Ghent | Gent

Nickname(s):

-

Demonym(s):

Ghentian

Founded:

630

Democracy:

Developed:

European Union:

Schengen:

Euro:

National Capital:

RegionalState Capital:

Population (City):

262 000

Population (Urban):

-

Population (Metro):

561 000

Population Density (km2):

1 700

Population Density (mi2):

4 400

3rd Largest City in Belgium

4th Largest Metropolitan Area in Belgium

2nd Largest City in Flanders

Language:

Dutch

Currency:

Euro

Avg. Summertime High:

23 °C

74 °F

Avg. Summertime Low:

13 °C

56 °F

Warmest Month:

July

Coldest Month:

January

Avg. Wintertime High:

6 °C

43 °F

Avg. Wintertime Low:

0 °C

33 °F

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Ghent
Belgium

Ghent, or Gent, is a medieval University city and the third-largest city in Belgium. The main attractions in the city are the architecture which is well-preserved from medieval times and onwards. The old Graslei harbor in the center of Old Town is a meeting point and is surrounded by water and beautiful buildings! Important sights are the Gravensteen castle, the Belfry, and the Saint Bavo Cathedral, along with multiple other churches.

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

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

Major Cities:

Antwerp
Ghent
Bruges
Leuven
Mechelen

Information:

GDP Per Capita:

-

-

Climate:

Oceanic Climate

Köppen: Cfb

Time Zone:

UTC +1 (CET)

Summer: UTC +2 (CEST)

Gravensteen

Medieval Castle

Graslei

Old Scenic Harbour

St Bavo's Cathedral

13th Century Gothic Cathedral

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 Ghent is Dutch. You might have a hard time getting by with only the French language in Flanders.

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Sint-Baafsplein

A major square called Sint-Baafsplein in the center of Ghent. One this square you are near two of the major churches of the city. Saint Bavo's Cathedral (Sint-Baafskathedraal) and Saint Nicholas' Church (Sint-Niklaaskerk), which is the one you see in the picture.

Leie River, Graslei, Kronlei

The Leie River, with the Graslei to the right and Korenlei to the left.

Kronlei

A closer view of Kronlei.

Graslei

People relax on the Graslei on a sunny spring day.

Gravensteen

The Leie River and the medieval Gravensteen Castle, which was also visible in the pictures from Graslei/Kronlei.

Gravensteen Castle

The entrance of Gravensteen Castle.

St Michael's Bridge

St Michael's Bridge (Sint-Michielsbrug) is the best viewing point of the Old Harbour of Ghent. It also offers great cityscape views of the old structures of the city.

St Michael's Bridge

Another view of St Michael's Bridge.

Graffiti Street Ghent

A cool alley near the city center called "Graffiti Street". Look it up and make sure you have time to visit. The official name of the alley is Werregarenstraat

Kraanlei

Beautiful buildings on a street called Kraanlei.

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