Belgium is more than waffles - Wild facts tourists never expect
Facts about Belgium that will definitely impress you (photo: Getty Images)
Belgium is known for its chocolate, waffles, and as the headquarters of the EU. But there are things tourists don’t suspect. From strange laws to annual cat festivals – here are 15 unexpected facts about Belgium that will surprise even seasoned travelers. Here is what every traveler should know about Belgium.
World's capital of comics
Belgium is the birthplace of many famous comic book artists. Iconic characters such as Tintin (created by Hergé), the Smurfs (by Peyo), and Lucky Luke were born here.
Brussels even has the Belgian Comic Strip Center, and the city walls are adorned with numerous murals dedicated to comic book heroes.
World's largest flower carpet
Every two years, the central square of Brussels, the Grand-Place, turns into a massive, incredibly beautiful flower carpet.
About 700,000 begonias are used to create it, and it stretches 77 meters long and 24 meters wide.
Homeland of saxophone
Although the saxophone is an integral part of jazz, it was invented by a Belgian, Adolphe Sax, in the 1840s. In the city of Dinant, where he was born, there is a monument to this remarkable musical instrument. The original name of the instrument was the "mouthpiece ophicleide."
Interestingly, Belgium is considered the birthplace of European-style jazz. The first jazz clubs in Europe appeared here in the 1920s.
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Monument to Adolphe Sax in the city of Dinant (photo: Wikipedia)
Highest number of castles per square kilometer
Belgium boasts an impressive number of castles – over 3,000! That’s more than any other country in the world relative to land area. Many of them are open to visitors, offering a dive into history.
Excellent railway network
Belgium has the densest railway network in the world, making it easy to reach almost any point in the country by train. This makes traveling in Belgium extremely convenient and eco-friendly.
Peeing boy and his wardrobe
The famous Brussels statue Manneken Pis has over 1,000 costumes in its wardrobe, stored at the City Museum. He is dressed in various outfits several times a week, often in honor of holidays or foreign delegations' visits.
Belgium also has a "Peeing Girl" and a "Peeing Dog" fountain.
Fountain "The peeing boy" (photo: Wikipedia)
Frites are not French fries
Although the world knows them as "French fries," they actually originate from Belgium, where they are called "frites" or "frieten." Belgians have a unique way of cooking them – double frying for perfect crispiness – and they are served with a variety of sauces.
Beer is more than just a drink
Belgium is famous for its beer traditions. The country produces over 1,500 original types of beer, including unique Trappist and lambic brews. For comparison, there are only 365 days in a year!
Belgium even has an official profession – beer sommelier – which requires special certification. Since 1999, there's been an academy in the country dedicated to studying the properties and characteristics of beer.
Fountain "The peeing girl" (photo: Wikipedia)
Official languages
Belgium has three official languages: Dutch (spoken in Flanders in the north), French (common in Wallonia in the south), and German (in a small region in the east). Brussels is officially bilingual (French and Dutch).
Highest Michelin star density
Although Belgium is a small country, it has one of the highest concentrations of Michelin-starred restaurants per capita. It's a true paradise for food lovers.
Chocolate country
Belgium produces over 220,000 tons of chocolate per year. Brussels is home to more than 2,000 chocolate shops, and chocolate in Belgium is not just a dessert – it's part of the national culture. Each year, the average Belgian consumes more than 10 kg of chocolate.
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Chocolate shop in Belgium (photo: Wikipedia)
First country with online newspaper
In 1995, Belgium became the first country in the world to launch an online version of a newspaper, De Morgen.
Cobblestone culture
Belgium is known for its numerous cobblestone roads, which are especially popular among cyclists. Many famous cycling races, such as the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, take place on these historic routes.
Antwerp – world's diamond center
The city of Antwerp is a global leader in diamond trading. Over 80% of the world's rough diamonds and 50% of all cut diamonds pass through Antwerp. Overall, Belgium ranks first in diamond processing.
SPA from Belgium
The globally known "spa salons" owe their name to the famous resort town of Spa in Belgium. It is home to many mineral water springs.
The town of Spa in Belgium (photo: Wikipedia)
Belgium is a country of contrasts, where ancient traditions harmoniously blend with modern innovations, and a small area is packed with cultural and historical gems.
Earlier, we reported that holidays in Spain became more expensive due to new rules for tourists
Sources: Belgium.be, Visit Belgium (official tourism website), The Brussels Times, National Geographic
