Belgium

 

Belgium Coat of Arms

Flag of Belgium

Brussels is one of the most international cities in the world. 27% of the population is made up of foreigners, not including those who have taken Belgian citizenship. In following with its status as the Capital of Europe (the seat of the European Union), Brussels is the location for 40,000 EU employees, 4,000 NATO employees

 

Oldest Puppet Show in Brussels

 

The Grand Place is the central square of Brussels.  It is surrounded by Town Hall, Museum of the City of Brussels, and other opulent guildhalls.

 It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 

Belgium Candy Workshop

Manneken Pis (Little man Pee) is a landmark small bronze sculpture in Brussels.  One legend about it is that in the 14th century, Brussels was under siege by  a foreign power.  The city had held its ground for some time, so the attackers put an explosive charge at the city wall.  A little boy was spying on them and as they were preparing , he urinated on the burning fuse and saved the city.

 

 

The Atomium is a building in Brussels origninally constructed for Expo 58 World's Fair.  It stands 335 feet tall. It's stainless stell clad spheres that are connected so that it forms the shape of a unit cell.  There is a panoramic view of Brussels in the top sphere.

 




 

The Adventures of Tintin is a comics series by Belgian cartoonist Herge.  Tintin is a reporter and adventurer who travels around the world with his dog, Snowy.

 
 
 
 

Mini-Europe in a miniature park in Brussels.  About 80 cities and 350 buildings are represented.  The Brussels Grand Place cost E350,000 to make. 

Bruges is in the northwest of Belgium.  The historic city center is a World Heritage Site of UNESCO.  At one time, it was considered the chief commercial city of the world.

Bruges Coat of Arms

Bruges Flag