Important information about Belgium. Belgium: interesting facts

Modern Belgium is a relatively young state, it is only 178 years old. Its history, on the contrary, is ancient and very eventful.

Long road to independence

The name of the country comes from the word "Belgi" - that was the name of the people who lived here since ancient times. It is known, for example, that in 54 AD. e. this land was conquered by the restless Julius Caesar, which he reported in the report on the Gallic War: the name of the population already appears there.

After the collapse of the Roman Empire, the Franks organized their state here, and then the territory kept changing hands, being either part of the Duchy of Burgundy (end of the 15th - the middle of the 16th century), then belonging to Spain (until early XVIII century). It got ridiculous: in 1713 Belgium was on the map of the Holy Roman Empire, and after 23 years, in 1792, it was the territory of France.

Then took place, called upon to "put things in order in Europe" after the Napoleonic "redrawing of borders". As a result of this worthy forum, modern Belgium became part of the Netherlands. I must say that this turn of events did not particularly inspire the population of the country, especially the French-speaking.

Belgian "number one"

Discontent turned into a revolution: 15 years after the aforementioned congress, in 1830, "a small but proud country" became an independent state. From the very beginning of its existence, which, as expected, is headed by the King of Belgium, who is a rather decorative figure. Of course, formally it is he who appoints the government, but the composition of the Cabinet of Ministers must be coordinated with the parliament (which, in fact, is the main one in the country).

A funny incident that occurred in 1990 can serve as proof. Then King Baudouin I of Belgium flatly refused to sign the abortion law, and without his signature the document could not come into force. Then the Legislative Assembly showed the clearest example of deceit and casuistry, having voted to recognize the obstinate monarch as incapacitated - just for one day. This was quite enough: the functions were transferred to the prime minister, who “waved” the law.

Tolerant Belgians

An important factor that Belgium constantly has to reckon with is the language spoken by its citizens. This is reflected even in the state administration system: for example, in the government, half of the ministers represent the French-speaking part of the population, the other - the Flemish-speaking one. The administrative division derives largely from this principle, into the Walloon and Flemish regions respectively. Another, third, is the Brussels Capital, but politics and economics have already played their role here.

In general, there are three official languages ​​in Belgium. In addition to the already mentioned French, German also has the same rights. And this despite the fact that only part of the Liege province speaks it. Belgium is truly amazing and worthy of imitation: the language, because of which some peoples exterminate each other, does not tear it apart.

The tolerance of the Belgians, their ability to negotiate, to meet each other halfway, defying all restrictions and prejudices, can only be admired. Recently, the news that same-sex marriage has been legalized in the United States has stirred up news. “Eka unseen,” Belgium has the right to say on this occasion, Interesting Facts about which they contain, for example, information that such liberties have been allowed here since 2003.

In addition, it is one of three countries in Europe that officially allow euthanasia. At the same time, no one was embarrassed that the majority of the population (over 70%) consider themselves Catholics, for whom such an approach to human life seems to be unacceptable.

A bit of geography

The territory of the state is small - only 30.5 thousand square kilometers. The population is also not impressive: a little more than 11 million people (for comparison: more than 8 million live in London alone). But its density is one of the highest in Europe.

Those who are interested, on the map, should turn their eyes to the northwest of the continent. There, between the Netherlands, Germany, France and Luxembourg, it flourishes (the standard of living of the Belgians is very high, the state consistently ranks in the top twenty of the best in many respects).

It is not famous for some supernatural variety of landscapes which most often lie in a completely different plane (anthropogenic). The pattern is simple: the farther from the coast (in the west, the waves of the North Sea caress the country), the higher the terrain. In this regard, Belgium is straightforward and is divided into low, medium (central plateau) and high (Ardennes).

The climate, as they say, is temperate, characteristic of most coastal regions. Neither it is especially hot (in July - a maximum of 25 degrees on the coast), nor especially cold (up to minus three in winter) does not happen here. Rain is by no means a rare phenomenon, and travelers should also keep in mind that it is much cooler in the Ardennes than on the coast.

Heart of Europe

If you try to say briefly about Belgium, then this is a typical European country, embodying all the notorious "Western values". It is not in vain that Brussels is the capital of the EU and the European Parliament, whose huge modern building is one of the local attractions. The countless mirrors, of which the walls of the structure are almost entirely composed, reflect either the blue of the sky, or the rising sun, or gloomy gray clouds.

Anyone can visit it, who will pass the preliminary registration procedure and deign to come with an identity document. After checking with a metal detector for any harmful excesses (like weapons), it is absolutely not a problem to even attend any meeting.

Inside the building, in addition to rooms of purely functional significance, there are cafes and souvenir shops where you can have a bite to eat and buy something for memory, and you can take a booklet with a list of all the rights of a resident of the European Union (in the language of all its members) for free.

History and modernity

Of course, the European Parliament, for all its grandeur, is far from the main attraction of Brussels. The most famous character, without which no description of Belgium can do, is the famous Manneken Pis, reproduced countless times on postcards and souvenirs. The Brussels people are very fond of their sweet, devoid of complexes child and, on the occasion of various holidays, dress him up in appropriate outfits, the number of which has long exceeded six hundred.

It is fair to say that almost everything that Belgium is famous for, interesting facts about which are countless, was created by human hands. Almost every ancient town can boast of the most magnificent examples of medieval architecture.

Venice of the North and "Mini Europe"

Entire ensembles of wonderful Gothic buildings are the main charm of Brussels, and Ghent, and Antwerp, and Bruges. The latter, among other things, has become widely known as the Venice of the North, since it is also dotted with canals along which boats slowly move.

Narrow streets, charming temples, magnificent royal palaces - all this is everyday life, which reflects the history of Belgium. The attitude towards tourists here is the most reverent, excursions are numerous and varied, and the number of attractions is truly huge, you can’t see it in a month.

But the witty Belgians provide an opportunity to see all the main continents in less than a day: in the Brussels Mini-Europe park, on an area of ​​​​24 thousand square meters, copies (a quarter of the real size) huddle everything that many cities of the continent are proud of. Here you have Big Ben and the Eiffel Tower at a distance of a few steps from each other.

Belgian trace in world art

But seriously, Belgium, reviews of which do not contain negative at all, is more proud of the original works of art, of which there are many. For example, the Cathedral of the Mother of God in Bruges is the owner of the sculpture "Madonna and Child" by Michelangelo. This is the only statue of Buonarotti that left Italy during the life of the master, since it was originally intended specifically for this temple.

In addition, the history of Belgium contains another glorious page that is not related to politics, but to culture: Flemish painting is one of the most outstanding and original phenomena in the visual arts. She gave the planet such magnificent masters as Jan van Eyck, Rubens and others. Many canvases belonging to the brush of outstanding artists are kept in the Royal Museums of Fine Arts, owned by the state.

Tourist paradise

In Belgium, everyone will find something to their liking. You can enthusiastically look at the monuments of medieval architecture, visit the museum of modern sculptural art, lie on the sand or relax in one of the local pubs: over eight hundred varieties of beer are brewed here (moreover, the Belgians themselves consider the advertised world-famous "Heineken" to be almost the worst of them).

It is impossible to talk about Belgium and not say a word about the famous local chocolate, which is produced annually in the amount of 220 thousand tons. Thoughtful Internet researchers even calculated that, on average, every Belgian eats almost a bar of a sweet product a day.

Of course, this is hardly true, and not only because “there are lies, blatant lies and statistics”, but also for the prosaic reason that a fair amount of the chocolate produced is exported, which means it’s not the Belgians who eat it at all. Which, however, do not lose heart at all about this.

Discreet uniqueness

Discreet, non-aggressive, but unique, original and inimitable - these are the epithets that Belgium fully deserves. Interesting facts about the "harsh everyday life" of the local population can be given for hours. Whatever you touch: lifestyle, legislation or culture - everything reveals a peculiar local approach.

Here, for example, in Belgium, no one has the right to study, since this process is not treated at all as a great good and not accessible to everyone, but as a tedious duty. Until 18 - must study, after 18 - go to the polls and vote. True, no one feels disadvantaged by such "rabid despotism", which proves the complete absence of emigration. No one wants to leave here - quite the contrary. And Belgium demonstrates amazing hospitality: it ranks second (after Canada) in the world in terms of the number of foreigners who have received citizenship.

You love vacation at sea?

You love trips ?

Would you like to do it more often ?

And you know that whilecan you earn more?

Your extra income 10,000 - 50,000 rubles per month working at the same time as a regional representative In your city You can start working without any experience...

… or just help your friends and acquaintances to choose profitable last minute tours online and save up for your vacation...

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Country Description

The main wealth of Belgium is its cultural heritage: beautiful paintings by great artists, ancient castles of world importance, luxurious chocolates and a huge variety of beers. Belgium is a country where the cultures of northern Flemish and southern Walloon have merged. North and south speak different languages ​​and are skeptical of each other's cultural heritage, which does not prevent Belgium from being a diversified country. Perhaps, in no other country in Europe there are so many holidays arranged as in Belgium. The busiest months in Brussels are July and August. The festive carnival also marks the arrival of spring.

Geography

Lost between the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg and France, Belgium is one of the tiny countries of Mother Europe. The north part of the country is flat plains, the south is dominated by the picturesque Ardennes, and the coastline of the North Sea is completely captured by fashionable resorts. And below, Belgium is criss-crossed with a network of water utilities.

Time

Behind Moscow for 2 hours.

Climate

The territory of Belgium is located in the temperate zone. The strong influence of the sea air masses of the Atlantic determines the oceanic climate, characterized by moderate temperatures. Sometimes winter can bring you dry cold and sunshine, but such weather always alternates with rainy and foggy periods. In summer, sunny weather is not guaranteed, but it can be hot. Even within such a small country, climate fluctuations are noticeable: between a very temperate coast and the Ardennes heights, the temperature difference is constantly within 5 ° C. The rainiest months are April and November. Even in summer it is worth taking with you, except for an umbrella, light raincoat. If you are going to travel in winter, warm clothes will not hurt: despite the usual zero temperature in January, dry frost can hit. Belgium has cool summers and fairly mild winters.

Language

Official languages: Dutch, French, German.

Religion

The Belgian constitution guarantees freedom of religion. Most believers are Catholics. Islam, Protestantism, Judaism, Anglicanism, Orthodoxy are also officially recognized.

Population

The population of Belgium is about 10,584,534 as of January 2007. Brussels has a population of 1,018,804 in 19 metropolitan district municipalities, two of which have over 100,000 inhabitants.

The two main groups that make up the country's population are the Flemings (about 60% of the population) and the Walloons (about 40% of the population). The Flemings live in the five northern provinces of Belgium (see Flanders) and speak Dutch and its many dialects (see Flemish). The Walloons live in the five southern provinces that make up Wallonia and speak French, Walloon and some other languages. After gaining independence, Belgium was a French-oriented state, and the only official language at first was French, although the Flemings always made up the majority of the population. Even in Flanders, French remained for a long time the only language of secondary and higher education.

Electricity

Electricity - 220 V, 50 Hz, plugs with two round pins.

Emergency Phones

Police - 101.
Rescue service and ambulance - 100.
Embassy of Russia in Belgium tel.: (32-2) 374-3400, 374-5738, 374-6886, 374-2613

Connection

In order to call Brussels from Russia, you need to dial 8-10-32-2 - the subscriber's number. 32 is the telephone code of Belgium, 2 is the code of Brussels. The cost of 1 minute of a call on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. is 15 rubles, at night from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. - 10 rubles. (Prices are the same for Moscow and St. Petersburg).

Currency exchange

The currency of Belgium is Belgian francs. One US dollar equals approximately 30 Belgian francs. Banks are open from Monday to Friday from 9.00-9.30 to 16.00-17.00 with an hour lunch break, and also in the evening until 18.00 once a week (each bank has its own day). Many currency exchange offices are open until 21.00-22.00, as well as on weekends. You can exchange currency at any bank, hotel, airport or train station (an additional tax is charged, the rate is less favorable at night), as well as in private exchange offices (the rate is less profitable and commissions are higher).

Visa

To enter the Benelux countries, a Schengen visa is required. Visa processing time - from four working days.

Customs regulations

In Belgium, you can import duty-free up to 250 milliliters of eau de toilette or 50 milliliters of perfume, 1 camera and 12 films, 1 video camera and 6 films. The amount of duty-free import of souvenirs, fuel, wine and other goods - up to 430 euros for those traveling by air and by sea; up to 300 euros - by land. It is allowed to import duty-free no more than 40 cigarettes (or 10 cigars, or 20 cigarillos, or 50 g of tobacco), no more than 0.5 liters of drinks with a strength of up to 22% or more, as well as still wines, and no more than 2 liters of beer.

Holidays and non-working days

Belgium has many beautiful holidays with interesting national traditions. For example, the procession of the Holy Blood of Christ in Bruges. Once every two years, the Belgians spread a carpet of flowers on the central square of Brussels. This autumn, in September, this cobbled square was covered with a layer of soil, many bright flowers were planted in it, which turned out to be a complex whimsical ornament - a spectacle that invariably attracts the attention of tourists. This year in Malin - the city of bells and "raspberry ringing" - the procession of the Holy Virgin Mary will also take place. This theatrical performance with scenes from the Bible is dedicated to the 2000th anniversary of the birth of Christ. July 11: Battle of the Golden Spurs
July 21: Leopold I takes the oath. At 23.00 - fireworks on the roof of the Palace of the Academy.
27 September: Belgian revolution
June 29 to July 1: Brussels commemorates the lavish festivities held in honor of Charles V in 1549. The Ommengang was once a civil and religious procession of all walks of life. Now it is one of the secular events, as the characters are members of the famous families of the city. 20 July: Ghent festivities. Last a week.

Queen Elizabeth Music Competition. Arranged by nominations - violin, piano and vocals. In spring, Brussels turns into a city of music lovers.

Europalia Festival. This is an interdisciplinary festival that presents each year in autumn the culture of one particular nation.

Transport

Transport in Belgium is cheap and high level comfort, which slightly compensates for the rather expensive and largely unreasonably high housing prices. Despite the huge bus network, renting a car is the best option for getting around Belgium. The whole country is covered by the railway, the structure of which is very well thought out and efficient. The fastest transport is intercity trains, followed by interregional and then local. Large cities such as Brussels and Antwerp have a metro and other forms of public transport, including trams, etc. Taxis, which crowd at all central bus stations and airports, are expensive and operate exclusively on the meter. Cycling is popular on the northern plains, and most roads are equipped with additional lanes for cyclists. There are bicycle rentals at the railway stations. You can also hire a boat to travel along the rivers and canals.

Tips

Tipping is officially included in all bills, but in cafes and restaurants you can leave 5-10% of the bill for service.

The shops

Making purchases in Belgian stores marked with the Tax Free sign and receiving a special receipt, you can get back ~ 13% of the cost of the goods upon departure (when buying at least 125 euros).

National cuisine

Belgians love good food. The country has an abundance of restaurants from the most luxurious to those accessible to the general public, where you can taste the best national dishes. Typical Belgian dishes can be complemented by French cuisine. Many cheeses are made in Belgium and a large number of varieties are sold in the markets. homemade cheese. The national drink is beer, which has more than 300 varieties. Among them there is beer with the addition of cherry and raspberry juice. Also popular in Belgium is chocolate, which has been traditionally produced here for many years. The country has a huge number of restaurants for all tastes and any budget. At the same time, the number of bistros and cheap eateries is quite small. The most inexpensive way to "eat" is in the numerous cafes (in Flanders they are called "eetcafe"), each with its own cuisine, often quite refined, but inexpensive. At home and even in a restaurant, Belgians most often do not order a full meal, but eat quite simply, but a lot.

Attractions

Atomium- This is a model of the iron molecule built for the 1958 World Exhibition, enlarged 165 billion times, one of the attractions of Brussels. The atomium is the symbol of Belgium. Ride the elevator to a height of 122 meters for a panoramic view of Brussels. Mini Europa Park near the Atomium houses a grandiose collection of 1:25 scale models of over 300 famous buildings and landmarks from 15 EU countries, including Big Ben and Vesuvius. From mid-July to mid-August, the models featured in the park are lit up until 11 pm on Fridays and weekend evenings.

The time of laying the Cathedral Cathedral of St. Rombout in Mechelen is shrouded in mystery. It is reliably known that the abbey in the city was founded in the 8th century by the Irish monk Rombout, who traveled around Europe with the aim of converting peoples to Christianity. He was canonized after his martyrdom. The decoration of the cathedral is the unfinished western tower, built between 1452 and 1578 according to the drawings of Vatier Culmans. Judging by the plans of the unfinished building, the tower was supposed to be crowned with a slender spire, rising to a height of 164 meters. The existing tower is 96 meters high, and the absence of a spire does not make it less harmonious. Each element of the tower emphasizes its verticality and serves to create the impression of power and lightness at the same time, which gave Vauban, the remarkable inventor of military equipment under Louis XIV, the reason to call the tower the eighth wonder of the world.

Abbey Stavelot(XVI - XVII centuries) was once the center of monastic culture. Now it houses the town hall and two museums. In the treasury of the church of St. Sebastian, XVIII century, there is a silver reliquary with the relics of the blessed Remaclus (XIII century), decorated with gilding and enamel.

Itta, the widow of Pepin the Long, founded here around 650 together with her daughter, St. Gertrude, monastery. Parish Church of St. Gertrude XI century - an excellent example of the Ottonian Romanesque style in architecture. The monumental building with a main nave 102 meters long, two transverse aisles and two choirs has a heavily rebuilt Romanesque western portal with a tower. Above the western choir is the imperial hall with three majestic domes, and under the eastern choir is a crypt with a cross vault and the remains of five former churches. The tomb of St. Gertrude is also located here.

Zutleuw is a fabulously picturesque town, and St Leonard's Church is his gem. This church, 13th-16th centuries, is the only church in Belgium that survived the pogroms of the iconoclasts and the storms of the French Revolution.

Manneken Pis (Manneken Pis) considered one of the main sights of Brussels.. This figurine, stolen and restored many times, originated in the 17th century and embodies the rebellious spirit of the Brussels burghers. Manneken-Pis became a legendary character in Brussels, a hero whose fame spread beyond the borders of the country.

Museum of Natural Sciences located near the European Parliament, contains one of the world's finest collections of dinosaur skeletons. The highlight of the collection are the skeletons of 14 iguanodons, found in 1878 in the coal mines of Bernissart, believed to be about 120 million years old. There are also exhibitions of mammals, insects, tropical shells and a gallery of whales. This stunning museum additionally features a special exhibition on the Arctic and Antarctic regions.

Royal Museum of Fine Arts- one of the most important museum complexes in Belgium is located near the Royal Square. It combines two of the richest museums, with collections from the 14th century to the present day - the Museum of Antique and the Museum of Modern Art, opened in 1984. The Museum of Ancient Art is famous for its collection of Old Masters, with works by Rubens, Bouts and Memling, small collections of Brueghel the elder and younger. The passage will take you to the Museum of Modern Art, with its wonderful collection of Belgian surrealists. Here are the works of Picasso, Chagall and Henry Moore.

City Museum- built in the neo-Gothic style of the King's House - which, contrary to its name, was never the home of the king. The museum contains a variety of collections dedicated to the art and history of Brussels. On the ground floor, you can enjoy 16th and 17th century tapestries, porcelain, silver and stone sculptures. As you climb the beautiful wooden staircase, you will be immersed in the history of Brussels through old maps, prints and photographs. Among the most charming exhibitions are old paintings and modern reconstructions of the historical center of the city. The museum's exposition also includes more than 650 costumes for the famous statue of Mannequin Pis.

Bouillon Castle- the oldest and most interesting of the medieval castles of Belgium of the 9th century. Its owner, Gottfried of Bouillon-V and the last of the line of the Dukes of Arden, sold the castle in order to use this money to lead the first crusade to Jerusalem in 1096. Bouillon Castle is located in a small town of the same name in the Semois Valley. The castle is one of the most picturesque places in Belgium. In January, the castle is open only on weekends, in other months - every day. Napoleon III stayed here after his defeat at the Battle of Sedan. From the observation deck of the castle, an amazing panorama of the bend of the Semois River and the town opens up.

Sponten Castle, the oldest of the castles in Belgium, is located in a valley, on an island, in the middle of the leisurely Bock River. This medieval castle was built from the 12th to the 19th century. Experts consider it a model of fortified architecture; using it as an example, you can get acquainted with the changes in building styles - from the early Gothic to the mature Renaissance.

Grand Place- the most beautiful square in the world, the heart of Brussels since the Middle Ages. The development of the Grand Place began in 1402 with the building of the town hall Hotel de Ville, which occupies most of its side of the square and was mostly completed in 1480. The original tower, 91 meters high, was built from 1449 to 1455. Its spire is crowned with a weather vane in the form of a five-meter copper figure of the Archangel Michael trampling on the devil. There are more than a hundred statues on the facade of the building, these are copies of ancient originals made in the last century. The interiors are richly decorated with Brussels wall hangings and paintings. Two fountains in the courtyard symbolize the two main rivers of Belgium - the Scheldt and the Meuse.

Resorts

Traveling to Belgium for a tourist begins, first of all, with Brussels- the cultural and political center of the country. Avenues and boulevards, the medieval center, old quarters, palaces and monuments, cozy cafes and, along with this, glass and concrete of administrative buildings - all this is Brussels.

Bruges- one of the most remarkable cities of West Flanders and Europe. This is a city of canals, which reflect houses with tiled roofs and bizarre bridges.

Capital city of East Flanders Ghent no less than Bruges, is the object of close attention of tourists. Nowhere else in Belgium are there so many magnificent old buildings.

The largest port in Belgium and the world's diamond center, where 70% of the world's diamond processing industry is concentrated, Antwerp famous for more than just that. The concentration of monuments of culture and antiquity is not inferior to other famous cities of Belgium.

Liege- the largest city of Wallonia with a thousand-year history. The center of Liege is a kind of architectural reserve and one of the largest pedestrian zones in Europe, 3 km long.

Brussels 22:55 2°C
It's clear

The population of the country is 10,403,000 people The territory is 30,510 sq. km Part of the world Europe Capital of Belgium Brussels Money Euro (EUR) Domain zone.be Telephone code of the country +32

Hotels

Belgium has the world's largest five-star hotel chains and small private establishments that allow you to fully feel the local flavor. A wide range of rooms and services provided allows you to choose the right option for any budget. Luxurious, fashionable hotels such as Metropole, Hilton, Royal Windso and Marriott coexist with modest 3-star establishments such as Queen Anne, Brugotel, Leonardo Hotel Antwerpen and many others. Belgian chateaus deserve special attention - old country houses of aristocrats, turned into hotels and restaurants.

Climate: Temperate, mild winters, cool summers, rainy, humid, overcast

Attractions

Literally every city in Belgium is rich in attractions, mainly architectural masterpieces, museums, fortresses and cathedrals. The symbol of Brussels is the Atonium - a greatly enlarged iron crystal, as well as the mini-Europa miniature park located nearby. Brussels is also home to the famous Manneken Pis statue.

In Antwerp, the Flemish Opera, the zoo, the Sten Castle and the Rubens House deserve attention. Ghent attracts tourists with its castles of Gerard the Devil and the counts of Flanders, the cathedrals of St. Bavo and St. Nicholas. In Bruges, there is one of the few works by Michelangelo that was taken out of Italy - the statue of the Virgin and Child.

Clothing is treated with disdain. They can easily throw a jacket on the ground or walk around in a torn and dirty one.

Terrain: Flat coastal plains in the northwest, hills in the center, rocky mountains and the forest of the Ardennes in the south.

Leisure

As entertainment, Belgium offers not only visits to local attractions, but also various entertainment events: incendiary parties in clubs and performances of show stars, visits to the Royal Theater and art exhibitions. Many holidays and festivals are held in the country: “Jazz Middelheim”, fireworks, cartoons and photography festivals, a competition of sand castles and run of old cars, an “Art Fair” and a bell concert, religious processions “Feast of the Sacred Blood” and “Hanswijk”. Beer lovers will find many colorful bars where you can taste more than 500 types of beer.

Resources:: Building materials, quartz sand, carbonates.

Museums

Fans of unusual museums of the World should definitely visit the cities of Brussels and Bruges, which, in addition to many historical and art museums, have unique objects: the Museum of Comics and the Museum of Beer. In Belgium, one of the most frequently visited museums is the Royal Museum of Fine Arts and the Diamond Museum in Antwerp. In addition, the Maritime Museum is located in Antwerp. It exhibits many exhibits of sunken ships. Ghent houses museums of the history of medicine, modern art, decorative arts, folklore and an archaeological museum.

At home, no one takes off their shoes, not even boots. They will sit, sweat, but they won't take it off.

Money:: Along with francs, for some time, belg was in circulation, which could be exchanged for gold bars until 1935. Before the latest, global changes in the Belgian currency, there were from 100 to 10,000 francs in circulation, on the obverses of which there were portraits of artists, inventors and politicians. Already since 2002, the national currency of Belgium has become the universally recognized currency of the euro.

Resorts

The most famous summer resort in Belgium is the seaside Ostend, with golden beaches, yacht clubs and an open city aquarium with rich underwater world. A little further west, among the dunes, is Middelkerk, where you can play golf or sand surf.

For families with children, Brussels and Cookside are the most suitable, with a variety of attractions and amusement parks. The historic resort of Spa is famous for its hot springs. Ski resorts in Belgium are also very popular. One of them is the Barrack de Frature, which attracts with its wide, gentle slopes. The largest diving centers are located in Bruges and Mechelen.

Transport

The main urban transport in Belgium are buses and trams. In addition, Brussels has three metro lines. The entire territory of the country is densely covered with a network of railways, the main transportation through which is carried out by fast trains. The main railway junction is Brussels, which has three main stations. More than 2,000 km of waterways are used primarily for commercial purposes. The largest trading ports are Antwerp and Bruges. International passenger transportation is carried out by bus and by plane. Major international airports are located in Brussels and Antwerp, while tourist charters serve Liège and Ostend-Bruges.

Belgians are very scary. And those who, like, are not very scary, try to appear scary and dress even worse. If you met on the street beautiful girl, then she is either Turkish or ours.

Standard of living

The basic indicators of the well-being of the Belgians are quite high, which puts Belgium in eighth place in the world among the countries with the most favorable standard of living. Despite the high taxes in the country, the average Belgian allows himself to have his own house, car, as well as travel regularly and get a decent education. The salary of a resident of Belgium is more than 26 thousand US dollars per year. Life expectancy in the country is 81 years. According to surveys, 83% of the country's residents most often experience positive emotions and satisfaction with their lives.

Cities

The capital of Belgium is Brussels. The city is best known in the world for the location of the headquarters of the European Union and the main office of NATO.

The second largest city is Antwerp, which is the largest port in Europe and the fashion and trade capital of Belgium.

Ghent is rightfully considered a major educational center in Belgium, and Liege is the main cargo center for air and sea transportation.

Belgium is essentially not a tourist country, but many come here to admire the architectural monuments of the Middle Ages. The most attractive city for tourists, Bruges is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Population

Coordinates

Brussels

metropolitan region

50.85045 x 4.34878

Antwerp

Flanders

51.21989 x 4.40346

Flanders

Charleroi

wallonia

50.41136 x 4.44448

wallonia

50.63373 x 5.56749

Flanders

51.20892 x 3.22424

wallonia

50.4669 x 4.86746

Flanders

50.87959 x 4.70093

wallonia

50.45413 x 3.95229

Flanders

Decided to organize a holiday in Belgium? Looking for the best hotels in Belgium, last minute tours to Belgium, resorts in Belgium and last minute deals? Interested in the weather in Belgium, prices, the cost of a trip to Belgium, do I need a visa to Belgium and would a detailed map of Belgium be useful? Would you like to see what Belgium looks like in photos and videos? What are the excursions and attractions in Belgium? What are the stars and reviews of hotels in Belgium?

Kingdom of Belgium- a small Western European country, with an area of ​​​​30510 square meters. km. The territory of the Kingdom of Belgium is small even by European standards. At first glance, this Western European state with beautiful houses and cottages, manicured fields and wide highways gives the impression of a toy.

Belgium airports: Brussels

Belgium hotels 1 - 5 stars

Belgium weather

Summer is cool and cloudy. Winters are cloudy and wet, with snow for a long time only in mountainous areas. The rainiest months are April and November. Throughout the year, westerly and southwesterly winds blow, which make the climate of Belgium mild and humid.

Brussels average temperature

Sights of Brussels

The capital of Belgium, Brussels, with almost a million inhabitants, is a kind of country in miniature. The name of the city can be translated from Old Flemish as "swan's nest". There is, however, a more prosaic version of its origin: from the Flemish "bruxella" - "village in the swamp." The city is located almost on the border of Wallonia and Flanders. The French language predominates here, although signs in the city are written in Flemish and French, which are equally used in communication.

Perhaps the main attraction of Brussels is the Grand-Place, one of the most beautiful squares in the world, called the majestic heart of the old city. here in the 13th century. fullers worked, trade rows were crowded, holidays were noisy and tournaments were organized, as well as courts were held. In 1568, the famous Duke of Alba ordered the beheading of Counts Egmont and Horn. After the bombing and devastating destruction inflicted by the French in 1695 during the siege of Brussels, the buildings of workshops and guilds around this vast (110x70 m) square were restored according to a well-thought-out plan and became even more elegant. Each of them has a unique look: intricate carvings, countless columns, garlands and sculptures adorn the facades with fantastic pediments.

It is hard to imagine Brussels without this square with a medieval ensemble of buildings surrounding it. The view of the elegant facades of ancient buildings with a large number of statues, lancet windows, pointed towers directed to the sky, patterned cornices, long corridors, doors with intricate carvings is so unusual that it is difficult for a traveler to immediately focus on one thing: the magnificent combination of Gothic and Baroque immediately captivates with its majestic beauty.

Sights of Antwerp

A walk around Antwerp is best to start from the embankment of the right bank of the Scheldt in order to appreciate the role of the Scheldt in the development of the city. Antwerp begins with the castle, which now, like many other famous and ancient buildings of the city, dispenses with its own name; it is simply called the Castle (but Flemish - Steen). The walls of the castle were laid back in the 9th century - the most colorful monument on the embankment and at the same time the oldest surviving remains of the settlement. It was the first fortress on the Scheldt River, the banks of which in those days were empty, low and swampy. Only the houses of the Normans testified that a city was founded here. Historians suggest that, perhaps, the Castle was founded by the Normans, but it was completed by the 10th century.

Once the Castle belonged to Gottfried of Bouillon, the famous leader of the first crusade, later it became the seat of city government, and during the Spanish rule, the Inquisition was located here. These were gloomy pages in Sten's history, when anyone suspected of heresy, disobedience to the authorities or freethinking, was awaited by torture and almost always one horse - a bonfire-auto-da-fé ("act of faith"). The castle received its current appearance in early XVI V. In the 19th century, the former architectural nobility of the Castle was somewhat spoiled by extensions in the false Gothic style. Dark fragments of ancient masonry are easy to distinguish from later buildings made of light sandstone. Today, the fortress houses the National Museum of Navigation (Nationaal Scheepvaartmuseum).

A picturesque view of the old pier opens from a nearby viewing platform. In clear weather, to the north of here, countless cranes of modern port facilities stretch to the horizon, and from the side of the city rises the majestic tower of the cathedral.

Sights of Bruges

Bruges - the capital of the province of West Flanders - is the real crown of travel to Belgium. The old city, indented by narrow channels, is a majestic example of urban planning of the late Middle Ages.

This small but completely unusual Belgian city, nicknamed the Venice of the North, looks like a treasure chest. It beckons travelers to get acquainted with its sights.

Acquaintance with the sights of Bruges should start from the Market Square. Here is the watchtower Belford - a symbol of the resilience of the townspeople and the independence of the city.

50 bells of chimes, located at the level of the upper observation deck of the tower, can be called unique, which ring out their melody every hour. Adjoining the tower is a monumental building of a covered market or cloth rows, which arose at about the same time as Belford.

Attractions Ghent

It is absolutely impossible to ignore the city of Ghent. Perhaps, like Bruges, he did not preserve the medieval pristineness, but he also did not lose the spirit of efficiency and enterprise.

Ghent is a major cultural and historical center and quite a modern city. Here, almost without interruption, the tradition of cloth-making going back to the Middle Ages has been preserved. At the same time, Ghent is located in the center of the largest Belgian fruit and vegetable province. Many flowers are also grown here, and Ghent rightfully enjoys the reputation of one of the most important fair centers for these products. Due to its position at the confluence of the Lys and the Scheldt, Ghent is the second largest port in Belgium. While walking through the luxurious old town, one should not forget that Ghent has long overtaken its old rival - Bruges.

The most interesting buildings of Ghent are concentrated mainly in the core of the old city on the right bank of the Lys, between the castle of the counts of Flanders and the cathedral.

Attractions Liege

You should definitely look into Liège, the industrial center on the Meuse, or as it is called "the city under the steel sky." At first, there may be bewilderment: what can a modern person see here that is new? But when you pass the ring of steel mills and industrial districts with austere concrete architecture and get into the old city center, you will be glad that you are here. On the border between the Romance and Germanic language areas, you feel like you are in France. At least the menus of countless restaurants make this clear. But Liege is also a city of art. Countless churches, museums and architectural monuments of various eras are evidence of the power of the clerics, economic power and close cultural exchange, giving a special identity to this very French city of Belgium and its inhabitants.

The many sights of Liege will reveal their secrets to you. It is a decoration of the city. The palace of the prince-bishops, founded by Notger at the beginning of the 11th century. (expanded in 1145-1164 and rebuilt in 1526-1536). Behind its facade are two courtyards, decorated with arcades in the style of the early Renaissance.

The transformation of the medieval colonnade into an elegant fountain, carried out in 1697 by the architect Jean Delcourt, serves as a symbol of the independence of Liege and the right of its own court. Right there stands the town hall in the style of French classicism with a pediment decorated with the coat of arms of the city built in 1714. The name of Maigret, a famous criminologist in the 1930s, who won immortality and popularity on the pages of detective novels by Georges Simenon (1903-1989), is engraved on a bronze memorial plaque, who worked in Liege.

Official language of Belgium: French, Dutch (Flemish) and German

According to the constitution, the population of Belgium is divided into 3 linguistic communities: French, Flemish and Germanic. The area of ​​distribution of the Dutch language (Flanders) is located in the north of the country and has 5.86 million inhabitants. (58%), French (Walloon) - 3.29 million (32.2%), the population of Brussels - approx. 80% Francophones and 20% Flemings. In the east of Wallonia, the region of the spread of the German language, where 67 thousand people live.

Currency of Belgium: EUR

Visa: Belgium is part of the Schengen area.

Necessary documents for obtaining a visa to Belgium:
- Passport, which expires at least 4 months after the intended return from the country.
- Questionnaire filled out and signed by hand (passport data in Latin script).
- 3 photos. A copy of the internal passport of all pages.
- Original invitation (guest, business or tourist).
- Medical insurance policy (original and copy) issued for the period of validity of the requested visa, which is valid throughout SCHENGEN.
- Certificate of income from the place of work.
- For children - a birth certificate.
- For minor children traveling with one of the parents, it is necessary to provide a power of attorney from the second parent, notarized (original and copy), a copy of the birth certificate.
- For students - a certificate from the place of study.
- For temporarily unemployed, it is necessary to provide other documents certifying the solvency of the person - credit cards, bank statements, etc.
- Air ticket with fixed dates of arrival and departure.
- Certificate of purchase of currency in the amount of 60 euros per day.

Consular fee - from $25 to $45 - depends on the type of visa. Validity of the visa to Belgium - no more than 90 days.

Customs restrictions

You can carry duty-free: 200 cigarettes, 2 liters of alcoholic beverages, 250 grams of perfume, 500 grams of coffee, 100 grams of tea, canned food, household photo, radio and video equipment. Import of foreign and national currency is not limited.

Mains voltage: 220V

Tips

In the restaurant, the cost of service (15%) is already included in the bill; in a bar and cafe - 10-15% of the bill only for the services of a waiter; in a taxi - included in the fare.

Purchases

When purchasing goods in stores with the "TAX FREE" sign, ask for a special receipt exempting you from paying value added tax (about 13%). The money will be paid when passing customs.

Office Hours

The day off for museums is usually Monday. Museums in Bruges are closed on Tuesday and Wednesday, in Tournai - on Tuesday.

Banking hours: from 8 am to 12 pm and from 1.30 pm to 3 pm - 5 pm (except Saturday and Sunday). Banks are open until 12 noon on Saturday.

Shops are open from Monday to Friday - from 8 to 18/19.30, on Saturday - from 8 to 12.30, except for every first Saturday of the month, when shops are open until 17:00; supermarkets are open all day.

Code of the country: +32

First level geographic domain name:.be