Brussels

Brussels (French: Bruxelles, Dutch: Brussel) is the capital and largest city of Belgium. It is located in the Brussels-Capital Region which has an area of 161 km2 (62 sq mi). The City of Brussels had a population of approximately 176,000 people in 2018 making it the largest municipality in Belgium.

The history of Brussels dates back to the 5th century when it was founded as a small fishing village by Saint Géry on an island at what was then called Senne River. In 1229, Counts Baldwin I and Henry III granted trading rights to merchants from all over Europe who settled around today’s Grand Place where they built guildhalls for their respective trades. This led to rapid economic growth and consequently attracted major European powers such as France, Spain, Austria and Britain during various wars throughout its history until independence was achieved after World War II with much help from NATO forces stationed there since 1949.
With its strategic location between East Flanders Province inland and West Flanders Province near the North Sea coast; Brussels soon became known not only as an important centre for trade but also politics due to strong ties with neighbouring states like Germany or Netherlands while remaining largely independent within itself up until 1831 when King Leopold I established Belgian rule over both French & Dutch speaking areas now present day Belgium’s regions Wallonia & Flanders respectively thereby creating bilingualism among citizens that continues till date across many spheres including legal administration offices etcetera .

Today Brussels serves both national & international interests simultaneously through hosting organizations such as EU Parliament , UN agencies etc along side traditional industries like chocolates manufacturing , beer brewing industry amongst others . As one would expect this diverse urban fabric offers plenty tourist attractions ranging from Gothic cathedrals / churches dating back centuries before modern times thru Art Nouveau style buildings designed Adolf Loos alongside futuristic glass structures commissioned later 20th centuary designers ; providing visitors ample opportunity explore variety architectural styles prevalent regionally historically ….. All these elements combined make picturesque cosmopolitan hub awaits discovery no matter how often repeated visit !