Brussels | Bruxelles

Nickname(s):

"Capital of Europe"

Demonym(s):

Bruxellois(e)

Founded:

1229

Democracy:

Developed:

European Union:

Schengen:

Euro:

National Capital:

RegionalState Capital:

Population (City):

1 212 000

Population (Urban):

-

Population (Metro):

2 500 000

Population Density (km2):

7 500

Population Density (mi2):

19 000

Largest City in Belgium

Language:

French

Currency:

Euro

Avg. Summertime High:

23 °C

74 °F

Avg. Summertime Low:

14 °C

57 °F

Warmest Month:

July

Coldest Month:

January

Avg. Wintertime High:

6 °C

43 °F

Avg. Wintertime Low:

1 °C

35 °F

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Brussels
Belgium

The capital of not only Belgium but also the European Union, and home to the headquarters of NATO. Brussels by all means deserves the nickname "Capital of Europe". Major sights include the majestic Grand Place, Manneken Pis, and the Atomium. It's the center of a conurbation that forms one of the densest areas of Europe! It's easy to reach several day trip options by train in Belgium, France, or the Netherlands from Brussels.

Kingdom of Belgium | Koninkrijk België

Belgium

English

Belgique

French

België

Dutch

Region:

Western Europe

Area:

30 689 km2

Ranked 136 out of 195

Population:

Population:

11 493 000

Ranked 81 out of 235

Urbanization:

98 %

Ranked 7 out of 194

Capital:

Brussels

Population: 2 500 000

Largest City:

Brussels

Population: 2 500 000

Major Cities:

Brussels
Antwerp
Ghent
Charleroi
Liège

Economy & Development:

Human Development Index:

Very High

Ranked 14 out of 189

Inequality-Adjusted HDI:

Very High

Ranked 13 out of 189

GDP (PPP) Per Capita:

$61 587

Ranked 22 out of 225

Democracy & Freedom:

Democracy Index:

Flawed Democracy

Ranked 36 out of 167

Freedom House:

Free

96 points out of 100 possible

Press Freedom:

Satisfactory

Ranked 23 out of 180

Economic Freedom:

2nd Quartile

Ranked 40 out of 162

National Identity:

Independence Since:

1830

Independence From:

Netherlands

National Day:

21st of July

What Is Celebrated On The National Day:

Leopold I swore allegiance to the Belgian constitution and thus became the first monarch of Belgium on the 21st of July 1831. This event is considered to be the start of the modern state and Kingdom of Belgium.

Facts & Codes:

Driving Side:

Right

-

Time Zone:

UTC +1 (CET)

Summer: UTC +2 (CEST)

Country Calling Code:

+ 32

-

Country Code:

BE

ISO 3166

Regions of Belgium | Gewesten van België

Brussels-Capital Region

English

Région de Bruxelles-Capitale

French

Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest

Dutch

Region:

Central Belgium

Area:

162 km2

Ranked 3 out of 3

Population:

Population:

1 208 000

Ranked 3 out of 3

Population Share:

11 %

Of National Population

Capital:

Brussels

Population: 2 500 000

Largest City:

Brussels

Population: 2 500 000

Major Cities:

-



Information:

GDP Per Capita:

$82 000

Higher Than National Average

Climate:

Oceanic Climate

Köppen: Cfb

Time Zone:

UTC +1 (CET)

Summer: UTC +2 (CEST)

Grand Place

Iconic Square

Manneken Pis

Famous Statue

Atomium

Steel Monument

Currency:

Euro

Code:

EUR

Subunit:

Cent

Symbol:

€

Cash Or Credit:

I only used credit cards and the only time I faced a problem was when I wanted to use the restroom at certain restaurants where they still had the old French attendant system, (“Dames Pipi”).

Good To Know:

-

Local Language:

French

Language Family:

Romance (Indo-European)

Writing System:

Latin Alphabet

Local Language:

Dutch

Language Family:

Germanic (Indo-European)

Writing System:

Latin Alphabet

What About English?

Since the city is also the capital of Europe, with several major international headquarters and a huge international population, there is a high level of knowledge of English and most people can speak good English.

Bilingual Belgium:

Belgium is at its core bilingual. The country is split between the French Wallonia and Dutch Flanders. Brussels is officially bilingual between the two, but with French as the de facto majority language. About 88 percent of the population of Brussels can speak French at a good, or, perfect level, while only 23% can speak Dutch at the same level of proficiency.

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Manneken Pis

The most famous sight of Brussels is the Manneken Pis, a statue of a peeing boy. This statue has become something of a symbol of the city. It is often dressed in clothes to celebrate different occasions.

Architecture on Grand Place

Grand Place is the center of the Old Town of Brussels. Here are some beautiful buildings on the Western end of the square.

Brussels City Museum

The Maison du Roi ("King's House"), or Broodhuis ("Bread House") as it is also called, is another famous and beautiful structure on Grand Place. Today it houses the Brussels City Museum.

Zinneke Parade 2022 on Grand Place

During my visit, there was a popular annual event called the Zinneke Parade. It was the first time in two years that it was possible to hold this event and the square and streets were packed with people!

Brussels Old Town

The Old Town of Brussels lies just North of Grand Place.

Jeanneke Pis

The less famous Jeanneke Pis in an alley of the Old Town.

Rue de Neuve

Rue de Neuve is the main shopping street in Brussels.

Brussels Town Hall

Brussels Town Hall on Grand Place.

Grand Place

An overview of Grand Place at a less crowded time of the day (Monday morning).

Atomium

Atomium is one of the main sights in the city. It is located far from the center and is just really a large steel monument in a park.

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