Brussels (Belgium)

Brussels is a Zenne / Senne River cruise port for Scheldt River cruises from Belgium to Holland and the reverse (between Brussels and Amsterdam). Port of Brussels is located on the Brussels-Scheldt Maritime Canal (in the city's northwest part).

The City of Brussels is Belgium's capital. It has a total area of 161.38 km2 (62.2 ml2). The metropolitan area has a population of over 1,8 million, ranking it Belgium's largest. Since the end of WWII, the city has been a major international politics centre, housing numerous international organizations, diplomats and politicians. Brussels is also the European Union's de facto capital, hosting a number of EU institutions. Also here are located the secretariat of Benelux and NATO's headquarters.

Brussels has seen the language shift to French since the late 19th century. Nowadays, the majority language is French. Brussels-Capital Region is a bilingual enclave within Flemish Region. All street names, road signs, and many services and advertisements are shown in both languages. The city is becoming increasingly multilingual with an increasing number of expatriates, migrants and minority groups who speak their own languages.

The city's architecture is diverse - including Baroque, Gothic, Louis XIV, and the postmodern buildings of the EU institutions. The Grand Place square (UNESCO World Heritage Site) is its main attraction, including the Flamboyant Town Hall, guildhalls, the Breadhouse. Other popular landmarks are Gudula and St Michael Cathedral, Royal Palace, the Palace of Justice, and the Manneken Pis fountain with the urinating youth sculpture. Brussels has more than 80 museums, including Royal Museums of Fine Arts, Magritte Museum, Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History, BELvue Museum.

Brussels has its own harbor, port of Brussels, on Brussels-Scheldt Maritime Canal in the northwest of the city. Brussels-Charleroi Canal links Brussels with Wallonia's industrial areas.