Belgian chocolate… Belgian waffles… mmmmm… right away, you know Belgium is a fabulously delicious country. But what else rocks about Belgium? Read on for what’s cool right NOW.
What IS Belgium?
Many people think of Belgium as the “crossroads of Europe” because of its location as well as its multicultural people. It’s a country located in Western Europe bordered by the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, France, and the North Sea, and is about the size of Maryland—pretty small compared to large countries like the United States!
Did you know that many Belgians speak not one, not two, not three, but FOUR languages? That’s right, Dutch, French, and German are the most commonly spoken languages in Belgium, but many Belgians also speak English and other European languages as well.
FYI…
Belgium is known worldwide for its smooth and creamy chocolate from popular brands like Godiva. In fact, Belgium produces more than 172,000 TONS of chocolate every year sold in 2,000 chocolate shops throughout the country. Visitors of Belgium can tour one of the many chocolate museums, including the Musée du Cacao et du Chocolat (Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate) and the Planete Chocolate (Planet Chocolate).
Fashion takes center stage in Brussels, partly because soooo many different cultures and styles are combined in the city. The fanciest and trendiest shops are located on Rue Antoine Dansaert Straat. Katani would be drooling while walking along Avenue Louise—that’s where you find brands like Chanel, Hermès, Armani, and Versace.
What’s COOL in Belgium?
To get more insider info on what Belgium kids are like, I chatted with my new friend Maya Campbell Martinez who grew up in Belgium and is now studying at an American high school!
Charlotte Ramsey: Hey Maya! So, tell me, what is school like for kids in Belgium?
Maya Campbell Martinez: Kids in Belgium go to elementary school for six years and then go to high school for six years. After that, they go on to universities like many other teenagers around the world. They take classes like Latin, geography, English, art, biology, gym, and music. But, school is stricter in Belgium than it is in America—students must wait to sit down in the morning until after the teacher sits down! Plus, when the principal enters the room, students must stand to show respect.
CR: What kind of music to kids in Belgium listen to?
MCM: Kids in Belgium listen to all the American music that American kids listen to, plus some local groups and singers like Clouseau, Natalia, Kate Ryan, Belle Perez, and Milk Inc. Also, we listen to French rap and R&B, techno, and house music, too.
CR: Cool! French R&B! What about TV? What kinds of shows are people into?
MCM: A lot of American shows are broadcasted in Belgium—some have Dutch subtitles and some are dubbed in French. A famous Dutch-language show is called Sarah, which is based on the show Ugly Betty.
CR: You know what? I heard that Ugly Betty is actually based on a popular show in Columbia! Anyway, my friend Katani looooves clothes. Can you tell us what is cool to wear in Belgium?
MCM: I think most girls start choosing their own clothes when they’re about 12 years old. We don’t have many American brands, but we do have famous European brands like H&M, Pimke, Zara, Bershka, and Mango. The style is usually jeans with a nice shirt, but in high schools, you won’t find many girls going to school in sweatpants and sweatshirts like some do in America.
CR: I loooove Belgian chocolate and Belgian waffles, but I’m dying to know what else is good to eat in Belgium. Can you share your favorite Belgian dish with us?
MCM: Beglium’s national dish is a good steak with fries dipped in mayonnaise!!! Also, it comes with lettuce and tomatoes. Also popular is mussels with fries when mussels are in season. You can get them in any restaurant. Other than that, you can buy fries with a sauce in a cone somewhere outside and just eat them with a plastic fork! Belgium is really multicultural, so there are a lot of other types of restaurants like Italian, Chinese, Portuguese, Greek, Thai, Japanese, and so on.
CR: Cool! Belgium sounds AMAZING. Thanks, Maya!
FUN Belgium Facts!
• The word spa comes from a city called Spa in Belgium. Naturally, you’ll find many luxurious spas there and throughout the country!
• Audrey Hepburn—Maeve’s favorite old-time movie star—was born in Ixelles, Belgium.
• The Smurfs—those little blue cartoons with Papa Smurf and Smurfette and the whole gang—were created by a Belgian artist named Peyo.
You Tell Us ...
Maya tells us the national dish in Belgium is steak and fries with mayonnaise. If the United States had a national dish, what would YOU want it to be?
Im back! they told me all about belguim and the places they go! she is on a travel soccer team and instead of going to the next town like we do...She goes to places like the netherlands!
My cousins just moved to belguim for there dads work...i miss them but they say its awsome there! They just came home for vacation and rented a beach house and today im going up to visit them!
I have never been but it would be fun to go! Going anywhere new is tons of fun! Even if it is not china or Russia or Africa, it is still a new exspirance! I have found that going to odd countrys like that that no one has heard of is way more fun than anywhere else!
I think I would pick something like a hamburger and fries or chicken and potatoes or something because that's what they serve in most restaurants. /www.beaconstreetgirls.com/components/com_jomcomment/smilies/smiley.gif" title="smile" alt="smilies/smiley.gif" border="0">
That is hard.We dont have a national dish in the U.S. but if i had to pick a national dish that would be really hard.There are so many good food here.PICKING ONE IS HARD!
Steak and fries ... mmmmhmm delicious! The United States I think does need a national dish. But, there are sooo many famous meals here that I don't think we could pick JUST ONE! I love a lot of food here. I don't think we need a national dish! /www.beaconstreetgirls.com/components/com_jomcomment/smilies/smiley.gif" title="smile" alt="smilies/smiley.gif" border="0">
thats so cool!you know i also live in a different country...i live in brazil(south america)(but i go to a british school)and one of the only ways i get to know cultures of other contries is be reading so i think its cool you guys tell us about your countries
beijos(kisses in portuguese)
I live in the u.s.a, but we don't really have any tradition for any dish, but i think that we should have a healthy but yummy dish. I probelly would want our national dish to be a home made soup.
--abz
HI again! I've been 2 Belgium many times. My uncle lives there in a town called "Virton".
And my granparents go there every year! Almost ALL my clothes are from Belgium, especially H&M!! You'll probably think I'm weird but my grandmother's taste in clothes rocks! Belgian fashions r NOT different from American ones!
My best Belgian chocolate is Cote D'or!
Belgium chocolate is soo good! My mother got a box of Belgium chocolate as a gift and i tried some and it was really good. /www.beaconstreetgirls.com/components/com_jomcomment/smilies/smiley.gif" title="smile" alt="smilies/smiley.gif" border="0"> Oh man, now i'm hungry...
well i live in the u.s,
so there is not really a national dish, i guess i would want it to be something special, i guess i would want it to be something like a grilled chicken salad with a special dip on it.Yummy and heathly, /www.beaconstreetgirls.com/components/com_jomcomment/smilies/wink.gif" title="wink" alt="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">
--abz
I'd like our national dish to be heeseburgers and ice cream because i love both of those foods! cheeseburgers and ice cream are like a little bite of heavan every time!
What IS Belgium?
Many people think of Belgium as the “crossroads of Europe” because of its location as well as its multicultural people. It’s a country located in Western Europe bordered by the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, France, and the North Sea, and is about the size of Maryland—pretty small compared to large countries like the United States!
Did you know that many Belgians speak not one, not two, not three, but FOUR languages? That’s right, Dutch, French, and German are the most commonly spoken languages in Belgium, but many Belgians also speak English and other European languages as well.
FYI…
Belgium is known worldwide for its smooth and creamy chocolate from popular brands like Godiva. In fact, Belgium produces more than 172,000 TONS of chocolate every year sold in 2,000 chocolate shops throughout the country. Visitors of Belgium can tour one of the many chocolate museums, including the Musée du Cacao et du Chocolat (Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate) and the Planete Chocolate (Planet Chocolate).
Fashion takes center stage in Brussels, partly because soooo many different cultures and styles are combined in the city. The fanciest and trendiest shops are located on Rue Antoine Dansaert Straat. Katani would be drooling while walking along Avenue Louise—that’s where you find brands like Chanel, Hermès, Armani, and Versace.
What’s COOL in Belgium?
To get more insider info on what Belgium kids are like, I chatted with my new friend Maya Campbell Martinez who grew up in Belgium and is now studying at an American high school!
Charlotte Ramsey: Hey Maya! So, tell me, what is school like for kids in Belgium?
Maya Campbell Martinez: Kids in Belgium go to elementary school for six years and then go to high school for six years. After that, they go on to universities like many other teenagers around the world. They take classes like Latin, geography, English, art, biology, gym, and music. But, school is stricter in Belgium than it is in America—students must wait to sit down in the morning until after the teacher sits down! Plus, when the principal enters the room, students must stand to show respect.
CR: What kind of music to kids in Belgium listen to?
MCM: Kids in Belgium listen to all the American music that American kids listen to, plus some local groups and singers like Clouseau, Natalia, Kate Ryan, Belle Perez, and Milk Inc. Also, we listen to French rap and R&B, techno, and house music, too.
CR: Cool! French R&B! What about TV? What kinds of shows are people into?
MCM: A lot of American shows are broadcasted in Belgium—some have Dutch subtitles and some are dubbed in French. A famous Dutch-language show is called Sarah, which is based on the show Ugly Betty.
CR: You know what? I heard that Ugly Betty is actually based on a popular show in Columbia! Anyway, my friend Katani looooves clothes. Can you tell us what is cool to wear in Belgium?
MCM: I think most girls start choosing their own clothes when they’re about 12 years old. We don’t have many American brands, but we do have famous European brands like H&M, Pimke, Zara, Bershka, and Mango. The style is usually jeans with a nice shirt, but in high schools, you won’t find many girls going to school in sweatpants and sweatshirts like some do in America.
CR: I loooove Belgian chocolate and Belgian waffles, but I’m dying to know what else is good to eat in Belgium. Can you share your favorite Belgian dish with us?
MCM: Beglium’s national dish is a good steak with fries dipped in mayonnaise!!! Also, it comes with lettuce and tomatoes. Also popular is mussels with fries when mussels are in season. You can get them in any restaurant. Other than that, you can buy fries with a sauce in a cone somewhere outside and just eat them with a plastic fork! Belgium is really multicultural, so there are a lot of other types of restaurants like Italian, Chinese, Portuguese, Greek, Thai, Japanese, and so on.
CR: Cool! Belgium sounds AMAZING. Thanks, Maya!
FUN Belgium Facts!
• The word spa comes from a city called Spa in Belgium. Naturally, you’ll find many luxurious spas there and throughout the country!
• Audrey Hepburn—Maeve’s favorite old-time movie star—was born in Ixelles, Belgium.
• The Smurfs—those little blue cartoons with Papa Smurf and Smurfette and the whole gang—were created by a Belgian artist named Peyo.
Did you know French fries were actually invented in Belgium?
My dad is in Belgium right now. He is coming back tomorrow.
Weren't smurfs were invented in Germany? Thats what I think.
Does Belgium have lots of pastries? I think so.
HEY WHATS UP
Im back! they told me all about belguim and the places they go! she is on a travel soccer team and instead of going to the next town like we do...She goes to places like the netherlands!
My cousins just moved to belguim for there dads work...i miss them but they say its awsome there! They just came home for vacation and rented a beach house and today im going up to visit them!
my dog is a Belgium Shepard!
He is adorable! If u get a chance, look u a pic of them!!!!!
I have never been but it would be fun to go! Going anywhere new is tons of fun! Even if it is not china or Russia or Africa, it is still a new exspirance! I have found that going to odd countrys like that that no one has heard of is way more fun than anywhere else!
but im sure it would be a fun state.
.
i dont no about it yet
Been to Belguim in April of '07