Brussels Information

Brussels is the capital of Belgium and the European Union. Brussels is also the capital of the Flanders (the Flemish community) and the French community of Belgium. Brussels is also the political seat of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation), WEU Western European Union) and EUROCONTROL (European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation).

Brussels is located in the centre of Belgium, it also refers to the largest city of the Brussels - Capital Region. This municipality is known as The City of Brussels and it is one of the 19 municipalities that make up the Brussels - Capital Region. The City of Brussels has a population of around 140,000. The Brussels - Capital Region has a population of over one million.

The layout of the city centre is a remnant of it's historic class divisions. The ruling class has lived in the upper town for centuries. It's an area of grand mansions and wide boulevards which looks over the streets of the lower town, traditionally home to the shopkeepers and working class. The class divide is further complicated by Belgium's two linguistic groups, the French speaking Walloons and the Dutch speaking Flemish. As a result Brussels is Belgium's only official bilingual region - it is a legal requirement that all road signs, street names and almost all published information must be in both languages. Even though eighty percent of the population speak French.

Brussels is home to a variety of ethnic restaurants and it's gastronomic reputation rivals the cities of Paris and London. The restaurants can be quite expensive but there is great value food available in many of the cities bar.

Many of the city's best bars and restaurants are located around the city centre and nearby all the key sights. The Lower Town is centred around the Grand Palace, which is one of the most remarkable squares in Europe, it features a suburb collection of Baroque guild houses and a Gothic town hall. The Upper Town is not without it's sights, there you'll find s splendid cathedral and a fine international art museum - the Musée Royaux des Beaux Arts.

Another pleasure for many visitors is shopping, the city is full of designer clothes shops, antique markets and numerous specialist shops ranging from jewellery to comic books. Not forgetting the world famous Belgian chocolates!