What is a fun fact about Brussels?

Brussels has a strong connection to comic books and is often referred to as the "Capital of Comics." It's the birthplace of famous comics like The Smurfs and Tintin, and is home to the Belgian Comic Strip Center.

What are some fun facts about Brussels?

The third language spoken here is German. The Justice Palace (Palais de Justice) in Brussels is the largest court in the world at 26,000 square metres (that's 28,000 square feet). Brussels is a major producer of beer, waffles, and chocolate – yum! There are more than 800 brands of beer for sale in the city.

What are 5 fun facts about Belgium?

How was Brussels named?

Etymology. The most common theory of the origin of the name Brussels is that it derives from the Old Dutch Bruocsella, Broekzele or Broeksel, meaning 'marsh' (bruoc / broek) and 'home, settlement' (sella / zele / sel) or 'settlement in the marsh'.

What is a person from Brussels called?

The people of Brussels are called “Bruxellois” in French, and “Brusselaars” in Dutch. This is the same as saying “people of Paris” are called “Parisians”. It just means people who live in Brussels. However, you may sometimes hear them referred to as “residents of Brussels” or “citizens of Brussels”.

The City Of Brussels Amazing Facts About Brussels City Overview

Who built Brussels?

The official founding of Brussels is usually situated in 979, the year when the Duke of Lower Lorraine instructed the construction of a fortress on behalf of Otto II, Holy Roman Emperor who wanted to protect this part of his kingdom.

What is the main language in Brussels?

In Brussels the most common language is French.

However, in recent years Flemish is gaining importance.

What is Belgium's main religion?

According to the most recent survey in 2018 by the GESIS-Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences, 57.1 percent of residents are Roman Catholic, 20.2 percent “nonbeliever/agnostic,” 9.1 percent atheist, 6.8 percent Muslim (mostly Sunni), 2.8 percent other non-Orthodox Christian, 2.3 percent Protestant, 0.6 percent ...

What is the flag of Brussels?

The flag of the Brussels-Capital Region of Belgium consists of a stylized yellow, grey and white iris on a blue background. This is the flag of the whole Brussels Region, and the City of Brussels municipality has a different flag. The first flag was adopted by the Capital Region in 1991.

Where is the statue of the little boy peeing?

The Manneken Pis in Brussels is the most famous statue in the city, and also one of the cities most visited attractions. The statue, which depicts a small boy urinating into a fountain of water, has stood here since approximately 1618, and is much beloved by locals and visitors alike.

What is Belgium proud of?

Belgium is characterised by a flourishing economy and a comparatively high GDP. It is also proud of its early industrialisation, as the first European railway line was built on the continent in 1835 between Brussels and Mechelen.

What is Belgium famous for food?

This European country might be known worldwide for its chocolate and waffles, but there's so much more to Belgian cuisine. From steaming bowls of moules frites to syrupy cuberdon treats, here are some classic Belgian foods to try.

Why is Brussels famous?

Brussels is famous worldwide for its gastronomy, particularly for Belgian waffles, Belgian chocolate, and French fries, which despite the name, are actually believed to have originated in Belgium. The city also lends its name to Brussels sprouts.

What is a cool fact about Belgium?

Belgium hosted the 1958 World's Fair – the 11th held there. Belgium has three official languages. Modern asphalt and BMI were invented by Belgians. Belgium has one of the fewest numbers of McDonalds per capita in the developed world.

Is Brussels a fun city to live in?

Expats particularly love the high living standards and quality of life in Brussels that comes with great healthcare, social security and well-developed public facilities. The city's young and international vibe, spirited cultural scene and connectedness to the rest of Europe makes Brussels an expat haven.

Who is the oldest citizen of Brussels?

Manneken Pis (on the corner of Rue de l'Étuve and Rue du Chêne) is felt to be Brussels's oldest citizen. The archives of Saints-Michel-et-Gudule Cathedral show that he served as a public fountain as early as 1388. Back then, he was in stone – the bronze statue we know today was installed in 1619.

Who is the king of Brussels Belgium?

Philippe of Belgium. Philippe or Filip (born 15 April 1960) is King of the Belgians. He is the eldest child of King Albert II and Queen Paola.

Was Brussels in WWII?

In World War II, Brussels fell to the invading German army on May 18, 1940. The city did not suffer extensive physical damage but was subjected to harsh terms of occupation.

What is dating like in Belgium?

A typical dating scenario

Dates are typically friendly and relaxed but can be more direct than in other countries. Belgian men and women value honesty and will tell it like it is. This also means they don't have time for playing games or second-guessing someone's intentions.

What is Belgium famous for producing?

Metallurgy, steel, textiles, chemicals, glass, paper, and food processing are the dominant industries. Belgium is one of the world's leading processors of cobalt, radium, copper, zinc, and lead. Refineries, located principally in the Antwerp area, process crude petroleum.

What is Belgium's national snack?

Moules frites is Belgium's national dish. Traditionally cooked by steaming mussels in a rich sauce made from butter, garlic, shallots, white wine and parsley (and sometimes a splash of cream), a piping hot bowl of moules always goes down a treat.

What is the national animal of Belgium?

The lion, especially the Leo Belgicus (Latin for "Belgian Lion") has been used as a heraldic animal to represent the Benelux for centuries. A heraldic lion can be seen on the Belgian coat of arms and can be seen as the countries de facto national animal.

What is Belgium's national sport?

"Cycling is the traditional national sport of Belgium, but soccer is the most popular." Fans of the Belgian national team display the country's tricolour national flag, usually with an emphasis on the red element.