The total area of contemporary Antwerp measures 79 square miles (204.5 square km), compared with 7 square miles (18 square km) before the beginning of the annexations. Most of the foreigners living in Antwerp are Dutch, followed by Moroccans, Spaniards, French, and Germans; there are also small numbers of British, Americans, and Israelis. Its medieval streets, Renaissance monuments and vibrant nightlife tend to be overshadowed by its reputation as center of the diamond trade and as the world's fifth-largest port.

(2010 est.) Lively Antwerp is a hidden gem.

Its medieval streets, Renaissance monuments and vibrant nightlife tend to be overshadowed by its reputation as centre of the diamond trade and as the world's fifth-largest port. This cosmopolitan, down to earth city is full of fascinating architecture and historical institutions, complemented by a lively nightlife. Biking is a popular choice for getting around this stylish Flemish city. A third right-bank area spreads beyond the 19th-century fortifications and is characterized by numerous modern buildings. Visit Antwerp is implementing the measures that have been imposed by the Belgian National Security Council to contain the further spread of coronavirus and protect at risk groups. The city centre, however, remains on the right bank; it stretches westward from the Central (railway) Station along the lively artery constituted by the Keyserlei and the Meir into the old city and thence to the terraced right bank of the Schelde. It is the second largest city and municipality in Belgium as well as the capital of the province of Flanders. Marvel at the art and architecture of the still unfinished Cathedral of Our Lady, started in 1351. Historic Walking Areas, Points of Interest & Landmarks. The 19th-century city, with broader and substantially right-angled streets, stretches beyond the old city and merges with some of the suburban extensions annexed in 1983. Left-bank port and industrial facilities have access to the Schelde via the Kallo lock. In its centre a lively social activity is conducted on the streets and in the countless cafés. Experience the bustle of life at the Grote Markt. Biking is a popular choice for getting around this stylish Flemish city.

Historic Walking Areas, Points of Interest & Landmarks. Although French is still much used in commercial and industrial circles, it is losing steadily as a means of expression. Because Antwerp lies in the Dutch- (Flemish-) speaking part of Belgium, the city plays the role of unofficial capital of Flanders.

This area contains the Cathedral of Our Lady, begun in the 14th century and restored in the 19th and 20th centuries; it is one of the nation’s finest Gothic buildings. Create a Trip to save and organise all of your travel ideas, and see them on a map. Lively Antwerp is a hidden gem.

Antwerp-Apartment, in trendy, old harbour area, Aplace Antwerp: splendid third floor city flat with a gorgeous view - located in the fashion district area, Lovely apartment near Centre & EXPO Antwerp+ free private parking in garage, Hotels with Complimentary Breakfast in Antwerp, Hotels near St. Anna's Tunnel / Pedestrians' Tunnel. Can't-miss spots to dine, drink, and feast. more. This later encircling belt was replaced after World War II by another system of ring roads, which connect with a network of national and international highways. Antwerp-Apartment, in trendy, old harbour area, Aplace Antwerp: splendid third floor city flat with a gorgeous view - located in the fashion district area, Lovely apartment near Centre & EXPO Antwerp+ free private parking in garage. For many years this expansion took place on the right bank of the Schelde only, but beginning in the 1970s there was much development on the left bank as well. Unlike the other foreigners, the Moroccan and Spanish groups are largely unskilled workers who migrated to Belgium during periods of labour scarcity after World War II. See thousands of Old Masters at the Royal Museum and Rubens House. Lively Antwerp is a hidden gem. (By the 19th century Antwerp already had a great number of Jewish residents, but many Jews died in World War II German concentration camps.) The Schelde is the veritable heart and soul of Antwerp, the raison d’être not only of Antwerp’s dynamic economic life but also of its sense of identity and of the deep attachment—touchingly expressed in many literary works—that Antwerpians tend to feel for their city. Marvel at the art and architecture of the still unfinished Cathedral of Our Lady, started in 1351. The Cathedral of Our Lady, Antwerp, with a statue of Peter Paul Rubens in the foreground.

Updates? The prevalent religion in Antwerp is Roman Catholicism. A mix of the charming, modern, and tried and true. Cycling is a popular choice for getting around this stylish Flemish city. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica.

Its medieval streets, Renaissance monuments and vibrant nightlife tend to be overshadowed by its reputation as centre of the diamond trade and as the world's fifth-largest port. Welcome to Antwerp.

Antwerp is renowned as being the diamond capital of the world.

Please select which sections you would like to print: Corrections? It is one of the world’s major seaports.

Create a Trip to save and organize all of your travel ideas, and see them on a map. A large and growing part of the population is nonreligious. Places to see, ways to wander, and signature experiences.

Most of the agricultural waterside villages incorporated by the city have been eliminated to make room for expanding, if somewhat bleak, areas of docks, industrial sites, and railway yards. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Australia. A mix of the charming, modern, and tried and true. Antwerp’s site on the right bank of the generally south–north-flowing Schelde is a vast flat alluvial plain. Honorary Archivist, City Archives, Antwerp. The pride and competitive attitude thus exhibited by the residents has led to their being designated by the nickname Sinjoren (from the Spanish señores). Omissions? Several tunnels connect the right bank of the city with the left bank, where considerable residential and industrial development has taken place since World War II. Pop. The residents of Antwerp generally speak the local Brabantian-Antwerp dialect of Dutch. The old city, within the arc once formed by the 16th-century fortifications, has many narrow, winding streets and old buildings. The extension of the agglomeration is continuing; many outlying villages have already lost their agricultural character and have grown in population as a result of emigration from the city. What ocean current accounts for western Europe’s temperate weather?

Hampton by Hilton Antwerp Central Station. Overview of St. Paul's Church in Antwerp. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.

Locks connect this right-bank complex with the tidal Schelde River: the first, the Kattendijk, was opened in 1860; and the 1,640-foot (500-metre) Berendrecht was, when it opened in 1988, the largest lock in the world. The harbour installations of Antwerp grew especially after World War II. There have been associated social tensions, notably concerning discrimination in housing. The largest part of Antwerp, however, is the essentially nonresidential northern seaport complex. Experience the bustle of life at the Grote Markt. Annexation of villages on the right bank north of Antwerp in 1929 and 1958 extended the city’s territory to the Dutch frontier, and further annexation in 1983 of municipalities surrounding the original city added considerably to Antwerp’s area and population. Guildhalls in the Grote Markt, Antwerp, Belg. Cycling is a popular choice for getting around this stylish Flemish city. Antwerpians generally take this role very seriously, conscious as they are of the great importance of their city in the past and present. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. mun., 483,505. This does not mean that Dutch-speaking Antwerpians do not know French or other languages, for the international character of the city implies a readiness of many of its residents to understand foreign languages. Can't-miss spots to dine, drink, and feast. Places to see, ways to wander, and signature experiences.

There are also small groups of various Protestant churches and a sizable Jewish group of different tendencies. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu.

Dutch as spoken in the Netherlands and by Dutch-speaking cultured Belgians, however, is taught in the schools and is gaining ground in economic life. Lively Antwerp is a hidden gem. Until 1859 Antwerp lay surrounded by its 16th-century fortified walls, which were transformed in the latter half of the 19th century into broad avenues as a larger half circle of fortifications was built. See thousands of Old Masters at the Royal Museum and Rubens House. Only a part of this territory is completely built up.

Hampton by Hilton Antwerp Central Station. See thousands of Old Masters at the Royal Museum and Rubens House. Get exclusive access to content from our 1768 First Edition with your subscription.

Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Antwerp is situated on the Schelde (Scheldt) River, about 55 miles (88 km) from the North Sea.The Schelde, together with the Meuse and the Rhine, forms the biggest estuary in western Europe, and Antwerp is an essential part of an enormous harbour complex, one of the greatest in the world.The harbour installations of Antwerp grew especially after World War II. The Schelde, together with the Meuse and the Rhine, forms the biggest estuary in western Europe, and Antwerp is an essential part of an enormous harbour complex, one of the greatest in the world.

Antwerp is situated on the Schelde (Scheldt) River, about 55 miles (88 km) from the North Sea. The unique flavour of Antwerp is derived from the combination of, and tensions between, the diverse aspects of its personality: a passionate commitment to commerce goes hand in hand with an abiding interest in the life of ideas and in the arts; respect and affection for the past are juxtaposed with a fervent desire to participate fully in the present and in the future; and awareness of being a truly European and cosmopolitan city, with a resulting openness and broad curiosity, coexists with a sense of tradition and of idiosyncratic particularity, which lend an almost provincial charm to life in the city. Its medieval streets, Renaissance monuments and vibrant nightlife tend to be overshadowed by its reputation as center of the diamond trade and as the world's fifth-largest port. more. https://www.britannica.com/place/Antwerp-Belgium, The Catholic Encyclopedia - Antwerp, Belgium, Antwerp - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). Antwerp, Flemish Antwerpen, French Anvers, city, Flanders region, Belgium. Since 1923, however, the city’s territory also has included an area on the left bank of the river.