Bryssel

Bryssel is the name used in several languages for Brussels, the capital of Belgium. It designates the city proper as well as the Brussels-Capital Region, an officially bilingual enclave within the Flemish Region. The region lies in the central part of Belgium, near the language border between Dutch-speaking and French-speaking areas.

The population of the Brussels-Capital Region is about 1.2 million; the city itself has around 180,000 inhabitants, with a highly international community due to its role as a political and administrative center. The region is administratively subdivided into 19 municipalities.

Bryssel hosts major European and international institutions, including the European Commission and the Council of the European Union, with numerous EU bodies and agencies based in the city. The NATO headquarters is also located in Brussels. The city is known for a multilingual environment, with French predominating in daily life and Dutch also present; English is widely used in international contexts.

Culturally, the city features the Grand Place (a UNESCO World Heritage site), the Town Hall, the Manneken Pis statue, and the Atomium from the 1958 World Expo. The regional government and numerous museums, galleries, and culinary traditions contribute to its profile as a political and cultural hub.

Key transport nodes include Brussels Airport at Zaventem, Brussels-Central, Brussels-North and Brussels-Midi/Zuid stations, and an extensive metro and tram network. The city is connected to international rail and road networks and serves as a gateway to Belgium and the Benelux region.