Brussels: City, Capital Region, Metro­politan Area?

A question that repeatedly causes confusion: How many inhabitants does Brussels have? The figures range from around 200,000 to 1,250,000 – from a small major city to a metropolis. The answer is simple, yet also confusing and quite curious. Typically Belgian, in fact: The districts of Brussels have retained their independence and, to this day, remain individual municipalities, even though they have grown seamlessly into one continuous city. To come straight to the point: 1,250,000 inhabitants is “correct”. City of Brussels The City of Brussels… read more
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What Languages are spoken in Belgium?

This topic often causes confusion. It can generally be very simplified: Belgium lies between the Netherlands in the north and France in the south. The language border between Dutch and French runs horizontally through the center of Belgium. The capital Brussels, in the center of the country, is bilingual. Capital (Brussels): Belgian French and Belgian Dutch As the Belgian capital, centrally located in Belgium, Brussels (1.2 million inhabitants) is officially bilingual. Around 80% use Belgian French in everyday life, 20% Belgian Dutch. North Belgium (Flanders):… read more
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Belgium: small Country with enormous Variety

Large countries are characterized by their diverse landscapes and cities with distinct personalities. Belgium, however, is small: driving from north to south (Antwerp to Arlon) takes about 2.75 hours, while crossing from east to west (Eupen to Ostend) takes roughly 2.5 hours. Despite its compact size of 30,000 square kilometers, Belgium offers an extraordinary variety: from fine sandy beaches along the North Sea coast, through the flat but water-rich region of Flanders, to the rolling hills of Wallonia, which are carved by deep river valleys.… read more
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Belfries: Belgium’s striking City Towers

The belfry (Dutch belfort, French beffroi) is a significant architectural and historical landmark in Belgium, particularly in Flanders, but also in Wallonia and northern France. These imposing towers were erected in the Middle Ages by secular city authorities or guilds as symbols of civic power, often in contrast to that of the Church. Many of these belfries have been preserved in Belgium and are now part of the UNESCO World Heritage. Most belfries were built during the Gothic period and rank among the most important… read more
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