Page 18 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Belgium & Luxembourg

16  INTRODUCING BEL GIUM AND L UXEMBOURG

Putting Belgium and Harwich Hoek van Rotterdam
Holland
Luxembourg on the Map North Rotterdam
Sea
With an area of 30,530 sq km (11,788 sq miles) and a population Dordrecht
of about 11 million, Belgium is a small country, bordered by France, NETHERLANDS
Germany, the Netherlands and the North Sea. Its biggest port,
Antwerp, lies on an estuary separated from the rest of the coast
by a segment of the southern Netherlands. The Grand Duchy of Breda
Luxembourg is landlocked, bordered by Germany, France and
Belgium. Less than one-tenth the size of Belgium, Luxembourg
is one of the smallest independent nations in Europe. Bergen op Eindhoven
Both countries have a rich historical heritage Vlissingen Zoom Eindhoven
and highly developed economies. They are Hull
also among the founding members of the Knokke-Heist Turnhout
European Union and home to many Krefeld
of its institutions. Zeebrugge Weert
Oostende Antwerp
0 kilometres 25 Zelzate Mönchengladbach
Bruges Maldegem St-Niklaas Antwerpen Herentals
0 miles 25
GERMANY
Lier
Dover, Veurne IJzer FLANDERS Erkelenz
Ramsgate Ghent
Dunkerque Dendermonde Mechelen
Diksmuide Scheldt Deije Demer Genk
IJzer Roeselare Leie Scheldt Aalst Brussels Leuven Hasselt Maastricht
Maastricht
BRUSSELS St-Truiden
Ypres Oudenaarde Aachen
Menen Kortrijk Tongeren
FRANCE Roubaix Escaut Geraardsbergen Halle Wavre
Waterloo Eupen
Liège
Méhai Liège
Lille
Ath Vesdre Verviers
Lille Tournai BELGIUM
Key Huy
Motorway Béthune Namur Meuse Spa
Brussels South
Major road Mons Charleroi Amblève Malmedy
Railway
Lens Binche Charleroi
International border Douai W ALLONIA
Arras Valenciennes St-Vith
Regional border
Dinant Ciney Ourthe Prüm
La Roche-en-
The Language Map of Belgium Philippeville Ardenne Sûre
Belgium has three official languages: French, Dutch and
German. Dutch is spoken in Flanders, the north ern half of
the country. In the past, the people of Flanders were said Chimay Bastogne Clervaux Alzette
to speak Flemish, but this term is now used to refer to the Couvin Moselle Vianden
many dialects of Dutch used within Flanders. French is used Libramont- Wiltz
in Wallonia, the south ern half of the country, as well as in Lesse Chevigny
Brussels, which lies wholly within Flanders and is officially Ettelbrück
bilingual. German speakers form a small community in the Hirson
east, in the Province of Liège. From an administrative point Bouillon LUXEMBOURG
Key of view, the linguistic borders are precisely drawn, but in Semois
Bilingual (French and Dutch) reality they are more fluid, creating considerable antagonism Charleville- Grevenmacher
Méziéres
Dutch where communities using one language are governed by Sedan Arlon
authorities operating in another. This language divide has
French become more deeply entrenched over recent decades and Luxembourg Luxembourg
German is a thorny political issue.
FRANCE Virton
For keys to symbols see back flap Esch-sur-
Alzette
016-017_EW_Belgium.indd 16 18/10/16 3:00 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Orientations template “UK” LAYER
(Source v1.3)
Date 6th November 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm