Brussels-Capital Region
On June 18th 1989,
for the first time ever, the citizens of Brussels elected their
regional representatives directly. Brussels-Capital Region was
henceforth considered an autonomous region, along with the Flemish
and Walloon Regions. What institutions and areas of competence
does the region have? Who are the men and women who run it?
International Brussels
Brussels is well-known as the headquarters of the
European institutions, but it is also the headquarters of
many other international organisations. Its international
character is also evident in the large number of diplomatic
missions present. |
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Brussels, in
the heart of Europe, is open to the world, welcoming nearly 16,000
business congresses every year. Nearly a third of the capital's
population is made up of foreigners, giving the region a truly
cosmopolitan flair.
Brussels, business and conferences
The Capital of Europe,
Brussels, is also an international business forum, an international
exhibition centre and the world's second largest congress centre.
Every year, over 1,000 business conferences take place here. Welcoming
infrastructure is particularly well-developed. Nearly 2,000 foreign
companies, including 1,400 American companies and over 1,000 international
associations, have offices on the territory of Brussels. The presence
of 60 foreign banks has contributed to making Brussels the world's
seventh biggest financial market.
Art, culture and entertainment
Over 1000 years of
history and expression have been carved in stone or committed
to canvas. They now survive the ages, in a quiet atmosphere free
of the stress you find in major centres, yet full of the effervescence
of a multicultural city which is open to the winds of change that
are sweeping today's world.
Tourism, sports and leisure
Renowned since time
immemorial for its good food and its good-natured inhabitants,
Brussels offers a multilingual welcome and a wide variety of accommodation.
All types of leisure activities await visitors from the four corners
of the earth.
Citizenship in Brussels
In Brussels, civic
responsibility is what it's all about, with a busy community life
and a plurisecural tradition that reflects the city's solid belief
in the rights and freedoms of its inhabitants. There is also a
sense of dialogue forged by history, in which the famous "compromise
à la belge" has its roots.
Practical aspects
A few clicks is all
it takes to find out how to get around and how to find out more.
In a word, how to cope in Brussels.
