TT #83: Belgium

Thirteen interesting facts about Belgium We just spent our vacation in Belgium, so that wonderful little country is this week's theme for my TT! The kingdom of Belgium spans an area no bigger than Maryland, situated between The Netherlands in the north, France in the west and south, Luxembourg in the southeast, Germany in the east and the North Sea in the west. Spa is a city in Belgium where all other spas get their name from. Luxury spas are located throughout Belgium where you will surely get the royal Spa treatment. The saxophone was invented in Belgium by Adolph Sax in 1846. There are numerous jazz festivals throughout the year celebrating the love for jazz music. There are more castles per square mile in Belgium than anywhere else in the world. Some of our castles are moated and others have labyrinth garden mazes to get lost in. Brussels is headquarters to the European Union (EU) & NATO. With this much international activity, it's no wonder English is widely spoken. The little blue cartoon creatures known as Smurfs are absosmurfly Belgian, created by Peyo. Throughout Brussels there are murals attesting the love for Comic Strip Art. Actress Audrey Hepburn, probably most famous for her role in the film Breakfast at Tiffany's, was born Edda van Heemstra Hepburn-Ruston in Brussels. The famous statue of Manneken Pis is found in Brussels. Heads of state and famous artists have donated over 800 outfits for him on display at the Brussels Museum. Belgian endive was accidentally discovered by a Belgian farmer in 1830. All endives sold in the US are imported from Belgium. Belgian Rene Magritte was a surrealist painter. He developed a style which used misleading realism to create provocative fantasies around commonplace situations. Belgium produces 172,000 tons of chocolate per year in over 2,130 chocolate shops. Our chocolate has pure cocoa flavor because we don't use vegetable shortening. There are over 400 different types of beer in Belgium running the gamut from white to raspberry beer. Most beers have their own glass in which only that beer may be served. Action film hero Jean Claude Van Damme, a.k.a. the Muscles from Brussels, hails from Belgium. Some interesting links about Belgium: Wikipedia, Visit Belgium, Portal Belgium, Belgian Tourist Office ~*~*~*~ Links to other Thursday Thirteens! ~*~ Allison ~*~ Hootin' Anni ~*~ Lost Hemisphere ~*~ Lilibeth ~*~ Carol ~*~ B Boys Mom ~*~ Claudia ~*~ Bellezza ~*~ Lori ~*~ Sandy Carlson ~*~ Lisa ~*~ Bernie ~*~ Robin ~*~ Stace ~*~ Chris ~*~ Some Law Student ~*~ Alice Audrey ~*~ Jen ~*~ Pussreboots ~*~ Rims ~*~ GuusjeM ~*~ Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted! View More Thursday Thirteen Participants