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Belgium

Everything you need to know about Belgium: news, reviews, in-depth analysis, opinion and more

Belgium: A Melting-Pot of Cultures

Belgium was invaded by France and Germany in early 1990’s and consequentially it now features varied cultures like Celtic, Roman, Spanish, Dutch, French, German and Austrian and can be referred as a true ‘melting pot’. Its located advantageously in the heart of Europe, thereby, it has an excellent infrastructure, especially in Brussels and the architectural wonder, Antwerp that are its major cities.

    Belgium Quick Facts:

    · National Name: Kingdom of Belgium
    · Total Area: 30,528 sq km (11,787 sq miles)
    · Total Population: 10,258,76
    · National Capital: Brussels
    · Major Languages: Dutch, French, German
    · Major Religion: Christianity
    · Currency: 1 Euro= 100 cents
    · GDP per capita (PPP): $33,000 (2006 EST)
    · Life Expectancy: 75 years (Male), 82 year(Female) (2006 EST)

Geography and Climate of Belgium:
This country located in the western part of Europe consists of flat coastal plains in the northern part and hilly and forested valleys in the southern part. The temperature remains mild in winters while summers are relatively cooler and humid. It receives rainfall in the month of July with an average precipitation of 65 mm while comparatively it’s higher in the month of January at 78mm. However, it faces a threat of flood in certain reclaimed coastal plains of the country.

Belgian Culture and Cuisine:
Belgium offers an amalgam of different varied cultures thereby it cannot be defined by one national identity. Its art and culture is significantly rich offering an artistic approach to its culture variation through surrealistic paintings and intricate architecture. Besides this, Belgians are known for their lavish celebrations during festivals and carnivals.
Some of the important festivals are:
· Carnival at Binche, held before Lent which includes carnivalesque activities and dancing in particular dresses. As men called ‘Gilles’ wear bright costumes with high, plumed hats.

· Procession of Holy Blood, which is an important children’s holiday commemorating St. Nicholas’s day.

Other than these, Belgians are also known for their music interests, Folklore and etiquettes regarding cleanliness, formal meetings, dressing etc.

Cuisine: This exotic country offers some delectable and sumptuous dishes which are famous world wide featuring a blend of French and German cuisines. The French fries were introduced in Belgium itself and not in France as the name suggests. Also it is known for its wide range of beers, chocolates such as Godiva, Callebaut and many others and also wafers. Some of the typical Belgian dishes include Waterzooi, a casserole of chicken, waffles, pralines, chocolates and a special beer.

Tourist Attractions in Belgium:
There are a number of places to visit in this country. No wonder every year a number of tourists throngs this place. If you are looking to travel to Belgium and mingle with the local Belgians you just cannot miss the great tourist attractions some of which include:

Antwerp: It is known as the Diamond center of the world and has a repute of having some splendid architectural designed buildings belonging to past centuries.

Brussels: This cosmopolitan city is known for its composition of Gothic cathedrals and churches featuring different architectural designs. The Grand’ Place is the historic market in this city having splendid guild houses and a unique Town Hall, considered as the most beautiful town square in Europe.

Other interesting places in Belgium include Ghent, Spa, Bruges, Leuven, Waterloo and Liege.

Keep it simple and overcome pressure: Chief Coach Mathias Ahrens

June 20, 2015 at 6:54 PM

As the much awaited FINTRO Hockey World League Semi-Final 2015 is all set to commence from tomorrow, 20 June 2015 in Antwerp,

We cannot afford to make mistakes any more: Akashdeep Singh

June 16, 2015 at 7:20 PM

Everyone's responsibility is defined and we have to stand up to it: Vandana Kataria

Will miss SV Sunil on the field: Yuvraj Walmiki

June 14, 2015 at 1:56 PM

As the Fintro Hockey World League Semi-Final 2015 is set to commence in a few days, India Men Hockey Team is gearing-up for the tournament at Antwerp in Belgium.

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India Men Hockey won first practice match by 1-0

June 14, 2015 at 1:40 PM

India Men Hockey team beat France in their first practice match by 1-0, which was played in Belgium on 13 June 2015.

Indian Women Hockey Team takes off to Belgium

June 11, 2015 at 6:43 PM

Indian Women Hockey Team takes off to Belgium for Fintro Hockey World League Semi- Final 2015

India beats Japan: Wins the Indo-Japan Series 3-0

May 10, 2015 at 5:07 PM

With the series already in their name, India played to add another win to their name while Japan looked at ending the series with one win in their name. It was finally India who stamped its dominance as they went on to win the match 4-0 and claiming the series 3-0.

The Indian Women Hockey team is all set to leave for New Zealand tomorrow

April 6, 2015 at 7:01 PM

Focus is on our first clash against China at the Hawke's Bay Cup. Will take each game at a time: Sushila Chanu

Mourinho's Real Madrid win Spanish League title

May 3, 2012 at 1:50 PM

London, May 3 (IANS) Real Madrid won the Spanish soccer league title for the 32nd time, their first time in four years. It was also coach Jose Mourinho's first here and seventh in four different countries.

1 in 7 think end of the world is near

May 2, 2012 at 10:06 PM

Johannesburg, May 2 (ANI): Nearly 15 percent of people worldwide believe the world will end during their lifetime and 10 percent think the Mayan calendar could signify it will happen in 2012.

Silicene may steal spotlight from graphene to become new 'star' material

April 30, 2012 at 1:46 PM

London, Apr 30 (ANI): Researchers have come up with the first sheet of single-atom thick silicon - dubbed silicene - which shows promise to replace wonder material graphene.

First Mars Express explores volcanic history

April 27, 2012 at 1:22 PM

Washington, Apr 27 (ANI): Five years of Mars Express gravity mapping data are offering unique insights into what lies beneath the Red Planet's massive volcanoes.

Anti-nuke rally to mark Chernobyl's 26th anniversary

April 26, 2012 at 1:13 PM

Mumbai, April 26 (IANS) Hundreds of people are likely to take part in a three-km long march here Thursday evening to mark the 26th anniversary of the world's worst nuclear disaster at Chernobyl, Ukraine.

Asian mosquitoes to hit Britain with dengue

April 25, 2012 at 6:13 PM

London, April 25 (IANS) A mosquito from Asia that spreads tropical diseases, including dengue fever, may soon hit the shores of Britain because of climate change, experts have said.

Amnesty International releases report on discrimination against Muslims in European countries

April 25, 2012 at 3:44 PM

London, April 25 (ANI): Amnesty International has released a report on discrimination against Muslims in Europe, which has highlighted cases of prejudice in education and employment sectors against the community.

Jones shocks Murphy on world snooker championship debut

April 24, 2012 at 1:08 PM

Sheffield (England), April 24 (IANS) Jamie Jones became the fourth qualifier to reach the second round of the World Snooker Championship, pulling off a shock victory over World No.5 Shaun Murphy 10-8.

$3.2 bn needed to fight malaria in Africa, says activist

April 24, 2012 at 11:40 AM

United Nations, April 24 (IANS) A sum of $3.2 billion is needed to finance the fight against malaria by 2015 in Africa, the source of 90 percent malaria cases in the world, a special representative for a global framework against malaria said here Monday.

Serbia-Czech Republic in Fed Cup final

April 23, 2012 at 5:16 PM

London, April 23 (IANS) Jelena Jankovic and Ana Ivanovic won their reverse singles matches to take Serbia into the Fed Cup final for the first time, beating Russia 3-2.

Facts about France

April 22, 2012 at 4:12 PM

Paris, April 22 (IANS) Here are key facts on France, where voting in the first round of the 2012 French presidential election took place Sunday.

Molecular alternatives to life offer new insight into evolution

April 20, 2012 at 7:01 PM

Washington, Apr 20 (ANI): Researchers have successfully replicated the chemistry of life in synthetic versions of DNA and RNA molecules, thus indicating that the pair of nucleic acids are not unique in their capability to encode information and to pass it on through heredity.

Mystery of cosmic rays origin deepens

April 19, 2012 at 4:45 PM

London, Apr 19 (ANI): Although cosmic rays were discovered 100 years ago, their origin has mystified physicists since long.

Paedophiles now take 'merely 2 mins to start sexualised chat with victims'

April 19, 2012 at 2:54 PM

London, Apr 19 (ANI): Online paedophiles are abandoning known grooming practices and striking up highly sexualised conversations with their prey within just two minutes, a new study has warned.

Dutch man fathers 82 kids

April 16, 2012 at 6:59 PM

London, April 16 (IANS) In a bid to help childless women become mothers, a 42-year-old Dutch man launched a free "baby making" service nine years ago. The man has sex with 15 women every month, and has fathered 82 children so far.

Egg donors 'don't hurt own chances of later pregnancy'

April 15, 2012 at 2:59 PM

Washington, Apr 15 (ANI): Women who donate their eggs are not harming their chances of becoming pregnant later, a new study has revealed.

Three cheers for Indian culture, say IPL's foreign cheerleaders

April 12, 2012 at 2:27 PM

New Delhi, April 12 (IANS) Back home, they are bankers, school teachers or dancers. But many young women have come to India from foreign shores like Ukraine, Russia, Belgium and Norway as cheerleaders for the Indian Premier League (IPL), attracted not by the money but by the country's culture and tradition.

Titanic memorial cruise delayed after passenger suffers heart attack

April 11, 2012 at 8:04 PM

London, Apr 11 (ANI): A memorial cruise to commemorate 100 years of the Titanic had to turn back after a cameraman on board suffered a suspected heart attack.

EBS wins most valuable e-commerce company award

April 10, 2012 at 3:48 PM

Hyderabad, April 10 (IANS) EBS, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Belgium-headquartered Ogone, specialists in online payment services, has been awarded India's most valuable e-commerce company of 2012.

World's largest Easter egg unveiled in Argentina

April 9, 2012 at 3:15 PM

London, April 9 (ANI): A chocolate Easter egg weighing over four tons and towering over 27ft high and 16ft wide was unveiled to a crowd of chocolate lovers in Argentina.

Victor Hugo collection auctioned off for $4.2 mn

April 5, 2012 at 12:40 PM

Paris, April 5 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Christie's has sold a group of more than 400 books, paintings, letters and other items from personal collections of French writer Victor Hugo and his descendants for 3.2 million euros ($4.2 million), the auction house said in a media communique.

FIFA allocates $699 mn for Russia 2018

April 5, 2012 at 1:44 AM

Moscow, April 5 (IANS/RIA Novosti) FIFA has granted Russia a budget of $699 million to host the 2018 World Cup, a similar amount to that received by South Africa for the 2010 tournament.

Maiden title for Vekic in women's tennis championship

March 24, 2012 at 7:36 PM

Bangalore, March 24 (IANS) Ninth seed Donna Vekic, the 15-year-old from Croatia, ranked 397, won the $25,000 QNet ITF Open women's tennis tournament beating fourth seed Andrea Koch Benvenuto of Chile 6-2, 6-4 in the final here Saturday.

Belgium bank to deploy Infosys software product

March 24, 2012 at 4:56 PM

Bangalore, March 24 (IANS) Leading European bank ING Belgium selected Infosys' software product Finacle to transform its core banking operations, the Indian IT bellwether said Saturday.

'Viagra fuelled Strauss Kahn took part in Paris basement orgy', claims brothel keeper

March 24, 2012 at 12:32 PM

London, Mar 24 (ANI): Shamed former International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn took part in a seedy orgy in the basement of a Paris restaurant, it has emerged.

Gene test may bring safe chemotherapy

March 23, 2012 at 8:56 PM

London, March 23 (IANS) Doctors have discovered a way of identifying breast cancer patients likely to suffer life-threatening side effects from chemotherapy, the Daily Mail reported Friday.

US working with India to reduce dependence on Iran oil

March 23, 2012 at 8:08 PM

Washington, March 23 (IANS) The United States has said it's "working hard" with India to see if it can help reduce its dependence on Iranian crude and find alternative sources of supply, but no decision has been taken on imposing financial sanctions.

Russia exported $4 bn worth diamonds: India major buyer

March 23, 2012 at 8:00 PM

Moscow, March 23 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russia last year exported over 32 million carats of uncut rough diamonds worth $3.81 billion, the finance ministry said. India, Belgium and Israel were the major buyers.

Apple has sold 3 million iPads since Friday

March 20, 2012 at 3:50 PM

Washington, Mar 20 (ANI): Tech giant Apple has announced that it has sold a whopping three million new iPad units since its sale began Friday.

Poor dental hygiene puts congenital heart disease patients at endocarditis risk

March 17, 2012 at 8:50 PM

Washington, March 17 (ANI): Patients with congenital heart disease floss, brush and visit the dentist less than their peers, and researchers say these poor dental hygiene behaviours could increase their risk of endocarditis.

Poor dental hygiene puts congenital heart disease patients at endocarditis risk

March 17, 2012 at 3:36 PM

Washington, March 17 (ANI): Patients with congenital heart disease floss, brush and visit the dentist less than their peers, and researchers say these poor dental hygiene behaviours could increase their risk of endocarditis.

Alps coach crash driver was 'changing a DVD' at the time of tunnel tragedy

March 16, 2012 at 9:37 PM

London, Mar.16 (ANI): Survivors of a bus crash that killed 22 children and six adults in a tunnel in Switzerland, have reportedly told their families that the driver was helping to change a DVD seconds before the accident.

Alps coach crash driver was 'changing a DVD' at the time of tunnel tragedy

March 16, 2012 at 12:48 PM

London, Mar.16 (ANI): Survivors of a bus crash that killed 22 children and six adults in a tunnel in Switzerland, have reportedly told their families that the driver was helping to change a DVD seconds before the accident.

Imam dies in Belgium mosque fire incident

March 13, 2012 at 9:10 PM

London, Mar.13 (ANI): A 47-year-old imam has died while trying to extinguish flames in a mosque in Belgium that was attacked by an arsonist.

Imam dies in Belgium mosque fire incident

March 13, 2012 at 1:24 PM

London, Mar.13 (ANI): A 47-year-old imam has died while trying to extinguish flames in a mosque in Belgium that was attacked by an arsonist.

Human mattress dominoes break world record in New Orleans

February 29, 2012 at 8:00 PM

London, Feb 29 (ANI): Hundreds of people in New Orleans took part in breaking the Guinness World Record for the highest number of human dominoes.

Human mattress dominoes break world record in New Orleans

February 29, 2012 at 11:52 AM

London, Feb 29 (ANI): Hundreds of people in New Orleans took part in breaking the Guinness World Record for the highest number of human dominoes.

Hitler had eye on UK mansion for headquarters

February 20, 2012 at 12:19 PM

London, Feb 20 (ANI): Hitler would have set up his headquarters in a sleepy Midlands market town in Britain if he had succeeded in invading the country.

Hockey Olympic Qualifier Series kicks off from Feb 18

February 17, 2012 at 6:49 PM

The first out of three Hockey Olympic Qualifier Series for both men and women is set to begin at Major Dhyanchand National Hockey Stadium from February..........

Trojan horse bacteria may cure the sleeping sickness

February 16, 2012 at 3:48 PM

Those suffering from sleeping sickness may get a relief. In a recent study researchers have used a bacteria, which naturally resides in the tsetse fly, to release antibody fragments that can act against the trypanosome that causes sleeping sickness.

Trojan horse bacteria employ nanobodies to conquer sleeping sickness

February 15, 2012 at 5:38 PM

Washington, Feb 15 (ANI): In a new study related to sleeping sickness, researchers have used a bacteria, which naturally lives in the tsetse fly, to release antibody fragments against the trypanosome.

Bahrain defence chief says a coup was attempted on anti-govt. protest anniversary

February 15, 2012 at 1:54 PM

Manama (Bahrain), Feb.15 (ANI): The commander-in-chief of the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) has claimed that a coup was attempted on the government on the first anniversary of anti-government protests.

Nicole Scherzinger dons raunchy attire at LAX airport

February 13, 2012 at 2:45 PM

London, Feb 13 (ANI): Nicole Scherzinger, who is used to wearing some raunchy attire as a former 'Pussycat Doll' member, jetted off on a short tour wearing just a pair of lacy tights.

Venus could be shifting gears

February 11, 2012 at 1:25 PM

Washington, Feb 11 (ANI): A spacecraft orbiting Venus has revealed that Earth's cloud-covered neighbour is rotating a little slower than previously measured.

Pregnant women can undergo chemotherapy 'without harming baby'

February 10, 2012 at 3:49 PM

London, Feb 10 (ANI): Expecting mothers who suffer from cancer can finally breathe a sigh of relief as a recent study has found that chemotherapy treatment after the first trimester does not harm the unborn child.

Pregnant women can undergo chemotherapy 'without harming baby'

February 10, 2012 at 3:25 PM

London, Feb 10 (ANI): Expecting mothers who suffer from cancer can finally breathe a sigh of relief as a recent study has found that chemotherapy treatment after the first trimester does not harm the unborn child.

Redknapp ready to take England's charge on temporary basis

February 10, 2012 at 12:53 PM

London, Feb 10 (ANI): Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp, who emerged as favourite to succeed Fabio Capello, is interested in taking charge of England for this summer's European Championships, but the Football Association will have to persuade him to lead the team into the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign.

First ever 3D-printed jaw transplanted into patient's face

February 7, 2012 at 9:22 PM

London, Feb 7 (ANI): Doctors have for the first time fitted a 3D printer-created lower jaw to an 83-year-old woman's face in the Netherlands.

First ever 3D-printed jaw transplanted into patient's face

February 7, 2012 at 12:09 PM

London, Feb 7 (ANI): Doctors have for the first time fitted a 3D printer-created lower jaw to an 83-year-old woman's face in the Netherlands.

Clint Eastwood helps shed new light on brain evolution

February 6, 2012 at 7:06 PM

London, Feb 6 (ANI): To get a better understanding of brain evolution, researchers had humans and monkeys watch Clint Eastwood's film.

Clint Eastwood helps shed new light on brain evolution

February 6, 2012 at 12:01 PM

London, Feb 6 (ANI): To get a better understanding of brain evolution, researchers had humans and monkeys watch Clint Eastwood's film.

Memory and silence have complicated relationship

February 4, 2012 at 7:41 PM

Washington, Feb 4 (ANI): In a new study, a group of psychological scientists have tried to explore the relationship between silence and memories.

Memory and silence have complicated relationship

February 4, 2012 at 1:24 PM

Washington, Feb 4 (ANI): In a new study, a group of psychological scientists have tried to explore the relationship between silence and memories.

33000-year-old domesticated dog skull unearthed in Siberia cave

January 24, 2012 at 8:23 PM

Washington, Jan 24 (ANI): A 33,000-year-old dog skull discovered from a Siberian cave presents some of the oldest known evidence of dog domestication and suggests modern dogs may be descended from multiple ancestors.

33000-year-old domesticated dog skull unearthed in Siberia cave

January 24, 2012 at 5:51 PM

Washington, Jan 24 (ANI): A 33,000-year-old dog skull discovered from a Siberian cave presents some of the oldest known evidence of dog domestication and suggests modern dogs may be descended from multiple ancestors.

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