Antwerp

Antwerp is a city in the northern part of Belgium, and the capital of Antwerp Province in the Flemish Region. It lies on the Scheldt river and serves as a major port and commercial hub. The city proper has roughly half a million inhabitants.

Historically, Antwerp grew as a commercial and artistic center in the late Middle Ages and attained great wealth in the 16th century through trade and shipping. Its prosperity declined after the 1580s but revived with industrialization in the 19th and 20th centuries, aided by the port's expansion.

Antwerp's economy remains centered on the Port of Antwerp, one of Europe’s largest ports by cargo volume, handling chemicals, containers and other goods. The city is also a leading diamond trading and processing center, often called the Diamond Quarter, where many trade firms operate.

Notable landmarks include the Cathedral of Our Lady (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal), which houses works by Rubens; the Rubens House; the Plantin-Moretus Museum; and the ornate Town Hall on the Grote Markt. Antwerp Central Station is renowned for its architecture. Dutch is the dominant language; English is widely spoken. The city also hosts a variety of museums, theaters and a prominent fashion and design scene.