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Brussels is over 1000 years old. Today, Brussels is a group of 19 communes forming one of the three Regions of Belgian. Brussels is an important international location as it is home to the European Commission and to the Council of ministers of the European Union (EU).

Brussels is the bilingual capital of Belgium. Both French and Dutch are the official languages of the city. Brussels is a cosmopolitan city where many different cultures live together. This liveliness and international appeal is because of its role as a crossroads for all of Europe.

The heart of Brussels and the place to start getting to know the city is the Grand'Place (Grote Markt). This is the historic market square known for splendid guild houses and the impressive Gothic beauty of the Town Hall; it is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful town squares in Europe.

Driving in Belgium
Remember to drive on the right! The minimum age to drive a motor vehicle in Belgium is 18. A visitor to the country is required to have a valid international driver's license. There are no toll motorways in Belgium; however there is a toll for the use of the Antwerp's Liefkenshoek Tunnel.

Useful terms
Here are sosme useful terms to know while driving in Brussels

Documents to Carry
It is a good idea to carry your driving license, insurance certificate and vehicle registration (or rental agreement if driving a rental car), along with your passport.

Drinking and Driving
Belgium has strict drink driving laws, only allowing 0.25 milligrams of alcohol per litre of blood. If the level of alcohol in the bloodstream is between 0.05 per cent and 0.08 per cent, you are subjected to an on-the-spot fine up to EUR 125 and you must surrender your driver's license for three hours. If more than 0.08 per cent, there is a fine of up to EUR 10,000 and surrender of your driving license for 6 hours.

Seat Belts
Seat belts in both the front and rear seats are mandatory everywhere. Children must be at least 12 years old to sit in the front seat (unless a safety seat is fitted). Child under three must ride in the rear and must be in a child seat.

Speed Limits
Radar traps are frequent, and heavy on-the-spot fines can be levied.

Conversion for kph to mph:
1 mile=1.6 km 1 U.S.
1km=0.6 miles

Fines
Fines in Belgium are known as 'on-the-spot'. Police have the power to impose and collect fines on the spot, with an official receipt showing the amount of the fine issued by the officer collecting the fine. Motorists can refuse to pay an on-the-spot fine, and a foreign motorist refusing to do so may be invited to make a security payment if he does not his vehicle will be impounded. Fines range from €18 to €140.

Fuel
Leaded fuel (98 octane) is available in some areas, but gradually disappearing. Unleaded fuel (95 and 98 octane) is available. Most gas stations are closed from 8pm to 8am, and all day Sunday, but stations along expressways are open 24 hours, seven days a week. Leaded super fuel has an octane rating of 98 or 99. Unleaded fuel is known as normale sans plomb, essence sans plomb, ongelood, unverbleit, or loodvrije benzine. Unleaded regular has an octane rating of 92; the octane rating of super is 95.

Road Signs
There are two languages generally spoken in Belgium: Dutch (Flemish) in the northern half, and French in Brussels and in the southern half. Street names and traffic sings are always in these two languages. The word station in Dutch/Flemish indicates a train station; while the word in French is gare. International expressways are signified by green signs with white characters preceded by the letter E; national highways are noted by blue signs with white letters preceded by the letter A. As part of a new naming convention, lesser highways may have two road numbers both the old and the new preceded by an N.

Parking
Do not park where tram or rail lines cross parts of the road. There are parking metres along the street. Don't park within 15 metres of a tram, bus or rail stop. Some parking garages are not manned on weekends and holidays; operate the barrier automatically with the proper coins.

Emergency Numbers:
Fire/Ambulance Service: 100
Police Service: 101