Global - Technology - Review

Belgium is a nation divided by language. The northern part is Flemish-speaking, while the rest of the country speaks French. Nearly straddling the linguistic boundary is the capital, Brussels, home to the European Parliament, whose offices dominate the European Quarter of the city. Nevertheless there are many other iconic buildings and sites for the tourist to admire: the futuristic Atomium, Cinquantenaire Park, the Royal Palace and the elegant Grand Place. Here some of the best known Belgian delicacies may be sampled: chocolates, waffles, mussels, the ubiquitous French fries and the many varieties of Belgian beer, for example kriek, made with cherries, and lambic, the speciality of the Brussels region. Another favourite tourist destination is the art galleries, where the works of famous artists like Bruegel, van Dyck and Magritte are on view. The Eurostar train has brought Brussels within two hours of London. After Brussels, most visitors head for the medieval splendour of Ghent. Belgium has been the scene of many decisive conflicts through the ages, including the Battle of Waterloo and the trench warfare of the First World War.