30 Interesting Facts about Belgium

• Location and Borders: Belgium is located in Western Europe. It is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast, and France to the south. It also has a coastline along the North Sea to the northwest.
• Square: The country covers an area of approximately 30,688 square kilometers.
• National Currency: The currency of Belgium is the Euro (EUR).
• Official Languages: Belgium has three official languages: Dutch (Flemish), French, and German. Dutch is spoken primarily in the northern region of Flanders, French in the southern region of Wallonia, and German in a small eastern region.

Interesting Facts about Belgium:

1. High Urbanization: Belgium has one of the highest urbanization rates in the world, with approximately 97% of its population living in cities.
2. Beer Varieties: It’s challenging to count all the varieties of beer in Belgium, but it is estimated that there are at least 900 different kinds.
3. Diplomatic Hub: Brussels, the capital of Belgium, has the highest number of diplomats and foreign press correspondents, second only to Washington, D.C.
4. Cycling Culture: Bicycles are the most popular form of urban transportation in Belgium. However, it’s advisable to lock your bike securely as bicycle theft is common.
5. Pet Ownership: Nine out of ten Belgian households have a cat or dog.
6. Palace of Justice: The Palace of Justice in Brussels is the largest court building in the world, with a floor area of 26,006 square meters, surpassing St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
7. Bicycle Parking: There are thousands of bicycle parking spaces at all major centers and railway stations across Belgium.
8. Punctual Airport: Charleroi Airport in Belgium is the most punctual airport in Europe and the second most punctual in the world, after Osaka International Airport in Japan.
9. Spa Origin: Spas worldwide are named after the Belgian town of Spa, famous for its mineral springs.
10. Michelin Stars: Belgium has the highest ratio of Michelin-starred restaurants per capita.
11. Oldest Shopping Arcade: The Saint-Hubert Royal Galleries in Brussels, opened in 1847, is the oldest shopping arcade in Europe.
12. First Casino: The first European casino opened in Belgium in the 18th century.
13. Human Zoos: In the 19th and early 20th centuries, some Belgian zoos exhibited humans alongside animals.
14. Cannabis Law: Residents of Belgium aged 18 can legally carry up to 3 grams of marijuana.
15. National Holiday: July 21 is the national holiday of Belgium.
16. Collecting Hobby: Collecting expensive and picturesque items is a common hobby among Belgians.
17. Popular Names: The most popular children’s names in Belgium are Lucas and Emma.
18. Praline Chocolate: The famous praline chocolate was invented by Belgians.
19. Dining Out: More than 90% of Belgians enjoy dining in cafes and restaurants.
20. Oil Paints: It is believed that the Belgian artist Jan van Eyck invented oil paints in the 15th century.
21. Saxophone Invention: The saxophone was invented by Adolphe Sax from Dinant in the early 1840s.
22. Victor Hugo: The renowned author Victor Hugo was exiled in Brussels multiple times between 1851 and 1870. He completed his masterpiece “Les Misérables” during his stay in Belgium.
23. Nuclear Contribution: Belgium provided uranium (from the Belgian Congo) for the American atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima.
24. Tax Avoidance Haven: Many wealthy French and Dutch citizens have emigrated to Belgium to avoid property taxes.
25. Tintin’s Adventures: The “Adventures of Tintin” have been entertaining readers for over 70 years, with 200 million copies sold worldwide.
26. Chocolate Production: Belgium produces 220,000 tons of chocolate annually, amounting to 22 kilograms per capita, or 61 grams per person per day.
27. Comic Strips: Belgium is known as the “Comic Strip Capital” of the world, producing iconic characters like Tintin, The Smurfs, and Lucky Luke.
28. French Fries Origin: Despite their name, French fries are believed to have originated in Belgium.
29. UNESCO Sites: Belgium boasts several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the historic center of Bruges and the Grand Place in Brussels.
30. Manneken Pis: The famous statue of a little boy peeing, known as Manneken Pis, is a beloved symbol of Brussels and has over 1,000 different costumes.