles and chocolate. Perhaps someone would like to bring real Belgian beer from Belgium.

Office hours

Who missed it, take a look. Today we will read about Belgium.

1. Many Belgians do not know the Belgian anthem and do not like Belgians from neighboring regions. Although in our eyes they are all the same, the Belgians themselves can easily understand which region a person is from by his speech and habits. Residents of any of the regions of Belgium consider residents of other regions to be a little stupid, they are all united by a common love of making fun of the Dutch.

2. Beer in Belgium is a national religion. They don’t drink beer only for breakfast, but already from 10 o’clock in the morning they drink it constantly. If there is alcohol, then it is only beer. Everything that is not Belgian beer is urine, especially Dutch beer. The worst Heineken beer. The most respected Duvel. The coolest guys drink it.

3. Beer comes in two sizes - small 0.25 and large 0.33. You won’t find half a liter almost anywhere, not to mention our national bottles. After three “big” beers, the Belgians are already pretty drunk.

4. Girls drink beer as much as guys. And this is not bad manners.

5. The main national dish is French fries or French fries. Here it is called either Belgian fries, or simply deep fat. They eat it with mayonnaise and everywhere, in packages that look like a package, from which we used to eat seeds. Any Belgian will tell you that the Americans first tried French fries when they were in Belgium at the end of the Second World War and french fries are called from the verb to french - cut, and have nothing to do with France.

6. Sterility in Belgium is a dubious concept - any food will be served to you or placed on a plate with your hands. If you order, for example, shawarma, they will put the meat in it with their hands, then they will take the money with the same hands.

7. Things are treated with great disdain. They can easily throw their jacket on the ground or walk around in torn and dirty clothes.

8. The concept of style and fashion is very different from ours. The girls don't wear heels or cut-outs, wear torn tights and combine colors to make it look like they're on LSD.

9. Very strong feminism in society. Girls are absolutely equal to guys, which is why they themselves suffer; guys don’t even know how to approach girls, which is why they watch a lot of porn.

10. If you have a girlfriend, then you are cool. Because a girl is a guarantee that you have sex and she is viewed in much the same way. Sometimes it seems that relationships in Belgium are just companionship for sex and that’s it, although of course there are exceptions.

11. Belgians are very scary. And those who don’t seem to be very scary try to seem scary and dress even worse. If you meet a beautiful girl on the street, then she is either Turkish or ours.

12. The concept of a gentleman is missing here. Letting a girl go ahead, open a door or help carry weights is something impossible. There is a company of girls and boys, and the girls are carrying a case of beer - this is the norm.

13. A bicycle is a normal means of transportation. Here everyone rides them, from grandfathers over 80 to children from 2 years old. All large centers and train stations have parking for bicycles; there are thousands of them. If you rent an apartment, it will be written whether there is parking for a bicycle near the house.

14. The Belgians are a very sporty nation. Running, cycling and bandy are popular; if you say “hockey”, then everyone thinks about the summer sport on the grass.

15. Speaking of weed: the picture of young people sitting in the city center on the embankment and smoking a joint in a circle is absolutely normal. Although soft drugs are prohibited.

16. Belgians get up very early. On weekends at 8 am, queuing at the bakery for fresh bread is a normal story.

17. Belgians are very narrow-minded; if there is a law or tradition, they will follow it - no matter how stupid it is. Creative or out-of-the-box thinking is rare.

18. In general, Belgians are very polite and friendly, but sometimes they are obviously too much. For example, they will never directly send you away, but will say something like this: “I would in no way want to offend you or hurt your feelings, but it seems to me that it would be better for you to go to hell, of course, if you don’t want to, you can don't go. But I think you’ll be comfortable there.”

19. Belgians usually get married late, at about 30 years old; before that, for the most part, they consider themselves young and live quite carefree.

20. They love to travel. They hold Asia in special esteem.

21. Awareness of Russia is good, but the idea of ​​our country is, of course, ridiculous. I was extremely surprised that when I said that I was from Russia, the first reaction was - great, I have long wanted to travel along the Trans-Siberian Railway and only then vodka, Putin, communism.

22. In general, the attitude towards Russians is rather negative - if a man, then a bandit, if a girl, then of easy virtue. And it is extremely difficult to break this stereotype in their heads.

23. There are a lot of Turks and Arabs in Belgium. The attitude towards them is completely cool, but if you ask the Belgians how they feel about them, you will hear a rote tirade about how happy they are and don’t see the difference. But if you approach drunken Belgians with the same questions, the answer will be completely different.

24. There are a lot of lesbians and gays in Belgium. And exactly in that order. I associate this with not the most courageous men, although there may be a different reason.

25. By the way, the Prime Minister of Belgium is also gay.

26. Belgium is divided into two large parts: Dutch-speaking Flanders and French-speaking Wallonia. The Flemings treat the Valonians with disdain and consider them something like servants.

27. Most Flemings speak English, Dutch and French. The Valonians speak only French and, according to the Flemings, it is bad.

28. All Belgians will tell you that they speak Flemish, not Dutch. In fact, they are the same language.

29. The residents of Antwerp are considered the most arrogant snobs.

30. No one ever curtains the windows; even on the first floors you can always see what is happening in someone else’s apartment.

31. At home no one takes off their shoes, not even their boots. They will sit and sweat, but will not take it off.

32. Belgians eat hot food once a day. Usually lunch or dinner is just a sandwich.

33. Belgium, as well as France, are the only countries in the world that do not use a qwerty keyboard; instead, they type on the azerty layout, I must say, an extremely inconvenient and illogical thing.

33. They blow their nose very loudly in any environment. Sometimes you get the feeling that a howitzer shell exploded next to you, but no, it was a miniature girl blowing her nose.

34. It’s hard to have a sense of humor here; the concept of sarcasm is missing as a class. Therefore, if a person jokes, then after the humor itself he adds the phrase - it was a joke, otherwise many people may not really understand.

35. The boundaries of decency are quite low. Everyone undresses very simply and everything, absolutely everything, saunas, spas and relaxation pools are adjacent - and it is forbidden to wear swimsuits or cover up in them.

36. By our standards, the level of permissibility in humor among the Belgians is low. In a fairly formal setting, you can easily hear selected vulgarity and smut.

37. Belgians are very frost-resistant. A girl at minus one in ballet shoes on her bare leg and a guy in shorts is an everyday occurrence.

38. The Belgians have everything according to plan. Each person has a diary, and all meetings are scheduled approximately two weeks in advance. It’s unlikely that you’ll just drop by a friend’s house drunk at 1 am.

39. Belgium has strong trade unions, so strikes are very common. Over the past two months, public transport, schools and other government institutions have been closed three times. The reasons for strikes, by our standards, are simply ridiculous.

40. The Belgians are very honest people - and everything here is based on your word of honor, receipts, checks, etc. no one here gives.

41. Belgians are very fond of consensus, because they are afraid of offending anyone. When you tell them that it is impossible to please everyone, they will not understand this and, most likely, will make, in their opinion, a fair decision. Which will not really suit anyone.

42. All stores are open until 5-6, after which time you can shoot. If you are buying furniture, delivery only works from 9 to 5 and only on weekdays. It’s not fair that some people will work late and others won’t.

43. Belgium has very high taxes, about 45%, the government has repeatedly tried to lower them, but the majority of the population is against this, since the majority of the population in Belgium does not work, but lives on benefits.

44. Do you know that Belgium is the only country in the world where about 400 (and according to some sources 800) different types of beer are produced?

45. The Port of Antwerp is considered the fourth largest seaport in the world, in addition, Antwerp is one of the most famous art cities in Belgium. Among other popular cities of art, it is worth highlighting the cities of Bruges and Ghent.

46. ​​The official languages ​​of Belgium are French, German and Dutch. Ordinary people most often communicate in French and Dutch.

47. In 496 AD, Belgium was part of a kingdom founded by King Clovis.

48. Ancient Belgium was inhabited by Celtic tribes called Belgae.

49. In 1555, Maximilian's grandson, Duke of Burgundy Charles the Bold, gave Belgium to his son, Philip II.

50. In 1713, Austria captured Belgium from the French. The Utrecht Agreement was signed between the French government and the Austrian Habsburg government, according to which the French were removed from governing Belgium.

51. In 1815, the Congress of Vienna defeated Napoleon Bonaparte at Waterloo, Belgium. After this defeat, 124 cities around the world were named Waterloo.

53. After the end of the Second World War, Belgium played an important role in laying the foundations of the European Economic Community. Today, the capital of Belgium, Brussels, is also the capital of the European Union (EU).

54. In addition, NATO headquarters is located in Brussels.

55 One of the remarkable facts of Belgian life is the annual production of chocolate. Belgium produces approximately 220,000 tons of chocolate per year. The Belgian national airport in Brussels is the world's largest point of sale for this sweet product.

56. Belgium is one of the countries in the world where homosexual marriage and euthanasia are legal, but forced marriage is prohibited. In Belgium it is illegal to marry under force. Such marriages entail criminal liability.

57. Belgium became the first country in the world to ban cluster bombs. The Belgian Parliament has the largest number of female ministers in the world.

58. Belgium is one of the countries that attaches great importance to education. Receiving an education is a mandatory requirement for all citizens under the age of 18.

59. The Belgian motorway system is the only man-made structure visible from the Moon.

60. Did you know that oil paints were invented in the 15th century in Belgium? The famous Belgian artist Jan van Eyck is one of the inventors of oil painting.

61. Like Americans, Belgians love to collect discount cards.

62. Belgium is a world diamond center, and diamonds are not only sold here, but also polished. The city of Antwerp is considered the world capital of diamonds.

63. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian Adolphe Sax. Another interesting fact is that Herge, the author of the famous Tintin comic book series, is also from Belgium.

64. Residents of Belgium love animals, so every Belgian house has at least a cat or a dog.

65. An interesting fact is that this country is one of the most densely populated countries in the world - 320 people. per sq. km

66. The average resident of Belgium drinks almost 150 liters of beer per year.

67. An interesting fact is that Brussels National Airport is the largest chocolate selling point not only in Belgium, but in the whole world!

68. The world's first beer academy was opened in the city of Herk de Stad (province of Limburg) in 1999.

69. Belgium has the fewest McDonald's fast food restaurants of any developed European country. In France and Germany there are twice as many McDonald's as in Belgium, in Japan there are 4 times more, and in the USA there are 7 times more!

70. Belgium is the first country in the world to introduce electronic identity cards for its citizens. This decision was made in 2003.

71. Every citizen over 18 years of age has every right to carry no more than 3 grams of cannabis with him!

72. More than 24 million ecstasy tablets are consumed annually in Belgium.

73. An interesting fact is that all adult Belgian citizens are required to go to the polls and vote.

74. Belgium ranks second in the world in the number of citizenships issued to foreigners. Canada has been ranked first in terms of the number of new citizens for several years.

75. In 1763, the first casino in Europe was opened in the city of Spa.

76. At night, the Belgian motorway can be seen from the moon! This was made possible thanks to excellent lighting along all routes.

77. 80% of the world's billiard ball production is located in Belgium.

78. Belgium ranks third in the world in the number of cars per square meter. km. The Netherlands and Japan took first and second place, respectively.

79. However, in terms of railway density, Belgium remains the undisputed leader.

80. In Belgium, more than 98% of households have cable TV - the highest percentage in the world.

81. More than 600 different costumes for various holidays and festivals were sewn for the most popular attraction of Brussels, the “pissing boy”.

82. Belgium's urban population is 97% - one of the largest in the world!

83. The average life expectancy of the Belgian population is 79.22 years

84. An interesting fact is that in Belgium there is simply no emigration of the population! This is due to a very high standard of living.

85. Interesting fact: A survey showed that the vast majority of the Belgian population (92%) hardly eat at home. The main food outlets are restaurants and cafes. These figures for Belgium are the highest in the world!

86. The majority of the Belgian population professes Catholicism (72%).

87. An interesting fact is that incest in Belgium is considered quite normal.

89. The largest newborn in the world is a resident of Belgium, Samuel Timmerman. His weight is 5.4 kg, and his height is as much as 57 cm!

90. In Belgium they invented praline chocolate - one of the most popular types of chocolate in the world.

91. The tallest man in Europe is Belgian citizen Alain Delanois. His height is 2 m 30 cm!

92. Belgium is the world's largest comics producing country.

93. Near the city of Thieu, in the Belgian province called Hainaut, there is the world's largest elevator for lifting ships (its height is 73.15 meters).

94.Belgium has the highest income tax among Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development countries

95. Brussels Royal Palace is larger than Buckingham Palace

96. Belgian founded the Holy Roman Empire. Charlemagne, King of the Franks and founder of the Holy Roman Empire, was born and raised in Wallonia near Liege. He founded the capital of his empire nearby in Aachen, 30 km from Liege.

97. New York was founded by a Belgian

98. The Belgians believe that they invented French fries, and indeed, almost all cities and villages have their own fryers

99. There are 3 main types of Belgian waffles: Liege waffles (the most common), Brussels waffles (they are larger, lighter, rectangular, and are often eaten with strawberries, ice cream, etc.) and biscuits (they are thinner, softer, and are usually eaten for breakfast, sometimes with jam - they have nothing in common with the French biscuits from Brittany).

100. Belgium is famous for its bakeries. Local delicacies include cramique (bread baked with egg yolk and raisins), cougnou (Walloon delicacies usually eaten in winter), gozettes (filled pies) and cakes. The most typical cakes are cherry, plum, apple, sugar and, especially, rice cakes (originally prepared in Verviers, near Liege).

101. The largest agricultural, food and forestry fair in Europe is Foire de Libramont.

102. The world record for acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (3.266 seconds) belongs to the Vertigo, the only Belgian sports car.

103. The first modern health resort in Europe was opened at Spa in the 18th century.

104. Galerie St Hubert in Brussels, opened in 1847, is the oldest shopping gallery in Europe.

105. The Palais de Justice in Brussels is the largest palace of justice in the world with a ground floor area of ​​26,006 sq.m. - more than

Belgium. Quite a lot is known about this country, in any case, everyone knows that the country is famous for its delicious chocolate, beer and shopping. Of course, for a budget tourist it is not considered the most attractive; the prices cannot be called affordable. With all this, Belgium is very colorful and hospitable; tourists are always welcome here. Many attractions and unique architecture set this country apart from all European powers.

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Visa to Belgium yourself - a detailed life hack.

We bring to your attention a collection of the most interesting, unique and exciting facts about Belgium, after reading which every tourist will be able to learn something new. This information will help you understand the culture and local customs, become a little more literate and learn local secrets.

Belgium is considered a direct descendant of the first state formation, which was led by King Clovis in the first century AD. Then the territory was occupied by the Celtic tribes of the Belgi, from whom the modern name of the country came.

Belgium is perhaps the only country that was given as a gift. In 1555, the future king of Spain, Philip II, received this country as a gift from his grandfather, Duke of Burgundy Charles the Bold.

The grand defeat of Napoleon was inflicted by the Congress of Vienna in 1815 precisely at the Belgian village of Waterloo. Subsequently, 124 cities in all countries of the world changed their names and became namesakes of the Brussels suburb.

It was the capital Brussels that became the main city of the modern trade and economic union of European countries - the EU. The city was awarded such a high honor taking into account the significant contribution made by Belgium, as one of the main initiators of the creation and creator of the European Commonwealth. NATO headquarters is also located here.

Records and uniqueness

Belgium claims to be the world's leading chocolate producer. According to official statistics, more than 220 thousand tons of chocolate sweets of various types are produced annually. Well, the most famous point of sale of local chocolate is the Belgian airport. It is from here that millions of chocolates and bars fly to all corners of the world. But this does not mean that chocolate is produced for export. The Belgians are also not averse to enjoying this source of happiness hormones. The average Belgian consumes 22 kg of chocolate per year.

Belgium also made a serious bid for leadership in the “beer relay”. And this is not surprising, because today more than 800 types of beer are produced in the country. And an ordinary resident of the country consumes up to 150 liters of this intoxicating drink annually. In 1999, a beer academy was even opened, located in the town of Herk de Stad.

Belgium is considered one of those countries in which there is the most loyal attitude towards “euthanasia”. This innovation was introduced in 2002 and since then, an average of up to 7 people say goodbye to their lives every day.

Local marriage authorities will help you register a marriage between two men without any questions, but forced marriages are not only prohibited here, but are prosecuted.

Another record is associated with the Belgian parliament. It is in this government body that a record number of women work in ministerial positions.

Belgium's highways are the only human-made engineering structures that can be seen from the surface of the Moon. All thanks to the huge number of lights located along the roadway.

Other interesting facts

If you want to buy a unique diamond or process an existing precious stone that has been passed down from generation to generation, you will not find a better place on the entire planet than Belgium. This country is recognized as the main center for the sale and processing of diamonds.

Belgians have a record number of pets in their homes. It's hard to find a house that doesn't have a couple of cats or dogs in it.

Local authorities also have a loyal attitude towards soft drugs. For example, everyone over 18 years of age has every right to possess up to 3 grams of cannabis. And according to statistics, every year up to 24 million ecstasy tablets find their way into the stomachs of Belgians.

Belgian families are more dependent on cable television than any other nation. Such television broadcasting is found in 98% of households. And the famous landmark “Manneken Pis” has 600 different costumes that are worn on the occasion of memorable dates, holidays and city celebrations.

Most often, tourists do not consider Belgium as a main tourist destination. As a rule, a transfer is made at a Belgian airport and departs on the Benelux route, which includes Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. Nevertheless, Belgium is an interesting country worthy of attention.

The standard of living here is close to that of prosperous Switzerland. A huge number of medieval castles and other historical monuments have been preserved throughout the country. In addition, thematic trips are very popular among tourists - some come to try the famous chocolate, some are attracted by diamonds, and others are attracted by the comfortable beaches and spa centers of the Ostend resort.

general information

The Kingdom of Belgium is located in Western Europe. The capital is Brussels. On an area of ​​30.5 thousand sq. km. Home to about 11.6 million people. The word “Belgium” comes from the name of the ethnic tribe of the Celts, the Belgians, who were the first to settle in this part of Europe.

Neighboring countries:

• Germany – eastern border;
• Netherlands – northern border;
• Luxembourg – southeastern border;
• France – southern and western border.

The northwestern border of the state is washed by the North Sea.

Belgium is a constitutional parliamentary monarchy, the current ruling monarch is Philip I, however, the country is actually ruled by the prime minister - since 2014, the position has been held by Charles Michel.

Taking into account the geographical features of the state and the relief, three zones are distinguished:

• plain (regions bordering the North Sea);
• Ardennes Heights;
• plateau.

The main water resources are the rivers Meuse and Scheldt. Mount Botrange (approximately 695 meters) is the highest point.

In accordance with the administrative division, the territory of the state is represented by three regions:

• Flemish;
• Walloon;
• Brussels.

There are also 10 provinces.

Belgium is a multi-religious country - 70% of the population are Catholics, 200 thousand residents profess Islam, 40 thousand attend the Anglican Church, 35 thousand profess Judaism and only 20 thousand residents are Orthodox.

Historical excursion

The first tribes in Belgium appeared approximately 400 thousand years ago. Information about them, unfortunately, has not been preserved. In the 1st millennium BC. Western Aryan tribes settled in Belgium. Around 300 BC. The Belgians occupied Belgian lands and formed a new state.

Street in the town of Duruy

In 57 BC. two nationalities appeared in the country. The southern part of Belgium is captured by the Roman Empire. The inhabitants gradually forgot their native language, since Latin speech prevailed in everyday life, and on its basis the Walloon language arose. Germanic tribes settled on the territory of Northern Belgium, laying the foundation for the Flemish people. In the period from the 5th to the 9th centuries, the state was ruled by the Franks, who were replaced by the Roman Empire.

From the 12th to the 14th centuries, craft workshops actively developed in the country. Belgium attracted the attention of Germany and France, but in the 16th century the Spaniards firmly settled on its territory and ruled here for one and a half hundred years. In the 18th century, power passed to the Austrians, and in the first half of the 19th century, by decision of the Congress of Vienna, the country became part of the Netherlands. From the united state they wanted to form a powerful barrier against the troops of Napoleon and France.

Episode of the Belgian Revolution of 1830

In 1830, an uprising took place, the goal of which was the independence of the country. A year later, Belgium became a constitutional monarchy. Since then, industry has been actively developing here, Belgium has been conquering colonies. However, the further prosperity of the country was prevented by wars. In the post-war years, the Belgian government defined a state program for external development.

Events that became the basis for the economic development of Belgium:

• Benelux was created in 1944;
• in 1945 Belgium became an EU member;
• in 1949 the state became a member of NATO;
• in 1949 Belgium joined the Council of Europe;
• in 1954 the country became part of the Western European Union.

Language

According to the Belgian constitution, the country's inhabitants are divided into three linguistic groups:

• French - Wallonia, about 32% of the population;
• Dutch (Flemish) – northern regions, about 58% of the population;
• German-speaking - the eastern part of Wallonia, about 67 thousand people.

Residents of Brussels speak French (80%) and Dutch (20%).

Good to know! The Flemish dialect has dialects characteristic of Belgium. French and German are notable for their special pronunciation. Almost all Belgians speak fluent English.

Population

The total number of inhabitants of Belgium is 11 million 600 thousand people. Of them:

• Flemings – 60%;
• French – 25%.

Interesting fact! Belgium is an open country; as a rule, there are no problems with obtaining citizenship. 15% of Belgian residents are immigrants. The largest communities are Portuguese and Italian.

Economy

Belgium is a country with an actively developing industrial complex, intensive agriculture and an extensive network of foreign economic relations. According to statistics, almost half of Belgian products are exported.

Main export items:

• automobiles and machinery;
• diamonds;
• metal products;
• chemicals;
• Food.

Export partners: Germany, France, UK, Netherlands, Italy, USA.

Import partners: Netherlands, France, Ireland, Germany, UK, China.

City of Charleroi

The industrially oriented regions of Belgium are concentrated towards the north of the country, around the capital and in Flanders. Liege and Charleroi are also considered industrial.

Agriculture is developing rapidly in regions where the Dutch language predominates.

Good to know! The state leads in Europe in terms of the density of railway lines.

Regions and major cities

Walloon region

This part of Belgium is often compared to the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm. The spirit of the Middle Ages is especially felt here, which is harmoniously complemented by amazing landscapes and dilapidated palaces. The people of Wallonia know an endless number of legends and myths.

This is interesting! They serve the most delicious ham and the best live beer.

The capital of the region is Namur, a fortress that protected from enemy raids. Wallonia is best explored on foot or by bike. Tourists are offered an unforgettable hot air balloon flight. In addition to sightseeing, you can play golf and climb mountain peaks.

Good to know! One of the best resorts in the region is the city of Spa.

Flemish region

Part of the province of Flanders belonged to France, but after 1830 the region completely became part of Belgium, and today it unites cities such as Antwerp and Ghent, famous for their architectural attractions and amazing historical facts.

Brussels

For more than 50 years, the largest international organizations have been concentrated in the capital of Belgium. The city with a population of 1 million 850 thousand people is the center of the French and Flemish communities, which is why most of the residents speak French. Brussels is located inside the second city walls. concentrated on Avenue Louise, Grand Place.

Antwerp

The second settlement after the capital. The city is the capital of the region of the same name, built on the banks of the Scheldt River. The headquarters of the world's largest banks are located here, fairs and international exhibitions are held here. In addition, the best diamond workshops operate in Antwerp. The craftsmanship of jewelers is recognized all over the world. It is very difficult to list everything; there are many museums, palaces, fountains, parks and, of course, a zoo.

The main settlement of West Flanders and a popular trading center during the Middle Ages. located in the area between the station, the central square and the market.

The city has many museums, cathedrals, temples and basilicas, palaces. A unique historical site is the Lace Making Center. An ancient mill has been preserved in Bruges, and the number of bridges is more than 80.

A city-museum, the church and sacred life of the country is concentrated here. Liege is the main settlement of the province of the same name, located at the place where the Ourthe and Meuse rivers connect. It’s comfortable to explore during a river cruise – water transport here works properly.

It is located 65 km from the capital and is the main city of the French-speaking part of the country. The history of Namur is quite tragic, since a lot of blood was shed here. For many decades in Namur there was a struggle for possession of the city, because from a geographical point of view the settlement was of great strategic importance. To protect Namur from attacks, a fortress was built, which, after numerous reconstructions and fortifications, turned into a work of serf art. The citadel, together with the adjacent park, covers an area of ​​70 hectares. Another famous Namur attraction is the Royal Theater. .

The second name of the city is Queen of the Belgian Coast, because the settlement is located on the shores of the North Sea. The main attractions of Ostend are comfortable beaches, casinos, vibrant nightlife and horse racing at the hippodrome.

A famous historical site is the Peter and Paul Church, dating back to the 19th and 20th centuries. Another attraction of Ostend is the three-masted sailing ship Mercator. The city's five beaches are connected by a tram route. See an overview of the city and attractions of Ostend.

The city is the capital of eastern Flanders and is based on the banks of the Scheldt River. There is a large seaport and the Ghent-Terneusen canal here. In addition to its large number, it is revered as the largest educational center, where students study at the oldest university. Historical architectural monuments are concentrated along the embankment - the Lys Canal, the cloth market, Gravensteen Palace. There are many theaters and museums in Ghent; people come here to try the famous bacon and Ghent cheese with herbs.

The city of students is located on the banks of the Deila River. The university, founded at the beginning of the 15th century, is located here. The educational institution is divided into two parts - the Flemish part is located in Leuven, and the Walloon part is in Louvain-la-Neuve. The town hall, built in the Gothic style, attracts the attention of tourists.

The production of beer under the Stella Artois brand was founded in Leuven in the mid-14th century. The university even has a Faculty of Brewing Academy. Every year the city holds a competition to choose the best bartender. Read .

The city is located between the capital and Anterpen, built on the banks of the Deila River. The settlement was swamped, water was pumped out through special canals. After the Second World War, Mechelen was completely restored, and now it is one of the most beautiful Belgian cities. It was here that the first railway in Europe was put into operation at the beginning of 1835. The main attraction of the city is the Cathedral of St. Rumold and the Church of Our Lady.

Charleroi

Located 50 km from Brussels. Initially it was a fortress, but gradually its territory increased. The city is named after the Spanish monarch Charles II. The second name of the settlement is the Black Country; coal mining was actively carried out here in numerous mines, and the metallurgical industry developed. Tourists are attracted by the town hall, decorated in a neoclassical style, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Basilica of St. Christopher. Detailed.

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Culture, holidays and festivals

The Belgians are a unique people who combine the punctuality of the Germans, the prudence of the Dutch and the politeness of the British. Perhaps this is why it is impossible to describe the inhabitants of Belgium in one word. Here lies the border dividing Europe into the Germanic north and the Latin south. The division is felt in culture, linguistic characteristics, everyday life, and politics. From time to time, news appears around the world about the collapse of Belgium into two parts, but the rumors are clearly exaggerated. Numerous wars that tore the state apart from the inside taught the Belgians to value peace and tranquility.

Good to know! Residents of Belgium are proud of their Walloon and Flemish roots, while at the same time revere family values.

In Europe, Belgium is considered a boring country; the myth probably appeared against the backdrop of the extravagant French, Dutch and Germans who know how to advertise themselves. The natural modesty of the Belgians is due to the fact that over many centuries the country was conquered and ruled by different states. That is why local residents prefer not to attract attention to themselves and remain in the shadows.

Characteristic features of Belgium and its inhabitants:

• culture is based on contradictions;
• society respects traditions, but tries to take an active part in the formation of a new Europe;
• there is a developed state bureaucracy here;
• there are a huge number of laws in force in the country;
• Belgians are capable of eating and drinking all day long, but still find time to get all the work done.

Formality, politeness, capitalist and medieval values ​​coexist in one Belgian. Residents of the country know how to earn money in order to live, if not luxuriously, but with dignity.

The Belgians love to relax; in terms of the number of holidays and special days, the state is ahead of many European countries.

The most interesting events:

Kitchen

Based on three powerful pillars - the standards of French, Dutch and German cuisine. That is why the Belgian menu is rightfully considered the most diverse in Europe. Meat, fish, seafood, and vegetables are excellently prepared here. All products are grown in the country.

First courses, as a rule, are puree soups and fish soups. The famous Flemish carbonate, rabbit in beer, mussels and oysters are valued all over the world. As for desserts, it is impossible not to fall in love with the delicate, incredibly tasty Liege waffles and Belgian chocolate.

Interesting fact! The Belgian airport sells more chocolate every year than the entire country.

Belgium is a country of beer; the drink is prepared according to unique, ancient recipes, some of which add non-standard ingredients - cherry or raspberry juice, honey or rice. Another popular national product is cheese. The country produces more than 140 varieties of cheese according to different recipes.

Geography

Belgium is located in the northwestern part of Europe, mainly on a flat area that stretches from two lowlands - the Campines and Flanders to the Ardennes Mountains.

Village in the Ardennes Mountains

In the north of Belgium there are the North Sea dunes. Here, on the coast of the Scheldt, the city of Antwerp, recognized as the largest port in the world, was built.

In addition to the Scheldt, there are other waterways in the country:

• the rivers Meuse and Leie;
• Albert, Ghent-Ostend and Scheldt-Maas canals.

The highest point in Belgium, Mount Botrange, is located in a rather picturesque place - on a swampy plateau, which was formed as a result of tectonic forces. The height of the point is almost 695 meters. The special location of the plateau has created a unique climate here, reminiscent of pristine places untouched by man.

In the middle of the last century, this part of the country was recognized as a nature reserve to preserve the amazing microclimate, flora and fauna. A fir forest was planted on the plateau. The park is open to the public and has hiking trails with signs to guide travelers through the marshy areas.

Helpful information! There are many legends and myths associated with the plateau. There are known cases when people died in the quagmire, this is confirmed by crosses and stones installed along the excursion trails. At the end of the 16th century, the merchant Pierre Panhouse disappeared here, and a high column was erected in his memory.

The coastal zone is formed by a lowland that stretches along the North Sea through Flanders and Campina. Sand dunes form Flanders' natural flood protection.

The Ardennes area is represented by low hills scattered throughout the valleys. To the northwest of the mountains rise central plateaus 200 meters high. The area looks like frozen waves. The Ardennes zone and the plateau are separated by the Meuse and Sambre rivers.

It is important to know! In summer, Belgian time lags behind Moscow by 1 hour, and in winter - by 2 hours. On the last Sunday in March, clocks are set forward 1 hour, and on the last Sunday in October, clocks are set back 1 hour.

Climate and weather

Considering that Belgium occupies a fairly modest territory in Europe, there is not a large temperature spread here.

• winter temperature in mountainous areas is about -1 degrees, in the central part of the country - +2 degrees, and in coastal regions - +3 degrees;
• in summer the temperature varies from +16 to +20 degrees depending on the region.

The warmest months are from the second half of spring to September, but even in hot weather the temperature almost never rises above +30 degrees.

Belgium is considered quite rainy, with up to 1000 mm of precipitation falling throughout the year. In the mountains, precipitation levels reach 1500 mm. The weather in the cold season is windy, snow falls, but not too much.

On a note! The weather in Belgium is mostly cloudy, with the most sunny days in April and September.

The water in the North Sea is +5 degrees in winter, and +18 degrees in summer.

Currency, plastic cards

The main monetary unit is the Euro. Currency can be exchanged in banks, hotels, post offices and exchange offices. The most favorable rate is presented in banks and post offices. Hotels have ATMs that also provide currency exchange services.

Helpful information:

It is important! ATMs (Geldautomat) are installed in separate booths; only one person can be inside.

A VAT refund can be issued provided that the goods were purchased in a store that is part of the TAX FREE system; the purchase amount must be more than 125 euros. The client signs two receipts for the amount of tax; the documents are presented upon leaving the country and must be sent to the store within three months. Otherwise, the tax will be debited from the bank card.

A is a topic for a separate article.

Transport

The easiest way to travel in Belgium is by train. This country has the best railway connections, connecting all Belgian cities. Each train has two classes of carriages. There are three types of trains:

• expressways;
• intercity traffic (stops in big cities);
• regional services (stop at all stations).

Tickets can be purchased at station ticket offices, from special machines, as well as from conductors; in this case, you will have to pay an additional 7 euros.

Approximate prices for tickets from the capital:

• to Antwerp – 8.00 euros;
• in Bruges – 15.00 euros;
• to Ghent – ​​9.50 euros.

Helpful information! Before purchasing, it is better to check the cost of tickets on the official website of the Belgian railway. To save money and time, you can purchase an Interrail Benelux Pass - a ticket that gives you the right to an unlimited number of trips for 3 to 8 days. The cost is 90 euros for tourists from 12 to 27 years old and 120 euros for adults.

There is a bus service, but it is not very common in Belgium. Travel takes longer.

The largest Belgian bus operators:

• Eurolines (website – www.eurolines.fr) – flights depart from the capital and other major cities to European capitals, tickets cost from 15 to 35 euros, the journey takes from several hours;
• De Lijn (website – delijn.be) – the company is engaged in commuter transportation in Flanders;
• TEC (tec-wl.be) - the company is engaged in commuter transport in Wallonia;
• STIB (stib-mivb.be) is a company engaged in commuter transport in Brussels and the capital's suburbs.

Helpful information! Bus transportation is most popular in mountainous regions where there is no railway connection.

Water transport

Comfortable liners regularly cruise along Belgian rivers. From Vilvoorde to Brussels you can take a boat ride; a ticket costs from 2 to 5 euros.

Ferry service:

• P&O (website – poferries.com) – ferries run from Zeebrugge to Hull, the journey takes 14 hours, you will have to pay 162 euros for two people and a car;
• TransEuropa Ferries (website – transeuropaferries.com) – ferries run from Ostend to Ramsgate, the journey takes 4 hours, you need to pay 60 euros for a car with all passengers.

Please note that the schedule changes frequently due to weather conditions.

Transport within cities

All cities have buses and trams, and the capital and Antwerp have a metro. All public transport operates from 6-00 to 00-00. There are night routes in large cities.

Fare:

• Brussels – 2.10 euros;
• Antwerp – 3 euros.

If you are planning an active holiday and will often use public transport, buy a ticket for all types of transport worth 5 euros for 1 day.

Those who love comfort are better off taking a taxi. There are parking lots in all cities, there are many of them. You can also order a taxi by phone. Taxi rates:

• landing – from 2 to 2.50 euros;
• 1 km – 1.15 euros.

It is important! Cycling in Belgium is not very convenient as the roads in the historical areas are paved with cobblestones. If you still dare to travel by bicycle, renting will cost from 3 euros for 2 hours.

Rent a Car

Belgian roads are some of the best in Europe. Local drivers are attentive and polite. Tourist cities are located quite close to each other, so renting a car is a great way to travel around the country.

Rental points are located at the airport and big cities. Foreign tourists can rent transport from the following companies:

• Avis;
• Hertz;
• Buget;
• Europcar.

List of documents:

• international passport;
• driver license;
• card with the required amount.

Car rental prices (per day):

• passenger car – 45 euros;
• SUV – 85 euros;
• minivan – 110 euros.

Deposit – from 600 to 1000 euros. The cost of gasoline varies from 1.30 to 1.40 euros per liter.

In general, Belgian highways are free. You will only have to pay for travel through the tunnel under the Scheldt.

Note! In Belgium, compliance with traffic rules is strictly controlled; violations of them are subject to large fines, including deprivation of rights.

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Visas

Belgium is a Schengen territory, so you will need a visa to cross the border. Residents of Ukraine who have received a biometric passport can visit Belgium and other Schengen countries without a visa.

What kind of visas are issued:

• short-term - necessary for tourists, foreigners to visit relatives and friends, for business trips (stay period - up to 90 days);
• long-term – issued for training, entrepreneurial activity, work in Belgium, treatment and marriage;
• transit – issued when a tourist remains in a transit zone in Belgium, valid for no more than 5 days.

A package of documents is submitted to the Belgian embassy. The application is processed from 3 days to two weeks. If a representative of the embassy submits a request to the Belgian Foreign Ministry, the period for processing documents increases.

It is important! Documents must be submitted at least three weeks before departure.

The Belgian Border Guard has the right to refuse entry into the country for the following reasons:

• there is no amount required for travel;
• there is no confirmation of hotel reservation, official invitation or letter from the employer.

Customs requirements and regulations:

• import and export of any amount is allowed;
• Duty-free import applies to 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, a liter of strong alcoholic drinks, 2 liters of wine, 0.5 kg of coffee, 100 g of tea, 50 g of perfume;
• the duty is not paid on personal use products in the amount of less than 64.45 euros per person (amount for a child under 15 years old - 24.79 euros);
• Jewelry weighing more than 0.5 kg is subject to declaration upon entry into the country.

Note! The import of meat, dairy products, canned food, and chocolates is prohibited.

Pets must be vaccinated before travel; there must be a corresponding certificate issued ten days before travel.

Communications and Wi-Fi

cellular

Roaming is available to subscribers of Beeline and Megafon operators. If it is important for you to be constantly in touch, it is better to purchase a SIM card from a Belgian telecom operator. The most common provider is Belgacom. Rates for 4G:

• 2 GB – 15 euros;
• 4 GB – 25 euros;
• 8 GB – 35 euros.

There are many Wi-Fi access points in Belgium, they are in cafes and in all hotels. As a rule, connecting to the Internet does not require a password; access points are open. The connection speed is high.

The country code in the international directory is 32. In Belgian cities there are telephone booths from which you can call outside Belgium. There are reference books inside. There are several ways to pay for calls:

• coins - there are almost no such machines left;
• telephone cards - the cost varies from 3 to 25 euros depending on the number of minutes;
• credit cards.

The most expensive time to call is from 8-00 to 12-00, the cheapest calls are from 18-00 to 08-00.

Belgium is a state where the best chocolate, original cheeses, hundreds of types of beer, bureaucracy, delicate lace, rich oil paints, and medieval castles are miraculously mixed. In ancient times, Walloons and Flemings lived on the territory of the state, who determined the individuality of the Belgians.

Professional video with views of the main cities of Belgium - interesting and pleasant to watch!

1. Brussels South Charleroi Airportis is the most punctual airport in Europe. In the list of the most punctual airports in the world, it took second place after the Japanese Osaka International.

2. The Law Courts of Brussels is the largest in the world. Its area is 26,000 m2, which is 5,000 m2 larger than St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.

Express information on the country

Belgium (Kingdom of Belgium)- a state in Western Europe.

Capital– Brussels

Largest cities: Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent, Liege, Charleroi, Bruges

Form of government– A federal state that is a constitutional monarchy

Territory– 30,528 km 2 (139th in the world)

Population– 11.2 million people. (77th in the world)

official languages– Dutch, French, German

Religion– Catholicism

HDI– 0.890 (21st in the world)

GDP– $531.5 billion (25th in the world)

Currency– euro

Borders with: Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, France

3. Tax rates in Belgium are among the highest in Europe. For people with high incomes, taxes are about 57.8%. Tax revenues account for 48% of the country's GDP.

4. The first skyscraper in Europe was built in Belgium. It was Torengebouw, built in 1928 in Antwerp. It is still the tallest building in Antwerp – 96 m (26 floors). Another Art Deco building, now known as Boerentoren or KBC Tower, was the tallest on the continent until 1940, when Terazza Martini appeared in Genoa, Italy. Belgium is also home to Europe's oldest shopping arcade, The Galeries St Hubert, which opened in Brussels in 1847.

5. Belgium's divorce rate is the highest in Western Europe – about 70%. Only Latvia and Lithuania are ahead.

6. The longest tram line in the world, the Kusttram (shore tram), is located in Belgium. The 68 km route runs along the Belgian coast between the borders with France and Holland. Between the terminal stations Knokke-Heist and De Panne the tram makes 68 stops. In summer it runs every 10 minutes.

7. Brussels is second in the world in terms of international presence after New York. Brussels is home to approximately 120 international government organizations, 1,400 non-governmental organizations and 181 embassies with 3,000 diplomats. Brussels is home to the European headquarters of 2,000 international organizations, as well as the headquarters of the European Union and NATO.

8. Belgian architect Victor Horta was one of the ideologists of the Art Nouveau style (Art Nouveau) . Four of the houses he designed are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. One of them today houses a museum, the other three are hotels. The architect also contributed to the development of the Art Deco movement.

Building designed by Victor Horta

9. Belgium has the highest urbanization rate in Europe. 98% of citizens live in urban areas and cities, this is also one of the highest levels in the world.

10. Belgian highways can be seen from the Moon. All the country's highways are perfectly lit and are one of the few human creations that are visible over vast distances at night. Belgium is one of the ten countries with the most extensive network of roads and railways. But! TomTom ranked Brussels seventh in the list of the busiest cities in Europe.

11. The Belgians have won the Tour de France more often than others. Only the French won more victories. The most famous Belgian champion cyclists are Eddy Merckx and Philippe Thys.

12. Belgium is the world leader in the number of castles.

13. ShOkolads have been made in Belgium for almost 400 years. The first evidence of this dates back to 1635. Today Belgium produces more than 173 thousand tons of chocolate per year, and there are 2 thousand chocolate shops in the country.

14. Antwerp is the diamond capital of the world. Experts estimate that the market's annual turnover is more than 20 billion euros, which is three times more than the next player, the United States. Diamonds have been sold in Antwerp since 1447. Today, the city accounts for 80% of the world market for rough diamonds and more than 50% of cut diamonds. The Flemish jeweler Lodewyk van Bercken is believed to have invented the pear cut and the polishing wheel (scaif). In memory of his services, a statue was erected to him near the diamond quarter of Antwerp.

15. Belgium is the world's leading exporter of billiard balls. Almost 80% of all billiard balls are made in Belgium. Established in 1923, Saluc AC has its own chemical plant where it produces the phenolic resin that gives Aramith balls their glossy finish and rigidity.