Antwerp, Belgium

A city with a major port. A city of industry (the second largest chemical center in the world after Houston). A city of diamonds

Antwerp became a port of commercial importance in the 15th century, when the first European stock exchange was founded in the city.

The city rapidly became one of the foremost trading and manufacturing centers of Europe.

Grote Markt, Meir, Groenplaats, Frankrijklei, Suikerrui, ...

Pictures of the Streets of Antwerp

During the early 16th century, the diamond industry was expanded by the arrival of Jewish craftspeople expelled from Portugal. Next to the Central station is the diamonds area: muller.be - elini.com

The city was also an active cultural center, renowned particularly for the Antwerp school of painting.

Population (1992 estimate, greater city) 467,875.

destination-antwerp.com - Antwerp Bed and Breakfast Advice

Law in Antwerp: VAT - income tax - inheritance tax - company capital - company representation - bankaccount - sale contract - lease

Schools : hzs.be - kdg.be - University: UA.ac.be

Restaurant : docks.be

Photography was developed here in the early days: Agfa

Real estate: Sorenco.be - Burm.be - property-plus.com

Golf club: ternessegolf.be

Antwerp has an old but very large indoor eventhall: sportpaleis.be

Antwerp rapidly declined as a result of religious troubles after 1576, the year mutinous Spanish troops sacked the city. This attack was followed by another in 1584, and the city was forced to surrender to the Spanish in 1585. In 1648 Antwerp suffered a further blow under the provisions of the treaty known as the Peace of Westphalia, which closed the Schelde River to navigation; it was reopened in 1795 by the French.

The development of the modern city of Antwerp started in 1863, when the Belgians redeemed their navigation rights through a cash payment to the Netherlands.

During World War I, Antwerp was occupied by the Germans from October 1914 until the end of the war in 1918.

During World War II (1939-1945), German troops again occupied the city and held it until September 1944. Antwerp then became an Allied supply base and was heavily bombed.

Hotel: Carlton Hotel

Antwerp takes care of shipping: hessenatie.be - katoennatie.com - satem.be

Antwerp has a huge chemical cluster: basf.be - bayer.be

Major cities near Antwerp: