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.