A surprising country

At the heart of Europe, Belgium is known the world over for chocolate, comic books, and its bustling capital Brussels. But what do you know exactly regarding this country full of surprises? Find with us 20 unusual facts and other curiosities regarding Belgium.

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World number 1 in chocolate

Belgium is indeed THE country for chocolate lovers. It produces no less than 650,000 tonnes, the majority of which is intended for export. In 2015, the country had around 500 chocolatiers and 2,000 chocolate shops spread across the country. Enjoy your lunch !

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chocolate flavored stamps

As a tribute to this national tradition, chocolate-flavored stamps were produced and marketed there in 2013.

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The inventor of the saxophone…

But Belgium is also a land of inventors and engineers! It was a Belgian, Adolphe Sax, who created a wind instrument in the mid-19th century that would take the name of saxophone.

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And roller skating!

Almost a century earlier, in 1760, Jean-Joseph Merlin had invented the first version of roller skates: this native of Wallonia had had the idea of ​​finding a substitute for ice skating in summer, by fixing two rollers in metal on a wooden plate. The ancestor of rollerblades.

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The first casino in Europe

Considered the oldest casino in the world, Le Redoute was opened in the town of Spa in 1762. It is still in operation following more than 250 years.

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Spa

Renowned for its thermal establishments, this city is also the origin of the common name of “spa”. It also hosts one of the longest Formula 1 circuits in the world.

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The very first cinema screening

Shortly before the Lumière brothers’ historic session in December 1895 in Paris, the world’s first cinema screening took place in preview in Brussels on November 10 of the same year.

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97% of the population is urban

Belgium is not a rural country: 97% of its population lived in an urban area in 2021, compared to 81% in France or 78% in Germany.

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Longest period without government

Between the summer of 2010 and the end of 2011, Belgium broke the world record for longevity of a country without a government, with all the same 541 days of power vacancies. The Belgian political parties had been unable to agree on a new ministerial coalition.

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Compulsory voting

And yet, Belgians are not lacking in civility since voting has been compulsory in the country since 1893, unlike many European states.

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The longest tram line in the world

The longest tram line in the world is in Belgium, along the coast. With a total of 67 kilometers, it serves 68 stops in more than two hours. What to enjoy the landscape!

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And the highest density of castles

With hundreds of castles scattered throughout the territory, Belgium has the highest density of castles in the world. The Château des Comtes, in Ghent (in the photo), and the Château de Beloeil, near Mons, are particularly recommended.

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world famous sisters

If Hergé, Jacques Brel or now Stromae are part of Belgian legends, Belgium is also the native country of Sister Emmanuelle. Born in Brussels in 1908, she died in France a century later.

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Sister smile

Another world famous Belgian sister: Soeur Sourire. Born Jeanne-Paule Marie Deckers in 1933, the young woman entered holy orders before becoming an international celebrity thanks to her songs, in particular “Dominique”. The singer had a tragic end but she remains present in the hearts of her fans.

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The largest boat lift

Before being dethroned in 2016 by a construction in China, the Strépy-Thieu boat lift, on the Canal du Centre, was the largest in the world. Inaugurated in 2002, it makes it possible to overcome a height difference of 73 meters high.

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A land of exile for the French

Belgium has been a land of exile for many French writers and artists, such as Victor Hugo who fled there following Napoleon III’s coup. The country has also welcomed Alexandre Dumas, Charles Baudelaire and Auguste Rodin.

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A land of giants and carnivals

Sometimes following a very old tradition, Belgium organizes major festivities every year. Note the carnivals of Binche and Aalst, and the processional giants in many villages in the country – and in northern France.

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Three official languages

Belgium is known for bilingualism between Dutch-speaking Flemings and French-speaking Walloons. But it has a third official language, German, which is spoken by a German-speaking minority in the east of the country.

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A Belgian Woodstock

In 1969, the year of the legendary Woodstock festival, another great festival took place in Amougies, in the Hainaut region. After several refusals, the two organizers landed in this town and managed to bring Pink Floyd (in the photo) there in front of 20,000 spectators.

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Nemo 33

Since 2004, the “Nemo 33” swimming pool has been located in the municipality of Uccle, near Brussels, which was the deepest in the world. Its diving pit is 35 meters deep and portholes allow a view in both directions between the pool and the bar-restaurant.

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