Difference between revisions of "Brussels" - New World Encyclopedia
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− | '''Brussels''' ({{lang-fr|Bruxelles}}, {{pronounced|bʁysɛl}} | + | '''Brussels''' ({{lang-fr|Bruxelles}}, {{pronounced|bʁysɛl}}; {{lang-nl|Brussel}}, {{pronounced|ˈbrɵsəɫ}})<!-- DO NOT CHANGE THE ORDER HERE WITHOUT A CONSENSUS ON THE TALK PAGE --> is the largest city in [[Belgium]], and the administrative heart of the [[European Union]] (EU). The [[City of Brussels]] in the [[Brussels-Capital Region]] is the country's [[capital]].<ref>[http://www.brussels.org/ Welcome to Brussels<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Brussels has grown from a 10th century fortress town founded by [[Charlemagne]]'s grandson into a metropolis of over one million inhabitants<ref name="History">[http://www.brussels.org/history/ Brussels.org - History of Brussels]</ref><ref>[http://www.kent.ac.uk/brussels/brussels.html Brussels: The "Capital of Europe"]</ref>. |
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− | Brussels is also the | + | Brussels is also capital of the [[Brussels-Capital Region]], of [[Flanders]] and of the [[French Community of Belgium]]. It is not, however, the capital of the [[Walloon Region]] ([[Wallonia]]), whose capital is [[Namur (city)|Namur]]. |
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+ | Although the [[City of Brussels]] historically was the city's core, the population has long since outgrown the [[Municipalities of the Brussels-Capital Region|municipality]]. Today, the settlement of Brussels is effectively most often synonymous with the more recently established [[Brussels-Capital Region]]; one of Belgium's three [[Communities and regions of Belgium#Regions|regions]]. | ||
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+ | Brussels is often considered the ''[[de facto]]'' capital of the European Union, and hosts key EU institutions such as the [[European Commission|Commission]], [[European Parliament|Parliament]] and the [[Council of the European Union|Council]]. Brussels is a [[metonymy]] for the European Union's government. Hence, many other pan-European organisations are also headquartered in the city. [[NATO]] is also based in Brussels. | ||
==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
− | The name Brussels comes from the old Dutch ''Bruocsella | + | The name Brussels comes from the old Dutch ''Bruocsella'', which means marsh (''bruoc'') and home (''sella'') or "home in the marsh". |
==History== | ==History== | ||
− | + | ===Middle Ages=== | |
− | + | The origin of the settlement that was to become Brussels lies in [[Saint Gaugericus]]' construction of a chapel on [[Saint Gaugericus Island|an island]] in the river [[Senne]] around 580.<ref>[http://www.city-data.com/world-cities/Brussels-History.html Brussels History<!-- Bot generated title —>]</ref> | |
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− | + | The official founding of Brussels is usually situated around 979, because Duke [[Charles, Duke of Lower Lotharingia|Charles]] transferred the relics of Saint Gudula from [[Moorsel]] to the Saint Gaugericus chapel in Brussels, located on what would be called [[Saint Gaugericus Island]]. The [[Holy Roman Emperor]] [[Otto II, Holy Roman Emperor|Otto II]] gave the duchy of [[Lower Lotharingia]] to [[Charles, Duke of Lower Lotharingia|Charles]], the banished son of King [[Louis IV of France]] in 977, who would construct the first permanent fortification in the city, doing so on that same island. | |
− | The founding of Brussels is usually situated around 979, because Duke [[Charles, Duke of Lower Lotharingia|Charles]] transferred the relics of Saint Gudula from [[Moorsel]] to the Saint | + | |
− | + | [[Image:Brussel 1555 Deventer.jpg|thumb|left|150px|1555 map of the city]] | |
− | The county of Brussels was attributed to [[Lambert I of Leuven]], [[Counts of Leuven|count of Leuven]] around 1000. In 1047, his son [[Lambert II of Leuven]] founded the Saint Gudula chapter. | + | The county of Brussels was attributed to [[Lambert I of Leuven]], [[Counts of Leuven|count of Leuven]] around 1000. In 1047, his son [[Lambert II, Count of Leuven]] founded the Saint Gudula chapter. |
− | + | Because of its location on the shores of the [[Senne]] on an important trade route between [[Bruges]] and [[Ghent]], and [[Cologne]], Brussels grew quite quickly; it became a commercial centre that rapidly extended towards the upper town ([[St. Michael and Gudula Cathedral]], [[Coudenberg]], Zavel area...), where there was a smaller risk of floods. As it grew to a population of around 30,000, the surrounding marshes were drained to allow for further expansion. The Counts of Leuven became [[Duke of Brabant|Dukes of Brabant]] at about this time (1183/1184). In the 11th century, the city got its first walls.<ref>{{nl}}[http://www.bop.vgc.be/didmat/ogenblikken/achtergrond/ontstaan.html Zo ontstond Brussel] Vlaamse Gemeenschapscommissie - Commission of the Flemish Community in Brussels</ref> | |
− | + | After the construction of the [[first walls of Brussels]] in the early 13th century, Brussels grew significantly. In order to let the city expand, [[second walls of Brussels|a second set of walls]] was erected between 1356 and 1383. Today, traces of it can still be seen, mostly because the "[[small ring]]", a series of roadways in downtown Brussels bounding the historic city centre, follows its former course. | |
− | In the | + | In the fifteenth century, by means of the wedding of heiress [[Margaret III of Flanders]] with [[Philip II, Duke of Burgundy|Philip the Bold, Duke of Burgundy]], a new Duke of Brabant emerged from the House of [[Valois Dynasty|Valois]] (namely [[Antoine, Duke of Brabant|Antoine]], their son), with another line of descent from the Habsburgs (Maximilian of Austria, later [[Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor]], married [[Mary of Burgundy]], who was born in Brussels). |
Brabant had lost its independence, but Brussels became the Princely Capital of the prosperous [[Low Countries]], and flourished. | Brabant had lost its independence, but Brussels became the Princely Capital of the prosperous [[Low Countries]], and flourished. | ||
− | [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles V]], heir of the Low Countries since 1506, though (as he was only 6 years old) governed by his aunt [[Margaret of Austria (1480-1530)|Margaret of Austria]] until 1515, was declared King of | + | ===Renaissance=== |
+ | [[Image:Grand- Place BXL1695 -01.jpg|thumb|Grand Place after [[Bombardment of Brussels|the 1695 bombardment]] by the French army]] | ||
+ | |||
+ | [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles V]], heir of the Low Countries since 1506, though (as he was only 6 years old) governed by his aunt [[Margaret of Austria (1480-1530)|Margaret of Austria]] until 1515, was declared King of [[Spain]], in 1516, in the Cathedral of Saint Gudule in Brussels. | ||
− | Upon the death of his grandfather, [[Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor]] | + | Upon the death of his grandfather, [[Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor]] in 1519, [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles V]] became the new archduke of the Austrian Empire and thus the [[Holy Roman Emperor]] of the Empire "[[The empire on which the sun never sets|on which the sun does not set]]". It was in [[Coudenberg|the Palace complex at Coudenberg]] that Charles V abdicated in 1555. This impressive palace, famous all over Europe, had greatly expanded since it had first become the seat of the Dukes of Brabant, but it was destroyed by fire in 1731. All that remains is an archaeological site. |
− | In 1695 | + | In 1695, [[France|French]] troops sent by King [[Louis XIV]] [[bombardment of Brussels|bombarded Brussels with artillery]]. Together with the resulting fire, it was most destructive event in the entire history of Brussels. The [[Grand Place]] was destroyed, along with 4000 buildings, a third of those in the city. The reconstruction of [[pentagon (Brussels)|the city centre]], effected during subsequent years, profoundly changed the appearance of the city and left numerous traces still visible today. |
− | In 1830, the [[Belgian revolution]] took place in Brussels after a performance of [[Daniel-Francois-Esprit Auber|Auber's]] opera ''[[La Muette de Portici]]'' at [[La Monnaie|De Munt]] or [[La Monnaie]] theatre. On [[July 21]], [[1831]], [[Leopold I of Belgium|Leopold I]], the first King of the Belgians, ascended the throne, undertaking the destruction of the city walls and the construction of many buildings. | + | ===Revolution=== |
+ | [[Image:Wappers belgian revolution.jpg|thumb|''Episode of the [[Belgian Revolution]] of 1830'', [[Egide Charles Gustave Wappers|Wappers]] (1834)]] | ||
+ | In 1830, the [[Belgian revolution]] took place in Brussels after a performance of [[Daniel-Francois-Esprit Auber|Auber's]] opera ''[[La Muette de Portici]]'' at [[La Monnaie|De Munt]] or [[La Monnaie]] theatre. On [[July 21]], [[1831]], [[Leopold I of Belgium|Leopold I]], the first King of the Belgians, ascended the throne, undertaking the destruction of the city walls and the construction of many buildings. Following independence, the city underwent many more changes. The Senne had become a serious [[health hazard]], and from 1867 to 1871 its entire [[urban area]] was [[covering of the Senne|completely covered over]]. This allowed [[urban renewal]] and the construction of modern buildings and boulevards which are characteristic of downtown Brussels today. | ||
− | + | ===Modern history=== | |
+ | {{Expand|date=June 2008}} | ||
+ | [[Image:Solvay conference 1927.jpg|thumb|left|The 1927 [[Solvay Conference]] in Brussels was the first world physics conference.]] | ||
+ | The city has hosted various fairs and conferences, including the fifth [[Solvay Conference]] in 1927 and two world fairs: the 1935 world fair and the [[Expo '58]]. | ||
− | Brussels is | + | Beginning on [[May 10]] [[1940]], Brussels was bombed by the German army; however, most of the war damage to the city took place in 1944–1945. The [[North-South Junction]] was built, completed in 1952. The first [[Brussels premetro]] was finished in 1969, and the first line of the [[Brussels Metro]] was opened in 1976. The [[Heysel Stadium disaster]] took place in Brussels on [[May 29]] [[1985]]. The Brussels Capital Region was founded on [[June 18]], [[1989]]. |
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+ | ==Geography== | ||
+ | ===Climate=== | ||
+ | Brussels is relatively near the coastal areas, and its climate is therefore influenced by marine air masses from the [[Atlantic Ocean]], as well as nearby wetlands. On average (based on measurements the last 100 years), there are approximately 200 days of rain per year in the Brussels-Capital Region.<ref>[http://www.meteo.be/meteo/view/fr/360361-Parametres.html#ppt_757427 Site de l'institut météorologique belge]</ref>. | ||
+ | {{Brussels weatherbox}} | ||
==Political centre== | ==Political centre== | ||
− | === | + | ===Belgian capital=== |
− | + | {{Expand|date=July 2008}} | |
− | {{ | + | [[Image:Palace of Brussels.jpg|thumb|The [[Royal Palace of Brussels]]]] |
− | + | Despite what it name indicates, the [[Brussels-Capital Region]] is not the capital of [[Belgium]] in itself. The article 194 of the [[Belgian Constitution]] lays down that the capital of Belgium is the [[City of Brussels]], a smaller municipality within the capital region that once was the city's core.<ref>http://www.fed-parl.be/gwuk0015.htm#E11E15</ref> | |
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− | + | However, although the City of Brussels is the official capital, the funds allowed by the federation and region for the representative role of the capital are divided among the 19 municipalities, and some national institutions are sited in the other 18 municipalities. Thus, while ''[[de jure]]'' only the City of Brussels is entitled to the title of capital city of Belgium, ''de facto'' the entire Region plays this role. | |
+ | |||
+ | The national institutions of the Belgian state are spread loosely around the region. For example the [[Belgian Federal Parliament]] and the legislative chambers of the [[Walloon Region]] and the [[Flemish Region]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Flanders and the French community=== | ||
+ | {| class="toccolours" style="float:right; margin:0 auto; backgrond:none; font-size:90%" | ||
+ | | style="background:#FFF; padding:5px; text-align:center" class="toccolours"| | ||
+ | {{Image label begin|image=Brussels-Capital Region blank stylised.svg|width=270}} | ||
+ | {{Image label|x=0.24|y=0.55|scale=270|text=[[Anderlecht|1]]}} | ||
+ | {{Image label|x=0.8|y=0.67|scale=270|text=[[Auderghem|2]]}} | ||
+ | {{Image label|x=0.2|y=0.33|scale=270|text=[[Sint-Agatha-Berchem|3]]}} | ||
+ | {{Image label|x=0.48|y=0.2|scale=270|text=[[City of Brussels|4]]}} | ||
+ | {{Image label|x=0.63|y=0.56|scale=270|text=[[Etterbeek|5]]}} | ||
+ | {{Image label|x=0.685|y=0.3|scale=270|text=[[Evere|6]]}} | ||
+ | {{Image label|x=0.328|y=0.67|scale=270|text=[[Forest, Belgium|7]]}} | ||
+ | {{Image label|x=0.25|y=0.27|scale=270|text=[[Ganshoren|8]]}} | ||
+ | {{Image label|x=0.475|y=0.64|scale=270|text=[[Ixelles|9]]}} | ||
+ | {{Image label|x=0.56|y=0.618|scale=270|text=[[Ixelles|9]]}} | ||
+ | {{Image label|x=0.28|y=0.2|scale=270|text=[[Jette|10]]}} | ||
+ | {{Image label|x=0.289|y=0.345|scale=270|text=[[Koekelberg|11]]}} | ||
+ | {{Image label|x=0.284|y=0.41|scale=270|text=[[Sint-Jans-Molenbeek|12]]}} | ||
+ | {{Image label|x=0.41|y=0.585|scale=270|text=[[Saint-Gilles, Belgium|13]]}} | ||
+ | {{Image label|x=0.524|y=0.424|scale=270|text=[[Saint-Josse-ten-Noode|14]]}} | ||
+ | {{Image label|x=0.584|y=0.36|scale=270|text=[[Schaerbeek|15]]}} | ||
+ | {{Image label|x=0.472|y=0.86|scale=270|text=[[Uccle|16]]}} | ||
+ | {{Image label|x=0.75|y=0.84|scale=270|text=[[Watermael-Boitsfort|17]]}} | ||
+ | {{Image label|x=0.76|y=0.446|scale=270|text=[[Woluwe-Saint-Lambert|18]]}} | ||
+ | {{Image label|x=0.84|y=0.568|scale=270|text=[[Woluwe-Saint-Pierre|2]]}} | ||
+ | {{Image label end}}''The 19 municipalities of the [[Brussels-Capital Region]]'' | ||
+ | | style="line-height:70%" | <ol> | ||
+ | <li>[[Anderlecht]]</li> | ||
+ | <li>[[Auderghem]]</li> | ||
+ | <li>[[Sint-Agatha-Berchem]]</li> | ||
+ | <li>[[City of Brussels]]</li> | ||
+ | <li>[[Etterbeek]]</li> | ||
+ | <li>[[Evere]]</li> | ||
+ | <li>[[Forest, Belgium|Forest]]</li> | ||
+ | <li>[[Ganshoren]]</li> | ||
+ | <li>[[Ixelles]]</li> | ||
+ | <li>[[Jette]]</li> | ||
+ | <li>[[Koekelberg]]</li> | ||
+ | <li>[[Sint-Jans-Molenbeek]]</li> | ||
+ | <li>[[Saint-Gilles, Belgium|Saint-Gilles]]</li> | ||
+ | <li>[[Saint-Josse-ten-Noode]]</li> | ||
+ | <li>[[Schaerbeek]]</li> | ||
+ | <li>[[Uccle]]</li> | ||
+ | <li>[[Watermael-Boitsfort]]</li> | ||
+ | <li>[[Woluwe-Saint-Lambert]]</li> | ||
+ | <li>[[Woluwe-Saint-Pierre]]</li> | ||
+ | </ol> | ||
+ | |} | ||
The Brussels-Capital Region is one of the three federated regions of Belgium, alongside [[Wallonia]] and the [[Flemish Region]]. Geographically and linguistically, it is a (bilingual) [[enclave]] in the (unilingual) Flemish Region. Regions are one component of Belgium's complex institutions, the three communities being the other component: the Brussels inhabitants must deal with either the [[French Community of Belgium|French (speaking) community]] or the [[Flemish Community]] for matters such as culture and education. | The Brussels-Capital Region is one of the three federated regions of Belgium, alongside [[Wallonia]] and the [[Flemish Region]]. Geographically and linguistically, it is a (bilingual) [[enclave]] in the (unilingual) Flemish Region. Regions are one component of Belgium's complex institutions, the three communities being the other component: the Brussels inhabitants must deal with either the [[French Community of Belgium|French (speaking) community]] or the [[Flemish Community]] for matters such as culture and education. | ||
− | Brussels is also the capital of both the French Community of Belgium (''Communauté française de Belgique'' in French) and of [[Flanders]] (''Vlaanderen''); all Flemish capital institutions are established here: [[Flemish Parliament]], [[Flemish government]] and its administration. | + | Brussels is also the capital of both the [[French Community of Belgium]] (''Communauté française de Belgique'' in French) and of [[Flanders]] (''Vlaanderen''); all Flemish capital institutions are established here: [[Flemish Parliament]], [[Flemish government]] and its administration. |
+ | |||
+ | ===International centre=== | ||
+ | Brussels has since [[World War II]] become the administrative centre of many international organisations. Notably the [[European Union]] (EU) and the [[NATO|North Atlantic Treaty Organisation]] (NATO) have their main institutions in the city, along with 1000 other international organisations and 2000 international corporations.{{Fact|date=July 2008}} Brussels is third in the number of international conferences it hosts<ref name="ULB Int">[http://www.ulb.ac.be/docs/ulb-prestige/bxluk.html Brussels, an international city and European capital] Université Libre de Bruxelles</ref> also becoming one of the largest convention centres in the world.<ref name="diplomatie">[http://www.diplomatie.be/EN/belgium/belgiumdetail.asp?TEXTID=1754 Brussels: home to international organisations] diplomatie.be</ref> The presence of the EU and the other international bodies has for example led to there being more ambassadors and journalists in Brussels than in [[Washington D.C.]].<ref name="E!Sarp">E!Sharp magazine, Jan-Feb 2007 issue: Article "A tale of two cities".</ref> International schools have also been established to serve this presence.<ref name="diplomatie"/> | ||
====European Union==== | ====European Union==== | ||
− | + | {{main|Brussels and the European Union}} | |
+ | [[Image:European Commission outside.jpg|thumb|The [[European Commission]] in the [[Berlaymont building]]]] | ||
− | + | Brussels is considered as the ''[[de facto]]'' [[capital]] of the [[European Union]] due to its history of hosting the [[institutions of the European Union|EU's institutions]], even though the EU has not declared any official capital city. The city plays host to the official seats of the [[European Commission]] (in the [[Berlaymont building]]) and the [[Council of the European Union]] (in the [[Justus Lipsius building]] facing it).<ref name="ENA COMM SEAT">[http://www.ena.lu?lang=2&doc=3102 European Navigator] Seat of the European Commission</ref><ref name="EC EiB">European Commission publication: ''Europe in Brussels'' 2007</ref> Furthermore three quarters of the work of the [[European Parliament]] takes place in the city at its [[Espace Léopold|Brussels hemicycle]] (its official seat is [[Strasbourg]]).<ref>{{cite web|last=Wheatley|first=Paul|title=The two-seat parliament farce must end|date=[[2006-10-02]]|publisher=Café Babel|url=http://www.cafebabel.com/en/article.asp?T=A&Id=2047|accessdate = 2007-07-16}}</ref> | |
− | Brussels is | ||
− | + | Brussels began to host institutions in 1957, with the executives of the [[European Economic Community|EEC]] and [[European Atomic Energy Community|Euratom]] which were originally shared with [[Luxembourg City|Luxembourg]] but quickly met in Brussels for practical reasons. In 1965 Brussels gained the right to host the merged Commission and Council, with some concessions to Luxembourg, and over the following years the Parliament established an increasing presence in Brussels, although was required to maintain its presence in [[Strasbourg]] by the treaties.<ref name="ENA COMM SEAT"/><ref name="EC EiB"/> Between 2002 and 2004, the [[European Council]] also fixed its seat in the city.<ref name="Dragoman">{{cite web|last=Stark|first=Christine|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=Evolution of the European Council: The implications of a permanent seat|work=|publisher=Dragoman.org|date=|url=http://www.dragoman.org/ec/belfast-2002.pdf|format=PDF|doi=|accessdate = 2007-07-12}}</ref> | |
− | Brussels | ||
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− | == | + | Today the presence has increased considerably with the Commission alone occupying 865,000m² within the "European Quarter" in the east of the city. The concentration and density has caused concern that the presence of the institutions has caused a "[[ghetto]] effect" in that part of the city.<ref name="EUO buildings">{{cite web|last=Vucheva|first=Elitsa|authorlink=|coauthors=|title=EU quarter in Brussels set to grow|work=|publisher=EU Observer|date=[[2007-09-05]]|url=http://euobserver.com/9/24707|format=|doi=|accessdate = 2007-09-27}}</ref> However the presence has contributed significantly to the importance of Brussels as an international centre.<ref name="E!Sarp"/> |
− | === | ||
− | [[ | ||
− | + | ==Culture== | |
+ | ===Architecture=== | ||
+ | [[Image:Grand Place.jpg|thumb|upright|The medieval [[Grand Place]]]] | ||
− | + | The architecture in Brussels is diverse, and spans from the mediaeval constructions on the [[Grand Place]] to the [[Postmodernism|postmodern]] buildings of the [[Brussels and the European Union|EU institutions]]. | |
− | + | Main attractions include the [[Grand Place]], since 1988 a [[World Heritage Site|UNESCO World Heritage Site]], with the Gothic town hall in the old centre, the [[St. Michael and Gudula Cathedral]] and the [[Royal Castle of Laken|Laken Castle]] with its large greenhouses. Another famous landmark is the [[Royal Palace of Brussels|Royal Palace]]. | |
− | + | The [[Atomium]] is a symbolic {{convert|103|m|ft|0|sing=on}} metre tall structure that was built for the [[Expo '58|1958 World’s Fair]]. It consists of nine steel spheres connected by tubes, and forms a model of an iron crystal (specifically, a [[unit cell]]. The architect A. Waterkeyn devoted the building to science. Next to the Atomium is the [[Mini-Europe]] park with 1:25 scale [[maquette]]s of famous buildings from across Europe. | |
− | + | The [[Manneken Pis]], a bronze fountain of a small peeing boy is a famous tourist attraction and symbol of the city. | |
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− | + | Other landmarks include the [[Cinquantenaire|Cinquantenaire park]] with its triumphal arch and nearby museums, the [[Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Belgium|Basilica of the Sacred Heart]], [[Brussels Stock Exchange]], the [[Law Courts of Brussels|Palace of Justice]] and the buildings of EU institutions in the [[Brussels and the European Union|European Quarter]]. | |
− | + | [[Image:Cinquantenaire.jpg|thumb|left|[[Cinquantenaire]] triumphal arch]] | |
− | + | Cultural facilities include the Brussels Theatre and the [[La Monnaie]] Theatre and opera house. There is a wide array of museums, from the [[Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium|Royal Museum of Fine Art]] to the [[Musée Royal de l'Armée| Museum of the Army]] and the [[Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée| Comic Museum]]. Brussels also has a lively music scene, with everything from opera houses and concert halls to music bars and techno clubs. | |
− | + | The city centre is notable for its Flemish town houses. Also particularly striking are the buildings in the [[Art Nouveau]] style by the Brussels architect [[Victor Horta]]. In the heyday of Art Nouveau new Brussels suburbs were developed, and much buildings are in this style. The architecture of the quarter [[Schaerbeek]], [[Etterbeek]] [[Ixelles]], and [[Saint-Gilles]] is particularly worth seeing. Another example of Brussels Art Nouveau is the [[Stoclet Palace]], by the Viennese architect [[Josef Hoffmann]]. The modern buildings of [[Espace Leopold]] complete the picture. | |
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− | + | [[Image:Atomium 20-08-07.jpg|thumb|The [[Atomium]] in [[Heysel|Heysel Park]]]] | |
− | == | + | The city has had a renown artist scene for many years. The famous Belgian surrealist [[René Magritte]], for example, studied in Brussels. The city is also a capital of the comic strip; some treasured Belgian characters are [[Lucky Luke]], [[Tintin]], [[Cubitus]], [[Gaston Lagaffe]] and [[Marsupilami]]. Throughout the city walls are painted with large motifs of comic book characters, and the interiors of some Metro stations are designed by artists. The [[Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée|Belgian Comics Museum]] combines two artistic leitmotifs of Brussels, being a museum devoted to Belgian comic strips, housed in the former Waucquez department store, designed by [[Victor Horta]] in the [[Art Nouveau]] style. |
− | [[Image: | + | |
− | [[Image: | + | The [[King Baudouin Stadium]] is a concert and competition facility with a 50,000 seat capacity, the largest in Belgium. The site was formerly occupied by the [[Heysel Stadium]], which in 1985 saw one of the worst disasters in European football, when 39 deaths and over 400 serious injuries were suffered after English [[hooligans]] fell on Italian football fans, sparking a mass panic. |
+ | |||
+ | ===Arts=== | ||
+ | Brussels contains over 40 museums,<ref>[http://www.brussels.org/mus.htm Museum<!-- Bot generated title —>]</ref> including the Museum of Modern Art<ref>[http://www.trabel.com/brussel/brussels-museums-modernart.htm Museum of Modern Art in Brussels. Museum Moderne Kunst Brussel. Musée d'art moderne Bruxelles<!-- Bot generated title —>]</ref>, and the [[Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium]]. The museum has an extensive collection of various painters, such as the [[Flemish painting| Flemish painters]] like [[Pieter Brueghel the Elder|Brueghel]], [[Rogier van der Weyden]], [[Robert Campin]], [[Anthony van Dyck]], and [[Jacob Jordaens]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Gastronomy=== | ||
+ | [[Image:Brussels waffle.jpg|thumb|150px|Brussels is known for its local [[waffle]] (pictured) and chocolate.]] | ||
+ | Brussels is known for its local [[waffle]], its [[chocolate]], its [[french fries]] and its numerous types of [[beer]]s . The [[Brussels sprout]] was first cultivated in Brussels, hence its name. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The gastronomic offer includes approximately 1,800 restaurants, and a number of high quality bars. The Belgian cuisine is known among connoisseurs as one of the best in Europe. In addition to the traditional restaurants, there is a large number of cafés, bistros and the usual range of international fast food chains. The cafés are similar to bars, and offer beer and light dishes, coffee houses in the usual sense are the Salons de Thé. Also widespread are ''brasseries'', which usually offer a large number of beers and typical national dishes. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Belgian cuisine is characterized by the combination of French cuisine with the more hearty Flemish fare. Notable specialities include [[Brussels waffle]]s (gaufres) and [[mussels]] (usually as "moules frites," served with fries). The city is a stronghold of chocolate and pralines manufacturers with traditional companies like Godiva, Neuhaus and Leonidas. Numerous [[friteries]] are spread throughout the city, and in tourist areas, fresh, hot, waffles are also sold on the street. | ||
+ | |||
+ | In addition to the regular selection of Belgian beer, the famous [[lambic]] style of beer is only brewed in and around Brussels, and the yeasts have their origin in the Senne valley. In mild contrast to the other versions, [[Kriek]] (cherry beer) enjoys outstanding popularity, as it does in the rest of Belgium. Kriek is available in almost every bar or restaurant. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Economy== | ||
+ | {{see|Economy of Belgium}} | ||
+ | Serving as the centre of administration for Europe, Brussels' economy is largely service-oriented. It is dominated by regional headquarters of multinationals, by European institutions, by various administrations, and by related services, though it does have a number of notable craft industries, such as the [[Cantillon Brewery]], a [[lambic]] brewery founded in 1900. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Languages== | ||
+ | {{Refimprovesect|date=July 2008}} | ||
+ | [[Image:Languages spoken at home in the Brussels Capital Region (2006).svg|thumb|Languages spoken at home (Capital Region, 2006)<ref name="rudi3">{{nl}}[http://www.brusselsstudies.be/PDF/NL_51_BruS13NL.pdf ”Taalgebruik in Brussel en de plaats van het Nederlands. Enkele recente bevindingen”], Rudi Janssens, Brussels Studies, Nummer 13, [[7 January]] [[2008]] (see page 4).</ref><br />{{legend|#0084ff|French only}}{{legend|#11cbd9|French & Dutch}}{{legend|#7700bb|French w/ another non-Dutch language}}{{legend|#1abb45|Dutch only}}{{legend|#d00000|Neither French nor Dutch}}]] | ||
− | + | {{see also|Frenchification of Brussels}} | |
− | + | Originally a Dutch-speaking city, Brussels is nowadays officially bilingual [[French language|French]]-[[Dutch language|Dutch]].<ref name="vl">{{nl}}[http://brussel.vlaanderen.be/brusselhistorisch.html "Brussel historisch"], Hoofdstedelijke Aangelegenheden, Ministerie van de Vlaamse Gemeenschap</ref><ref name="ULB">{{fr}}[http://www.ulb.ac.be/philo/spf/langue/francais.htm#CHAP%203 "Histoire de la langue"], Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB)</ref> French is the mother tongue of the majority of the population and the [[lingua franca]]. Research in the city's archives shows that Dutch was by far the most widely used language in local administration until the French occupation (1793-1815),<ref name="mythe">{{nl}}[http://www.paulderidder.be/print/taalgebruik.pdf "De mythe van de vroege verfransing"], Taalgebruik te Brussel van de 12de eeuw tot 1794, Paul De Ridder</ref> even though French had been the language of the local governors since the [[Burgundian (party)|Burgundian]] era.<ref>''Linguistic Usages in Brussels before 1794'', [http://www.paulderidder.be/history.htm] last accessed [[14 February]] [[2007]]</ref> From 1880 on, more and more Dutch-speaking people became bilingual, resulting in a rise of monolingual French-speakers after 1910. Halfway through the 20th century the number of monolingual French-speakers carried the day over the (mostly) bilingual Flemish inhabitants.<ref name="brio4">{{nl}}[http://www.briobrussel.be/assets/andere%20publicaties/btng-rbhc,%2021,%201990,%203-4,%20pp%20383-412.pdf "Thuis in gescheiden werelden" — De migratoire en sociale aspecten van verfransing te Brussel in het midden van de 19e eeuw"], BTNG-RBHC, XXI, 1990, 3-4, pp. 383-412, Machteld de Metsenaere, Eerst aanwezend assistent en docent Vrije Universiteit Brussel</ref> | |
− | + | During the 19th century most dialect-speakers (speaking the local dialect of Dutch) turned to French rather than to Dutch as their language of culture. The main reasons for this were the higher prestige of the French language at the time (even the Flemish elites had adopted French), the perception that Dutch was the language of rural and poor [[Flanders]] and the fact that the Belgian administration was solely conducted in French. The education system was almost exclusively French-speaking, which hampered the spread of the Dutch standard language and contributed to low-class image of Dutch.<ref name="brio3">{{nl}}[http://www.brio.sharedfolder.net/Taal_sociale_integr_4.pdf "Taal- en onderwijspolitiek te Brussel (1878-1914)"], Harry van Velthoven, p261-443, Taal en Sociale Integratie 4, Brussel, VUB, 1981</ref> As a result, people would often speak a Dutch dialect in private but French in public occasions. Even today, it is not uncommon to meet (older) French-speaking "Bruxellois" who are unable to express themselves in standard Dutch but who speak or at least understand the [[Brabantian]] dialect. | |
− | The [[ | ||
− | + | A linguistic curiosity is [[Marols]] (''Marollien''), a variant of the Dutch dialect of Brussels heavily influenced by the [[Walloon language|Walloon]] of [[Liège]], which used to be spoken mostly in the [[Marolles]]/[[Marollen]], a central section of the city. Today, all Brussels dialects are on the verge of extinction.<ref>{{nl}}de Vriendt, Sera: ''Taal in stad en land - Brussels'', Uitgeverij Terra - Lannoo, 2004, ISBN 90-209-5857-7</ref> | |
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− | + | Nowadays, the Brussels Capital Region is officially bilingual French-Dutch. There are no official linguistic statistics since the State-run decennial linguistic census has been abolished after the fixation of the Belgian [[language border]]. All studies carried out can only be estimations. | |
− | + | [[Image:Manneke pis 2 Sept2005.jpg|150px|thumb|left|[[Manneken Pis]] is seen as a symbol of French and Dutch cohabitation in Brussels.<ref>{{cite web |language=Dutch |url=http://www.taalrespect.be/archives/2007/08/25/manneken-pis-schrijft-slecht-nederlands/ |title=Manneken-Pis schrijft slecht Nederlands |publisher=Het Nieuwsblad |date=2007-08-25}}</ref>]] | |
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− | + | As Brussels is the capital of a country of which 60% of the inhabitants are Dutch speakers, and the Brussels Region is completely surrounded by the Flemish region, it is logical that many Dutch speakers from the periphery come to the city for working, shopping and going out. | |
− | + | So, although the lingua franca is French, knowledge of Dutch is considered highly desirable.<ref>[http://www.mr.be/programme/pdf/emploi/A313-Accompagnement-demandeurs-emploi-a-Bruxelles.pdf L’accompagnement des demandeurs d’emploi à Bruxelles]</ref> One of the consequences of this change of attitude towards the Dutch language is, for example, that most children in Dutch-speaking schools in Brussels do not speak Dutch at home.<ref>[http://www.bop.vgc.be/onderwijs/tellingen/februari06.html the official VGC figures for February, 2006]</ref> Janssens estimates that 28.23% of the population have a ''good to perfect'' knowledge of Dutch (either as a first or as a second language). For English this is 35.4% and for French 95%, due to its role as lingua franca.<ref name="lesoir">{{fr}}[http://www.lesoir.be/regions/bruxelles/enquete-le-francais-maitrise-2008-01-08-570166.shtml "Welcome supplante Welkom à Bruxelles"], Le Soir, [[8 January]] [[2008]]</ref><ref name="rudi3"/> | |
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− | The | + | The occasional imprecision of linguistic pairing can be quite amusing. Whilst some ancient streets have only their original Dutch name (e.g. ''[[Coudenberg]]''), others were originally named in French and have had their later Dutch names revised. For instance the ''Rue du Beau Site'' in [[Ixelles]]/Elsene bears two bilingual nameplates, the older giving, as the Dutch version, the hastily translated ''Schoon-Zicht Straat'' and the more recent giving the more idiomatic ''Welgelegenstraat''. Other such pairs are Regentiestraat/Regentschapstraat and Koopmansstraat/Koopliedenstraat. |
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− | + | Due to the city's growth beyond the limits of the [[Brussels Capital Region]], the periphery, which is institutionally part of Dutch-speaking Flanders, has attracted a large French-speaking population. In some of the municipalities immediately bordering the Brussels Capital Region, the population became majority French-speaking during the second half of the 20th century, in a few cases currently numbering over 70%. Because of the refusal of many of these to use Dutch, this is one of the major sources of linguistic conflict in Belgium, particularly in the [[Brussels-Halle-Vilvoorde]] region.<ref>{{fr}}[http://info.france2.fr/dossiers/europe/34025346-fr.php?page=2 "Bruxelles dans l'oeil du cyclone"], France 2, [[14 November]] [[2007]]</ref> | |
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− | == | + | ==Education== |
− | + | [[Image:ULB 20050712.jpg|thumb|151px|[[Université Libre de Bruxelles]]]] | |
+ | There are several [[University|universities]] in Brussels. The two main universities are the [[Université Libre de Bruxelles]], a [[French language|French-speaking]] university with about 20,000 students in three campuses in the city (and two others outside),<ref>{{cite web|title=Presentation of the Université libre de Bruxelles|publisher=[[Université Libre de Bruxelles]]|url=http://www.ulb.ac.be/docs/ulb-prestige/indexuk.html|accessdate = 2007-12-09}}</ref> and the [[Vrije Universiteit Brussel]], a [[Dutch language|Dutch-speaking]] university with about 10,000 students.<ref>{{cite web|title=About the University : Culture and History|publisher=[[Vrije Universiteit Brussel]]|url=http://www.vub.ac.be/english/home/about.html|accessdate = 2007-12-09}}</ref> Both universities originate from a single ancestor university founded in 1834, namely the [[Free University of Brussels]], which was split in 1970 at about the same time the Flemish and French Communities gained legislative power over the organisation of higher education. | ||
− | + | Other universities include the [[Facultés Universitaires Saint Louis]] with 2,000 students,<ref>{{cite web|title=Institution: Historique|publisher=Facultés Universitaires Saint Louis|url=http://www.fusl.ac.be/fr/27.html|accessdate = 2007-12-09}}</ref> , the Catholic University of Brussels ([[Katholieke Universiteit Brussel]])<ref>{{cite web|title=Katholieke Universiteit Brussel|publisher=Katholieke Universiteit Brussel|url=http://www.kubrussel.ac.be/english/index.htm|accessdate = 2007-12-09}}</ref> | |
+ | , the [[Royal Military Academy (Belgium)|Royal Military Academy]], a military college established in 1834 by a [[France|French]] colonel<ref>{{cite web|title=What makes the RMA so special?|publisher=[[Royal Military Academy (Belgium)|Belgian Royal Military Academy]]|url=http://www.rma.ac.be/RMAdotNet/scsc/infos/default.aspx?Page=1&SubPage=3|accessdate = 2007-12-09}}</ref> and two drama schools founded in 1982: the [[Dutch language|Dutch-speaking]] [[Koninklijk Conservatorium (Brussel)|Koninklijk Conservatorium]] and the [[French language|French-speaking]] [[Conservatoire Royal (Brussels)|Conservatoire Royal]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Petite histoire du Conservatoire royal de Bruxelles|publisher=Conservatoire Royal|url=http://www.conservatoire.be/historique.html|accessdate = 2007-12-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel|publisher=[[Koninklijk Conservatorium (Brussel)|Koninklijk Conservatorium]]|url=http://www.kcb.be/eng/indexin.asp?pag=bib&nr=1|accessdate = 2007-12-09}}</ref> | ||
− | + | Still other universities have campuses in Brussels, such as the [[Université Catholique de Louvain]] that has had its medical faculty in the city since 1973.<ref>{{cite web|title=L'histoire de l'UCL à Bruxelles|publisher=[[Université Catholique de Louvain]]|url=http://www.uclouvain.be/47547.html|accessdate = 2007-12-09}}</ref> In addition the [[Boston University Brussels]] campus was established in 1972 and offers masters degrees in business administration and international relations. Due to the post-war international presence in the city, there are also a number of international schools, including the [[International School of Brussels]] with 1,450 pupils between 2½ to 18,<ref>{{cite web|title=ISB Profile|publisher=[[International School of Brussels]]|url=http://www.isb.be/page.cfm?p=7|accessdate = 2007-12-09}}</ref> the British School of Brussels, and the four [[European School]]s serving those working in the [[Institutions of the European Union|EU institutions]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Background |publisher=[[European Schools|Schola Europaea]]|url=http://www.eursc.eu/index.php?id=133|accessdate = 2007-12-09}}</ref> | |
− | + | ==Transport== | |
+ | [[Image:Eurostar train.jpg|thumb|Brussels is connected with other European cities through the e.g. [[Eurostar]] high-speed rail network.]] | ||
+ | ===Connections=== | ||
+ | Brussels is served by [[Brussels Airport]], located in the nearby Flemish municipality of [[Zaventem]], and by the much smaller so-called [[Brussels South Charleroi Airport]], located near [[Charleroi]] (Wallonia), some {{convert|50|km|mi|-1|abbr=on}} from Brussels. Brussels is also served by direct high-speed rail links: to [[London]] by the [[Eurostar]] train via the Channel Tunnel (1hr 51 min); to Amsterdam, Paris and Cologne by the [[Thalys]]; and to Cologne and Frankfurt by the German [[InterCityExpress|ICE]]. | ||
− | + | ===Public transport=== | |
+ | The [[Brussels Metro]] dates back to 1976, but underground lines known as ''premetro'' have been serviced by tramways since 1968. A comprehensive bus and [[Brussels trams|tram network]] also covers the city. | ||
− | + | Brussels also has its own port on the [[Brussels-Scheldt Maritime Canal]] located in the northwest of the city. The [[Brussels-Charleroi Canal]] connects the industrial areas of [[Wallonia]]. | |
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− | Brussels | ||
− | + | An interticketing system means that a STIB/MIVB ticket holder can use the train or long-distance buses inside the city. The commuter services operated by De Lijn, TEC and SNCB/NMBS will in the next few years be augmented by a metropolitan [[RER]] rail network around Brussels. | |
− | + | Since 2003 Brussels has had a car-sharing service operated by the [[Bremen]] company Cambio in partnership with STIB/MIVB and local ridesharing company taxi stop. In 2006 shared bicycles were also introduced. | |
− | == | + | ===Road network=== |
− | [[Image: | + | [[Image:Wetstraat.jpg|thumb|150px|[[Rue de la Loi]]/Wetstraat is one of the city's main streets]] |
− | + | In mediaeval times Brussels stood at the intersection of routes running north-south (the modern Hoogstraat/Rue Haute) and east-west (Gentsesteenweg/Chaussée de Gand-Grasmarkt/Rue du Marché aux Herbes-Naamsestraat/Rue de Namur). The ancient pattern of streets radiating from the [[Grand Place]] in large part remains, but has been overlaid by boulevards built [[covering of the Senne|over the River Zenne/Senne]], [[small ring (Brussels)|over the city walls]] and over the [[North-South connection|railway connection between the North and South Stations]]. | |
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− | + | As one expects of a capital city, Brussels is the hub of the fan of old national roads, the principal ones being clockwise the N1 (N to [[Breda]]), N2 (E to [[Maastricht]]), N3 (E to [[Aachen]]), N4 (SE to [[Luxembourg]]) N5 (S to [[Rheims]]), N6 (SW to [[Maubeuge]]), N8 (W to [[Koksijde]]) and N9 (NW to [[Ostend]]) <ref>[http://www.autosnelwegen.net/frames.html?/nb.html Belgian N roads]</ref>. Usually named ''steenwegen/chaussées'', these highways normally run straight as a die, but on occasion lose themselves in a maze of narrow shopping streets. | |
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− | + | As for motorways, the town is skirted by the [[European route E19]] (N-S) and the [[European route E40|E40]] (E-W), while the [[European route E411|E411]] leads away to the SE. Brussels has an [[beltway|orbital]] [[motorway]], numbered ''R0'' (R-zero) and commonly referred to as the "ring" (French: ''ring'' Dutch: ''grote ring''). It is pear-shaped as the southern side was never built as originally conceived, owing to residents' objections. | |
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− | + | The city centre, sometimes known as "the pentagon", is surrounded by the "[[small ring (Brussels)|Small ring]]" (Dutch: ''kleine ring'', French: ''petite ceinture''), a sequence of boulevards formally numbered ''R20''. These were built upon the site of the second set of city walls following their demolition. Metro line 2 runs under much of these. | |
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− | + | On the eastern side of the city, the ''R21'' (French: ''[[grande ceinture]]'', ''grote ring'' in Dutch) is formed by a string of boulevards that curves round from Laken ([[Laeken]]) to Ukkel ([[Uccle]]). Some ''premetro'' stations (see [[Brussels Metro]]) were built on that route. A little further out, a stretch numbered R22 leads from Zaventem to [[Sint-Job]]. | |
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==Twin cities== | ==Twin cities== | ||
+ | [[Image:Brussels Zonienwoud.jpg|thumb|The [[Sonian Forest]] at the outskirts of Brussels]] | ||
+ | {{Refimprovesect|date=June 2008}} | ||
+ | Brussels is [[Town twinning|twinned]] with the following 14 cities: | ||
+ | {| | ||
+ | | valign="top" | | ||
*{{flagicon|Turkey}} [[Akhisar]], [[Turkey]] | *{{flagicon|Turkey}} [[Akhisar]], [[Turkey]] | ||
− | * {{USA}} | + | *{{flagicon|USA}} [[Atlanta, Georgia|Atlanta]], [[United States]] |
− | * {{ | + | *{{flagicon|Germany}} [[Berlin]], [[Germany]] |
− | * {{ | + | *{{flagicon|People's Republic of China}} [[Beijing]], [[People's Republic of China]] |
− | * {{ | + | *{{flagicon|Canada}} [[Montreal]], [[Canada]] {{Fact|date=February 2008}} |
− | * {{ | + | *{{flagicon|Macau}} [[Macau]] |
− | * {{ | + | *{{flagicon|Venezuela}} [[Caracas]], [[Venezuela]] |
− | * {{USA}} | + | | valign="top" | |
− | * {{ | + | *{{flagicon|Spain}} [[Madrid]], [[Spain]] |
− | * {{ | + | *{{flagicon|USA}} [[Washington, D.C.]], [[United States]] |
− | * {{ | + | *{{flagicon|Ukraine}} [[Kiev]], [[Ukraine]] |
− | *[[ | + | *{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Breda]], The [[Netherlands]] |
+ | *{{flagicon|Czech Republic}} [[Prague]], [[Czech Republic]] | ||
+ | *{{flagicon|Slovenia}} [[Ljubljana]], [[Slovenia]] | ||
+ | *{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Sofia]], [[Bulgaria]] | ||
+ | |} | ||
− | == | + | ==See also== |
− | + | {{Brussels topics}} | |
+ | |||
+ | ==References== | ||
+ | {{reflist|colwidth=30em}} | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
{{sisterlinks|Brussels}} | {{sisterlinks|Brussels}} | ||
− | + | <!-- links to official and standard-reference sites only please. —> | |
* [http://www.bruxelles.irisnet.be/ Brussels-Capital Region], official site | * [http://www.bruxelles.irisnet.be/ Brussels-Capital Region], official site | ||
− | * {{ | + | * {{wikitravel}} |
− | * [http://www. | + | * [http://www.ilotsacre.be/site/en/default_en.htm Interactive map] |
− | + | * [http://brussels.360cities.net Interactive 360 virtual tour] | |
− | * [http:// | + | * Virtual tour 360° From Brussels ! |
− | * | + | ** [http://www.visitonweb.com/wikipedia/grand-place-bruxelles-uk.html Brussels Grand-Place] |
− | * [http://www. | + | ** [http://www.visitonweb.com/wikipedia/mannekenpis-uk.html Manneken Pis] |
− | * [http://www. | + | ** [http://www.visitonweb.com/wikipedia/bruxelles-cinquantenaire-uk.html Jubilee¨Park] |
− | + | ** [http://www.visitonweb.com/wikipedia/sainte-gudule-uk.html St. Michael and Gudula Cathedral] | |
− | * | + | ** [http://www.visitonweb.com/wikipedia/galerie-du-roi-uk.html Royal Galleries of Saint-Hubert] |
− | * [http://www. | ||
− | * [http://www. | ||
− | * [http://www. | ||
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− | {{credit| | + | {{credit|224568459}} |
Revision as of 03:35, 10 July 2008
- For other places with the same name, see Brussels (disambiguation).
City of Brussels | |||
Brussels skyline seen from the Kunstberg or Mont des Arts | |||
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Nickname: Capital of Europe, Comic City | |||
Map showing the location of Brussels in Belgium | |||
Coordinates: {{#invoke:Coordinates|coord}}{{#coordinates:50|50|48.22|N|4|21|8.94|E|type:city | |||
---|---|---|---|
name= }} | |||
Country | Belgium | ||
Region | Brussels-Capital Region | ||
Founded | 979 | ||
Founded (Region) | June 18, 1989 | ||
Government | |||
- Mayor (Municipality) | Freddy Thielemans | ||
Elevation | 13 m (43 ft) | ||
Population (2005) | |||
- Region | 1,024,492 | ||
- Metro | 1,975,000 | ||
Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | ||
- Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | ||
Website: www.brussels.irisnet.be |
Brussels (French: Bruxelles, pronounced [bʁysɛl]; Dutch: Brussel, pronounced [ˈbrɵsəɫ]) is the largest city in Belgium, and the administrative heart of the European Union (EU). The City of Brussels in the Brussels-Capital Region is the country's capital.[1] Brussels has grown from a 10th century fortress town founded by Charlemagne's grandson into a metropolis of over one million inhabitants[2][3].
Brussels is also capital of the Brussels-Capital Region, of Flanders and of the French Community of Belgium. It is not, however, the capital of the Walloon Region (Wallonia), whose capital is Namur.
Although the City of Brussels historically was the city's core, the population has long since outgrown the municipality. Today, the settlement of Brussels is effectively most often synonymous with the more recently established Brussels-Capital Region; one of Belgium's three regions.
Brussels is often considered the de facto capital of the European Union, and hosts key EU institutions such as the Commission, Parliament and the Council. Brussels is a metonymy for the European Union's government. Hence, many other pan-European organisations are also headquartered in the city. NATO is also based in Brussels.
Etymology
The name Brussels comes from the old Dutch Bruocsella, which means marsh (bruoc) and home (sella) or "home in the marsh".
History
Middle Ages
The origin of the settlement that was to become Brussels lies in Saint Gaugericus' construction of a chapel on an island in the river Senne around 580.[4]
The official founding of Brussels is usually situated around 979, because Duke Charles transferred the relics of Saint Gudula from Moorsel to the Saint Gaugericus chapel in Brussels, located on what would be called Saint Gaugericus Island. The Holy Roman Emperor Otto II gave the duchy of Lower Lotharingia to Charles, the banished son of King Louis IV of France in 977, who would construct the first permanent fortification in the city, doing so on that same island.
The county of Brussels was attributed to Lambert I of Leuven, count of Leuven around 1000. In 1047, his son Lambert II, Count of Leuven founded the Saint Gudula chapter.
Because of its location on the shores of the Senne on an important trade route between Bruges and Ghent, and Cologne, Brussels grew quite quickly; it became a commercial centre that rapidly extended towards the upper town (St. Michael and Gudula Cathedral, Coudenberg, Zavel area...), where there was a smaller risk of floods. As it grew to a population of around 30,000, the surrounding marshes were drained to allow for further expansion. The Counts of Leuven became Dukes of Brabant at about this time (1183/1184). In the 11th century, the city got its first walls.[5]
After the construction of the first walls of Brussels in the early 13th century, Brussels grew significantly. In order to let the city expand, a second set of walls was erected between 1356 and 1383. Today, traces of it can still be seen, mostly because the "small ring", a series of roadways in downtown Brussels bounding the historic city centre, follows its former course.
In the fifteenth century, by means of the wedding of heiress Margaret III of Flanders with Philip the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, a new Duke of Brabant emerged from the House of Valois (namely Antoine, their son), with another line of descent from the Habsburgs (Maximilian of Austria, later Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor, married Mary of Burgundy, who was born in Brussels).
Brabant had lost its independence, but Brussels became the Princely Capital of the prosperous Low Countries, and flourished.
Renaissance
Charles V, heir of the Low Countries since 1506, though (as he was only 6 years old) governed by his aunt Margaret of Austria until 1515, was declared King of Spain, in 1516, in the Cathedral of Saint Gudule in Brussels.
Upon the death of his grandfather, Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor in 1519, Charles V became the new archduke of the Austrian Empire and thus the Holy Roman Emperor of the Empire "on which the sun does not set". It was in the Palace complex at Coudenberg that Charles V abdicated in 1555. This impressive palace, famous all over Europe, had greatly expanded since it had first become the seat of the Dukes of Brabant, but it was destroyed by fire in 1731. All that remains is an archaeological site.
In 1695, French troops sent by King Louis XIV bombarded Brussels with artillery. Together with the resulting fire, it was most destructive event in the entire history of Brussels. The Grand Place was destroyed, along with 4000 buildings, a third of those in the city. The reconstruction of the city centre, effected during subsequent years, profoundly changed the appearance of the city and left numerous traces still visible today.
Revolution
In 1830, the Belgian revolution took place in Brussels after a performance of Auber's opera La Muette de Portici at De Munt or La Monnaie theatre. On July 21, 1831, Leopold I, the first King of the Belgians, ascended the throne, undertaking the destruction of the city walls and the construction of many buildings. Following independence, the city underwent many more changes. The Senne had become a serious health hazard, and from 1867 to 1871 its entire urban area was completely covered over. This allowed urban renewal and the construction of modern buildings and boulevards which are characteristic of downtown Brussels today.