Belgium is a relatively small country with many interesting places to visit. In addition, it has many curious facts. If you are thinking of traveling to Belgium, keep in mind that in this post I will tell you about the 25 curiosities that will surprise you the most about Belgium.
CURIOSITIES OF BELGIUM
1. Belgium is an independent country since 1830
The independent movement began when the inhabitants of the southern provinces of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands rose up against the hegemony of the mainly Protestant Northern Provinces.
2. Belgium produces more than 220,000 tons of chocolate per year
Belgium is known for its delicious chocolate. And is what, the Belgian chocolate industry has been very important since the 19th century and today forms an important part of the economy and culture of the nation. Along with Switzerland, Belgium is one of the largest chocolate producers on the continent. More than 220,000 tons of chocolate are produced each year.
3. A diverse country with three languages
When you travel to Belgium, you may wonder what their main language is. Belgium has three official languages: Dutch, French and German. Although it may seem surprising, Flemish is not a language, it is simply a dialect of Dutch used in Flanders. Of course, it is the mother tongue of more than 60% of the population.
French is the mother tongue of 39% of the population and is basically spoken in Brussels, although it is not uncommon to hear it in other cities.
German is the least popular language and only 1% of the population has it as their mother tongue, east of the province of Liège.
But in general, one of the greatest luck of the Belgians is that they have the ability to speak many languages. 65% of Belgians speak perfect Dutch, French and also English.
From a very young age at school these three languages are taught as the main ones and English as a compulsory additional language from the first one onwards.
4. Spa is a word of Belgian origin
The word we use to refer to relaxing massages or body treatments based on hot or thermal waters comes from the city of "Spa", in the province of Liège, famous for its thermal waters.
5. Zaventem airport is the place where the most chocolate is sold in the world
Getting back to chocolate, you might be surprised to learn that the main airport in Brussels is the place where the most chocolate is sold in the world. Almost 2kg per minute are sold.
6. Belgium and its castles
Belgium is the country with the highest number of castles per square kilometer. The most popular and beautiful are the castle of La Hulpe, the Hof Ter Saken, the Castle of Freyr, the Castle of Rosas de Coloma, the castle of Het Steen and the castle of the Counts of Flanders located in Ghent, although there are many.
7. The highest point in Belgium is shorter than the tallest building in the world.
Belgium is not characterized by having high peaks and is that it has very few mountains. The highest point in Belgium is barely 694 meters above sea level. This is the Signal de Botrange on the Hautes Fagnes plateau in the far east of Belgium. It is shorter than the tallest building in the world,
the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, which is 828 meters high!
8. The first skyscraper in Europe was built in Belgium
And speaking of skyscrapers, did you know that the first skyscraper in Europe was built in Belgium?
In the year 1928, in Belgium the Boerentoren was built in Antwerp. At 96 meters tall, it is the second tallest building in Antwerp today, second only to the majestic Antwerp Cathedral.
This tower was the tallest building in Europe until 1940, when the Terazza Martini Tower was inaugurated in Genoa, Italy.
9. Belgium had the shortest reign in history
In 1990 King Badouin was deposed, due to being against the pro-abortion law that the government wanted to approve. So, they deposed him for 36 hours, signed the law, and made him king again.
10. Belgian men are the second tallest in the world
The average height for Belgian men is 181.7cm, second only to Dutch men.
11. In Brussels you will find the oldest shopping galleries in Europe
In Belgium you can find the shopping galleries with the most history in Europe. You will find them in their capital, Brussels. They are called The St Hubert Galleries and they opened in 1847. Located very close to the famous Grand Place.
12. New York was founded by a Belgian, one of the most surprising curiosities of Belgium
Peter Minuit founded the city of New York in the year 1626. Minuit was appointed as an explorer for the Dutch West India Company and traveled to America in search of tradeable goods. What is most striking is the ridiculous amount for which he bought the island of Manhattan from the natives. Minuit bought it for just 60 guilders, about $1,500 today. Without a doubt, it is one of the curiosities that attracts the most attention.
13. Belgium, has been a place for exiles and artists
Belgium throughout history has welcomed many exiles. In the current context, as an example, we have Carles Puigdemont, former president of the Generalitat, who is in exile in Waterloo. And throughout history there have been many more.
For example, Karl Marx was forced to emigrate to the Belgian capital in 1845 after being expelled from both Germany and France for the political ideology he was spreading. In fact, from Belgium, together with Friedrich Engels, he wrote his best-known book, the Communist Manifesto.
Another exile who went to Belgium was Victor Hugo. Although he was not expelled from France, he did stand up against Napoleon III. That is why he fled from France and arrived in Brussels in 1851.
The best known case is that of Albert Einstein. Einstein lived in Belgium intermittently between 1902 and 1933. Despite living in California, when he returned to Europe, Hitler had just come to power and decided to go to Belgium instead of Germany as the Jews began to suffer the first discriminatory measures.
14. Compulsory education up to the age of 18
In Belgium they have one of the longest periods of compulsory education. It goes from 6 to 18 years old. And education is totally free.
Even for those who want to continue their studies in professional training or universities, they have great financial aid. Something that should be learned in many neighboring countries, where there is a university dropout rate due to not being able to meet the fees.
15. The Belgian divorce rate is one of the highest in Western Europe.
About 70% of Belgian marriages end in divorce. A very high rate that is only surpassed by Latvia and Lithuania. It must also be said that they have such a marriage rate, one of the highest in Europe, where more and more new marriages decrease, giving way to common-law couples.
16. The first Belgian news
The first newspapers in Belgium date from the year 1605. They were printed in two places, one in Strasbourg (a French city) and the other in Antwerp by Abraham Verhoeven.
17. Antwerp is the world capital of diamonds
Antwerp has been a major focus of the diamond trade since the 15th century. Currently, about 84% of the world's rough diamonds pass through Antwerp to be polished and shaped before reaching stores. One of the essential places to see in Antwerp is the Diamond district, located near the central train station. The stores are awesome.
18. The Belgian Coastal Tram is the longest in the world
The Belgian coastal tramway is 68 km long and began its services in 1885. It runs between De Panne and Knokke-Heist, from the French border to the German border.
19. World record for a democratic nation without an elected government
One of the best trivia about Belgium is that the country was without an elected government for 589 days between 2010 and 2011. After national elections, the opposing Flemish and Walloon regions could not agree on political issues and form a coalition of government.
However, in 2018, Northern Ireland broke that record, when it was 3 years without a government.
20. Sand sculptures
The most popular sand sculpture festival takes place in Belgium. Specifically in the town of Blackenberge and is considered the largest in the world. It occupies an area of 4,000 square meters and more than 20,000 tons of sand are used to exhibit more than 150 sculptures made by artists from all over the world.
21. The Belgians invented one of the most incredible snacks
French fries were invented by the Belgians, even though the English call them French Fries. And this is the subject of dispute, since the French say that they inventories them at the end of the 18th century in Paris.
In any corner of the country you can enjoy French fries with all kinds of sauces. There are many street stalls where they are fried at the moment.
22. Belgium and its festivals
Without a doubt, Belgium is one of the countries where the most large festivals are held. Tomorrowland is one of them, it is the biggest electronic dance music festival in the world.
23. Belgium has the most varieties of beer in the world
Currently, Belgium has more than 1,200 varieties of beer, more than any other country in the world. Belgium's brewing tradition dates back to the Early Middle Ages. With permission from the Catholic Church, some French and Flemish abbeys brewed and distributed beer as a form of financing. Back then, low-proof beer was believed to be a healthier option than water, which, at the time, was of little potable resource.
24. It was a Belgian who designed the common faces of the euro coins
Luc Luycx was the winner of a European Union design competition and was in charge of designing the common faces of the euro coins. In fact, if you look closely you can find his initials "LL" on any common face of all euro coins.
25. Mandatory vote
In Belgium, voting in elections is compulsory. From the age of 18, all those registered in Belgium must go to the polls.
PLAN YOUR TRIP STEP BY STEP
I hope you enjoy your trip to Belgium a lot and that this article has been useful to you. You can continue reading many more related articles on the blog.
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A hug and see you soon!