Company News
Some facts you didn’t know about Belgium(2)
How well do you know Belgium? Here is a mix of informative, interesting facts to prepare you for visiting or living in Belgium. See how many of these top 30 Belgian facts you know.
The level of international presence in Brussels is second only to New York
With around 120 international governmental organisations, 1,400 non-governmental organisations and 181 embassies employing 3,000 diplomats. Brussels is also home to the European headquarters of more than 2,000 multi-national organisations, plus the headquarters of the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).
Belgian architect Victor Horta was a leader of the 19th-century Art Nouveau movement
Today four of his town houses in Belgium are designated UNESCO world heritage sites; one is a now museum and the others were hotels. He was also involved in the development of the Art Deco movement.
Belgium has the largest urbanized population in Europe
Where 98 percent of the population live in urban areas and cities, also among the highest rate in the world. Belgium is also one of the most cabled countries in the world, where some 97 percent of Belgian households receive cable TV.
Belgium’s highway can be seen from the moon
The almost 100 percent-lit highway network is one of the few man-made structures seen that far at night. Belgium is among the top 10 countries for the highest road and railroad density, although TomTom ranks Brussels as the seventh most congested city in Europe.
The town of Spa in Belgium is from where we get the word ‘spa’
Europe’s first modern health resort and casino ‘la Redoute’ opened in Spa in the 18th century, although the famed springs have been reportedly used for health and healing purposes as far back as Roman times.
It was a Belgian who designed the common sides of euro coins
Belgian Luc Luycx’s design was the chosen winner of a European Union design competition. See if you can spot his connected initials ‘LL’ on all numerical sides of euro coins.
Belgium has the most cycling Tour de France victories of any country except France
Famous Belgian tour winners include Eddy Merckx and Philippe Thys. Merckx is the only cyclist to have won the general, points and king of the mountains classifications in the same tour, and is among a small group of cyclists who won a tour on their first attempt.
Tomorrowland is the largest electronic dance music festival in the world
It was also voted as the world’s best festival by DJ Magazine and its youtube channel has more than five million subscribers. Alongside some 15 stages and 400+ performers, the festival is known for impressive stage design and tickets sell out months in advance and is aptly located near a Belgian town called Boom.
Brussels has hosted some of Europe’s most known exiles
After being expelled from France, Karl Marx wrote The Communist Manifesto in Brussels in 1848 with Friedrich Engles, and French author Victor Hugo also worked on Les Miserables while living in Brussels in exile in 1851.
Belgium holds a world record for castles
Belgium has more castles per kilometer than any other country in the world.
Napoleon’s bid for European domination ended at the Battle of Waterloo in Belgium
After conquering much of continential Europe in the early 19th century, French military leader and emperor Napoleon Bonaparte was defeated in 1815 by allied forces, ending the Napoleonic era of European history, the Napoleonic Wars, and Napoleon’s Hundred Days’ reign. Visitors can see Napoleon’s and other war artifacts at the site today.
Belgium is the birthplace of some of the world’s most famous identities
Including: actors Audrey Hepburn (born Edda van Heemstra Hepburn-Ruston in Brussels) and Jean-Claude van Damme; artists Jan Van Eyck, Peter Paul Rubens and René Magritte; fashion designers Liz Claiborne and Dries Van Noten; composer and singer Jacques Brel; and writer Georges Simenon with his protagionist Inspector Maigret.
Belgium has been producing chocolate for almost 400 years
The first evidence of chocolate production in Belgium dates back to 1635. Today Belgium produces over 173,000 tons of the stuff a year, and has an estimated 2,000 chocolate shops.
Antwerp is the world’s diamond capital
With an estimated annual turnover of more than EUR 20 billion, around three times more than the next competitor (US). Diamonds have been traded here since 1447, and today the city handles more than 80 percent of the world’s rough diamonds and 50 percent of all cut diamonds. The Flemish jeweller Lodewyk van Bercken is credited to inventing the first pear cut diamond and the polishing wheel (scaif), which uses diamond dust to cut diamonds to achieve greater precision and more complex cuts. His statue can be seen near Antwerp’s diamond district.
Belgium is the world’s leading exporter of billiard balls
Nearly 80 percent of the world’s billiard balls are made in Belgium. Saluc AC, established in 1923, has its own chemical plant to make the phenolic resin, which give Aramith balls their characteristic high-gloss, rock-hard finish.
Belgium business immigration
Application conditions
1. Non-criminal record;
2. Start a business
Belgium asset management
Program contains documents: Belgium passport, overseas account and company
Application conditions
1. Non-criminal record;
Why choose us: WZ&P is the expert in residence and citizenship planning. There are hundreds of clients and advisors rely on our expertise and experience. Our highly qualified professionals work together as one team worldwide.
We have 18 offices worldwide. For related links, please click:
Global Office
Want to know more？Please contact us for more details
E-mail: daisy.p@wz-p.com
Related Articles: Belgium Residence Permit