Belgium: Anecdotes and Key Points

Introduction

• Belgium, located in the heart of Europe, is a crossroads of civilizations.
• Known for its gastronomy, architecture, and traditions.
• 10 anecdotes about Belgium are presented.

Belgian Fries

• Origin: Although often attributed to Belgium, fries were invented in France, in Montmartre in the 19th century.
• Jean Frédéric Krieger, a Belgian, popularized fries in Belgium with his mobile stand "Fritz" in 1844.
• Belgium is the country that consumes the most fries per capita in the world.
• More than 5000 fry shops in the country.
• Law regulating mayonnaise in Belgium.

Belgian Origins of New York

• Peter Minuit, a Belgian, led New Netherland and bought Manhattan for 24 dollars in 1626.
• Wall Street derives its name from the Walloon, due to the strong Walloon presence.

Diamond Trade in Antwerp

• 80% of the world's rough diamonds pass through Antwerp.
• A district of less than 2 km², nicknamed "One Square Mile," is the nerve center of diamond trading.
• Significant economic impact: 150 million euros of trade per day.

Antwerp and Ghent

• Antwerp is the largest city in Belgium with 530,000 inhabitants, followed by Ghent with 263,000 inhabitants.
• Antwerp is the second-largest port in Europe after Rotterdam.
• The Belgian monarchy was established in 1831; Philippe of Belgium is the current king.

Belgian Art on the Moon

• "Fallen Astronaut," a work by Paul Van Hoeydonck, has rested on the Moon since the Apollo 15 mission in 1971.

Ghent: Erasmus Destination

• Ghent is voted the best destination for an Erasmus in Europe.
• A city without car traffic, favoring bicycles and pedestrians.

Cycling in Belgium

• 4500 km of bike paths across the country.
• Bockrijk, a cycling path on water, ranked among the most beautiful places in the world.

Belgian Beer

• 2500 varieties of beers, registered as intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO since 2016.
• Original concept in Ghent: a shoe left as collateral to prevent the theft of glasses.

Belgian Inventor: Gerard Mercator

• Inventor of the World Map in the 16th century, revolutionary for cartography.

Conclusion

• Belgium is rich in culture, history, and innovation.
• Visiting Antwerp and Ghent is worth the trip to discover these treasures.