In the heart of Europe, where Germanic and Latin cultures meet, Belgium stands out for its unique beauty and rich history. Despite its small size, this small country has a wealth of attractions. From the romantic canals of Bruges to the lively squares of Brussels, from ancient castles to Gothic cathedrals, Belgium satisfies every taste. Belgium is known as the cradle of the European Union and the capital of this union, Brussels, is located in this country. This has made Belgium an important political and diplomatic center in Europe. But Belgium is not only famous for its politics and history. This country is a paradise for chocolate lovers. The unique taste of Belgian chocolates is famous and popular, and tempting chocolate shops can be found in every corner of this country.
Today, in this article, we are going to introduce the country of Belgium from 0 to 100. Stay with us.
Belgium - the land of chocolate
The Kingdom of Belgium is a beautiful and small country in Western Europe, which, by becoming a member of the European Union and the Schengen Agreement, has been able to improve its situation and become a suitable place to live or travel. According to the latest census conducted in this country, the population of Belgium is estimated to be around 12 million people, and this number of people live in a pleasant land with an area of 30,688 square kilometers. The capital of Belgium is the beautiful city of Brussels, which is also the place where the European Union was founded and today hosts many commercial companies and large political and commercial transactions.
After the separation of Belgium from the Netherlands in 1830, this country has been able to recognize its name as one of the safe and high-quality countries in the world to live in with the extensive reforms that have been carried out in this country especially in recent years. In the continuation of this article, we will learn more and more about Belgium, the land of chocolate. So don’t miss the next article and stay with us.
History of Belgium
The history of Belgium is a complex and fascinating story that has been accompanied by many ups and downs from prehistoric times to the present day. This land, which is located at the intersection of Germanic and Latin cultures, has always witnessed the passage of different powers and empires, and each of them has left their own traces in the identity and culture of this country.
Ancient and Middle Ages
Prehistory: Archaeological evidence suggests that human habitation in Belgium dates back to around 100,000 years ago. In ancient times, Celt tribes lived in this area.
Roman Empire: In 57 BC, Julius Caesar conquered Belgium and this land became part of the Roman Empire. The Romans built roads, bridges and cities in Belgium that remain to this day.
Middle Ages: After the fall of the Roman Empire, Belgium was divided into different territories. During this period, Christianity spread in this land and many churches and monasteries were built.
New era and modern era
Burgundy and Habsburg: In the 14th and 15th centuries, Belgium was ruled by the Dukes of Burgundy and then the House of Habsburg. This era brought economic and cultural prosperity to Belgium.
Revolution and Independence: In 1830, Belgium declared its independence from the Netherlands. It was founded as a constitutional monarchy with a French-speaking majority.
Industrial Revolution: Belgium was one of the first European countries to join the Industrial Revolution. The country quickly became an important industrial center and numerous mines, factories and railways were built there.
World Wars: Belgium was attacked in both world wars. During World War I, the country was completely occupied by Germany. In World War II, Belgium was again occupied by Germany, but was finally liberated with the help of the Allies.
European Union: Belgium was one of the founders of the European Union and has played an active role in this union since then. Brussels, the capital of Belgium, is the seat of many important institutions of the European Union.
contemporary history
Belgium quickly rebuilt after World War II and became one of the richest countries in the world. The country has faced challenges such as ethnic tensions between the Flemish (Dutch-speaking) and Walloons (French-speaking). However, Belgium has remained a stable democratic federal state and has been a leader in various areas such as human rights, free trade and sustainable development. Today, Belgium is a modern, multicultural and developed country. This country has an important place in the world due to its rich history, dynamic culture and strategic geographical location.
Geography of Belgium
Despite its small size, Belgium has considerable geographical diversity. This country is located in Western Europe and borders the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the south, and France to the west. The three main geographic regions of Belgium are:
Flanders: It is located in the north of Belgium and its land is flat and fertile. Flanders is famous for its canals, farms and historic cities.
Wallonia: It is located in the south of Belgium and its land is hilly and forested. Wallonia is famous for its mines, rivers and beautiful villages.
Brussels: The capital of Belgium is located in an area called “Brussels Capital Region”. This area is completely surrounded by Flanders.
In addition to the above, you should know that Belgium has an extensive network of rivers and canals. The most important rivers of this country are: Maas River, Scheldt River and Amble River. Belgium’s canals were once used to transport goods, but today they are mostly used for tourist purposes.
Belgium weather
Belgium is a small country in Western Europe that, despite its small size, has a significant diversity in terms of climate. In general, Belgium has a temperate maritime climate. This means that summers are cool and winters are mild, and rainfall is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. However, in some areas, the weather can differ significantly from the average for the entire country. Join us to check the weather conditions in different parts of Belgium.
Belgium’s northernmost region, Flanders, has a temperate maritime climate with cool summers and mild winters. Rainfall in this region is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year. The average summer temperature is 15 to 20 degrees Celsius and the average winter temperature is 2 to 5 degrees Celsius, which indicates good weather conditions in this region.
Southern Belgium has a mild maritime climate with slightly warmer summers and slightly colder winters than Flanders, which has caused the rainfall in this region to be relatively uniform throughout the year. The air temperature in this region is very similar to the weather conditions in the north of this country.
But the climate of eastern Belgium is influenced by continental air masses, which can cause colder winters and hotter summers, with more precipitation. The average summer temperature is 17 to 22 degrees Celsius and the average winter temperature is 1 to 4 degrees Celsius, which promises cold weather.
But the climate of western Belgium, due to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, has cooler summers and milder winters, which has made it a tourist destination, and we see an average temperature of 10 to 12 degrees in this area.
The most important cities in Belgium
Belgium, a small country in Western Europe, despite its small size, contains a treasure of beautiful and historical cities. From the vibrant capital of Brussels to medieval cities like Bruges and Ghent, Belgium has a destination for every taste.
Brussels
Brussels is a dynamic and multicultural city where you can visit historical, cultural and modern attractions. The Grand Square of Brussels, registered in the UNESCO World Heritage List, is one of the most beautiful squares in Europe. This square is surrounded by magnificent medieval buildings such as the City Hall and the Grand Plus Tower. The Etombium statue, one of the famous symbols of Brussels, is the work of the famous Belgian sculptor, Georges Simon. This sculpture depicts a real car transformed into a sculpture. The magnificent buildings of the European Union, which are the main headquarters of this union, are located in Brussels. The museums of Brussels, including the Magritte Museum, which is dedicated to the surrealist works of René Magritte, and the Museum of Fine Arts, which houses one of the richest art collections in Europe, are world famous.
Brussels is also famous for its delicious food. Waffles, chocolate and fried potatoes are among the most popular foods in this city. If you are interested in history and want to try delicious food, Brussels is the best choice for you.
Bruges
Bruges is a legendary and romantic city with more than 500,000 inhabitants and attracts many tourists every year with its beautiful canals, historic bridges and medieval architecture. Markt Square, the beating heart of Bruges, is surrounded by Gothic and Renaissance buildings. The belfry tower, which is 83 meters high, can be seen from this square. Saint Salvator Cathedral with its 115 meter tower is one of the tallest buildings in Bruges. Bruges is also famous for its chocolates and delicious beers. In this city, you can visit chocolate factories and taste the real taste of these products. It is worth noting that due to its beautiful canals and historic bridges, this city has earned the title of Venice of the North.
Gent
But let’s introduce the third largest city in Belgium and the capital of East Flanders. Ghent is a historical and cultural city that fascinates every tourist with its ancient castles, magnificent churches and beautiful canals. The population of this northern city is around 500,000 people, which makes it one of the busiest cities in Belgium. Built in the 12th century, Gravensteen Castle is one of the largest medieval castles that attracts thousands of people from all over the world every year. This beautiful and dynamic city is also one of the student centers in Belgium and houses prestigious universities.
Antwerp
Antwerp is a modern and stylish city that is a paradise for fashion and food lovers with luxury shopping malls, great restaurants and numerous cafes. This city has a population of more than one and a half million people and is known as one of the busiest cities in Belgium. The Plantin-Moretus Museum, which is dedicated to the printing and publishing industry, is registered in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Antwerp Cathedral with the famous painting “Descent from the Cross” by Peter Paul Rubens is one of the most important religious buildings in Belgium. Steen Castle, built in the 13th century, is another historical attraction in Antwerp. Antwerp is also famous for its diamonds. In this city, you can visit the quarter of diamonds and learn about the diamond trade in Belgium.
Liège
Liège is a historical and cultural city with a population of 300,000, which fascinates every tourist with its beautiful squares, magnificent churches and numerous museums. Place Saint-Lambert, located in the heart of Liège, is surrounded by historical buildings and the statue of Saint Lambert. The Saint-Lambert Cathedral with its Romanesque and Gothic style is one of the most important religious buildings in Belgium. The Prince-Bishops Palace, which was built in the 18th century, is another attraction of Liège. Liège is also known for its steel industry and coal mining, but in recent years it has also become an important cultural and artistic center.
The University of Liège is one of the oldest universities in Europe and the city hosts numerous cultural festivals such as the Womex Music Festival and the Liège Film Festival. Liège is a city with a student and young atmosphere and is famous for its many cafes, restaurants and bars.
Belgian economy
Despite its small size, Belgium is a developed country with a strong and diverse economy. It is the 25th largest economy in the world in terms of gross domestic product (GDP). The Belgian economy is based on services. The service sector constitutes 75.4% of the country’s GDP. Other sectors of the Belgian economy include industry and agriculture, which account for 21.7% and 2.9% of the country’s GDP, respectively. Belgium is an important center for financial services in Europe. Brussels, the capital of this country, is the headquarters of many banks, insurance companies and international financial institutions. The country is also one of the largest car manufacturers in Europe. Big companies like Audi, Volvo and Toyota have factories in this country.
Belgium is an open trading country. The country is a member of the European Union and the World Trade Organization (WTO). Belgium has extensive trade relations with its neighboring countries such as Germany, France and the Netherlands. But with all this, this country has also had challenges in the economic sector. The unemployment rate in Belgium in 2023 was about 6.8% and the national debt of Belgium in 2023 was about 104% of the country’s GDP. Despite these challenges, the Belgian economy has a positive outlook. Due to its strategic location in Europe, strong infrastructure and skilled workforce, the country is well positioned for economic growth in the coming years.
The best universities in Belgium
First, let’s introduce the oldest and largest university in Belgium, which is ranked 44th in the QS 2024 world ranking and is famous for its engineering, science and medicine departments and faculties. This university has been the place of study of prominent personalities such as Georges Le Meter, the father of cosmology, and Hermann van den Broek, the former prime minister of Belgium. This research university operates with a focus on innovation and creativity and has multiple campuses in the cities of León, Antwerp and Brussels.
The University of Louvain, the second largest university in Belgium, is ranked 138th in the QS Ranking and one of the best universities in the world. The university is known for its faculties of humanities, social sciences and law, and has been home to notable figures such as Saxophone inventor Adolph Sex and Nobel laureate chemist Ernst Solway. Numerous campuses in the cities of Leuven, Brussels, Charleroi and Namur welcome more than 40,000 students from all over the world, which is why we see a culturally diverse environment in this university.
The Free University of Brussels is the only fully English-speaking university in Belgium, ranked 164th in the QS World Ranking 2024, and is renowned for its faculties of political science, computer science and engineering. It is a leading university in the field of research and innovation and has long been home to prominent figures such as Paul Martin, the former Prime Minister of Canada, and Ernest Solway, a chemist and Nobel laureate. The main campus of this university is located in Brussels and accepts more than 19 thousand students from 130 countries.
Belgium tourist attractions
Belgium, a small country in the heart of Europe, despite its small size, contains a treasure of tourist attractions. From beautiful canals and medieval towns to world-famous museums and historic squares, Belgium has something for every taste. Join us to watch some of the tourist attractions of this country.
Canals of Bruges
The canals of Bruges, registered in the UNESCO World Heritage List, are one of the most beautiful tourist attractions in Belgium. Touring these canals by boat will be an unforgettable experience for you. Markt Square, the beating heart of Bruges, is surrounded by Gothic and Renaissance buildings. The belfry tower, which is 83 meters high, can be seen from this square. Saint Salvator Cathedral with its 115 meter tower is one of the tallest buildings in Bruges. Bruges is also famous for its chocolates and delicious beers. In this city, you can visit chocolate factories and breweries and taste the real taste of these products.
Brussels Grand Square
The Grand Square of Brussels, registered in the UNESCO World Heritage List, is one of the most beautiful squares in Europe. The square is surrounded by magnificent medieval buildings such as the Brussels City Hall and the Grand Place Tower. Brussels City Hall is one of the symbols of Brussels with its Gothic architecture. With a height of 106 meters, the Grand Plus Tower is the tallest building in the Grand Square of Brussels. The Grand Square of Brussels is full of tourists and city dwellers during the day and night. In this square, you can visit many cafes, restaurants and shops and enjoy its lively atmosphere.
Gravensteen Castle in Ghent
Built in the 12th century, Gravensteen Castle is one of the largest medieval castles in Europe. Throughout history, this castle has had various uses, including a residence, a prison, and a warehouse. Today Gravensteen Castle has become a popular tourist attraction. In this fort, you can visit the museum of arms and armor, participate in numerous festivals and events and enjoy it.
St. Bavo's Cathedral in Ghent
Liège is a historical and cultural city with a population of 300,000, which fascinates every tourist with its beautiful squares, magnificent churches and numerous museums. Place Saint-Lambert, located in the heart of Liège, is surrounded by historical buildings and the statue of Saint Lambert. The Saint-Lambert Cathedral with its Romanesque and Gothic style is one of the most important religious buildings in Belgium. The Prince-Bishops Palace, which was built in the 18th century, is another attraction of Liège. Liège is also known for its steel industry and coal mining, but in recent years it has also become an important cultural and artistic center.
The University of Liège is one of the oldest universities in Europe and the city hosts numerous cultural festivals such as the Womex Music Festival and the Liège Film Festival. Liège is a city with a student and young atmosphere and is famous for its many cafes, restaurants and bars.
The most important festivals in Belgium
In this part of the article, we are going to introduce three of the most important and attractive local festivals in Belgium. Stay with us.
Boombal
Bombal Festival is one of the oldest and most popular festivals in Belgium, which is held every year in the city of Dist. This festival is rooted in an old tradition where people used to give each other colored eggs on the Sunday before Easter. During the Bombal Festival, the streets of Dist are decorated with colorful flags and decorations, and local people dress up in traditional costumes and participate in folk dances and songs. Also, the festival has numerous stalls where you can buy traditional Belgian food, handicrafts and souvenirs. The Bombal Festival is a great opportunity to experience the culture and traditions of the Belgian people. If you are in Belgium these days, be sure to visit this festival and enjoy its vibrancy and colors.
Rock Werchter
The Rock Werchter Festival is one of the biggest rock music festivals in Europe, which is held every year in the city of Werchter in late June or early July. In this festival, famous international and local artists perform in different styles of rock music. Rock Werchter Festival is known for its energetic and passionate atmosphere. At this festival, you can enjoy watching live music, setting up tents and camping, participating in food and beverage booths, and exploring the festival grounds. If you like rock music, don’t miss the Rock Werchter festival. This festival is a great opportunity to see your favorite artists perform live and a memorable experience.
Mac Festival
Mac Festival is one of the biggest food and cooking festivals in Europe, which is held every year in late September or early October in Brussels. In this festival, restaurants, chefs and food producers from all over the world showcase their latest innovations and creations in the field of food. At Mac Festival you can try different types of food including traditional Belgian food, international food, street food and delicious desserts. Also, in this festival, there are many stalls where you can buy food, cookware and cookbooks. Mac Festival is a great opportunity to discover different flavors and cultures through food. If you are interested in cooking and eating, be sure to visit this festival and enjoy the variety and quality of its dishes.
Ways to obtain residency in Belgium
Belgium, a small country in the heart of Europe, despite its small size, has become a popular destination for expats from all over the world due to its high quality of life, diverse job opportunities and numerous tourist attractions. If you plan to immigrate to Belgium, there are different ways to obtain residency in this country. In this part of the article, we will introduce some of the most common ways of obtaining residency in Belgium and introduce them. accompany us
Job visa
One of the most common ways to obtain residency in Belgium is to obtain a work visa. To get a work visa, you must receive a job offer from a recognized employer in Belgium. Your employer must submit a work visa application for you to the Belgian authorities. After the visa is issued, you can immigrate to Belgium and work in the desired job. Note that this method will allow you to get a permanent residence in Belgium after five years of working and living in this country, you will be able to bring your family members to Belgium, and you can also get your Schengen visa. Having a degree and work experience related to the desired job, as well as mastering the French, Dutch or German language (at the level required by the job) is necessary for a better experience of life in this country.
Study visa
If you plan to study in Belgium, you can get a residence visa in this country. To get a study visa, you must be admitted to one of the recognized universities in Belgium. After receiving your acceptance, you must submit a study visa application to the Belgian authorities. It is necessary to have sufficient financial resources to pay tuition fees and living expenses in Belgium, and the most important thing is that applicants must be admitted to one of the prestigious universities in Belgium.
Investment
One of the best and easiest ways to get residency in Belgium is to invest in this country. To get an investment visa, you must invest at least 500,000 euros in Belgium. Your investment could include buying a property, starting a company, or participating in a business venture. This allows you and your family to obtain permanent residency in Belgium after five years. Don’t forget to get help from an expert and experienced advisor for a safe and secure investment in Belgium. Our consultants at Nobility Immigration Institute will be ready to serve you dear ones.
As you have seen, in this article, we have completely introduced and reviewed the country of Belgium. If you are looking for a cultural and historical trip, Belgium is an ideal destination for you. By exploring the cobbled streets of medieval cities, visiting world-famous museums and participating in fun festivals, you will make happy memories in this beautiful country. Nobility Immigration Institute specializes in the field of consulting for obtaining residence in European Schengen countries, especially Greece. You can contact us for more information and free consultation.