BELGIUM

INTRODUCTION

Belgium (oficial name in flemish, Koninkrijk België and Royaume de Belgique in French. In the north it is burdering with Netherlands and oceans of the North, in the East with Germany and Luxembourg, in the south and south-west with French. It has as capital city to Brussels, this city is the more important and is located in the country centre.

The population is distributed for two ethnic groups: Flemish and Valones, the difference is that Flemish speaks Dutch and Valones speaks French. In Brussels both speaks languages.

The currency unit is the euro (on January 2, 2002 a euro is foreign Exchange to 0.9038 dollars of the United States). The National Belgium Bank makes out local currency from 1850.

Belgium has three principal regions: the coastal plain, the central plateau and highlands of Ardenas.

CLIMATE

The climate near to ocean is wet and lukewarm, in Ardenas region the climate is hot summer and cold winter. The strong rains are located in highlands. The humidity and drizzle are regulars and months more rainy are on April and November.

I choose Belgium because I have heard a lot of this country by people who comes in to do thesis where I work and they give me interesting commentary. Then I would like to visit Brussels because It´s the more important city.

In Brussels I would like to go to museums, there are about 45 such as: Musee de Costume et de la Dentelle, Musee David et Alice Van Buuren, Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée, Musee of the Brasserie, Autoworld, etc.

Also,I would like to visit places as:

The Grand Place

Is the center of medieval Brussels where Gremiales houses are the history of the City Hall, in this place the most monumental building is the Hotel de Ville.

Atomium

Located in Exhibition Park, is a perfect replica of an iron molecule enlarged 165 billion times.




The cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula

St Gudule and St Michael’s Cathedral, seat of theroman catholic diocese of Malines-Brussels
The cathedral is a cultural place
The cathedral is also a remarkable archaeological site. Its history covers12 centuries

I would like to go to outside Brussels and Know:

Ghent and Bruges where rivers and canals traverse the town and aboard a boat will be suitable for see the city considered the most beautiful.

Antwerp is considerated the second largest city in Belgium, in this place is the Antwerp Diamond Museum where is exhibited precious jewels (diamonds).

Waterloo in this place there is an audiovisual reconstruction of the stages of the battle in a virtual Visitor’s Center.

I couldn´t forget that Brussels produces the most delicious article “the chocolate” for this reason is known as the chocolate capital of the world and I have had the opportunity to taste them.

Therefore, I like Belgium country because there are many places for distraction.

Finally I would like to visit the K. U Leuven University because Cuenca´s University has gotten cooperation with K.U. Leuven to develop research´s projects which will carry out from July 1, 2007.