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| Sights Edit This The Tervuren Park located in the small town of Tervuren is a find. The Park is beautiful year round. There are fields you can play sports on or have a picnic with a red checkered table clothe. There is a gate into the park from the center of the town or you can enter from behind the African Museum. ___________Practical Information Edit This Many expatriates live and work in Belgium, particularly since its capital, Brussels, is host to the headquarters for the European Union and NATO. In addition, many international companies have their European HO or regional office located in Belium. Websites that help expatriates find their way include: www.xpats.com and www.expatica.com _________Getting Around Edit This Belgium is a relatively small country; so flying around is not really an option to get around. There are some private charters from small local airports though and a tour over the country can also be arranged. By Car The most comfortable way to travel is by car. This does not only give you freedom to move without having to meet schedules. Furthermore there are a lot of sights in-between the cities that are hard to visit without your own means of transport. A dense network of highways connects all of Belgium. It’s probably the country that has the highest highway per square kilometer rate in Europe. The Belgian highways are renowned for their illumination, so try to do at least some nocturnal driving. On satelite photo's of Europe taken during the night time you can actually see where Belgium is situated as it is one lighted spot (Recently the government decided to shut all freeway lights between 1am and 6am to save power. Except on the R0 around Brussels). Driving Rules Belgians and the law don't go along very well. Speeding limits are 120km/h on freeways, 90km/h outside residential/build-up areas (in Flanders, however, more and more roads have a speed limit of 70km/h), 50km/h in towns and cities, 30km/h in schoolzones. Driving is on the right hand side of the road. On freeways this means you always have to drive on the right lane, and use the middle or left lane only to pass. Passing someone on the right is forbidden (even on the freeway). Since many Belgians and foreigners like driving in the middle lane, this may cause some problems. When driving somewhere, make sure you have prepared your trip. Not only will you need to totally focus on hectic driving, but there are also a lot of intersections you'll have to take and cities are not US-like. Bear in mind when driving you won't see any signs like "I-5 north", but you'll rather see "E19 towards Antwerpen". Here we have another difficult thing: Language. When driving in Flanders, every sign is in Dutch, in Wallonia everything is in French and in Brussels everything is in both the languages. For example, you're somewhere in Flanders near the state border. You want to go to Mons in Wallonia. But there aren't any signs! At that point you should know that Mons is translated "Bergen" in Dutch, so follow these signs... So when buying a map, be sure to buy one with both versions of cities on it... Interesting to know is that highways are depicted using green arrows or signs (for instance the sign "E19" will always be in green), and major roads (like "N1") are in blue. There are also important rules of primacy who can be read here(translated by babelfish)(i'm from belgium myself and if you don't apply these rules you WILL get accidents): http://babelfish.altavista.com/babelfish/trurl_pagecontent?lp=nl_en&trurl=http://www.soundandvision.be/rijbewijs/voorrangwet.htm By Train If you don’t want to rent a car, or don’t want the hassle of finding an affordable parking place, traveling by train is very convenient. Belgium has four levels of train service, L and P (which are slow), IR (semi-fast) and IC (faster InterCity trains), as well as the international Thalys and ICE services. National and international passes like the Benelux Tourrail Pass, which can be used to travel between Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg, are available at all major train stations. Seat reservations are not available on national trains (except for groups over 15 persons). The main international train station is "Brussel-Zuid / Bruxelles-Midi". There you can connect to the Eurostar (reservations required) towards London, Paris and Lille (France); the Thalys (reservations required) to Paris, Amsterdam, Köln (Germany) and special Summer/Winter locations; normal IC (intercity) trains towards Amsterdam and Luxembourg; ICE trains (reservations required) towards Köln and Frankfurt am Main (Germany) as well as a lot of national destinations. For more info on rail services check the official railroad sites for national and international travel. http://www.b-rail.be By Bus For local journeys buses and trams provide excellent and cheap travel; in Flanders the bus operator, De Lijn http://www.delijn.be, offers extremely cheap tickets covering all of Flanders - a day ticket ('dagpas net') costs just EUR 5 (as at June 2005) and a week's travel ('7-dagenpas net) only EUR 10. These tickets are sold at the multi-lingual ticket machines as well as by drivers and at DeLijn information offices. In Wallonia bus services are provided by TEC http://www.tec-wl.be, who offer a network-wide day ticket ('libre parcours', EUR 5,80 in June 2005) but don't seem to have longer period tickets for tourists. Hitch hiking Hitch hiking is forbidden on the highways. You better use the beginning of the ramps towards the highways. Not many Belgians are willing to take hitch hikers though. Hiking Actually it’s not uncommon to walk or bike through some parts of Belgium. Especially the Southeast is well known hiking territory. ___________Getting There Edit This Virgin Express Aircraft Virgin Express Aircraft Virgin Express Media Library [Add Global transport mode] Budget airlines which fly to Belgium Edit This Virgin Express Aircraft Virgin Express Aircraft photo by: Virgin Express Media Library The largest budget airline carrier operating in Belgium is Virgin Express (http://www.virgin-express.com), who operate an extensive network of flights from their base at Brussels International Airport (BRU). Many other airlines fly to Brussels International and other Belgium airports. The Low Cost Airline Guide search engine ( http://www.low-cost-airline-guide.com) can be used to search the available routes. Brussels International (BRU) and Charleroi (CRL) which is about an hour from Brussels are the most commonly used. By using these budget more.. type: By Air World66 rating: [rate it] url: www.low-cost-airline-guide.com __________Economy Edit This Economy—overview: This highly developed private enterprise economy has capitalized on its central geographic location highly developed transport network and diversified industrial and commercial base. Industry is concentrated mainly in the populous Flemish area in the north although the government is encouraging reinvestment in the southern region of Walloon. With few natural resources Belgium must import substantial quantities of raw materials and export a large volume of manufactures making its economy unusually dependent on the state of world markets. Two-thirds of its trade is with other EU countries. The economy grew at a strong 4% annual pace during the period 1988-90 slowed to 1% in 1991-92 dropped by 1.5% in 1993 recovered with moderate 2.3% growth in 1994 and 1995 and fell off again to 1.4% in 1996 with continued substantial unemployment. Belgium's public debt fell from 127% of GDP in 1996 to 124% in 1997 and the government is trying to control its expenditures to bring the figure more into line with other industrialized countries. GDP growth of 2.5% is forecast for 1998. GDP: purchasing power parity—$236.3 billion (1997 est.) GDP—real growth rate: 2.3% (1997 est.) GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity—$23 200 (1997 est.) GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 2% industry: 28% services: 70% (1994) Inflation rate—consumer price index: 1.7% (1997 est.) Labor force: total: 4.283 million (1997) by occupation: services 69.7% industry 27.7% agriculture 2.6% (1992) Unemployment rate: 12.75% (1997) Budget: revenues: $NA expenditures: $NA including capital expenditures of $NA Industries: engineering and metal products motor vehicle assembly processed food and beverages chemicals basic metals textiles glass petroleum coal Industrial production growth rate: 9.7% (1995) Electricity—capacity: 13.592 million kW (1995) Electricity—production: 69.56 billion kWh (1995) Electricity—consumption per capita: 7 306 kWh (1995 est.) Agriculture—products: sugar beets fresh vegetables fruits grain tobacco; beef veal pork milk Exports: total value: $172 billion (f.o.b. 1997) Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Union (BLEU) commodities: iron and steel transportation equipment tractors diamonds petroleum products partners: EU 67.2% (Germany 19%) US 5.8% former Communist countries 1.4% (1994) Imports: total value: $158.5 billion (c.i.f. 1997) Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Union commodities: fuels grains chemicals foodstuffs partners: EU 75% (Germany 22.1%) US 5% former Communist countries 0.8% (1997) Debt—external: $31.3 billion (1992 est.) Economic aid: donor: ODA $808 million (1993) Currency: 1 Euro (€) = 100 Eurocent Exchange rates: Euro (€) per US$1—0.7697 (Febr 2004) Fiscal year: calendar year __________People Edit This Population: 10 364 388 (July 2005 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 16.9% (male 892 995; female 855 177) 15-64 years: 65.7% (male 3 435 282; female 3 373 917) 65 years and over: 17.4% (male 745 178; female 1 061 839) (2005 est.) Population growth rate: 0.79% (2005 est.) Birth rate: 10.48 births/1 000 population (2005 est.) Death rate: 10.22 deaths/1 000 population (2005 est.) Net migration rate: 1.23 migrant(s)/1 000 population (2005 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2005 est.) Infant mortality rate: 4.68 deaths/1 000 live births (2005 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.62 years male: 75.44 years female: 81.94 years (2005 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.64 children born/woman (2005 est.) Nationality: noun: Belgian(s) adjective: Belgian Ethnic groups: Fleming 58% Walloon 31% mixed or other 11% Religions: Roman Catholic 75% Protestant or other 25% Languages: Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less than 1%, legally bilingual (Dutch and French) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% Contributors October 18, 2005 change by stijnvb :::::::::::::Aalst Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Aalst - Belfort Aalst - Belfort http://www.onze-vlaamse-regio.com/fotos/aalst4.jpg Aalst is a cozy provincial town half way between Brussels (25km) and Ghent (30km), built on the shores of the Dender River. Historically, Aalst was first mentioned in AD 840 as a dependancy of the Lobbes abbaye, and shortly later when sacked by the Danes. Located in East Flanders, on the border between Flanders and Brabant, an area of land disputed throughout history between German princes and the King of France, Aalst flies both the German eagle and the French Crown in it's banner. Between the two, the town has known it's good days (countycapital of 'the country of Aalst and the two cities') and it's less good. Aalst boasts the eldest belfry in the Netherlands. And a very beautiful one at that. Together with the City hall (13th cent) and the St Martin's church, it dominates the town center and offers it a timeless beauty. Aalst has a population of 78,000, which makes it the 11th town in Belgium and the 6th in Flanders. It's people are Dutch-speaking (Flemish). The town is important as an educational, commercial and industrial center for the surrounding villages. History books will tell you it is important for textiles and flower production. In reality however both primary industry and textile industry have almost completely disapeared from the town. Nowadays secundary industry accounts for almost 30% of the jobs : Tate & Tyle (maize industry), Jan de Nul (dredgers), Honda (cars), Pioneer (electro), Tuperware (plastics) ... But is is by far the tertiary sector that contributes most to employment : about 68%. Aalst is kept alive by it's small businesses. Yet, it is not an easy town for a small business to survive : bankrupcy indices are above Flander's average, and so are unemployment numbers, with considerable numbers of people finding no appropriate job and commuting to Brussels. Aalst, by the way, has one of the oldest and largest carnaval-traditions in Belgium. ::::::::Aarschot Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Aarschot is a municipality in the province of Flemish Brabant, in Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium. The municipality comprises the city of Aarschot proper and the towns of Gelrode, Langdorp and Rillaar. On January 1, 2006 Aarschot had a total population of 27,864. The total area is 62.52 km² which gives a population density of 446 inhabitants per km². It is located in the part of Flemish Brabant called Hageland, located to the east of Leuven. Aarschot is a very typical town with a long history, dating back to the era of the Roman emperors, according to myths. The church, which dominates the look of the city, is built with the typical brown stone harvested from the hills in the neighborhood. The same hills that, in the middle ages, were home to some of the most well-regarded vineyards of Europe. Today the chain hills, which originate in Diest and continue as far as Calais in France, are mainly covered with woods and fruit yards. While the church definitely leaves its mark on the appearance of the city, nothing defines Aarschot better than the river that passes through it: the Demer. Aarschot is situated in the valley of this brown-colored river. Part or or all of this text stems from the original article at: Wikipedia :::Arlon Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Arlon is the southernmost city of Belgium, situated close to the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg. With a population of only 24.000 inhabitants and has succeeded in preserving its quiet charm. In the historic centre you find many old houses in either the typical Luxemburgian style or the more Belgian-oriented neo-styles of the end of the 19th century. The name Arlon comes from the Latin 'Orolanum', which indicates that the city was founded by the Romans. After the decline of the Roman Empire, Arlon was taken by Germanic tribes (the Francs). During the Middle-Ages the city was part of the County of Luxembourg. The Musse Lyxembourgois has a good collection of archelogical finds from the region. The Gallo-roman department of this museum boasts a prominent collection with over 450 statues from tombstones or from the Roman 'Thermae' (baths). Nearly 600 sculptured panels give more information about life in Roman times. Also worth a visit is the Archeological park (situated Rue des Thermes Romaines). In the center of the park are the foundations of the oldest church in Belgium: a basilica from the 5th century. Around it is a cemetery where christianized Merovingians were buried as from the beginning of the 6th century. Many of the ancient tombstones are still present. Furthermore, one can see at the back of the park the remainders of Roman Thermae and bathhouses. ::::::::::Bastogne Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Memorial to E Co (Band of Brothers) behind the Bois Jacques, outside Bastogne Memorial to E Co (Band of Brothers) behind the Bois Jacques, outside Bastogne Dermot O'Mahony Bastogne is located in the South-east of Belgium, close to the border with Germany and Luxembourg. The region is very beautiful with rolling hills, small rivers and great outdoor opportunities. Many old castles and mansions are found in the area. It is also the place where in World War 2, Nazi-Germany fought their last breath before the Americans invaded Germany itself. Bastogne was a critical town in the Battle of the Bulge; check the [History] section. ________History Edit This Memorial to E Co (Band of Brothers) behind the Bois Jacques, outside Bastogne Memorial to E Co (Band of Brothers) behind the Bois Jacques, outside Bastogne Dermot O'Mahony Bastogne was a critical town in the Battle of the Bulge of World War 2. Seven roads met at this town making it crucial for control of the roadways. If the Germans could seize Bastogne they had a clear route to the River Meuse. Had they achieved this, it could have given the Nazis the time they needed to develop their new rockets and jet fighters and possibly turn the tide of the war. So it was that the 101st US Airborne were sent to Bastogne to "hold the line at all costs." They set up a defensive perimter around the town and dug in, repelling everything the Germans threw at them; they didn't concede so much as an inch. The Germans came to Gnl MacAuliffe of the 101st to offer surrender terms. The one-word response from the Commander of the US forces in Bastogne was a beligerent "Nuts!" The Germans commenced to batter the town to annihilation before taking it. However, they never bargained for the moral strength of the Americans and never set foot in the town of Bastogne. Against all odds, a single US Airborne division held of attacks by 3 German Armoured divisions, making this, in the words of Sgt. Don Mallarkey, E Co., 506th PIR, 101st A/B, "one of the greatest feats of arms in modern warfare!" Easy Company are probably the best known company within the 101st Airborne. Their story in the Bois Jacques, overlooking the German held village of Foy, is as inspirational as any from the "Battered Bastards of Bastogne." The 101st were finally contacted and relieved by Patton's 3rd Army, coming up from the South. The story commonly says that the 3rd Army rescued the 101st, but the Airborne troops see it differently... they were there to hold the town until the 3rd Army could get there... it was not a rescue and they never needed rescuing. It is possible they would have held the town of Bastogne and pushed the Germans back without the support of the 3rd, due to the poor supplies the Germans had available. After the Battle of the Bulge, the Germans effectively capitulated and crumbled all the way back to Berlin...Hitler had doiverted most of his useful armies to the Eastern Front to attempt to repel the Russian Army which was closing in on Berlin. The story of the defense of Bastogne is superbly represented in the HBO TV drama, Band of Brothers, as well as the oscar-winning film, Battleground. ::::::::De Panne - Belgian Coast Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see De Panne is also known as the green pearl of the Belgian Coast because of its four natural reserves. It is resort city on the Belgian coast, but it is different from the rest because it boosts the widest beaches of Belgium and because one third (1/3) of all Belgian dunes (340hectares) can be found in De Panne. It has a pedestrian seafront promenade and a wide array of restaurants. Particular to De Panne is also the Dumont neighbourhood. It a real architectural museum. The Leopold I esplanade is also worth a visit. This statue commemoraes the spot where the first King of Belgium touched the ground of his adoptive country. And last but not least De Panne is where you and your family can find Plopsaland - a fantasy amusement park.. ::::::::::De Panne - Belgian Coast Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see De Panne is also known as the green pearl of the Belgian Coast because of its four natural reserves. It is resort city on the Belgian coast, but it is different from the rest because it boosts the widest beaches of Belgium and because one third (1/3) of all Belgian dunes (340hectares) can be found in De Panne. It has a pedestrian seafront promenade and a wide array of restaurants. Particular to De Panne is also the Dumont neighbourhood. It a real architectural museum. The Leopold I esplanade is also worth a visit. This statue commemoraes the spot where the first King of Belgium touched the ground of his adoptive country. And last but not least De Panne is where you and your family can find Plopsaland - a fantasy amusement park.. :::::::::Diksmuide Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Viconiafarm-Stuivekenskerke Viconiafarm-Stuivekenskerke Situated 20 km behind the Belgian coastline, Diksmuide forms a peacefull oasis in the polder landscape. During Worldwar I (1914-1918) and II (1940-1945) it was a battlefield for the Allies and the Germans, where many soldiers on both sides lost their lifes for peace. To visit: Trench of Death and The Peace Domain with the Ysertower. ::::::::Durbuy Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see photo_1 Durbuy is the smallest city of Belgium. It is a very cute place, with lots of old houses, cobbelstone streets and a great setting on the banks of the Ourthe. As you enter the city, once you’ve crossed the old bridge on the Ourthe, you face the old castle of the Graves from Ursel which was built in the 11th century and rebuilt by this family in the 17th century on the ruins of the ancient feudal fortification. You then notice the Saint-Nicolas church from the 17th and the 18th centuries (baptismal funds) and the ancient convent from the Recollects. The Corn Hall, an old half-timbered house, stands conspicuously between the homogenous and picturesque group of houses. This house was already mentioned in 1380 and was especially used as seat for judicial and administrative activities. This house dates from the 16th century, it was transformed in the 18th century and it is now in restoration. The region is excellent for kayaking, rock climbing and hiking. Many of these activities can be arranged either here or in Barvaux just 5 km up the road, which is the adminstrative centre of Durbuy. :::::::::East Belgium Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see East Belgium is a popular tourist region, partially belonging to the Belgian Ardennes partially next to the German Eifel Region. Part of it is a nature park, with many forests (walking, mountainbiking) and with several artificial lakes (watersports), situated at an altitude above 2000 feet. Cross country skiing and some alpine ski pistes during wintertime, excellent restaurants and cosy guesthouses and hotels. Pittoresque villages and churches. Excellent touristic infrastructure. :::::Geel Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see This is a city with about 35000 inhabitants. Its name Geel means yellow. The name has been interpreted as referring to the yellow soil which can be found in this part of Kempen. _________Festivals Edit This Geel offers differnet festivals as most Belgian cities, [Add Festival] Palmkermis Edit This The Palmkermis or city festival is held every second week in March. World66 rating: [rate it] url: www.geel.be :::::::Gembloux Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Located in the province of Namur, Gembloux is a cut town with lots of old building. Sights include the Belfry, the Benedictine Abbey and the Church. There is an agricultural university in town so expect lots of young people and a lively atmosphere at night. ::::::::Hasselt Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Hasselt is a Belgian town famous for its jenever and speculaas. A typical drink in Hasselt is a Hasseltse Koffie. It's coffee with a shot of jenever. ::::::::Hastiere Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see The estate at Freÿr The estate at Freÿr Lefevbre Hastiere is a rural commune located along the most romantical part of the Meuse in the Belgian Ardennes at the boarder with France . You can discover the famous Renaissance of Freyr and its classical gardend facing the sperctacular rocks dominating the river on the opposite bank; the charming old village of Waulsort with its formal benedictine monastery; the Romanesque church of another formal benecictine monastery at hastière as well as a the groto of the Pont d'Arcoles. :::::::::Knokke Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Knokke is in fact the " Petit Nice" of the Belgium. People who work in Brussels, Antwerp or any other city in Belgium do have a little flat situated at the Coast. Ready for a impressive sounding small adventure? From this town you can bike into the Netherlands! The beach is quite lovely and worth visiting. You can get to this town by taking a train from Brussels Midi. ::::::Kortrijk Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Broeltorens Broeltorens Kortrijk (official name in Dutch and English, "Courtrai" in French) is the cultural, social and economic centre of an agglomeration of more than 300,000 inhabitants. Kortrijk is a city on the Leie River. Its most famous moment in history was the Battle of the Golden Spurs, when a peasant militia scored a victory against an army of heavily armed French nobility on July 11, 1302. Kortrijk was well-known for its textiles, especially its linen. Kortrijk lies at the junction of many important roads (E17, A17, A19) and railways, and can also be reached from the regional airport. The Kortrijk University and many schools of all levers are attended by over 25,000 pupils and students. Moreover, dynamic Kortrijk is also famous for the hospitality of its inhabitants. :::::::.Leuven Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Fonske Fonske Joke Kerkdijk With its almost six hundred year old university and its open campus the city of Leuven is infused with an unmistakably student-oriented character. The place is swarming with more than 25.000 students, keen scholars and partygoers alike, the latter having taken over the longest bar in the world, as the locals have affectionately nicknamed the Old Square or Oude Markt with its selection of over 60 cafés. This university town on the banks of river Dyle is also endowed with a number of historic architectural landmarks, by far the most outstanding of which are Sint-Pieterskerk (Church of St Peter) and the imposing Stadhuis (town hall), on the Grote Markt. There is a lovely Ice Rink to visit if you so desire in this town. It is called "Ijs Baan" It is only 7 euro for a day of fun. Leuven is the home of Stella Artois beer. You can use the "De Lijn" bus system to get to Leuven from Brussels. (Leuven is smaller and cooler than Brussels but the small towns of Tervuren and Kraainem are cooler still) ________Sights Edit This [Add Sight] Naamsestraat Edit This Take a stroll down Naamsestraat towards Begijnhof, the pedestrian street is lined with various old buildings which perfectly portray the history of the five hundred year old university. These include the Lakenhalle (Drapers' Hall) , which temporarily houses the rectory, and a little further, Sint-Michielskerk (Church of St Michael) featuring one of the most monumental church façades in Belgium. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] University Edit This You will also come across a number of equally noteworthy colleges. Probably the most impressive of all landmarks bearing witness to the university's intellectual past is the perfectly refurbished Van Dale college. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] Begijnhof Edit This Leuven's Groot Begijnhof is among the most beautiful Beguine convents in Flanders. This site, totally free of traffic, has become a walker's paradise. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] Library Edit This The stately university library centrally located on Ladeuzeplein is a compelling attraction for book lovers. The building is also a silent witness to the dedication of the countless contributors who helped to restore Leuven to its former splendour in the aftermath of the ravages of World War I and World War II. type: general World66 rating: [rate it] - Edit This - type: Hotspots World66 rating: [rate it] St. James Church Edit This This magnificent architectural ensemble situated in Heverlee boasts a unique baroque church featuring a vast collection of paintings. The ceilings of its refectory and library are decorated with skilfully crafted bas-reliefs. type: Churches and Cathedrals World66 rating: [rate it] oude markt Edit This The longest row of bars in whole Europe. Specially known for the bar called "cafe allee" which is right between "the cadi" and "the pharao". Stella is the most popular drink follewed by "Duvel" and other known Belgium beers. type: Squares World66 rating: [rate it] ::::::::::Louvain-la-Neuve Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see The biggest french speaking university in Belgium was the starting point of this new city because of the split of the university of Leuven in the sixties. ::::::Mechelen Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see i_1 Richard Wong The city of Mechelen, known as Malines to the French speaking, is located in Flanders, roughly halfway between Brussels and Antwerp. It is a pretty city with many historic buildings. The gothic cathedral is the most impressive sight, but to wander around the small streets of the old town in itself is worth the trip. :::::::::Namur Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Namur from the air Namur from the air Thierry Matthys Namur may not be the most attractive Belgian city but it's still a nice place to visit and an excellent base for exploring the valleys around it which are of great natural beauty. Over the centuries Namur has been one of the main strategic points of the whole of Belgium, on account of its geographical position where the Sambre flows into the Meuse. Namur is also historical town whose foundation goes back to the Roman conquest. Unfortuantley it played a role in many wars and many of its historic buildings have been distroyed over the years. The main attraction of the city is the Citadel, but you should also take your time to discover the picturesque old quarter of Namur. Passing through its narrow streets and passageways, you will be surprised by its rich architectural history, dating mainly from the 18th Century. :::::::::Nieuwpoort Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see photo Nieuwpoort is a small fishing harbour on the North Sea coast, and is well-known for its shrimps. The city is made up of two distinct parts, the old cty centre and its market place and fishing harbour, and the coastal town where thousand of holiday appartments have been built by the beach. Nieuwpoort boasts of the largest harbour and docking facilities for sailing yachts and pleasure craft in Europe. The old city lies at the confluence and mouth of various canals and rivers, the most important one being the river Yser. The areas in and around this river were the scene of major bloody battles during World War I and II. Many monuments in and around the city will remind one of this history. :::::::::: Spa Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Spa is a very nice city not far from Verviers and Liege, very renowed for its water. Its many water sources made its name become the common denominations to all "spas" in the world. And indeed even today, Spa is known as not only the home of the biggest Belgian producer of mineral water, but also one of the best thermalism cities of Belgium. For tourism information, you could visit http://www.spa-info.be/tourisme/index.html ::::::::::Spa-Francorchamps Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Spa-Francorchamps is famous worldwide as one of the legend open circuita for Formula-One [F1] race. F1 circuit in Spa-Francorchamps using national road that closed temporary whenever the race held in here. Passes through several scenic panorama in the Ardennes mountaineous range, like Eau Rouge. Spa-Francorchamps can be reached from Bruxelles about 4 hours by train enroute: Bruxelles Noord, Antwerp, Liege, Verviers and Spa. :::::::::Tournai Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see markt markt dodecupido Located on the Scheld River 10 km from the French Border, Tournai is one of the oldest cities in Belgium, established by the Romans on the road from Cologne to France.The Franks of Merovingian dynasty chose Tournai as the seat of their kingdom for a time in the 5th century: Chlodewetch (who aquired the more familiar nickname Clovis from storytellers centuries after he died), was born there. Our Lady's Cathedral of Tournai is one of the most spectacular churches in Belgium. Another famous native of Tournai is Flemish master painter Roger de la Pasture, better known as Rogier van der Weyden. Barry, Beclers, Blandain, Chercq, Ere, Esplechin, Froidmont, Froyennes, Gaurain-Ramecroix, Havinnes, Hertain, Kain, Lamain, Marquain, Mauldem, Melles, Mont-Saint-Aubert, Mourcourt, Orcq, Quartes, Ramegnies-Chin, Rumillies, Saint-Maur, Templeuve, Thimougies, Vaulx-lez-Tournai, Vezon, Warchin, and Willemeau are all are boroughs within the municipal district of Tournai. :::::::::::Veurne Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Escutcheon of Zoutenaaie Escutcheon of Zoutenaaie Veurne , 6 km from the Belgian Coast in the Westhoek near the french border, is a very old, charming little town in the Polders landscape. A famous inhabitant of Veurne was the surrealist painter Paul Delvaux (1897-1994).Veurne is also well-known for his annual Procession of Penitence which is organized by the Sodality since 1644 on the last sunday of July. The city of Veurne exist of the following boroughs: Avekapelle, Beauvoorde (Vinkem and Wulveringem), Booitshoeke, Bulskamp,De Moeren, Eggewaartskapelle, Houtem, Steenkerke, Veurne, Zoutenaaie. _________Zoutenaaie This village was the smallest independant place in Belgium until 17/4/71 when it was absorbed by the town of VEURNE. It had only 28 inhabitants and a surface of 207 ha. There was even a mayor and a council.And they had a escutcheon of their own. :::::::::Waterloo Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see photo Just south of Brussels is Waterloo - where Napoleon found his ... Waterloo. The old battelfield can be visited but you need a bit of imagination to really enjoy it. This town is sometimes referred to as "Little America" because many American and English speaking X-Pats live there and because the large "St. John's International School" resides there. The neighbour-hoods are very pretty. __________Sights Edit This WATERLOO BATTLEFIELD – LION MOUND , BELGIUM Come and discover Waterloo Battlefied . See the battlefield exactly like it was June the 18th of 1815 when Wellington faced Napoleon for an ultimate battle that changed Europe 's face forever. Visit the Lion Hamlet and experience the new animation: Battlefield Tour. Contact: Reception: +32.385.19.12 Fax: +32.385.00.52 Email: reservations@waterloo1815.be URL: http://www.waterloo1815.be/en/waterloo/ ::::::::Ypres Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see best B&B in town best B&B in town Andre Ypres (locally: Ieper) is a small cosy town in Western Flanders, Belgium's coastal region. Its roots are back in the early middle ages. In those days, Ypres lived from its sheet-weaving industry. The trade was mainly with France, London, Italian States, and also up north with the Hanze. As the wealth was amounting quickly, the inhabitants raised some very impressing buildings, such as the cathedral. In the end of the 18th century, Flanders and Ieper were under French rule. Their famous architect Vauban designed the impressing fortifications, still in place today. In the first world war, Ypres was just 8 km away from the frontline, within shooting range of the german canons. The whole town was completely destroyed, all old buildings where truly gone. It is said that a man on a horse could oversee the entire city ! Around Ypres, there are a lot of British, Canadian, Belgian, German, French, Australian,... war cemeteries. During the 1920's, the town was reconstructed in the original style. So today, it is like a living museum. At the Menin gate, there is a monument with thousands of names of commonwealth soldiers, still missed today... Every night at eight, there is still a short moment of honour for all those fallen in the Great War - Last Post played by the Buglers (local firemen) - get there early to soak in the atmosphere and remember those who died for us to be free! Take a walk around the Ramparts - beautiful views and feel of the countryside - feed the ducks, visit the Ramparts Cemetery - wonderful feeling of peace - visit the Cafe K'leine d'reisal just by the Medival Lille Gate and have local beer, good food and be sure to look at Phil's WW1 Museum - with the smells and noise of WW1 - Brilliant! Ypres is easy to travel to by train, motorway... and has over 10 hotels and plenty of B&B's. Make sure you don't miss out Ieper on your trip through Belgium! Come and try the Local Belguim Beer and Chocolates. |
| Mons Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see x Hotel DeVille anon On the slopes of a small hill lies the city of Mons, the capital of the Belgian province of Hainaut. The city is sometimes overlooked by tourists, but without reason. Mons offers all the splendors and historical richness that so typifies most of the cities in Belgium. Mons is certainly worth a visit during the frequent processions that take place here during the year. For the British Mons became the scene of their first battles in the war as well as the last. In modern times SHAPE (Supreme Headquarters of Allied Powers in Europe) has been located not far from the town at Maisieres. Located near the French border, at the junction of the Canal du Centre and the Condé-Mons Canal, it is the processing and shipping center of the Borinage district, and the closing of most of the coal mines has caused economic hardship Mons was established at the top of a hill, around a 7th century monastery founded by St. Waudru. Mons has expanded over the centuries, outgrowing its fortified walls more than once, and engulfing surrounding communities. The central core of the town is not large, and runs in a number of rings. There is a concerted effort to keep vehicles out of the narrow streets, and parking regulations are strictly enforced. The Cathedral dedicated to St. Waudrau is now Mons' chief tourist attraction. Mons is located 50 kilometers southwest of Brussels. It has a population of 91,000. The Canal du Centre, the E42, and the E19 all pass through it. Unlike some of the other towns in Belgium where the Flemish and French names for the towns are the same, the Flemish name for Mons is Bergen (though both mean "mountains"). ________Festivals Edit This Doudou Festival Doudou Festival anon Every year on Trinity Sunday all the people of Mons witness the traditional and annual Car d'Or (Golden Carraige) procession. The guilded wagon (which during the year can be seen in the Saint Wautrau church) was made in the 17th century by Ghienne and Midavaine. During the procession the wagon carries the relic shrine of Saint Waudru through the streets of the city, accompanied by musicians, singers, flag-bearers and horsemen. Legend has it that Mons will get in trouble if the horses do not carry the shrine back to the church without hampering. This results in the townspeople sometimes lending assistance in pushing the carraige up the final hill. On the same day as the Car d'Or procession, the famous 'Lumeçon' battle - also called the Doudou Festival - takes place in Mons. The battle is based on the story of Saint George slaying the dragon. In 1380 a fellowship called 'Dieu et Monseigneur Georges' (God and Sire George) was founded. Its aim was to preserve the veneration of Saint Georges and, for the members of the fellowship to accompany his relic shrine during the annual procession of the Car D'Or. To illustrate Saint George's battle against evil, a play during which the dragon was killed became part of the entire Trinity procession in Mons. Saint Georges, dressed with a yellow helmet and white pants, is accompanied by helpers (les Chinchins). The green dragon is made of willow branches, and its tail is a young tree. It is 9.5 meters long and weighs about 180 Kg. |
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GNU Free Documentation License Esso utilizza materiale tratto da http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgio Cronologia/Autori: http://it.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Belgio&action=history BelgioDa Wikipedia, l'enciclopedia libera.
Il Belgio (België in neerlandese, Belgique in francese, e Belgien in tedesco) è uno stato dell'Europa Occidentale, confinante con Paesi Bassi, Germania, Lussemburgo e Francia, bagnata dal Mare del Nord. Il Belgio si trova sul crocevia culturale tra l'Europa germanofona (con i fiamminghi a nord che parlano neerlandese e i tedeschi al confine con la Germania) e l'Europa romanza (con i valloni a sud che parlano francese). Proprio per questa sua vocazione multietnica e cosmopolita, il Belgio è considerato il cuore del Vecchio Continente, assommando in sé quelle che sono le due principali matrici linguistico-culturali europee: quella sassone/germanica e quella neolatina. Il fatto che il paese sia diviso in due macroaree è riflesso nelle sue complesse istituzioni e nella sua storia politica.
[modifica] Storia
Geograficamente e culturalmente il Belgio si trova nel crocevia d'Europa, e durante gli ultimi 2.000 anni è stato testimone di un constante viavai di razze e culture differenti. Di conseguenza il Belgio è una nazione in cui le culture celtica, romana e germanica hanno lasciato il segno, come più tardi nel corso della storia le influenze spagnole, austriache, francesi, olandesi. I primi abitanti del Belgio con un nome furono i Belgi. Questi erano composti principalmente da tribù celtiche, che vivevano nella Gallia settentrionale e vennero sopraffatti da Giulio Cesare nel 54 a.C., come egli descrisse nel suo De Bello Gallico. Dopo il collasso dell'Impero Romano (V secolo), le tribù germaniche invasero la provincia romana della "Gallia". Una di queste popolazioni, i Franchi, installarono infine un nuovo regno sotto il governo della dinastia Merovingia. Clodoveo I fu il più famoso di questi Re: egli si convertì alla cristianità e governò dal nord della Francia, ma il suo impero comprendeva anche il Belgio. Studiosi cristiani, principalmente monaci irlandesi, predicarono la Cristianità e iniziarono l'opera di conversione degli invasori pagani. I Merovingi ebbero vita abbastanza breve, e la dinastia carolingia prese il sopravvento: dopo che Carlo Martello contrastò l'invasione moresca dalla Spagna (721 - Poitiers), il loro famoso Re, Carlomagno portò gran parte dell'Europa sotto la sua sovranità e venne incoronato come "Imperatore del Sacro Romano Impero" dal Papa (800 ). Il Feudalesimo europeo divenne la base per la stabilità militare, politica ed economica. La Cristianità fiorì sotto la protezione di questi governanti e tramite la fondazione di comunità religiose e monasteri, chiese e pellegrinaggi.
La magnifica Grande Place / Grote Markt di
Bruxelles / Brussel
La regione venne in seguito associata ai Paesi Bassi, poi sotto il dominio della Borgogna prima e della Spagna poi, fino a quando le province protestanti si presero la loro indipendenza (vedi Paesi Bassi). Seguì la dominazione austriaca a partire dalla pace di Utrecht (1713), e alcuni decenni dopo quella francese sotto Napoleone. Dopo la deposizione di Napoleone, nel 1815, il Belgio venne riunito con le province settentrionali in un unico Regno dei Paesi Bassi fino a quando, nel 1830, la rivoluzione belga portò al cotituirsi di uno stato belga indipendente (riconosciuto nel 1839). La rivoluzione belga venne iniziata dalla minoranza di lingua francese che controllava le industrie e altre fonti economiche e che non voleva vivere sotto un'amministrazione di lingua olandese. Dal 1830 al 1898 soltanto il francese era una lingua ufficiale. La maggioranza di lingua neerlandese venne discriminata. Nel corso del secolo XX, il movimento fiammingo riuscì a diminuire i privilegi dei francofoni. Negli anni 60, la frontiera linguistica fu finalmente stabilita. Una buona parte del territorio di lingua neerlandese fu incorporata nel territorio bilingue di Bruxelles. Comunque, in alcune comuni delle Fiandre, ufficialmente di lingua neerlandese, i francofoni ritengono certi diritti, come la possibilità di votare per i partiti francofoni, che non esistono per i fiamminghi nella Vallonia. Il Re belga, Leopoldo I di Sassonia-Coburgo, venne scelto con l'assistenza dei britannici; la neutralità della nazione venne garantita contro future aggressioni militari straniere. Tale neutralità venne violata nel 1914, quando la Germania invase il Belgio, come parte del Piano Schlieffen. La decisione britannica di onorare gli obblighi del trattato quanto quelli della entente cordiale con la Francia, spinse il Regno Unito nella prima guerra mondiale. Il Belgio cercò di tornare alla neutralità negli anni '30, ma venne nuovamente invaso dalla Germania nel 1940. Dopo la seconda guerra mondiale la politica della neutralità venne abbandonata, e il Belgio entrò nella NATO e nella Comunità Economica Europea.
Aristocrazia sul litorale belga nel '900
Il Belgio ebbe una principale colonia in Africa durante la sua storia: il Congo, che venne dato a Re Leopoldo II con la Conferenza di Berlino del 1885. Egli rese il territorio una sua proprietà privata e lo chiamò Stato Libero del Congo. In questo Stato Libero, la popolazione locale venne brutalizzata in cambio della gomma, un mercato in crescita con lo sviluppo degli pneumatici. L'importanza del commercio dei diamanti ha permesso ad Anversa di diventare un centro di rinomanza mondiale nel settore. Nel 1908, la pressione internazionale contro le crudeltà di Re Leopoldo divenne così grande che Leopoldo II fu costretto a dare la sua proprietà allo stato belga come colonia. Da allora divenne il Congo Belga, prima di ottenere l'indipendenza nel 1960. Il coinvolgimento all'estero del Belgio crebbe dopo la prima guerra mondiale, quando due colonie tedesche, Ruanda e Burundi, vennero affidate al Belgio dalla Società delle Nazioni. La politica belga nell'amministrazione e nello sviluppo socio-culturale di queste nazioni è stato pesanteente criticato, molti videro le decisioni belghe come un fattore significativo nei problemi che afflissero il Ruanda negli anni '90. Fin dall'inizio del XX secolo la storia del Belgio è stata sempre più dominata dalla crescente autonomia delle sue due comunità principali, fiamminghi e valloni. Come indicazione di questo fatto, a partire all'incirca dal 1970, non esistono più partiti nazionali in Belgio, ma solo fiamminghi o valloni. I regolari tentativi di stabilire partiti nazionali belgi, producono risultati in ternini di voti, inferiori all'1% dell'elettorato; I partiti di Bruxelles / Brussel non presero mai il via (come nel caso del "Blauwe Leeuwen" e del "Rode Leeuwen" dei fiamminghi di Bruxelles), o si fusero con uno dei partiti liberali della comunità francofona (come l'FDF). Per questo, il panorama politico mostra un sistema duale quasi perfetto, che riflette le due comunità dominanti soggiacenti.e se vuoi fare parte anchetu del sesso clicca qui e vedrai delle foto bellissime.
[modifica] Geografia
[modifica] Geografia fisica
Regione orientale
Al confine con la Germania il terreno è poco coltivabile e selvaggio Il Belgio copre un'area di 30.510 km², pari a circa 1/10 di quella italiana, e la sua massima estensione (da Ostenda ad Arlon) è di soli 318 km. Per quanto riguarda le frontiere, il confine con la Francia misura 620 km, quello con i Paesi Bassi 450km, quello con la Germania 167km e infine quello col Granducato di Lussemburgo 148km, per un valore globale di 1385km. Il Belgio può essere suddiviso in tre principali regioni fisiche: la piana costiera, situata a nord-ovest, la pianura centrale, e la regione collinare delle Ardenne, che si estende a sud-est. La fascia costiera, per un totale di 66km di litorale, è bassa e sabbiosa, caratterizzata localmente da dune di sabbia e polder. I polder sono terreni vicini o sotto al livello del mare, che sono stati strappati al mare e vengono protetti da esso tramite dighe, o, più all'interno, campi che sono stati prosciugati dai canali. Muovendosi verso l'entroterra si apre la regione delle pianure Centrali: si tratta di un'area che si innalza dolcemente, senza mai oltrepassare i 100m di altitudine, caratterizzata da fertili vallate, irrigata da molti corsi d'acqua e da canali artificiali. Localmente è possibile imbattersi in zone leggermente più aspre, ove si contano anche caverne e piccole gole. La regione delle Ardenne, che si estende essenzialmente a sud del sistema vallivo Sambre-Mosa, si presenta relativamente accidentata. In questo altopiano, roccioso e inadatto a un'agricoltura estensiva, caratterizzato da foreste a tratti anche fitte, la densità abitativa è molto più bassa rispetto alle aree settentrionali, il che ha permesso una migliore conservazione del territorio. La massime altitudine toccata dalle colline delle Ardenne è il Signal de Botrange, con soli 694 metri. Passando all'idrografia, i due fiumi principali del Belgio sono la Schelda e la Mosa. Proprio lungo questi corsi d'acqua sono sorte le città storiche della nazione, come Tournai, Gent, Anversa, Brugge, Liegi e Namur.
[modifica] ClimaIl clima è fresco, temperato, e piovoso; la temperatura media in estate è di 25°C, in inverno è di 7.2°C. I minimi e massimi annuali registrati nella storia sono: -30.1°C e +37.8°C. Come linea generale, il clima belga può essere considerato piuttosto simile a quello delle pianure dell'Italia Settentrionale.
[modifica] Geografia umana
[modifica] EtniePiù di metà della popolazione è di lingua neerlandese (60%), il francese è la seconda lingua (40%), mentre il tedesco è parlato da meno dell'1% della popolazione, concentrata nelle regioni del profondo Est. Queste cifre devono essere comunque valutate con attenzione, poiché l'ultimo censimento linguistico risale a prima del 1960. Tali cifre sono inoltre fonti di contrasti comunitari. Bruxelles / Brussel è principalmente francofona (le statistiche parlano di un 85% della popolazione), ma ufficialmente bilingue, in quanto si evolse da luogo a maggioranza di lingua neerlandese, a luogo di predominanza francofona, in seguito alla sua assunzione come capitale centrale dello stato federale belga. [modifica] Religione
Abbazia di Cambron-Casteau
In Belgio il cattolicesimo è la religione principale, cui aderisce il 75%-80% della popolazione, anche se oggigiorno, solo il 10%-20% va regolarmente in chiesa. Altre religioni ampiamente praticate in Belgio sono Islam, Protestantesimo, ed Ebraismo. La religione fu una delle differenze tra il sud cattolico e il nord protestante del Regno dei Paesi Bassi, che li divise nel 1830 quando il sud si staccò per formare il Belgio. Questo giustifica anche l'attuale prevalenza numerica dei cattolici. Dal 1830, il cattolicesimo ha avuto anche un ruolo importante nella politica belga. Un esempio sono le cosiddette "guerre scolastiche" ("guerres scolaires" in francese) tra liberali e cattolici che si ebbero tra il 1879 e il 1884 per la prima, e tra il 1954 e il 1958 per la seconda. Tra la prima e la seconda guerra mondiale il centro dell'attività occulta e mistica si spostò dalla Francia al Belgio. Il Belgio divenne il centro principale per molte fratellanze e società segrete, delle quali molte branche esistono ancor oggi. Il Belgio è attualmente uno dei stati più densamente popolati d'Europa ( circa 332 ab/Km2 ).
[modifica] DemografiaPopolazione: 10.511.382 abitanti (nel 1 gennaio 2006). 0-14 anni: 17,48%; 15-64 anni: 65,57%; +65 anni: 16,95% Densità: 342 abitanti al chilometro quadrato La densità della popolazione è la terza più importante dell'unione europea, dopo quella di Malta e dei Paesi Bassi Speranza di vita alla nascita degli uomini: 75 anni (nel 2001) Speranza di vita alla nascita delle donne: 81 anni (nel 2001) Tasso di crescita della popolazione: 0,16% (nel 2001)
[modifica] Geografia politica
[modifica] Suddivisioni amministrative
Il 14 luglio 1993 vi è stata una revisione della costituzione finalizzata alla creazione di uno stato federale basato su tre livelli:
Le ultime due regioni sono divise ognuna in 5 province. Tra parentesi i nomi locali di ogni provincia, in francese o neerlandese:
Ogni entità provinciale è ulteriormente suddivisa in arrondissement amministrativi e quindi in municipalità chiamate gemeenten in neerlandese e communes in francese (vedi elenco di comuni belgi e città del Belgio). La Regione di Bruxelles-Capitale è costituita da un unico arrondissement.
[modifica] Città & turismo
[modifica] Principali città belghe per numero di abitanti
(1) riguardo alla capitale, è considerata la popolazione del suo agglomerato urbano, identificabile con l'intera regione Bruxelles-Capitale. Infatti, la popolazione della singola municipalità di Bruxelles / Brussel (chiamata Bruxelles-Ville, Brussel-Stad) ammonterebbe a 143.056 ab. Nel dato della popolazione di Bruxelles / Brussel in tabella sono stati conteggiati dunque anche i comuni di Anderlecht, Schaerbeek / Schaarbeek, Ixelles / Elsene ecc..., che formano con la capitale un tessuto urbano organico e che pertanto possono esservi assimilati. [modifica] Economia
Porto di Anversa
Il secondo porto più produttivo d'Europa Densamente popolato, il Belgio si trova al centro di una delle regioni più altamente industrializzate del mondo. Una delle prime nazioni a subire la Rivoluzione industriale nel continente europeo, all'inizio del XIX secolo, il Belgio ha sviluppato una eccellente rete di trasporti, composta da porti, canali, ferrovie e autostrade, che collegano efficacemente le sue industrie con quelle dei paesi vicini. Una delle nazioni fondatrici dell'Unione Europea, il Belgio appoggia fortemente l'aumento dei poteri dell'UE per integrare le economie europee. Il Belgio fu infatti uno dei primi paesi ad adottare l'Euro, la moneta unica europea, nel gennaio 1999, e il franco belga venne completamente sostituito dalle monete e banconote Euro all'inizio del 2002. Il Belgio ha un Prodotto Interno Lordo pro capite tra i più elevati d'Europa, con 31.020 $ USA (l'Italia è 26.130) e si posiziona al 9°posto nella classifica dell'ISU (indice di sviluppo umano). Il Belgio viene talvolta chiamato "il cuore d'Europa". Questo non solo per la sua posizione geografica, ma anche a causa del fatto che molte istituzioni internazionali hanno la loro sede a Bruxelles, come la NATO e alcuni organismi dell'Unione Europea. Questo perché il Belgio ha un eccellente sistema di trasporti, con una moderna rete autostradale senza pedaggio, buoni collegamenti al sistema ferroviario europeo, e con il secondo porto d'Europa per dimensioni (Anversa). L'economia belga dipende largamente dalle sue importazioni ed esportazioni. Le principali importazioni sono: alimentari, macchinari, diamanti grezzi, petrolio e derivati, chimica, abbigliamento ed accessori, e tessile, i principali partner commerciali sono Germania, Paesi Bassi, Francia, Regno Unito, Italia, Stati Uniti e Spagna. Le principali esportazioni sono: automobili, alimentari, ferro e acciaio, diamanti, tessile, plastica derivati del petrolio, e metalli non ferrosi. I commerci vengono fatti assieme al Lussemburgo, in quanto i due paesi crearono un'unione doganale e monetaria nel 1922.
[modifica] Arte
[modifica] Pittura e sculturaIl Belgio può vantare numerosi artisti di fama mondiale, tra cui Pieter Paul Rubens, René Magritte, Jan van Eyck, Pieter Brueghel il Vecchio, Hans Memling, James Ensor, Paul Delvaux, Jean-Michel Folon. René Magritte è probabilmente il più famoso degli artisti belgi. Assieme a Paul Delvaux, è il principale rappresentante dello stile surrealista. Molti scrittori francesi trovarono rifugio in Belgio. Nella musica, Adolphe Sax è noto per aver inventato il sassofono nel 1841.
[modifica] Architettura
Art Noveau
Nell'architettura è molto noto il nome di Victor Horta, uno degli ideatori dell'architettura Art Nouveau, uno stile che ebbe un grande rilievo sugli stili architettonici del XX secolo. Un'altra componente importante della tradizione culturale belga è data dai fumettisti, come Hergé (Tintin), Willy Vandersteen (Bob et Bobette, Suske en Wiske nell'originale neerlandese), Morris (Lucky Luke), Peyo (I Puffi), Franquin (Spirou, Marsupilami, Gaston), Marc Sleen (Nerone). Il Belgio possiede una grande varietà di musei e mostre. Tra i principali musei belgi troviamo il "Museo Reale di Belle Arti" di Anversa, che ha un'ammirevole collezione di lavori di Peter Paul Rubens, e il "Museo Reale di Belle Arti del Belgio" di Bruxelles / Brussel, che ha un cinema, una sala concerti, e opere di diversi periodi.
[modifica] SportIl Belgio è ben rappresentato nel mondo dello sport, il calcio è molto popolare. La nazionale di calcio porta il soprannome di Diavoli Rossi e occupa la sedicesima posizione nella classifica FIFA. Il Belgio ha anche due delle prime 20 tenniste del mondo; Kim Clijsters e Justine Henin. I belgi sono sempre stati tradizionalmente forti nel ciclismo. Uno dei più grandi ciclisti di tutti i tempi, Eddy Merckx, era belga. Ha vinto cinque Tour de France, cinque Giri d'Italia, una Vuelta a Espana, due giri del Belgio e un Giro di Svizzera. Il Belgio ha avuto campioni modiali di motocross, judo e tennis tavolo.
[modifica] Cucina e gastronomiaMolti buongustai ritengono che la cucina belga sia tra le migliori d'Europa. Essa ha infatti reinterpretato la tradizione gastronomica della vicina Francia in maniera del tutto originale, adattandola ai prodotti tipici offerti dal suo territorio. Baluardi dell'arte culinaria belga sono il cioccolato, la birra, le patatine fritte, i celebri cavolini di Bruxelles e i waffeln (o Gauffres).
[modifica] CioccolatoAssieme alla Svizzera, il Belgio è la nazione con la migliore tradizione cioccolatiera al mondo, il che è testimoniato dal fatto che marche belghe come Neuhaus, Côte d'Or, Leonidas e Godiva siano rinomate e apprezzate ovunque. Va al Belgio anche il merito di aver inventato le cosiddette praline, cioccolatini dal guscio croccante e dal ripieno morbido. In Belgio potrete appagare appieno il vostro desiderio di cioccolato, visto che esistono oltre 2000 negozi specializzati nella vendita di questo prodotto. Ce n'è per tutti i gusti e le tasche: dalle praline di pasticceria al ripieno di pistacchi, nocciole o frutta alle classiche tavolette commerciali.
[modifica] BirraDal Belgio provengono oltre 600 differenti tipi di birra, tra cui quelle dei monaci trappisti sono le più prestigiose. Le marche più rinomate sono La Guillotine, Binchoise, Boon Gueuze, Hoegaarden Blanche e la Kriek. La birra per i belgi può essere ritenuta in un certo senso l'equivalente del vino per gli italiani, essendo largamente impiegata nella preparazione di ricette a base di carne e pesce (esistono addirittura le cozze alla birra!).
[modifica] Patatine FritteOrgoglio massimo dei belgi sono le loro patatine fritte ("frieten" o "frites"), per le quali esiste una sorta di venerazione. Troverete miriadi di chioschi in strada, nelle stazioni, ecc., chiamati "frituur". La ricetta per la preparazione è particolare ed è conservata come una sorta di segreto.
[modifica] Primi piattiCome prima portata, i belgi mangiano spesso minestre e zuppe calde. Particolarmente popolari, e molto gustose, risultano la zuppa al cavolo, panna e prosciutto crudo e la crema di piselli, porri e rabarbaro. Ottime anche le tipiche torte salate, il cui ingrediente base è quasi sempre il cavolino di Bruxelles.
[modifica] Secondi piatti
Tipico ristorantino della Grand-Place / Grote
Markt
Il Belgio, grazie alla sua posizione, ha un'ottima tradizione sia nel campo del pesce (freschissimo di giornata, pescato nel Mare del Nord) sia nel campo della carne (proveniente dalle fertili pianure del Brabante). Per quanto riguarda i secondi piatti a base di carne, il più celebre è sicuramente il "waterzooi", tipico di Gent ma diffuso in tutto il paese: si tratta di pollo alla panna con verdure e ortaggi (patate, rape, sedano, porri e carote). Altri piatti diffusi e davvero appetitosi sono il maiale e il coniglio alla birra, la carne di oca, preparate in vari modi, e le bistecche, spesso accompagnate da salse e mostarde. Largamente utilizzata in cucina è la cipolla, che però risulta di un gusto particolarmente delicato. Tra gli insaccati, si segnala invece il "boudin", salsiccia di maiale composta con pane, uova e spezie. In un viaggio in Belgio, inoltre, non si possono non assaggiare i frutti di mare, tra i quali i più amati e diffusi sono sicuramente i mitili, preparati al pomodoro o alla birra. Altro prodotto tradizionale sono i "jefke", filetti di aringa serviti con olio, aceto, limone, maionese e accompagnati da scalogno e fagioli. Tra le verdure, oltre ai già citati cavolini di Bruxelles / Brussel, spicca l'indivia, spesso cotta al gratin.
Gaufre liégeois - Un Gauffre di Liegi/Waffle
[modifica] DolciPer quanto riguarda i dessert, i belgi usano spesso proporre formaggi, alla maniera francese. Tra i dolci più famosi vi sono i waffeln, cialde morbide e calde servite con cioccolata fusa o con panna e fragole. Tra le torte, ottime sono quelle alle pere e alle mele. Il Belgio ha inoltre un'importante tradizione di produzione di biscotti, e spicca soprattutto per quelli al burro e quelli alle spezie.
[modifica] Politica
Re Alberto II del Belgio
Da quando la linea di politica estera mantenuta fino allo scoppio del secondo conflitto mondiale, improntata sulla neutralità, è stata abbandonata, il Belgio ha iniziato a giocare un ruolo fondamentale sullo scacchiere europeo. Il Paese è innanzitutto membro del Benelux, unione doganale comprendente anche Paesi Bassi e Lussemburgo, ed è tra i fondatori dell'Unione Europea e della Nato. Come ordinamento statale, va detto innanzitutto che il Belgio è una monarchia parlamentare e uno stato federale, il cui Capo di Stato è il Re Alberto II. Il sistema politico del Paese si fonda su una complessa struttura confederale, rafforzata dagli emendamenti costituzionali del 1993, proposti al fine di evitare la definitiva rottura tra la comunità fiamminga e quella vallona. Ciononostante si registrano ancora oggi consistenti residui di tensioni di natura politico-economica tra i due gruppi etnici. Il federalismo belga si basa sul concetto dell' "equipollenza delle norme"; in parole povere, il governo unitario non ha alcun diritto di sovrastare o contraddire i decreti varati dalle regioni confederate. Dal punto di vista strettamente linguistico, il Belgio è tradizionalmente diviso in tre « comunità », riconosciute come istituzioni. Le « comunità » (la fiamminga, la francofona e la germanofona) hanno poteri nell'ambito dell'educazione e della solidarietà sociale, ovviamente limitati alle regioni di competenza. Da un punto di vista politico, le istituzioni più importanti sono le tre « regioni », a loro volta distinte in province. Le « regioni » (Fiandre, Vallonia, [[Regione di Bruxelles-Capitale|Bruxelles-Capitale]) sono dotate di propri parlamenti, che legiferano in campo economico e politico, nonché nell'ambito dei trasporti, dell'urbanistica e delle lottizzazioni e addirittura nella gestione delle relazioni internazionali. Ad esempio, un edificio scolastico a Bruxelles appartiene al sistema scolastico pubblico che viene regolato dal governo generale di Bruxelles / Brussel. La scuola in quanto istituzione comunque, ricade sotto la regolamentazione del governo fiammingo, se la prima lingua insegnata è il neerlandese, o sotto il governo della comunità francese, se la lingua primaria è il francese. È un sistema complesso, in qualche modo instabile e dispendioso, ma è anche un compromesso pacifico che permette a culture distinte di vivere assieme. Per quanto concerne l'organizzazione amministrativa, le regioni sono a loro volta divise in province, fatta eccezione per il distretto di Bruxelles. Da sottolineare che dal 1980 la comunità fiamminga e la regione delle Fiandre si sono fuse in un unico organo istituzionale, mentre la comunità francofona e la regione della Vallonia sono rimaste divise, innanzitutto perché la minoranza germanofona dell'Est fa parte della regione vallone ma ha una « comunità » propria, e poi perché vi sono 19 municipalità a maggioranza francofona in territorio fiammingo. Il governo unitario federale, con sede a Bruxelles / Brussel, detta le linee guida dell'economia, della previdenza sociale, dell'educazione, del fisco e delle relazioni diplomatiche, mentre ha poteri esclusivi nel campo della ricerca scientifica e dell'esercito. La netta spaccatura tra fiamminghi, francofoni e germanofoni si rispecchia anche nelle formazioni politiche: in Belgio non esistono partiti nazionali attivi su tutto il territorio affiancati da fazioni regionaliste o autonomiste, ma ognuna delle tre comunità ha partiti propri.
[modifica] Altri progetti
[modifica] Collegamenti esterni
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