Brüssel

Brüssel is the German name for Brussels, the capital city of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union. It is the largest city in the country by population and functions as the political and administrative center of the Brussels-Capital Region, a separate, bilingual region that also includes several surrounding municipalities.

Located in central Belgium, the Brussels-Capital Region encloses the City of Brussels and 18 other municipalities. The region is officially bilingual, with French and Dutch as official languages, though French predominates in daily life.

Brüssel originated as a small medieval settlement in the 10th century and grew as a market town. It became the capital of the Duchy of Brabant and later served as capital for Belgium. In the 20th century, it developed into a major administrative and diplomatic hub, hosting European Union institutions since the 1950s and NATO since the late 20th century.

Notable sights include the Grand Place (Grote Markt), the Atomium, Manneken Pis, the Royal Palace, and the Cinquantenaire Park. The city is known for its theaters, museums, beer, and chocolate, and for hosting EU and international organizations in the European Quarter.

Brüssel is a major service economy with a high concentration of international institutions and businesses. It has an international airport (Brussels Airport, in Zaventem) and an extensive public transport network operated by STIB/MIVB, including metro, tram, and bus lines. The city serves as a key gateway to Belgium and Western Europe.