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Antwerp ( / ˈæntwɜːrp / ⓘ; Dutch: Antwerpen [ˈɑntʋɛrpə (n)] ⓘ; French: Anvers [ɑ̃vɛʁs] ⓘ) is a city and a municipality in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It is the capital and largest city of Antwerp Province, and the third largest city in Belgium by area at 204.51 km 2 (78.96 sq mi) after Tournai and Couvin.
Welcome to Antwerp! Get inspired for a vibrant experience full of fashion, shopping, gastronomy, culture and architecture. Whatever is on your city trip checklist, Antwerp has it all.
The Grote Markt is the main central square (to be more precise, triangle) of Antwerp, located in close proximity to the historic Cathedral of Our Lady and the Scheldt River. As the beating heart of the medieval old town, anchored by the Renaissance-style Stadhuis (Town Hall) and guildhalls with flamboyant facades, it has been the focal point of the town's commercial and cultural activities since the 16th century.
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Antwerp, city, Flanders region, Belgium, that is one of the world’s major seaports. It gained fame as a centre of the diamond industry and for its legacy of fine arts.
Antwerp is situated on the Schelde (Scheldt) River, about 55 miles (88 km) from the North Sea. The Schelde, together with the Meuse and the Rhine, forms the biggest estuary in western Europe, and Antwerp is an essential part of an enormous harbour complex, one of the greatest in the world. The harbour installations of Antwerp grew especially after World War II. For many years this expansion took place on the right bank of the Schelde only, but beginning in the 1970s there was much development on the left bank as well.
The unique flavour of Antwerp is derived from the combination of, and tensions between, the diverse aspects of its personality: a passionate commitment to commerce goes hand in hand with an abiding interest in the life of ideas and in the arts; respect and affection for the past are juxtaposed with a fervent desire to participate fully in the prese...
The residents of Antwerp generally speak the local Brabantian-Antwerp dialect of Dutch. Dutch as spoken in the Netherlands and by Dutch-speaking cultured Belgians, however, is taught in the schools and is gaining ground in economic life. Although French is still much used in commercial and industrial circles, it is losing steadily as a means of expression. This does not mean that Dutch-speaking Antwerpians do not know French or other languages, for the international character of the city implies a readiness of many of its residents to understand foreign languages.
Most of the foreigners living in Antwerp are Dutch, followed by Moroccans, Spaniards, French, and Germans; there are also small numbers of British, Americans, and Israelis. Unlike the other foreigners, the Moroccan and Spanish groups are largely unskilled workers who migrated to Belgium during periods of labour scarcity after World War II. There have been associated social tensions, notably concerning discrimination in housing.
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Discover Antwerp, Belgium's second city and a cultural hub of fashion, art and history. Explore its medieval heart, riverside fortress, Rubens' house and museums, and enjoy its vibrant nightlife and shopping scene.
Feb 22, 2024 · Discover the best things to do in Antwerp, from its stunning architecture and museums to its trendy neighbourhoods and nightlife. Find out how to get there, where to stay and what to see in this comprehensive guide.