Vlaanderen

Vlaanderen, or Flanders in English, is the Dutch-speaking northern region of Belgium and one of its three federal regions. It covers about 13,500 square kilometers and is home to roughly 6.7 million people. It comprises five provinces: Antwerp, Limburg, East Flanders, West Flanders, and Flemish Brabant, with major cities including Antwerp, Ghent, Bruges, Leuven, and Mechelen. The North Sea coast lies to the west.

The official language is Dutch; in everyday use it is commonly referred to as Flemish. The Brussels-Capital Region is a separate bilingual region surrounded by Flanders. In Belgium’s federal structure, Flanders has its own government and parliament, with additional powers devolved in education, culture, and economy to the Flemish Community.

Historically part of the Low Countries, Flanders developed a strong urban economy in the Middle Ages. After Belgian independence in 1830, it became a major industrial and commercial region. Since the late 20th century, decentralization has granted Flanders substantial autonomy over many policy areas.

Economy and culture: Flanders is one of Europe’s more affluent regions, with a diversified economy focused on services, logistics, manufacturing, and research. The Port of Antwerp is a major European gateway. The region is renowned for its medieval towns (Bruges, Ghent), Art Nouveau heritage, and a thriving beer, chocolate, and culinary scene, along with a global diamond trade centered in Antwerp.