Anvers

Anvers, the French name for the city known in Dutch as Antwerpen and in English as Antwerp, is a major port city in northern Belgium. It is the capital of the province of Antwerp, located on the Scheldt river near its mouth to the North Sea in the Flemish Region. The city proper has about 540,000 inhabitants.

The Port of Antwerp is one of Europe’s largest by cargo tonnage and a leading center for container traffic and chemical industries. The city’s long-standing role in international trade is complemented by a renowned diamond sector, with the Diamond District serving as a global hub for cutting, trading, and polishing. Antwerp is also a major rail and road transport hub with extensive connections to Belgium and neighboring countries.

Culturally, Antwerp has a rich artistic and architectural heritage. The Cathedral of Our Lady houses works by Peter Paul Rubens, and Rubens’s former house, the Rubenshuis, is a museum. The Grote Markt features ornate guildhalls, and the MAS (Museum aan de Stroom) explores the city’s port heritage. The city is known for its fashion scene, linked to the Royal Academy of Fine Arts and the so-called Antwerp Six, who helped put the city on the global fashion map. The Antwerp Zoo is one of the oldest in the world.

Historically, Antwerp grew as a medieval trading center and flourished during the 16th century, then declined after the Dutch Revolt. It recovered in the 19th and 20th centuries as a modern port and commercial center.