1. Belgium was the scene of Napoleon's final defeat, at Waterloo, south of Brussels.
2. The St Nicholas Church, one of the oldest churches in Brussels, was named after the patron saint of traders.
3. Since the fifteenth century Belgium has been famous for tapestry-making. Lace is also a notable local product.
4. Brussel sprouts have been grown in the Brussels area for over four hundred years.
5. Belgium has around four hundred different kinds of beer; some of the most famous are made by Trappist monks.
6. Belgium is famous for its high quality chocolates.
7. King Albert I led the defence of his country against the German invasion during the First World War.
8. Bruges is known as the "Venice of the North" because of its many canals.
9. The Channel Tunnel opened up direct rail connections between London and Brussels.
10. The Atomium was built for the 1958 Brussels exhibition in the shape of the atomic structure of iron, with nine steel spheres connected by tubes which contain escalators to carry visitors to the top.
Facts about tourism
Facts about airports
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