Brussels - the capital of Belgium

Belgium

The Kingdom of Belgium is a country in northwest Europe.

It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts its headquarters, as well as those of other major international organizations, including NATO.

How many regions are there in Belgium?

The City of Brussels is the official capital, the funds are allowed by the federation and region for the representative role of the capital and are divided among the 19 regions.

   French name    Dutch name      

1 Anderlecht Anderlecht

2 Auderghem Oudergem

3 Berchem-Sainte-Agathe Sint-Agatha-Berchem

4 Ville de Bruxelles Stad Brussel

5 Etterbeek Etterbeek

6 Evere Evere

7 Forest Vorst

8 Ganshoren Ganshoren

9 Ixelles Elsene

10 Jette Jette

11 Koekelberg Koekelberg

12 Molenbeek-Saint-Jean Sint-Jans-Molenbeek

13 Saint-Gilles Sint-Gillis

14 Saint-Josse-ten-Noode Sint-Joost-ten-Node

15 Schaerbeek Schaarbeek

16 Uccle Ukkel

17 Watermael-Boitsfort Watermaal-Bosvoorde

18 Woluwe-Saint-Lambert Sint-Lambrechts-Woluwe

19 Woluwe-Saint-Pierre Sint-Pieters-Woluwe

What are the names of the regions in Belgium?

Bruxelles Schaerbeek Etterbeek Ixelles Saint-Gilles Anderlecht

Molenbeek St Jean Koekelberg Berchem Ste Agathe Ganshoren Jette Evere

Woluwe St Pierre Auderghem Watermael-Boisfort Uccle Forest Woluwe St Lambert Saint-Josse ten Noode

Map of regions

Brussels

Brussels is the capital of Belgium and the administrative centre of the European Union. This has earned the city the title of the Capital of Europe.

The vibrant atmosphere of Brussels is further enhanced by picturesque medieval streets, lively squares, beautiful boulevards, impressive monuments, spacious parks, cosy cafés, interesting restaurants and an active cultural life.

Where did the name “Brussels” come from?

The name Brussels comes from the Old Dutch Bruocsella, which means marsh (bruoc) and home (sella) or "home in the marsh".

Who is the mayor of Brussels?

Freddy Thielemans

Born September 11, 1944 in Laeken is a Belgian socialist politician and, since 2001, the current mayor of Brussels.

He had previously served as the mayor of Brussels for a period in 1994.

What famous people are there in Brussels?

Audrey Hepburn (1929 – 1993).

The graceful actor and much loved humanitarian won a name for herself in "Roman Holiday" (1953), her first Hollywood film.

"Breakfast at Tiffany's" (1961) that will be remembered as one of the most iconic in the cinematic history.

Marguerite Yourcenar (1903-1987).

Yourcenar was born Marguerite de Crayencour in Brussels.

She wrote many novels and short stories, several plays, poetry, critical essays as well as three volumes of memoirs.

In 1980, she distinguished herself as the first woman to be elected to the Academie Francoise.

Pierre Culliford (1928-1992).

Pierre Culliford, widely known under his artistic nickname Peyo, was born in Brussels.

Peyo had a great success with "Johan & Pirlouit" and even bigger with "Smurfs“.

Jacques Brel. Brel is hailed as one of the

most superb modern French-language singer-songwriters and a passionate live performer.

He got his first hit 'Quand on n'a que l'amour' in 1956.

Brel also starred in several movies, two of which he directed himself - "Franz" in 1971 and "Le Far West" in 1973.

The population of Brussels

Belgium has only 10 million inhabitants. One million of them live in Brussels. While in 1960 7.3% of the Brussels population was foreign, today the figure has risen to 56.5%. In 1991 28.5% of the Brussels residents held a foreign nationality and 4.5% were “new” Belgians. By 2020 75% of the Brussels population will be of non-Belgian origin.

Entertainment in Brussels

La Monnaie is one of the most modern opera houses in Europe.

Brussels nightlife does not end at the stroke of midnight.

There are lots of entertainment in summer and winter. About markets and shops in Brussels.

Similarities between Brussels and Vilnius

The scientists say that Vilnius is the European centre and Brussels is the European Union centre.

Vilnius and Brussels have a wonderful, interesting city centre where there are a lot of old an famous buildings.

Those cities have a lot of schools and universities as well as art galleries and libraries.

Differences between Brussels and Vilnius

Brussels

1. There are more then one nation language.

2. Royal family lives there.3. They Have unique

“horror coffee” cafes. 4. Brussels became the

capital of Belgium in 1830.

5. There live 1 024 492 people.

6. Brussels territory is about 162 km².

Vilnius

1. There is one nation language.

2. President lives there.

3. There are country stile coffee shops.

4. The exat date, when Vilnius settlement was established, is unknown.

5. There live 542 782 people.

6. Vilnius territory is about 401 km².

What are the architectural symbols in Brussels?

The Atomium

The Atomium is a monument built for Expo '58, the 1958 Brussels World's Fair.

Designed by André Waterkeyn, it is 102-metre tall, with nine steel spheres.

One of the original ideas for Expo '58 was to build an upside-down version of the Eiffel tower.

It soon became a symbol not only of the World's Fair, but of modern architecture and Brussels.

The monument stayed the same for almost 50 years.

The Manneken Pis

The Manneken Pis is a Brussels landmark.

It is a small bronze fountain sculpture depicting a naked little boy urinating into the fountain's basin.

The tiny statue was cast in 1619 by Jerome Duquesnoy but was unfortunately destroyed. Another was cast to replace it in 1630.

Since 1987, the Manneken has had a female equivalent, Jeanneke Pis.

The Grand Place

The Grand Place is one of the most beautiful squares in Europe.

The Grand Place is located in the centre of Brussels and is surrounded by dozens of small narrow old streets.

On Sundays, the Grand Place is used today as a bird and flower market.

This lying man is a monument in the Grand Place. People touch it as a symbol of Good Luck.

Flower Carpet at Brussels' Grand Place

The face of the City Hall in the Grand Place, Brussels

Sainte-Catherine at night, Brussels

The Royal Palace and Royal Park

The Royal Palace is not the ‘Royal Palace’ where the King of Belgium lives in but the palace where he comes to work.

The Royal Park is quite big and has many fountains and green lawns.

The Royal Park is a great place to go to especially in the summer if you want to relax and keep away from the crowds.

The European Union Buildings

Belgium is part of the European Union and Brussels is the head of the European Union.

The majority of important decisions are taken in Brussels.

There are many buildings related to the EU in Brussels and it is very spectacular.

What universities are there in Brussels?

There are several universities in Brussels.

The two main universities are the Universite Libre de Bruxelles and the Vrije Universiteit Brussels.

Information:1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freddy_Thielemans2. http://www.brusselsjournal.com/node/20623. http://bch-cbd.naturalsciences.be/belgium/implementation/

documents/nationalreports/natrep1/images/fig1-1.jpg4. http://74.img.v4.skyrock.com/746/bub/pics/

346697695_small.jpg5. http://www.brucity.be/images/politiq/thielemans/portrait.jpg6. http://www.brussels.org/7. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brussels8. http://www.visitbelgium.com/didyouknow.htm

Compiled by:

Inga Utkaitė Irma Arlauskaitė Rūta Laurikaitytė Gediminas Petrošius