10 facts about Belgium for Belgian National Day 2022

The 21st of July sees us celebrate Belgian National Day 2022 across all our Brussels based office spaces. With this in mind, we thought we'd share some incredible facts about Brussels City. As you may know, here at Tribes Inspiring Workplaces we have 3 incredible locations in the Belgian capital of Bruxelles so make sure to check each of them out for some tribal inspiration.

1. Belgium's highest point is lower than the world's tallest building.

The highest point is the Signal de Botrange on the High Fens plateau in far-east Belgium, at 694m, which is less than the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, which stands at 828m. Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg are collectively known as the Low Countries.

2. The highway in Belgium can be seen from the moon.

The nearly completely lit highway network is one of the few man-made structures visible that late at night. Belgium is one of the top ten countries in terms of road and railroad density, but TomTom ranks Brussels as Europe's seventh most congested city.

3. Belgium leads the world in exportation of billiard balls.

Belgium produces nearly 80% of the world's billiard balls.
Saluc AC, founded in 1923, has its own chemical plant to produce the phenolic resin that gives Aramith balls their distinctive high-gloss, rock-hard finish.

4. The Airport of Brussels is the world's largest chocolate selling point.

Belgians adore chocolate, but so do visitors!
It's no surprise that Brussels International Airport is the world's largest chocolate selling point.
Maison Pierre Marcolini, Belvas (which has gluten and sugar-free options), and Patrick Roger are our favourite Brussels chocolate shops.

5. The Grand Place features food names.

Eagled eyed nomads will have noticed this before. The Grand Place, historically a marketplace where traders and citizens exchanged goods, has some interesting street names inspired by this. It's worth noting that the streets are named after foods. Rue au Beurre (Butter), Rue du Marché aux Herbes (Herbs), and Rue du Marché aux Fromage (Cheese) are just some of the street names.

6. A record-breaking deep dive!

Nemo 33 held the world record for the deepest indoor swimming pool until 2014, when the Y-40 pool in Padua, Italy, opened. Nemo 33, which reaches 35 meters in depth and contains several simulated underwater caves, is still a popular destination for aspiring scuba divers in Brussels. It holds 2.78787 million litres of non-chlorinated, highly filtered spring water kept at 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit).

7. Say hello to the world's largest Law Court.

The Palace of Justice in Brussels (Palais de Justice / Justitiepaleis in French and Dutch, respectively) is one of the most impressive buildings in Brussels, housing the world's largest Law Court at 26,000 square meters and being one of the largest buildings built in the nineteenth century. It was designed by architect Joseph Poelaert and is a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage status.

8. Belgium is home to many well-known comic artists.

Of course, Belgium's storied comic tradition is most often associated with Georges Remi, the author of the world-famous The Adventures of Tintin series under the pen name Hergé. Tintin is sold in 85 countries around the world, not just the country of origin. Tintin and his white terrier first appeared in a children's supplement to the Belgian newspaper, Le Vingtième Siècle, but quickly gained a devoted adult following. “No Belgian is as well-known as Tintin” Didier Leick, spokesman for the Hergé Museum, said. “Tintin isn't your typical Belgian; he's a universal hero, but not a superhero. He continues to be a relatable figure who captivates us”.

9. Brussels Central Station isn't the busiest in Belgium.

Accordng to the national rail authority in 2018 SNCB/NMBS, Brussels North station is the busiest in the country, with an average of more than 61,000 passengers per day. The Brussels TImes highlights Ghent Sint-Pieters coming in fifth with 56,314, followed by Antwerp Central with 34,998.
Wallonia is represented at number seven by Ottignies, an important hub station with 22,567 passengers, trailing Leuven's 34,267.
Mechelen (20,886), Namur (20,156), and Bruges round out the top ten (18,506)

10. Audrey Hepburn and other stars were born in Brussels.

Many famous stars called Brussels not just their home, but their birthplace. Most notably the 60s icon, actress and humanitarian Audrey Hepburn. From René Magritte & Marthe Donas
to Romelu Lukaku & Stromae, there are plenty of superstars who started their journey on the streets of Belgium.

Want some tribal inspiration in the city of Brussels? Reach out to us and let us help you find your perfect new workspace, office or meeting room!