Brussels: Difference between revisions
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== History == | == History == | ||
Brussels developed in the valley of the Senne River and became an important centre in the historical Low Countries. It later passed through Burgundian, Habsburg, Spanish, Austrian, French, and Dutch rule before becoming the capital of independent Belgium in 1830. | Brussels developed in the valley of the Senne River and became an important centre in the historical Low Countries. It later passed through Burgundian, Habsburg, Spanish, Austrian, French, and Dutch rule before becoming the capital of independent Belgium in 1830. | ||
During the nineteenth century, Brussels became the political centre of the Belgian state. Belgium developed as an industrial and administrative country, with Brussels serving as the national capital while [[Antwerp]], [[Ghent]], [[Liège]], [[Bruges]], and [[Charleroi]] formed other major urban centres.<ref name="belgium-history">''[[Belgium#History|Belgium]]'', "History".</ref> | During the nineteenth century, Brussels became the political centre of the Belgian state. Belgium developed as an industrial and administrative country, with Brussels serving as the national capital while [[Antwerp]], [[Ghent]], [[Liège]], [[Bruges]], and [[Charleroi]] formed other major urban centres.<ref name="belgium-history">''[[Belgium#History|Belgium]]'', "History".</ref> | ||
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== Role in Belgium == | == Role in Belgium == | ||
Brussels is the seat of the Belgian federal government and the main political centre of the country. It is officially bilingual in French and Dutch. Its position between Dutch-speaking Flanders and French-speaking Wallonia gives it a separate role inside Belgium's federal structure. | Brussels is the seat of the Belgian federal government and the main political centre of the country. It is officially bilingual in French and Dutch. Its position between Dutch-speaking Flanders and French-speaking Wallonia gives it a separate role inside Belgium's federal structure. | ||
The city is also one of Belgium's main transport points. Roads and railways connect Brussels with Antwerp, Ghent, Liège, Charleroi, and neighbouring countries. [[Antwerp]] is connected to Brussels by railway and motorway, making Brussels part of the internal route between the Belgian capital and the country's main port city.<ref name="antwerp-transport">''[[Antwerp#Transport|Antwerp]]'', "Transport".</ref> | The city is also one of Belgium's main transport points. Roads and railways connect Brussels with Antwerp, Ghent, Liège, Charleroi, and neighbouring countries. [[Antwerp]] is connected to Brussels by railway and motorway, making Brussels part of the internal route between the Belgian capital and the country's main port city.<ref name="antwerp-transport">''[[Antwerp#Transport|Antwerp]]'', "Transport".</ref> | ||