Nickname(s):
"Koekenstad"
Demonym(s):
Antwerpenaar
Founded:
2nd C.
Democracy:
Developed:
European Union:
Schengen:
Euro:
National Capital:
RegionalState Capital:
Population (City):
520 000
Population (Urban):
-
Population (Metro):
1 200 000
Population Density (km2):
2 600
Population Density (mi2):
6 700
2nd Largest Metropolitan Area in Belgium
Largest City in Flanders
Language:
Dutch
Currency:
Euro
Avg. Summertime High:
23 °C
74 °F
Avg. Summertime Low:
6 °C
43 °F
Warmest Month:
July
Coldest Month:
January
Avg. Wintertime High:
14 °C
58 °F
Avg. Wintertime Low:
1 °C
34 °F
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Once one of the wealthiest cities in Europe, and the world. A former major center of trade, and the center for the world's diamond trade. The city of Antwerp still offers many architectural sights that remind a visitor of the rich past. The guild houses and the city hall at Grote Markt are the most striking examples of this former wealth.
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
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
Flanders
English
Vlaanderen
Dutch
Flandre
French
Region:
Northern Belgium
Area:
13 625 km2
Ranked 2 out of 3
Population:
Population:
6 653 000
Ranked 1 out of 3
Population Share:
58 %
Of National Population
Capital:
Brussels
Officially. Not geographically part of the Region
Largest City:
Antwerp
Population: 1 200 000
Information:
GDP Per Capita:
-
-
Climate:
Oceanic Climate
Köppen: Cfb
Time Zone:
UTC +1 (CET)
Summer: UTC +2 (CEST)
Het Steen
13th Century Medieval Fortress
Guildhalls of Sint-Joris
Grote Markt
Groenplaats
City Square
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:
Dutch
Language Family:
Germanic (Indo-European)
Writing System:
Latin Alphabet
What About English?
English is widely spoken and proficiency is high. I had no problem at all and all the people I interacted with spoke excellent 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. The majority language in Antwerp is Dutch. You might have a hard time getting by with only the French language in Flanders.
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The Antwerp Central Station is a sight of its own. Make sure to slow down and take a look at the station building, both inside and outside.
Buildings on Leysstraat, near the central shopping street of Meir.
A Statue of Anthony Van Dyke at the intersection where Leysstraat and Meir connect.
Grote Markt with the Brabo Fountain and 16th-century guild houses.
A closer view of the 16th-century guild houses. I find these to be exceptionally beautiful!
Het Steen (The Rock) is a medieval fortress in Antwerp that was built between 1200 - 1225.
Groenplaats and the Cathedral of Our Lady in the background.
Statue Peter Paul Rubens on Groenplaats.
Schuttershofstraat in the center of Antwerp.