Liège

Liège is a city and municipality in Belgium, serving as the capital of the province of Liège in the Walloon Region. It lies along the Meuse river in the eastern part of the country, near the borders with the Netherlands and Germany. The city proper has around two hundred thousand residents, with a metropolitan area that includes several hundred thousand people.

Historically, Liège grew around the bishopric of Liège and became a major urban center within the Holy Roman Empire as a prince-bishopric. Its wealth and influence came from trade, religious institutions, and later industrial activity. In the 19th and 20th centuries the region developed coal and steel industries, followed by postwar restructuring and a shift toward services, education, and logistics.

Prominent landmarks include Saint Lambert Cathedral, the Palace of the Prince-Bishops, and the Curtius Palace. The city also features the Montagne de Bueren stairway, the La Batte riverside market, and the Liège-Guillemins railway station, a modern design by Santiago Calatrava. The La Boverie museum houses art collections, and the University of Liège (ULiège) is a major research institution in the city. Liège Airport at Bierset serves cargo and some passenger traffic, while the Meuse river port supports regional trade.

Cultural life in Liège centers on theatre, music, and gastronomy, including the Gaufre de Liège, a dense, caramelized waffle associated with the city. Overall, Liège remains a regional hub for education, industry, and transport in eastern Belgium.