This blog continues the previous Part 2,
https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/07/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in_19.html
https://gerdiwanninger.blogspot.com/2018/07/fighting-cobbles-my-trip-to-belgium-in_19.html
Introduction of Belgium
The 30,528 square kilometers (11,787 sq mi) Kingdom of Belgium is
bordered by France, the Netherlands, Germany and Luxembourg. Its over 11
million citizens are home to two main linguistic groups: the Dutch-speaking,
mostly Flemish community which constitutes about 59 % of the population, an the
French-speaking, mostly Walloon population, which constitutes about 40% of all
Belgians. There is a small group of German speakers, numbering around 1% who
live in the East of the country close to the German border.
The name 'Belgium' is derived from the Roman province Gallia Belgica (Belgic
Gaul), a province of the Roman Empire which today is primarily Belgium,
Luxembourg and the Netherlands. From the end of the Middle Ages until the 17th
century the area of Belgium was a prosperous and cosmopolitan center of
commerce and culture. Between the 16th and early 19th centuries Belgium served
as the battleground between European powers, earning the moniker the
'Battlefield of Europe' which continued through both World Wars. The country
emerged in 1830 following the Belgian Revolution when it seceded from the
Netherlands.
Belgium is one of the six founding countries of the European Union and hosts the official seat of the European Commission, the Council of the European Union, the European Council, as well as a seat of the European Parliament in the country's capital, Brussels.
Belgium is also the founding member of the Eurozone, NATO, OECD and WTO and a part of the trilateral Benelux Union and the Schengen Area. Brussels hosts several of the EU's official seats as well as the headquarters of many major international organizations such as NATO (based on wikipedia).
Why so many smaller countries (like Taiwan) complain about the treatment of their 'bigger' brothers (like Mainland China) the small country of Belgium should be regarded as an example. Located between powerful countries like Germany, the Netherlands and France the nation of Belgium maintained not only their own country but even took steps in the future (like attending the EU as a very active member, attending NATO to secure their safety).
In Taiwan there are only two big parties taring the country with their own agendas apart. One party wants to unite with Mainland China while the other want independence. In this constant political struggles there is so much wasting and inefficiency, together with the very evident stubbornness to look at a problem from different, not only your own, angles there is no way that a society (a large group of people who live together in an organized way, making decisions about how do do things and sharing the work that needs to be done) could work.
The world is a big place full of many different influences; everyone should open their eyes, look inside him- or herself, evaluate and than make a careful step into the right direction in the future as a united (!) country...It is strange that Taiwan wants to be American or European, stuck in the relationship with Mainland China but does not find their own way...
Belgium is one of the six founding countries of the European Union and hosts the official seat of the European Commission, the Council of the European Union, the European Council, as well as a seat of the European Parliament in the country's capital, Brussels.
Belgium is also the founding member of the Eurozone, NATO, OECD and WTO and a part of the trilateral Benelux Union and the Schengen Area. Brussels hosts several of the EU's official seats as well as the headquarters of many major international organizations such as NATO (based on wikipedia).
Why so many smaller countries (like Taiwan) complain about the treatment of their 'bigger' brothers (like Mainland China) the small country of Belgium should be regarded as an example. Located between powerful countries like Germany, the Netherlands and France the nation of Belgium maintained not only their own country but even took steps in the future (like attending the EU as a very active member, attending NATO to secure their safety).
In Taiwan there are only two big parties taring the country with their own agendas apart. One party wants to unite with Mainland China while the other want independence. In this constant political struggles there is so much wasting and inefficiency, together with the very evident stubbornness to look at a problem from different, not only your own, angles there is no way that a society (a large group of people who live together in an organized way, making decisions about how do do things and sharing the work that needs to be done) could work.
The world is a big place full of many different influences; everyone should open their eyes, look inside him- or herself, evaluate and than make a careful step into the right direction in the future as a united (!) country...It is strange that Taiwan wants to be American or European, stuck in the relationship with Mainland China but does not find their own way...
Economy
This small country is surprisingly the world's largest exporter of
diamonds and carpets but is more known for its chocolate, beer and waffles.
Some people might argue if the French or the Belgians invented the 'French
Fries' which are called 'Chips' in Belgium.
Chocolate:
Belgian chocolate
is a major industry since the 19th century, following facts:
- The Belgium
chocolate industry is almost 400 years old.
- In 1912 Jean
Neuhaus Jr., a Swiss migrant, invented the praline, the first chocolate with a
soft filling.
- Belgium can
produce up to 600.000 tons of chocolate a year.
- Belgium
chocolate maker still use 100% cacao butter
- The top seller
of chocolate in Belgium is the Brussels airport
Chocolate Portrait of Jean Neuhaus Jr. at the "Birthplace of the Belgian Praline" |
Chocolate Portrait of Jean Neuhaus Jr. at the "Birthplace of the Belgian Praline"
Brewing in Belgium dates back at least to the age of the first
crusades in the 12th century. Some facts:
- As for 2016 there are approx. 224 active breweries in
Belgium
- Belgians drink 84 liters of beer each year, down from
200 liters in 1900
- Belgium export 60% of its beer
- Belgian beers are often served in elaborate branded
beer glassware in specific glasses.
- In 2016 the UNESCO inscribed Belgian beer culture on their
list of ‘intangible cultural heritage of humanity'.
(based on Wikipedia)
Waffles were first made in the Middle Ages
and sold as crispy and rich street-side snack by vendors outside churches in
Belgium. There are, in fact two types of waffles which are known as Brussels
and Liege waffles. The Brussels waffle is what is most commonly known as
Belgium waffles in the U.S. The Liege waffle is more common in Belgium, known
for its rich, sticky texture that is accentuated with every bite.
Waffle Shop near Manneken Pis Landmark Small Bronze Sculpture
|
(to be continued@
Disclaimer: I traveled Belgium by myself, I am not sponsored by anyone. Interested subscribers and/or followers in traveling an in this small but beautiful country are more than welcome! If not convenient to subscribe on Blogger.com, I've started my own homepage @ https://gerhardwanninger.wixsite.com/travel
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