What is Belgium Known for?
The picturesque country of Belgium is undoubtedly a traveler’s delight. From its majestic hills to splendid cities and scrumptious cuisine, Belgium has a lot to offer. If you are looking for that one exclusive monument, dish or physical feature that Belgium is famous for, then you are going to have a tough time searching, as Belgium is famous for quite a few things.
Ask children which comic they like the most, and many of them would choose Tintin. This comic is highly popular worldwide, but how many know that the young reporter is the creation of a Belgian cartoonist Georges Remi, who is known by the name of Hergé. Tintin is a much-loved character, and the comic has been published in more than 70 languages with more than 200 million copies sold.
Belgian cuisine is much relished, and they have invented many mouth-watering dishes which have come to form a part of many cuisines across the globe. Not many know that the lip-smacking French Fries actually originated in Belgium.
While most Americans would shudder at the thought of mayonnaise soaked French fries, they are oblivious to the fact that despite the name, there is an ongoing dispute between Belgium and France regarding the origin of this dish.
The Belgians also have a sweet tooth for chocolates, and Belgian chocolates have gained widespread popularity across the globe. But if you are not into French Fries and chocolates, you can opt for other Belgian delicacies such as waffles and Speculoos, which are a kind of a biscuit. For beer aficionados, Belgium is the place to be as an estimated 800 beers are made in this country. Surely, the country would appeal to a food and beer lover.
Antwerp is a sprawling and prominent Belgian city with a population of around 1,200,000 people, just behind the capital city of Brussels. The Port of Antwerp is the second biggest in Europe, and the city is also known as the Diamond Capital of the World, as roughly between 60 to 80 percent of the all the diamonds in the world are traded here. Belgium is also home to the longest tram in the world. With a length of 42 miles, the Coast Tram connects the cities and towns situated between De Panne and Knokke-Heist.
A traveler would surely come across many castles in the country. Belgium has one of the highest density of castles in the world and one for the history buff; Waterloo, the site of Napoleon’s final battle and defeat is also located in Belgium.
So, the next time you listen to that melodious music on a saxophone (originated in Belgium), just remember how rich this country has made our lives.
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