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Belgium

Description: The Kingdom of Belgium (Dutch: Koninkrijk België; French: Royaume de Belgique; German: Königreich Belgien) is a country ... more

Belgium ... in northwest Europe bordered by the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg and France and is one of the founding and core members of the European Union. Belgium has a population of over ten million people, in an area of around 30,000 square kilometres (11,700 square miles). Straddling the cultural boundary between Germanic and Romance Europe, Belgium is linguistically divided. It has two main languages: 59% of its population, being 6.18 million people in the north, mainly in the region Flanders, speak Dutch (while Belgians of both major languages often refer to it as Flemish); French is spoken by 40%: 3.29 million in the southern region Wallonia and an estimated 0.88 million in the officially bilingual Brussels-Capital Region or 85-90% of its residents – thus a minority there speaks Dutch, its local language till shortly before Belgium's independence. This linguistic diversity often leads to political and cultural conflict and is reflected in Belgium's complex system of government and political history.

Newest Review: ... anything regarding the country, it'll certainly live long in the memory for me. For a place to stay whilst in Belgium it was perfect, it's a quiet place with not much going on other than a calm feeling about the place, there's plenty of touristy things to do to fit into a couple a day (anymore and you may run out). The buildings are beautiful and particularly one near the railway station a ... more

... huge psychiatric hospital which was gorgeous. The greenery, canals, lakes and monuments around town were breathtaking, particularly the views from across the canal and lake. The food was very nice in and around the Markt and not overly expensive anywher...more

Read Reviews for Belgium

Belgium...why so underrated? (4706 words)
by - written on 19/11/09 (Very useful, 22 readings)
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This review will be about the 4 places and various experiences me and my girlfriend had during our time in Belgium just the other month, I have done a review on Bruges and to save myself time and to stop myself repeating myself...I'm just going to copy the Bruges review into here, I don't class it cheating since I'm also going to go onto the others later on into the review, just so you're aware the next lot of paragraphs will be taken from my Bruges review. ---BRUGES--- In September me and my girlfriend spent our one year anniversary together in one place I've always wanted to visit after seeing In Bruges (I guess everyone does after seeing it), we ... Read the complete review

Taste of Sprouts: The proxamity of Belgium (2834 words)
by - written on 01/11/03 (Very useful, 108 readings)
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Taking advantage of some exceptionally good travel offers from an on-line travel agent we recently spent a five-day City break exploring Belgium. We had been to Brussels before (a short pre-Christmas trip about five years ago) so heeding the advice of that sage Proxam we decided to see some more of the country than just the capital. We were also quite curious to experience for ourselves the suggested "Unity of Europe" there at the heart of the Community. Maybe we would be able to divine something of the truth behind all the current political and economical manoeuvrings. After all I have been more than happy to use the Euro because it has the attraction of being ... Read the complete review

Belgium: A CASE FOR MAIGRET? MYRIANNE DISAPPEARS! (3107 words)
by - written on 27/06/01 (Very useful, 276 readings)
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PART ONE - ARRIVAL IN BRUSSELS. I am sitting in the restaurant called AUX ARMES DE BRUXELLES (Rue des Bouchers 13, tel 02 511 55 50)which has been serving excellent food since 1921. "How's your waterzooi of lobster?" asks Myrianne. "Very fresh, moist and lobstery," I reply. "Goes well with the Muscadet. How's your seafood?" "Very expensive; but tres bien. Like the service. So often the service in Belgium is not exactly friendly." "You're being unfair," I suggest. "The guide book refers to some Belgian waiters being 'brusque and ill-tempered'. ... Read the complete review

Surprising... (306 words)
by - written on 28/05/01
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Wow Belgium! Sounds Exotic doesn't it? No!? Those were my initial thoughts, but i soon changed my mind. When I went to Belgium I stayed in a Sun Park, the Belgian equivelent of a Centre Park or Oasis here in Britain. Quite why it was called a 'Sun Park' I don't know because it wasn't really that sunny. The facilities were quite good, a nice swimming pool, bowling, badminton, tennis, squash, plenty of shops and restaurants. Even though the weather wasn't that good, I still had a good time as there was surprisingly quite a lot to do. We went into Brugges one day. Its a brilliant city. There is a tour bus you can go on which gives ... Read the complete review

Belgium: Such a great place (99 words)
by - written on 24/11/00 (Useful, 45 readings)
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Last spring I went to Belgium and I thought that it was such a beautiful place! I went to Ypres and it was not only beautiful and relaxing but I went to the battlefields and it was very educational too. I went by ferry to Calais then into Belgium. It was so nice and lovely. The fact that it has been rebiult after the first world war is quite amazing and the architecture is absolutely amazing as well. I really would strongly recommend you visit the place. Even just for a few days, it is a totally wonderful experience. ... Read the complete review