Capital: Brussels
Largest City: Brussels
Official Language(s): French, Dutch
Establishment: October 4, 1830

Flowing fountains of chocolate, sugar-dusted waffles and cafes serving up frites on every corner are common sights across Belgium, hallmarks of the unique cuisine that was pioneered here and spread all around the world. Nowhere is this more evident than in Brussels, the uniting heart of a nation divided between a Dutch north and a French south. It also serves as the de facto capital of the European Union, hosting several agencies that make up the supranational organization, in addition to serving as the second seat of the EU Parliament. Elsewhere in Belgium, cities such as Ghent and Antwerp dazzle with stunning architecture that dates back a millennium or more: eye-catching rowhouses and belfries that have rung for generations.

Areas to Explore

BRUSSELS

GHENT