Did you know that there are other European countries besides France where French is spoken? Belgium is one of those countries, though there are two other official languages spoken there as well: Dutch, spoken in the northern part of the country; and German, spoken by only one percent of the population who live in the east, near the border of Germany.

Though Belgium is small, equal in area to about one twenty-fifth the size of Texas, it is a densely populated country with about ten million inhabitants. The northern part borders on the North Sea, the Netherlands, and Germany. The southern part borders mostly on France, and the small kingdom of Luxembourg tucks into the lower right corner.

In the north, called Flanders, Belgians are called Flemings. Their language and customs are similar to those of the Dutch-speaking people of the Netherlands. The southern part of the country, Wallonia, is inhabited by the Walloons. They speak French and their culture resembles that of their southern neighbors in France. There is a rivalry between the Flemings and the Walloons, with neither side too eager to learn the other's language.

Brussels, the capital, is also considered to be the capital of all of Europe. Here, differences in the two cultures merge and most people speak many languages, including English. Since many foreigners live in Brussels it is as international a city as any you will find in the whole world. The subway system is the most comfortable one in all of Europe and the city has preserved its charming network of trams. This, plus the ancient buildings and cobblestone streets, contrasts nicely with the glamour of gleaming, new architecture.

If you travel to Bruges you will see how a great European city appeared in the Middle Ages. The cobblestone streets and ancient buildings have been kept up and there is a network of canals and fifty bridges running throughout the city.

Flemish Belgium has windmills and colorful flower farms, while the southern part of Wallonia is famous for the Ardennes. Full of rolling hills and thick forests, the Ardennes is one of the most popular vacation spots for Europeans. Many come to camp there and you don't even need a car to explore the countryside. As in every area of Belgium, there is bus and train transportation to take you almost everywhere.