A World Capital

Brussels - capital of Flanders, capital of Belgium, administrative capital of the European Union. In a thousand years the city has graduated from being a small fort established by Charles of France into its status today as a thriving political and business center... a city of worldwide importance. Today it is the headquarters of the European Union, headquarters of NATO, host to some 160 embassies and trade missions, and home to a wide variety of other international organizations, associations and businesses.

 
European politicians, international lobbyists and European headquarters for multinational companies have re-shaped the city’s cultural and business life. Brussels is a multicultural, multilingual capital with well-established educational, sports and cultural facilities catering for a vast number of expatriates of every conceivable nationality.

Travel and connectivity

Brussels hosts a wide range of international trade fairs, exhibitions and conferences, as well as headquarters operations, ranging from European lobbying, marketing and sales offices to international treasury operations. It is well-connected for both communications and travel. Brussels is among the leading European Internet hubs, while its international airport at Zaventem offers regular and frequent flights to a large number of destinations around the globe. In addition, the city is on the European high-speed train (TGV, Thalys, Eurostar) network, providing rapid rail services to Paris, London and other leading cities.

Rich Cultural Heritage

Brussels is a city with rich architectural and artistic traditions. It has five royal academies of fine arts and five royal conservatories. Internationally renowned festivals include the Queen Elisabeth classical music competition, Europalia and the Brussels Jazz Rally. The Grand Place, or central square, is considered a jewel of its type, while notable buildings include the Royal Palace, the Cathedral (13th to 15th century), the Church of Notre-Dame de la Chapelle (begun in 1210) and the symbolic Atomium.

There are a large number of specialized museums and art galleries, some 70 theaters and concert halls, a wide range of cinemas and visiting exhibitions and concerts. A variety of restaurants offer culinary fare from both home and abroad, while street-side cafes and terraces are often animated or simply provide a convenient spot for those who like to watch people go by. Brussels also has some 2,600 hectares of parkland and woods for those who prefer a quiet stroll. Television offers a wide variety of channels from other European nations as well as international broadcasters. Digital television was introduced in both Flanders and Brussels in 2005.

Sport for All

Belgium's national sports are football and cycling, but the Flanders region and Brussels cater for virtually all known sports through a wide variety of clubs. These range from baseball and golf to cricket and rugby; from judo and swimming to Thai boxing and athletics.