Belgium

CAPITAL: Brussels (Brussel, Bruxelles)

FLAG: The flag, adopted in 1831, is a tricolor of black, yellow, and red vertical stripes.

ANTHEM: La Brabançonne (The Song of Brabant), named after the Duchy of Brabant.

MONETARY UNIT: The euro replaced the Belgian franc in 2002. 

CLIMATE

In the coastal region, the climate is mild and humid. There are marked temperature changes farther inland. In the high southeasterly districts, hot summers alternate with very cold winters. Except in the highlands, rainfall is seldom heavy. The average annual temperature is 8°c (46°f); in Brussels, the mean temperature is 10°c (50°f), ranging from 3°c (37°f) in January to 18°c (64°f) in July. Average annual rainfall is between 70 and 100 cm (28 to 40 in).

About Belgium

French and Dutch are the official languages of the city and the street names and the traffic sings are always written in both languages.

The inland capital of Belgium is surrounded by Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg and France. Furthermore Brussels is a multi-lingual and multi-cultural city in the heart of Europe, this makes it with justification be the “Capital of Europe” where also the European Parlament has found it's ideal home.

The population in whole Belgium is about only 10.2 million, Brussels itself has about 970.000 inhabitants, but Belgian are said to be very able to compensate for their small numbers with trained diplomacy, compromise and negotiation.

ATTRACTIONS

1. What the Eiffel tower is to Paris and the Statue of Liberty is to New York, the figure of Manneken Pis is to Brussels. Although the tiny figure of a peeing boy is unparalleled to the two massive landmarks as far as size and spectacular effect, the Manneken Pis is just as dear to the hearts of residents of its home city. It hasn’t always been like this. The original version of the statue, cast in bronze by Jerome Duquesnoy, was installed on the site in 1619 and quickly became the favourite object of vandals. Destroyed a number of times, it has always been restored. On one occasion, the figure was shattered to pieces. The remains were used to create the mold from which the contemporary version of the statue  was cast. There is also a peeing girl in the city, her name is Janneke Pis, but she isn't so popular as her boyfriend so far.
2. Mini-Europe is a miniature park located in Bruparck at the foot of the Atomium. The park has the reproductions of the most attractive monuments in the European Union. 80 cities and 350 buildings are represented. 
3. The Grand Place of Brussels is the great place to spend the day. There are hundreds of shops restaurants and cofes, so you can drink a coffee and enjoy the Belgian waffle with a beautiful view. Every year the Belgians make a big carpet out of flowers and put it in the middle of the Grand Place. It's really great but easiest to see of you can view it from the balcony of the "Hotel the Ville" (city hall). This way you have to buy a ticket, it costs circa 3 euros.

  4.  Hotel de Ville (city hall).

5. Halle Gate 

6. Bozar (Centre for Fine Arts)

7. Océade is a large water attraction park for the whole family.