Brussels and Mark L. Walberg: Difference between pages

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{{Distinguish|Mark Wahlberg}}
{{about|Brussels at the regional level (Brussels Capital-Region)|the smaller municipality within it|City of Brussels}}
{{Infobox actor
{{otherplaces}}
|image = Replace this image male.svg <!-- only free-content images are allowed for depicting living people. Non-free and "fair use" images, e.g. promo photos, CD/DVD covers, posters, screen captures, etc., will be deleted - see [[WP:NONFREE]] --> |
{{Infobox Settlement
|imagesize = 150px |
|name = Brussels
| bgcolour =
|native_name = ''Bruxelles'' {{fr icon}}<br />''Brussel'' {{nl icon}}
|official_name = Brussels Capital-Region
| name = Mark L. Walberg
| birthname = Mark Lewis Walberg
|nickname = Capital of Europe, Comic city<ref>{{cite web |last=City Data |authorlink=City Data |title=Brussels |url=http://www.city-data.com/world-cities/Brussels.html |accessdate=2008-01-10}}</ref>
| birthdate = {{birth date and age|1962|08|31}}
|image_skyline = 2007 07 Belgium Brussels 06 (cropped).jpg
| location = [[Florence, South Carolina]], [[United States|U.S.]]
|imagesize = 250px
| deathdate =
|image_caption = View of the old city centre from [[Kunstberg/Mont des Arts]]
| deathplace =
|image_flag = Flag Belgium brussels.svg
| occupation = Actor, Television Personality, Comedian
|flag_size = 125px
|flag_link = Flag of the Brussels Capital-Region
| spouse = [[Robbi Morgan]] (1987-Present)
|image_map = Brussels in Belgium and the European Union.svg
|mapsize = 250px
|map_caption = {{map_caption |location_color=dark brown |region=the [[European Union]] |region_color=light brown |subregion=[[Belgium]] |subregion_color=brown |legend=}}
|subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Sovereign state]]
|subdivision_name = [[Belgium]]
|subdivision_type1 =
|subdivision_name1 =
|subdivision_type2 =
|subdivision_name2 =
|subdivision_type3 =
|subdivision_name3 =
|seat_type =
|seat =
|parts_type = [[Municipalities in Belgium|Municipalities]]
|parts_style = coll
|p1 = [[Anderlecht]]
|p2 = [[Auderghem]]
|p3 = [[Sint-Agatha-Berchem]]
|p4 = [[City of Brussels]]
|p5 = [[Etterbeek]]
|p6 = [[Evere]]
|p7 = [[Forest, Belgium|Forest]]
|p8 = [[Ganshoren]]
|p9 = [[Ixelles]]
|p10 = [[Jette]]
|p11 = [[Koekelberg]]
|p12 = [[Sint-Jans-Molenbeek]]
|p13 = [[Saint-Gilles, Belgium|Saint-Gilles]]
|p14 = [[Saint-Josse-ten-Noode]]
|p15 = [[Schaerbeek]]
|p16 = [[Uccle]]
|p17 = [[Watermael-Boitsfort]]
|p18 = [[Woluwe-Saint-Lambert]]
|p19 = [[Woluwe-Saint-Pierre]]
|leader_title = [[Minister-President of the Brussels Capital-Region|Minister-President]]
|leader_name = Charles Picqué
|leader_title1 = [[Governor of the Brussels Capital-Region|Governor]]
|leader_name1 = Véronique Paulus de Châtelet
|leader_title2 = [[Parliament of the Brussels Capital-Region|Parl.]] President
|leader_name2 = Eric Tomas
|established_title = Settled
|established_date = [[Circa|c.]]580
|established_title1 = Founded
|established_date1 = 979
|established_title2 = [[Communities, regions and language areas of Belgium#Regions|Region]]
|established_date2 = 18 June 1989
|area_magnitude =
|area_total_km2 = 161.4
|area_total_sq_mi = 62.2
|total_type = Region
|population_as_of = 1 January 2007
|population_total = 1,031,215
|population_density_km2 = 6,389
|population_density_sq_mi = 3,970
|population_metro = 1,350,000
|population_urban =
|population_blank1_title =
|population_blank1 =
|population_footnotes = <ref name="diplomatie">{{cite web |title=Belgium - Three large urban agglomerations |url=http://www.diplomatie.be/en/belgium/belgiumdetail.asp?TEXTID=1698 |publisher=The [Belgian] Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation |accessdate=12 June |accessyear=2008}}</ref>
|timezone = [[Central European Time|CET]]
|utc_offset = +1
|timezone_DST = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]
|utc_offset_DST = +2
|latd=50 |latm=50 |lats=48 |latNS=N
|longd=4 |longm=21 |longs=9 |longEW=E
|elevation_m = 13
|elevation_ft = 43
|elevation_footnotes =
|postal_code_type = [[ISO 3166-2:BE|ISO 3166]]
|postal_code = BE-BRU
|website = [http://www.brussels.irisnet.be/ www.brussels.irisnet.be]
|footnotes =
}}
}}
'''Brussels''' ({{lang-fr|Bruxelles}}, pronounced {{Audio-IPA|Fr-Bruxelles.ogg|[bʁysɛl]}}; {{lang-nl|Brussel}}, pronounced {{Audio-IPA|Nl-Brussel.ogg|[ˈbrɵsəɫ]}})<!---DO NOT CHANGE THE ORDER HERE WITHOUT A CONSENSUS ON THE TALK PAGE--->, officially the '''Brussels Capital-Region''', is the [[de facto]] [[capital city]] of the [[European Union]] (EU) and the largest [[urban area]] in [[Belgium]].<ref name="EU capital talk">It is the ''[[de facto]]'' city as it hosts all major political institutions - though Parliament formally votes in Strasbourg, most political work is carried out in Brussels - and as such is considered the capital by definition. However it should be noted that it is not formally declared in that language, though its position is spelled out in the Treaty of Amsterdam. See section on this issue.</ref><ref name="Demey"/> It should not be confused with the much smaller [[City of Brussels]] (founded [[circa]] 580) within it, which is the capital of Belgium (and [[Flanders]]) by law.<ref>[http://www.brussels.org/ Welcome to Brussels<!--Bot-generated title-->]</ref>


'''Mark Lewis Walberg''' (born [[August 31]], [[1962]] in [[Florence, South Carolina|Florence]], [[South Carolina]]) is a [[Jewish-American]] [[actor]], [[television personality]] and [[comedian]]. He is perhaps best known from the [[PBS]] version of ''[[Antiques Roadshow]]'' and from hosting ''[[The Moment of Truth (U.S. game show)|The Moment of Truth]]'' on [[FOX]].
Brussels has grown from a 10th-century fortress town founded by [[Charlemagne]]'s grandson into a metropolis of more than one million inhabitants.<ref name="History">[http://www.brussels.org/history/ Brussels.org - History of Brussels]</ref> After the end of [[World War II]], Brussels has been an important centre for international politics. It hosts the main institutions of the European Union, and the headquarters of the [[NATO|North Atlantic Treaty Organization]] (NATO). Thus, Brussels is the polyglot home of many international organisations, diplomats and civil servants.<ref name="BBC Belgium">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/country_profiles/999709.stm BBC NEWS | Europe | Country profiles | Country profile: Belgium]</ref> Brussels is the EU's third-richest city in terms of per capita income.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/news/2008/08/080801_food_brussels.shtml]</ref>


==Biography==
Although historically [[Dutch language|Dutch-speaking]], Brussels has become [[Frenchification of Brussels|increasingly francophone]]. Today most inhabitants are native French-speakers, although both languages have official status.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7507506.stm BBC NEWS | Europe | Analysis: Where now for Belgium?]</ref> This process has led to a longstanding conflict between the French and Dutch speaking community, reflecting the situation in Belgium at large.<ref name="BBC Belgium" /> Brussels is the capital of [[Flanders]] and of the [[French Community of Belgium]].
Before his time on [[PBS]]'s ''[[Antiques Roadshow]]'', Walberg hosted the game show on [[GSN]] known as ''[[Russian Roulette (game show)|Russian Roulette]]'', but also the presenter of [[The Moment of Truth (U.S. game show)|The Moment of Truth]]. Walberg married wife [[Robbi Morgan|Robbi Morgan Walberg]] in 1987.


===Career===
==Etymology==
Previous to the ''Roadshow'' he was the host of [[game show]]s: ''[[Temptation Island]]'', ''[[Free 4 All]]'', ''The Big Date'', ''[[Russian Roulette (game show)|Russian Roulette]]'' (where he was introduced as Mark ''L.'' Walberg), and ''[[On The Cover (game show)|On The Cover]]'', as well as a short lived, self-titled talk show (''Mark Walberg'') that aired for one season from 1995-1996 <ref>[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1075770/ "The Mark Walberg Show" (1995)<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>.
The name Brussels derives from the [[Old Dutch]] ''Bruocsella'', which means marsh (''bruoc'') and home (''sella'') or "home in the marsh".{{Fact|date=September 2008}}


Before hosting game shows, Walberg's first television exposure was as [[announcer]] and [[sidekick]] to [[Pat Finn]] on the long-running TV series ''[[Shop 'Til You Drop]]'' from 1991 to 1994. He is hosting the new game show, ''[[The Moment of Truth (U.S. game show)|The Moment of Truth]]'' on the [[FOX]] network in which contestants are asked a series of 21 increasingly personal and embarrassing questions for a huge jackpot.
==History==
===Middle Ages===
The origin of the settlement that was to become Brussels lies in [[Saint Gaugericus]]' construction of a chapel on [[Saint Gaugericus Island|an island]] in the river [[Senne]] around 580.<ref>[http://www.city-data.com/world-cities/Brussels-History.html Brussels History<!--Bot-generated title-->]</ref>


Mark Walberg is on the board of directors of Goodwill of Southern California and the board of managers of the Hollywood/Wilshire YMCA. Mark plays on the [[World Poker Tour]] in the Hollywood Home Games for the Goodwill Industries of Southern California.
The official founding of Brussels is usually situated around 979, because Duke [[Charles, Duke of Lower Lotharingia|Charles]] transferred the relics of Saint Gudula from [[Moorsel]] to the Saint Gaugericus chapel in Brussels, located on what would be called [[Saint Gaugericus Island]]. The [[Holy Roman Emperor]] [[Otto II, Holy Roman Emperor|Otto II]] gave the duchy of [[Lower Lotharingia]] to [[Charles, Duke of Lower Lotharingia|Charles]], the banished son of King [[Louis IV of France]] in 977, who would construct the first permanent fortification in the city, doing so on that same island.


He was slated to host a game show adaptation of the popular [[board game]] [[Trivial Pursuit: America Plays]] beginning in fall 2008, but was unable to get out of his Fox contract and was replaced by [[Christopher Knight]].
[[Image:Brussel 1555 Deventer.jpg|thumb|left|150px|1555 map of the city]]
The county of Brussels was attributed to [[Lambert I of Leuven]], [[Counts of Leuven|count of Leuven]] around 1000. In 1047, his son [[Lambert II, Count of Leuven]] founded the Saint Gudula chapter.


===Personal life===
Because of its location on the shores of the [[Senne]] on an important trade route between [[Bruges]] and [[Ghent]], and [[Cologne]], Brussels grew quite quickly; it became a commercial centre that rapidly extended towards the upper town ([[St. Michael and Gudula Cathedral]], [[Coudenberg]], Zavel area...), where there was a smaller risk of floods. As it grew to a population of around 30,000, the surrounding marshes were drained to allow for further expansion. The Counts of Leuven became [[Duke of Brabant|Dukes of Brabant]] at about this time (1183/1184). In the 11th century, the city got its first walls.<ref>{{nl}}[http://www.bop.vgc.be/didmat/ogenblikken/achtergrond/ontstaan.html Zo ontstond Brussel] Vlaamse Gemeenschapscommissie - Commission of the Flemish Community in Brussels</ref>
Mark L. Walberg is married to actress [[Robbi Morgan|Robbi Morgan Walberg]] and has two children. He is an avid [[Chicago Cubs]] fan, evidenced by his diehard love of the bleachers at [[Wrigley Field]].<ref>[http://mvn.com/mlb-cubs/?comments_popup=1628#comment-131436 The Cub Reporter, Archives]</ref>


He is a member of [[Kappa Alpha Order]].
After the construction of the [[first walls of Brussels]] in the early 13th century, Brussels grew significantly. In order to let the city expand, [[second walls of Brussels|a second set of walls]] was erected between 1356 and 1383. Today, traces of it can still be seen, mostly because the "[[small ring]]", a series of roadways in downtown Brussels bounding the historic city centre, follows its former course.


==References==
In the 15th century, by means of the wedding of heiress [[Margaret III of Flanders]] with [[Philip II, Duke of Burgundy|Philip the Bold, Duke of Burgundy]], a new Duke of Brabant emerged from the House of [[Valois Dynasty|Valois]] (namely [[Antoine, Duke of Brabant|Antoine]], their son), with another line of descent from the Habsburgs (Maximilian of Austria, later [[Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor]], married [[Mary of Burgundy]], who was born in Brussels).
{{reflist}}


==External links==
Brabant had lost its independence, but Brussels became the Princely Capital of the prosperous [[Low Countries]], and flourished.
*{{imdb name|id=0906919|name=Mark L. Walberg}}
*[http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/roadshow/series/host.html PBS Antiques Roadshow]
*[http://www.fox.com/momentoftruth/ The Moment of Truth]
*[http://www.worldpokertour.com/Shared/Players/Bios/M/Mark_Walberg.aspx World Poker Tour Profile]


{{DEFAULTSORT:Walberg, Mark L.}}
===Renaissance===
[[Category:1962 births]]
[[Image:Grand- Place BXL1695 -01.jpg|thumb|Grand Place after [[Bombardment of Brussels|the 1695 bombardment]] by the French army]]
[[Category:American actors]]
[[Category:American television personalities]]
[[Category:American game show hosts]]
[[Category:Game show announcers]]
[[Category:Game show hosts]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Florence, South Carolina]]
[[Category:People from South Carolina]]


[[fr:Mark L. Walberg]]
[[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles V]], heir of the Low Countries since 1506, though (as he was only 6 years old) governed by his aunt [[Margaret of Austria (1480-1530)|Margaret of Austria]] until 1515, was declared King of [[Spain]], in 1516, in the Cathedral of Saint Gudule in Brussels.

Upon the death of his grandfather, [[Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor]] in 1519, [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles V]] became the new archduke of the Austrian Empire and thus the [[Holy Roman Emperor]] of the Empire "[[The empire on which the sun never sets|on which the sun does not set]]". It was in [[Coudenberg|the Palace complex at Coudenberg]] that Charles V abdicated in 1555. This impressive palace, famous all over Europe, had greatly expanded since it had first become the seat of the Dukes of Brabant, but it was destroyed by fire in 1731. All that remains is an archaeological site.

In 1695, [[France|French]] troops sent by King [[Louis XIV]] [[bombardment of Brussels|bombarded Brussels with artillery]]. Together with the resulting fire, it was most destructive event in the entire history of Brussels. The [[Grand Place]] was destroyed, along with 4000 buildings, a third of those in the city. The reconstruction of [[pentagon (Brussels)|the city centre]], effected during subsequent years, profoundly changed the appearance of the city and left numerous traces still visible today.

===Revolution===
[[Image:Wappers belgian revolution.jpg|thumb|''Episode of the [[Belgian Revolution]] of 1830'', [[Egide Charles Gustave Wappers|Wappers]] (1834)]]
In 1830, the [[Belgian revolution]] took place in Brussels after a performance of [[Daniel-Francois-Esprit Auber|Auber's]] opera ''[[La Muette de Portici]]'' at [[La Monnaie|De Munt]] or [[La Monnaie]] theatre. On 21 July 1831, [[Leopold I of Belgium|Leopold I]], the first King of the Belgians, ascended the throne, undertaking the destruction of the city walls and the construction of many buildings. Following independence, the city underwent many more changes. The Senne had become a serious [[health hazard]], and from 1867 to 1871 its entire [[urban area]] was [[covering of the Senne|completely covered over]]. This allowed [[urban renewal]] and the construction of modern buildings and boulevards which are characteristic of downtown Brussels today.

===Modern history===
{{Expand|date=June 2008}}
[[Image:Solvay conference 1927.jpg|thumb|left|The 1927 [[Solvay Conference]] in Brussels was the first world physics conference.]]
The city has hosted various fairs and conferences, including the fifth [[Solvay Conference]] in 1927 and two world fairs: the [[Brussels International Exposition (1935)]] and the [[Expo '58]].

Beginning on 10 May 1940, Brussels was bombed by the German army; however, most of the war damage to the city took place in 1944&ndash;1945. The [[North-South Junction]] was built, completed in 1952. The first [[Brussels premetro]] was finished in 1969, and the first line of the [[Brussels Metro]] was opened in 1976. The [[Heysel Stadium disaster]] took place in Brussels on 29 May 1985. The Brussels Capital Region was founded on 18 June 1989 after a constitutional reform in 1970.<ref>Belgian Constitution, Article 3: ''"Belgium is made up of three regions: The Flemish region, the Walloon region and the Brussels region."''</ref><ref>[http://portail.irisnet.be/en/region/region_de_bruxelles-capitale/creation.shtml Brussels Capital-region / Creation]</ref>
{{-}}

==Geography==
{{Expand|date=August 2008}}
===Climate===
Brussels' proximity to coastal areas influences the area's climate by sending marine air masses from the [[Atlantic Ocean]]. Nearby wetlands also ensure a maritime temperate climate. On average (based on measurements the last 100 years), there are approximately 200 days of rain per year in the Brussels Capital-Region.<ref>[http://www.meteo.be/meteo/view/fr/360361-Parametres.html#ppt_757427 Site de l'institut météorologique belge]</ref>
{{Brussels weatherbox}}

== Government ==
{{Cleanup-section|date=July 2008}}
[[Image:Charles Picqué.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Charles Picqué]] has since 2004 been [[Minister-President of the Brussels Capital-Region]].]]
The Brussels Capital-Region is one of the three [[Communities and regions of Belgium|regions]] of [[Belgium]], while the [[French Community of Belgium]] and the [[Flemish Community]] do exercise, each for their part, their cultural competencies on the territory of the region. French and Dutch are the official languages; most public services are bilingual (exceptions being education and a couple of others). The Capital Region is predominantly [[French language|French-speaking]] - about 85-90%<ref>{{fr icon}} [http://www.lexilogos.com/bruxelles_plan.htm Personal website ''Lexilogos'' located in the [[Provence]], on European Languages (English, French, German, Dutch, and so on) - French-speakers in Brussels are estimated at about 90% (estimation, not an 'official' number because there are no linguistic census in Belgium)]</ref><ref>{{fr icon}} [http://www.initiatives.refer.org/_notes/sess604.htm#_ftnref9 ''Langues majoritaires, langues minoritaires, dialectes et NTIC'' by Simon Petermann, Professor at the University of Liège, Wallonia, Belgium]</ref><ref name="E. Corijn">Flemish Academic E. Corijn, at a Colloquium regarding Brussels, on 5 December 2001, states that in Brussels there is 91% of the population speaking French at home, either alone or with another language, and there is about 20% speaking Dutch at home, either alone (9%) or with French (11%) - After ponderation, the repartition can be estimated at between 85 and 90% French-speaking, and the remaining are Dutch-speaking, corresponding to the estimations based on languages chosen in Brussels by citizens for their official documents (ID, driving licenses, weddings, birth, death, and so on) ; all these statistics on language are also available at Belgian Department of Justice (for weddings, birth, death), Department of Transport (for Driving licenses), Department of Interior (for IDs), because there are no means to know ''precisely'' the proportions since Belgium has abolished 'official' linguistic censuses, thus official documents on language choices can only be estimations.</ref> of the population are French-speakers (including migrants), and about 10-15%<ref>{{fr icon}} [http://www.lexilogos.com/belgique_carte.htm Personal website ''Lexilogos'' located in the [[Provence]], on European Languages (English, French, German, Dutch, and so on) - Dutch-speakers in Brussels are estimated at about 10% (estimation, not an 'official' number because there are no linguistic census in Belgium)]</ref><ref name="E. Corijn" /> are Dutch-speakers. In January 2006, of its registered inhabitants, 73.1% are Belgian nationals, 4.1% [[France|French]] nationals, 12.0% other [[European Union|EU]] nationals (usually expressing themselves in either French or English), 4.0% [[Morocco|Moroccan]] nationals, and 6.8% other non-EU nationals.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{fr_icon}} [http://www.bruxelles.irisnet.be/cmsmedia/fr/is_2007_population_tableaux.xls?uri=ff80818115f323cb0115f659b6880039 IS 2007 - Population (Tableaux)]</ref>

===Institutions===
Because of how the federalisation was handled in Belgium, but also because of the fact that the municipalities in the region did not take part in the merger that affected municipalities in the rest of Belgium in the seventies, the public institutions in Brussels offer a bewildering complexity. The complexity is more apparent in the lawbooks than in the facts, since the members of the Brussels Parliament and Government also act in other capacities, e.g. as members of the council of the Brussels agglomeration or the community commissions.
One distinguishes:

====Parliament====
{{Cleanup-section|date=September 2008}}
{{main|Parliament of the Brussels Capital-Region}}
[[Image:Parlement Région Bruxelles.JPG|thumb|[[Brussels Parliament building]]]]
The region, with a regional parliament of 89 members (72 French-speaking, 17 Dutch-speaking, parties are organised on a linguistic basis), plus a regional government, consisting of an officially linguistically neutral, but in practice French-speaking minister-president, two French-speaking and two Dutch-speaking ministers, one Dutch-speaking secretary of state and two French-speaking secretaries of state. This parliament can enact ordinances (Dutch: ''ordonnanties'', French: ''ordonnances''), which have equal status as a national legislative act.

* The agglomeration, with a council and a board, with the same membership as the organs of the Brussels Region. This is a decentralised administrative public body, assuming competences which elsewhere in Belgium are exercised by municipalities or provinces (fire brigade, waste disposal). The by-laws enacted by it do not have the status of a legislative act.

* A bi-communitarian public authority, [[Common Community Commission]] (Dutch: ''Gemeenschappelijke Gemeenschapscommissie, GGC'', French: ''Commission communautaire commune, COCOM''), with a United Assembly (i.e. the members of the regional parliament) and a United Board (the ministers - not the secretaries of state - of the region, with the minister-president not having the right to vote). This Commission has two capacities: it is a decentralised administrative public body, responsible for implementing cultural policies of common interest. It can give subsidies and enact by-laws. In another capacity it can also enact ordinances, which have equal status as a national legislative act, in the field of the welfare competencies of the communities: in the Brussels Capital-Region, both the French Community and the Flemish Community can exercise competencies in the field of welfare, but only in regard to institutions that are unilingual (e.g. a private French-speaking retirement home or the Dutch-speaking hospital of the [[Vrije Universiteit Brussel]]). The Common Community Commission is competent for policies aiming directly at private persons or at bilingual institutions (e.g. the centra for social welfare of the 19 municipalities). Its ordinances have to be enacted with a majority in both linguistic groups. Failing such a majority, a new vote can be held, where a majority of at least one third in each linguistic group is sufficient.

* The Brussels Region is not a province, nor does it belong to one. Within the Region, 99% of the provincial competencies are assumed by the Brussels regional institutions. Remaining is only the [[governor of Brussels-Capital]] and some aides.

* 6 inter-municipal policing zones

* intercommunal societies created freely by the municipalities

Also the federal state, the French Community and the Flemish Community exercise competencies on the territory of the region. 19 of the 72 French-speaking members of the Brussels Parliament are also members of the [[Parliament of the French Community of Belgium]], and until 2004 this was also the case for six Dutch-speaking members, who were at the same time members of the [[Flemish Parliament]]. Now, people voting for a Flemish party have to vote separately for 6 directly elected members of the Flemish Parliament.

Due to the multiple capacities of single members of parliament, there are parliamentarians who are at the same member of the Brussels Parliament, member of the Assembly of the Common Community Commission, member of the Assembly of the French Community Commission, member of the Parliament of the French Community of Belgium and "community senator" in the [[Belgian Senate]]. At the moment, this is the case for Mr. François Roelants du Vivier (for the [[Mouvement Réformateur]]), Mrs. Amina Derbaki Sbaï (since June 2004 for the [[Parti Socialiste (Belgium)|Parti Socialiste]], but beforehand, since 2003, for the Mouvement Réformateur) and Mrs Sfia Bouarfa (since 2001 for the Parti Socialiste).

==Municipalities==
{{main|List of municipalities of the Brussels Capital-Region}}
{| class="toccolours" style="float:right; margin:0 auto; backgrond:none; font-size:90%; margin-left:8px; margin-bottom:8px"
| style="background:#FFF; padding:5px; text-align:center" class="toccolours"|
{{Image label begin|image=Brussels-Capital Region blank stylised.svg|width=270}}
{{Image label|x=0.24|y=0.55|scale=270|text=[[Anderlecht|1]]}}
{{Image label|x=0.8|y=0.67|scale=270|text=[[Auderghem|2]]}}
{{Image label|x=0.2|y=0.33|scale=270|text=[[Sint-Agatha-Berchem|3]]}}
{{Image label|x=0.48|y=0.2|scale=270|text=[[City of Brussels|4]]}}
{{Image label|x=0.63|y=0.56|scale=270|text=[[Etterbeek|5]]}}
{{Image label|x=0.685|y=0.3|scale=270|text=[[Evere|6]]}}
{{Image label|x=0.328|y=0.67|scale=270|text=[[Forest, Belgium|7]]}}
{{Image label|x=0.25|y=0.27|scale=270|text=[[Ganshoren|8]]}}
{{Image label|x=0.475|y=0.64|scale=270|text=[[Ixelles|9]]}}
{{Image label|x=0.56|y=0.618|scale=270|text=[[Ixelles|9]]}}
{{Image label|x=0.28|y=0.2|scale=270|text=[[Jette|10]]}}
{{Image label|x=0.289|y=0.345|scale=270|text=[[Koekelberg|11]]}}
{{Image label|x=0.284|y=0.41|scale=270|text=[[Sint-Jans-Molenbeek|12]]}}
{{Image label|x=0.41|y=0.585|scale=270|text=[[Saint-Gilles, Belgium|13]]}}
{{Image label|x=0.524|y=0.424|scale=270|text=[[Saint-Josse-ten-Noode|14]]}}
{{Image label|x=0.584|y=0.36|scale=270|text=[[Schaerbeek|15]]}}
{{Image label|x=0.472|y=0.86|scale=270|text=[[Uccle|16]]}}
{{Image label|x=0.75|y=0.84|scale=270|text=[[Watermael-Boitsfort|17]]}}
{{Image label|x=0.76|y=0.446|scale=270|text=[[Woluwe-Saint-Lambert|18]]}}
{{Image label|x=0.84|y=0.568|scale=270|text=[[Woluwe-Saint-Pierre|19]]}}
{{Image label end}}''The 19 municipalities of the Brussels Capital-Region''
| style="line-height:70%" | <ol>
<li>[[Anderlecht]]</li>
<li>[[Auderghem]]</li>
<li>[[Sint-Agatha-Berchem]]</li>
<li>[[City of Brussels]]</li>
<li>[[Etterbeek]]</li>
<li>[[Evere]]</li>
<li>[[Forest, Belgium|Forest]]</li>
<li>[[Ganshoren]]</li>
<li>[[Ixelles]]</li>
<li>[[Jette]]</li>
<li>[[Koekelberg]]</li>
<li>[[Sint-Jans-Molenbeek]]</li>
<li>[[Saint-Gilles, Belgium|Saint-Gilles]]</li>
<li>[[Saint-Josse-ten-Noode]]</li>
<li>[[Schaerbeek]]</li>
<li>[[Uccle]]</li>
<li>[[Watermael-Boitsfort]]</li>
<li>[[Woluwe-Saint-Lambert]]</li>
<li>[[Woluwe-Saint-Pierre]]</li>
</ol>
|}
The 19 [[municipality|municipalities]] of the Brussels Capital-[[Communities, regions and language areas of Belgium#Regions|Region]] are political subdivisions with individual responsibilities for the handling of local level duties, such as law enforcement and the upkeep of schools and roads within its borders.<ref name="list">{{cite web|url=http://www.bruxelles.irisnet.be/en/region/region_de_bruxelles-capitale/communes.shtml|title=Communes|year=2004|publisher=Centre d'Informatique pour la Région Bruxelloise |accessdate=2008-08-04}}</ref> <ref name="OECD">{{cite web|url=http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/10/43/1902434.pdf|title=Managing across levels of government|year=1997|publisher=OECD|pages=107, 110|format=PDF|accessdate=2008-08-05}}</ref> Municipal administration is also conducted by a mayor, a council, and an executive.<ref name="OECD" />

In 1831, Belgium was divided into 2,739 municipalities, including the 19 in the Brussels Capital-Region.<ref name="roots">{{cite web|url=http://belgium.rootsweb.ancestry.com/bel/_places/bel_places.html|title=Municipalities (1795-now)|last=Picavet|first=Georges|date=29 April 2003|publisher=Georges Picavet|accessdate=2008-08-04}}</ref> Unlike most of the municipalities in Belgium, the ones located in the Brussels Capital-Region were not merged with others during mergers occurring in 1964, 1970, and 1975.<ref name="roots" /> However, several municipalities outside of the Brussels Capital-Region have been merged with the [[City of Brussels]] throughout its history including [[Laken]], [[Haren, Belgium|Haren]], and [[Neder-Over-Heembeek]], which were merged into the City of Brussels in 1921.<ref name="Brussels">{{cite web|url=http://belgium.rootsweb.ancestry.com/bel/2bru/index.html|title=Brussels Capital-Region|date=4 June 2005 |publisher=Georges Picavet |accessdate=2008-08-04}}</ref>

The largest and most populous of the municipalities is the City of Brussels, covering {{convert|32.6|km2|sqmi|1}} with 145,917 inhabitants. The least populous is [[Koekelberg]] with 18,541 inhabitants, while the smallest in area is [[Saint-Josse-ten-Noode]] which is only {{convert|1.1|km2|sqmi|1}}. Despite being the smallest municipality, Saint-Josse-ten-Noode has the highest [[population density]] of the 19 with 20,822 inhabitants per km².

==In national politics==
[[Image:Palace of Brussels.jpg|thumb|The [[Royal Palace of Brussels]]]]
Despite what its name suggests, the Brussels Capital-Region is not the capital of [[Belgium]] in itself. Article 194 of the [[Belgian Constitution]] lays down that the capital of Belgium is the [[City of Brussels]], a smaller municipality within the capital region that once was the city's core.<ref>http://www.fed-parl.be/gwuk0015.htm#E11E15</ref>

However, although the City of Brussels is the official capital, the funds allowed by the federation and region for the representative role of the capital are divided among the 19 municipalities, and some national institutions are sited in the other 18 municipalities. Thus, while only the City of Brussels itself officially carries the title of capital of Belgium, in practice the entire capital region plays this role.

The national institutions of the Belgian state are spread loosely around the region. For example the [[Belgian Federal Parliament]] and the legislative chambers of the [[Walloon Region]] and the [[Flemish Region]].

==Seat of the Flemish Community and French Community==
{{Cleanup-section|date=July 2008}}
The Brussels Capital-Region is one of the three federated regions of Belgium, alongside [[Wallonia]] and the [[Flemish Region]]. Geographically and linguistically, it is a (bilingual) [[enclave]] in the (unilingual) Flemish Region. Regions are one component of Belgium's complex institutions, the three communities being the other component: Brussels' inhabitants must deal with either the [[French Community of Belgium|French (speaking) community]] or the [[Flemish Community]] for matters such as culture and education.

Brussels is also the capital of both the [[French Community of Belgium]] (''Communauté française de Belgique'' in French) and of [[Flanders]] (''Vlaanderen''); all Flemish capital institutions are established here: [[Flemish Parliament]], [[Flemish government]] and its administration.

* 2 community-specific public authorities, [[Flemish Community Commission]] (Dutch: ''Vlaamse Gemeenschapscommissie, VGC'') for the Flemings in Brussels, and the [[French Community Commission]] (French: ''Commission communautaire française or COCOF''), with an assembly (i.e. the members of parliament of the linguistic group) and a board (the ministers and secretaries of state of the linguistic group). These commissions implement policies of the Flemish Community and the French Community in the Brussels Capital-Region.

* The French Community Commission has also another capacity: some legislative competencies of the French Community have been devolved to the Walloon Region (for the French language area of Belgium) and to the French Community Commission (for the bilingual language area).<ref>Procedure contained in art. 138 of the Belgian Constitution</ref> The Flemish Community, however, did the opposite; it merged the Flemish Region into the Flemish Community.<ref>Procedure in art. 137 of the Belgian Constitution</ref> This is related to different conceptions in the two communities, one focusing more on the communities and the other more on the regions, causing an asymmetrical federalism. Because of this devolution, the French Community Commission can enact decrees, which are legislative acts.

==In international politics==
Brussels has since [[World War II]] become the administrative centre of many international organisations. Notably the [[European Union]] (EU) and the [[NATO|North Atlantic Treaty Organisation]] (NATO) have their main institutions in the city, along with many other international organisations such as the [[WEU]], [[WCO]] and [[EUROCONTROL]] as well as international corporations. Brussels is third in the number of international conferences it hosts<ref name="ULB Int">[http://www.ulb.ac.be/docs/ulb-prestige/bxluk.html Brussels, an international city and European capital] Université Libre de Bruxelles</ref> also becoming one of the largest convention centres in the world.<ref name="diplomatie">[http://www.diplomatie.be/EN/belgium/belgiumdetail.asp?TEXTID=1754 Brussels: home to international organisations] diplomatie.be</ref> The presence of the EU and the other international bodies has for example led to there being more ambassadors and journalists in Brussels than in [[Washington D.C.]].<ref name="E!Sarp">E!Sharp magazine, Jan-Feb 2007 issue: Article "A tale of two cities".</ref> International schools have also been established to serve this presence.<ref name="diplomatie"/>

===European Union===
{{main|Brussels and the European Union}}
[[Image:European Commission outside.jpg|thumb|The [[Berlaymont building|Berlaymont]] is a symbol of the European presence in Brussels]]

Brussels serves as [[capital]] of the [[European Union]], hosting the major political [[Institutions of the European Union|institutions of the Union]].<ref name="Demey">{{cite book|last= Demey |first= Thierry |others= S. Strange (trans.) |title= Brussels, capital of Europe |year= 2007 |publisher= Badeaux |location= Brussels |isbn= 2-9600414-2-9}}</ref> The EU has not declared a capital formally, though the [[Treaty of Amsterdam]] formally gives Brussels the seat of the [[European Commission]] (the executive branch) and the [[Council of the European Union]] (a legislative and executive body, the main institution).<ref name="ENA COMM SEAT">[http://www.ena.lu?lang=2&doc=3102 European Navigator] Seat of the European Commission</ref><ref name="EC EiB">European Commission publication: ''Europe in Brussels'' 2007</ref> It locates the formal seat of [[European Parliament]] in the French city of [[Strasbourg]], where votes take place, however meetings of political groups and committee groups (where most work takes place) are formally given to Brussels along with a set number of plenary sessions. Three quarters of Parliament now takes place at its [[Espace Léopold|Brussels hemicycle]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Wheatley|first=Paul|title=The two-seat parliament farce must end|date=2006-10-02|publisher=Café Babel|url=http://www.cafebabel.com/en/article.asp?T=A&Id=2047|accessdate=2007-07-16}}</ref> Between 2002 and 2004, the [[European Council]] also fixed its seat in the city.<ref name="Dragoman">{{cite web|last=Stark|first=Christine|authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Evolution of the European Council: The implications of a permanent seat|work= |publisher=Dragoman.org|date= |url=http://www.dragoman.org/ec/belfast-2002.pdf|format=PDF|doi= |accessdate=2007-07-12}}</ref>

Brussels, along with [[Luxembourg (city)|Luxembourg]] and Strasbourg, began to host institutions in 1957, soon becoming the centre of activities as the Commission and Council based their activities in what has become the "[[Brussels and the European Union|European Quarter]]".<ref name="ENA COMM SEAT"/> Early building in Brussels was sporadic and uncontrolled with little planning, the current major buildings are the [[Berlaymont building]] of the Commission, symbolic of the quarter as a whole, the [[Justus Lipsius building]] of the Council and the [[Espace Léopold]] of Parliament.<ref name="EC EiB"/> Today the presence has increased considerably with the Commission alone occupying 865,000m² within the "European Quarter" in the east of the city (a quarter of the total office space in Brussels<ref name="Demey"/>). The concentration and density has caused concern that the presence of the institutions has caused a "[[ghetto]] effect" in that part of the city.<ref name="EUO buildings">{{cite web|last=Vucheva|first=Elitsa|authorlink= |coauthors= |title=EU quarter in Brussels set to grow|work= |publisher=EU Observer|date=2007-09-05|url=http://euobserver.com/9/24707|format= |doi= |accessdate=2007-09-27}}</ref> However the presence has contributed significantly to the importance of Brussels as an international centre.<ref name="E!Sarp"/>

==Demographics==

{{Cleanup-section|date=July 2008}}
On 1 May 2008, the region had a population of 1,070,841 for 161.382 [[square kilometre|km²]] which gives a [[population density]] of 6,635 inhabitants per km².

{|class="wikitable" style="float:right; font-size:85%"
!colspan="3"|Population by national origin, 1 March 1991<ref>T. Eggerickx et al., ''De allochtone bevolking in België'', Algemene Volks- en Woningtelling op 1 maart 1991, Monografie nr. 3, 1999, Nationaal Instituut voor de Statistiek</ref><br /><small> (last census ever organised in Belgium)</small>
|-
| Belgians born in Belgium (to Belgian parents) || align="right" | 607,446 || align="right" | 63.7%
|-
| Belgians born abroad (to Belgian parents) <br>including:<br> ''Congo, Rwanda and Burundi (former Belgian overseas territories)''|| align="right" | 21,028<br>''8,116''|| align="right" | 2,2% <br> ''(100%) <br> 38.6%''
|-----
| Naturalised migrants (not born in Belgium, not to Belgian parents) <br> including: <br> ''France <br> Morocco'' || align="right" | 36,938 <br>''6,348 <br> 3,022'' || align="right" | 3.9% <br> ''(100%) <br> 17.2% <br> 8.2%''
|-
| Naturalised 1st and 2nd generations (born in Belgium, not to Belgian parents) <br> including: ''<br> France <br> Morocco'' || align="right" | 17,045 <br>'' 2,757 <br> 2,522'' || align="right" | 1.8% <br> ''(100%) <br> 16.2% <br> 14.8%''
|-----
| Non-naturalised 1st and 2nd generations <br> including: <br> ''Morocco'' || align="right" | 87,987 <br>''37,300'' || align="right" | 9.2% <br> ''(100%) <br> 42.4%''
|-
| Old migrants <br>(born abroad, foreign nationals, living in Belgium in 1986) <br> including: <br> ''Morocco <br> Italy'' || align="right" | 123,411 <br>''35,138 <br> 16,027'' || align="right" | 12.9% <br>''(100%) <br> 28.5% <br> 13%''
|-----
| Recent migrants <br>(born abroad, foreign nationals, arrived in Belgium after 1986) <br> including: <br> ''France <br> Morocco'' || align="right" | 60,185 <br>'' 8,513 <br> 4,970'' || align="right" | 6.3% <br>''(100%) <br> 14.1% <br> 8.3%''
|-
| Total Brussels Capital-Region || align="right" | 954,040 || align="right" | 100%
|}

At the last Belgian census in 1991, there were 63.7% inhabitants in Brussels Capital-Region who answered they were Belgian citizens, born as such in Belgium. However, there have been numerous individual or familial migrations towards Brussels since the end of the 18th century, including political refugees ([[Karl Marx]], [[Victor Hugo]], [[Pierre-Joseph Proudhon|Pierre Joseph Proudhon]], [[Léon Daudet]] e.g.) from neighbouring or more distanced countries as well as labour migrants, former foreign students or expatriots, and many Belgian families in Brussels can tell at least a foreign grandparent. And even among the Belgians, many became Belgian only recently.

The original Dutch dialect of Brussels (''Brussels'') is a form of [[Brabantic]] (the variant of Dutch spoken in the ancient [[Duchy of Brabant]]) with a significant number of loanwords from French, and still survives among a minority of inhabitants called ''Brusseleers'', many of them quite bi- and multilingual, or educated in French and not writing the Dutch language. Brussels and its suburbs evolved from a Dutch-dialect speaking town to a mainly French speaking town. The ethnic and national self-identification of the inhabitants is quite different along ethnic lines. For their French-speaking ''Bruxellois'', it can vary from Belgian, Francophone Belgian, ''Bruxellois'' (like the ''Memeller'' in interwar ethnic censuses in [[Klaipėda|Memel]]), [[Walloon]] (for people who migrated from the Wallonia Region at an adult age); for immigrants from Flanders it is mainly either Flemish or ''Brusselaar'' (Dutch for an inhabitant); for the ''Brusseleers'', most of them simply consider themselves as belonging to Brussels. For the many rather recent migrants from other countries, the identification also includes all the national origins: people tend to call themselves Moroccans or Turks rather than an American-style hyphenated version.

Recent immigration has brought its population of foreign origin to 56%.{{Fact|date=March 2008}} The two largest foreign groups come from two [[Francophonie|francophone]] countries: [[France]] and [[Morocco]].<ref name=autogenerated1 /> The first language of roughly half of the inhabitants is not an official one of the Capital Region.{{Fact|date=March 2008}} Nevertheless, about three out of four residents have the Belgian nationality.<ref name=philippevanparijs>
{{cite journal
|title=Belgium's new linguistic challenges
|author=[[Philippe Van Parijs|Van Parijs, Philippe]], Professor of economic and social ethics at the [[Université Catholique de Louvain|UCLouvain]], Visiting Professor at [[Harvard University]] and the [[Katholieke Universiteit Leuven|KULeuven]]
|journal=KVS Express (supplement to newspaper [[De Morgen]]) March–April 2007
|pages=Article from [http://www.kvs.be/kvs_express/KVS_EXPRESS_13_WEB.pdf original source (pdf <small>4.9&nbsp;MB</small>)] pages 34–36 republished by the Belgian Federal Government Service (ministry) of Economy — Directorate-general Statistics Belgium
|url=http://www.statbel.fgov.be/studies/ac699_en.pdf
|format=pdf <small>0.7&nbsp;MB</small>
|accessdate=2007-05-05}} — The linguistic situation in Belgium (and in particular various estimations of the population speaking French and Dutch in Brussels) is discussed in detail.</ref><ref name=standaard>
{{cite journal
|title=Van autochtoon naar allochtoon
|quote=''Meer dan de helft van de Brusselse bevolking is van vreemde afkomst. In 1961 was dat slechts 7 procent.'' (More than half of the Brussels' population is of foreign origin. In 1961 this was only 7 percent.)
|journal=[[De Standaard]] (newspaper) online
|language=[[Dutch language|Dutch]]
|url=http://www.standaard.be/Artikel/Detail.aspx?artikelId=641B1LAQ&word=brussel+bevolking
|accessdate=2007-05-05}}</ref><ref name=calc1>Footnote: The Brussels region's 56% residents of foreign origin include several percents of either [[Netherlands<!--must link nationality, not 'ethnic group'-->|Dutch people]] or native speakers of French, thus roughly half of the inhabitants do not speak either French or Dutch as primary language.</ref><ref name=ibsa>
{{cite web
|title=Population et ménages
|publisher=IBSA Cellule statistique — Min. Région Bruxelles-Capitale (Statistical cell — Ministry of the Brussels Capital-Region)
|language=[[French language|French]]
|url=http://www.bruxelles.irisnet.be/cmsmedia/fr/is_2006_population_menages.pdf?uri=43742a9611346ccd0111374fb94f0351
|format=pdf <small>1.4&nbsp;MB</small>
|accessdate=2007-05-05}}</ref> In general the population of Brussels is younger and the gap between rich and poor is wider. Brussels also has a large concentration of Muslims, mostly of Turkish and Moroccan ancestry, and mainly French-speaking black Africans. However, Belgium does not collect statistics by ethnic background, so exact figures are unknown.

Both immigration and its status as head of the European Commission made Brussels a really cosmopolitan city. The migrant communities, as well as rapidly growing communities of EU-nationals from other EU-member states, speak [[Moroccan Arabic|Moroccan dialectal Arabic]], [[French language|French]], [[Turkish language|Turkish]], [[Spanish language|Spanish]] (most Spaniards came from the [[Asturias]], a minority from [[Andalusia]] and some from [[Catalonia]] and the [[Basque Country (autonomous community)|Basque country]]), [[Italian language|Italian]], [[Polish language|Polish]], [[Berber languages|Rif Berber]], [[English language|English]] and other languages, including those of every EU-member state in the expat communities. The degree of linguistic integration varies widely within each migrant group.

Among all major migrants groups from outside the [[EU]], a majority of the permanent residents have acquired the Belgian nationality.

Although historically (since the [[Catholic Reformation|Counter-Reformation]] persecution and expulsion of Protestants by the Spaniards in the 16th century) [[Roman Catholicism|Roman Catholic]], most people in Brussels are non-practising. About 10% of the population regularly attends church services. Among the religions, historically dominant [[Roman Catholicism]] prevailing mostly in a relaxed way, one finds large minorities of [[Muslims]], [[Atheism|atheists]], [[Agnosticism|agnosticists]], and of the philosophical school of [[humanism]], the latter mainly as ''vrijzinnig-laïcité'' (an approximate translation would be secularists or ''free thinkers'') or practicing [[Humanism (life stance)|Humanism]] as a [[life stance]] - Brussels houses several key organisations for both kinds. Other (recognised) religions ([[Protestantism]], [[Anglicanism]], [[Orthodoxy]] and [[Judaism]]) are practised by much smaller groups in Brussels. Recognised religions and ''[[Laïcité]]'' enjoy public funding and school courses: every pupil in an official school from 6 years old to 18 must choose 2 hours per week of compulsory religion- or ''Laïcité''-inspired morals.

===Languages===
{{further|[[Frenchification of Brussels]]}}
[[Image:Languages spoken at home in the Brussels Capital Region (2006).svg|thumb|Languages spoken at home (Capital Region, 2006)<ref name="rudi3">{{nl}}[http://www.brusselsstudies.be/PDF/NL_51_BruS13NL.pdf ”Taalgebruik in Brussel en de plaats van het Nederlands. Enkele recente bevindingen”], Rudi Janssens, Brussels Studies, Nummer 13, 7 January 2008 (see page 4).</ref><br />{{legend|#0084ff|French only}}{{legend|#11cbd9|French & Dutch}}{{legend|#7700bb|French & non-Dutch language}}{{legend|#1abb45|Dutch only}}{{legend|#d00000|Neither French nor Dutch}}]]
Since the founding of the [[Kingdom of Belgium]] in 1830, Brussels has transformed from being almost entirely [[Dutch language|Dutch-speaking]], to being a multilingual city with [[French language|French]] as the majority language and [[lingua franca]]. This language shift, the [[Frenchification of Brussels]], is rooted in the 18th century but accelerated after [[Belgium]] became [[Belgian revolution|independent]] and Brussels expanded past its original boundaries. <ref name="service">{{cite web |language=French |url=http://www2.cfwb.be/franca/services/pg027.htm |title= Wallonie - Bruxelles, Le Service de la langue française |date=1997-05-19}}</ref><ref name="laval">{{cite web |language=French |url=http://www.ulaval.ca/afi/colloques/colloque2001/actes/textes/tourret.htm |title=Villes, identités et médias francophones: regards croisés Belgique, Suisse, Canada |publisher=[[University of Laval]], [[Québec]]}}</ref>

[[Image:2005 manneke pis05.jpg|140px|thumb|left|[[Manneken Pis]] is seen as a symbol of French and Dutch cohabitation in Brussels.<ref>{{cite web |language=Dutch |url=http://www.taalrespect.be/archives/2007/08/25/manneken-pis-schrijft-slecht-nederlands/ |title=Manneken-Pis schrijft slecht Nederlands |publisher=Het Nieuwsblad |date=2007-08-25}}</ref>]]

Not only is French-speaking immigration responsible for the Frenchification of Brussels, but more importantly the language change over several generations from Dutch to French was performed in Brussels by the [[Flemish people]] themselves. The main reason for this was the low social prestige of the Dutch language in Belgium at the time.<ref name="nlb">{{cite web |language=Dutch |url=http://www.dbnl.org/tekst/toor004gesc01_01/toor004gesc01_01_0029.htm |title=Nederlands in België, Het Nederlands bedreigd en overlevend |author=G. Geerts |work=Geschiedenis van de Nederlandse taal |publisher=M.C. van den Toorn, W. Pijnenburg, J.A. van Leuvensteijn and J.M. van der Horst}}</ref> From 1880 on, more and more Dutch-speaking people became bilingual, resulting in a rise of monolingual French-speakers after 1910. Halfway through the 20th century the number of monolingual French-speakers carried the day over the (mostly) bilingual Flemish inhabitants.<ref name="brio4">{{nl}}[http://www.briobrussel.be/assets/andere%20publicaties/btng-rbhc,%2021,%201990,%203-4,%20pp%20383-412.pdf "Thuis in gescheiden werelden" — De migratoire en sociale aspecten van verfransing te Brussel in het midden van de 19e eeuw"], BTNG-RBHC, XXI, 1990, 3-4, pp. 383-412, Machteld de Metsenaere, Eerst aanwezend assistent en docent Vrije Universiteit Brussel</ref> Only since the 1960s, after the fixation of the Belgian [[Communities, regions and language areas of Belgium|language border]] and the socio-economic development of Flanders was in full effect, could Dutch stem the tide of increasing French use.<ref name="dbnl">{{cite web |language=Dutch |url=http://www.dbnl.org/tekst/_han001197301_01/_han001197301_01_0009.htm |title=De historische kracht van de Vlaamse beweging in België: de doelstellingen van gister, de verwezenlijkingen vandaag en de culturele aspiraties voor morgen |author=J. Fleerackers, Chief of staff of the Belgian Minister for Dutch culture and Flemish affairs |year=1973 |work=Digitale bibliotheek voor Nederlandse Letteren}}</ref> Through immigration, a further number of formerly Dutch-speaking municipalities in surrounding Flanders became majority French-speaking in the second half of the 20th century.<ref>{{cite web |language=Dutch |url=http://www.ovv.be/page.php?ID=3 |title=Kort historisch overzicht van het OVV |publisher=Overlegcentrum van Vlaamse Verenigingen}}</ref><ref name="monde">{{cite web |language=French |url=http://www.lemonde.fr/web/article/0,1-0@2-3214,36-969206@51-926038,0.html |title=Bisbilles dans le Grand Bruxelles |publisher=[[Le Monde]] |date=2007-10-02}}</ref><ref name="OVV">{{cite web |language=Dutch |url=http://www.ovv.be/page.php?ID=1971 |title=Sint-Stevens-Woluwe: een unicum in de Belgische geschiedenis |publisher=Overlegcentrum van Vlaamse Verenigingen}}</ref> This phenomenon is, together with the future of Brussels, one of the most controversial topics in all of [[Belgian politics]].<ref name="enc">{{cite web |url=http://concise.britannica.com/dday/print?articleId=106096&fullArticle=true&tocId=9680 |title=Brussels |publisher=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |language=French |url=http://info.france2.fr/dossiers/europe/34025346-fr.php?page=2 |title=Bruxelles dans l'oeil du cyclone |publisher=[[France 2]] |date=2007-11-14}}</ref>

Given its Dutch-speaking origins and the role that Brussels plays as the capital city in a bilingual country, Flemish political parties demand that the entire Brussels Capital-Region be fully bilingual, including its subdivisions and public services. They also request that the contested [[Brussels-Halle-Vilvoorde]] arrondissement become separated from the Brussels region. However, the French-speaking population regards the language border as artificial <ref>{{cite web |language=French |url=http://www.lalibre.be/article.phtml?id=10&subid=90&art_id=283113 |title=La Flandre ne prendra pas Bruxelles... |publisher=La Libre Belgique |date=2006-05-28}}</ref> and demands the extension of the bilingual region to at least all six [[municipalities with language facilities]] in the surroundings of Brussels.<ref>The six municipalities with language facilities around Brussels are [[Wemmel]], [[Kraainem]], [[Wezembeek-Oppem]], [[Sint-Genesius-Rode]], [[Linkebeek]] and [[Drogenbos]].</ref> Flemish politicians have strongly rejected these proposals.<ref name="question">{{cite web |language=French |url=http://www.lalibre.be/article.phtml?id=10&subid=90&art_id=202792 |title=Une question: partir ou rester? |publisher=[[La Libre Belgique]] |date=2005-01-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |language=French |url=http://www.uniondesfrancophones.be/ |title=Position commune des partis démocratiques francophones |publisher=[[Union des Francophones]] (UF), Province of [[Flemish Brabant]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |language=French |url=http://info.france2.fr/dossiers/europe/34025346-fr.php?page=7 |title=Bruxelles-capitale: une forte identité |publisher=[[France 2]] |date=2007-11-14}}</ref>

==Culture==
===Architecture===
[[Image:Grand Place.jpg|thumb|upright|The medieval [[Grand Place]]]]

The architecture in Brussels is diverse, and spans from the mediaeval constructions on the [[Grand Place]] to the [[Postmodernism|postmodern]] buildings of the [[Brussels and the European Union|EU institutions]].

Main attractions include the [[Grand Place]], since 1988 a [[World Heritage Site|UNESCO World Heritage Site]], with the Gothic town hall in the old centre, the [[St. Michael and Gudula Cathedral]] and the [[Royal Castle of Laken|Laken Castle]] with its large greenhouses. Another famous landmark is the [[Royal Palace of Brussels|Royal Palace]].

The [[Atomium]] is a symbolic {{convert|103|m|ft|0|sing=on}} tall structure that was built for the [[Expo '58|1958 World’s Fair]]. It consists of nine steel spheres connected by tubes, and forms a model of an iron crystal (specifically, a [[unit cell]]. The architect A. Waterkeyn devoted the building to science. Next to the Atomium is the [[Mini-Europe]] park with 1:25 scale [[maquette]]s of famous buildings from across Europe.

The [[Manneken Pis]], a bronze fountain of a small peeing boy is a famous tourist attraction and symbol of the city.

Other landmarks include the [[Cinquantenaire|Cinquantenaire park]] with its triumphal arch and nearby museums, the [[Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Belgium|Basilica of the Sacred Heart]], [[Brussels Stock Exchange]], the [[Law Courts of Brussels|Palace of Justice]] and the buildings of EU institutions in the [[Brussels and the European Union|European Quarter]].

[[Image:Cinquantenaire.jpg|thumb|left|[[Cinquantenaire]] triumphal arch]]

Cultural facilities include the Brussels Theatre and the [[La Monnaie]] Theatre and opera house. There is a wide array of museums, from the [[Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium|Royal Museum of Fine Art]] to the [[Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and of Military History| Museum of the Army]] and the [[Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée| Comic Museum]]. Brussels also has a lively music scene, with everything from opera houses and concert halls to music bars and techno clubs.

The city centre is notable for its Flemish town houses. Also particularly striking are the buildings in the [[Art Nouveau]] style by the Brussels architect [[Victor Horta]]. In the heyday of Art Nouveau new Brussels suburbs were developed, and many buildings are in this style. The architecture of the quarter [[Schaerbeek]], [[Etterbeek]] [[Ixelles]], and [[Saint-Gilles]] is particularly worth seeing. Another example of Brussels Art Nouveau is the [[Stoclet Palace]], by the Viennese architect [[Josef Hoffmann]]. The modern buildings of [[Espace Leopold]] complete the picture.

[[Image:Atomium 20-08-07.jpg|thumb|The [[Atomium]] in [[Heysel|Heysel Park]]]]

The city has had a renowned artist scene for many years. The famous Belgian surrealist [[René Magritte]], for example, studied in Brussels. The city is also a capital of the comic strip; some treasured Belgian characters are [[Lucky Luke]], [[Tintin]], [[Cubitus]], [[Gaston Lagaffe]] and [[Marsupilami]]. Throughout the city walls are painted with large motifs of comic book characters, and the interiors of some Metro stations are designed by artists. The [[Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée|Belgian Comics Museum]] combines two artistic leitmotifs of Brussels, being a museum devoted to Belgian comic strips, housed in the former Waucquez department store, designed by [[Victor Horta]] in the [[Art Nouveau]] style.

The [[King Baudouin Stadium]] is a concert and competition facility with a 50,000 seat capacity, the largest in Belgium. The site was formerly occupied by the [[Heysel Stadium]], which in 1985 saw one of the worst disasters in European football, when 39 deaths and over 400 serious injuries were suffered after English [[hooligans]] fell on Italian football fans, sparking a mass panic.

===Arts===
Brussels contains over 40 museums,<ref>[http://www.brussels.org/mus.htm Museum<!--Bot-generated title-->]</ref> including the Museum of Modern Art<ref>[http://www.trabel.com/brussel/brussels-museums-modernart.htm Museum of Modern Art in Brussels. Museum Moderne Kunst Brussel. Musée d'art moderne Bruxelles<!--Bot-generated title-->]</ref>, and the [[Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium]]. The museum has an extensive collection of various painters, such as the [[Flemish painting| Flemish painters]] like [[Pieter Brueghel the Elder|Brueghel]], [[Rogier van der Weyden]], [[Robert Campin]], [[Anthony van Dyck]], and [[Jacob Jordaens]].

===Gastronomy===
[[Image:Brussels waffle.jpg|thumb|150px|Brussels is known for its local [[waffle]] (pictured) and chocolate.]]
Brussels is known for its local [[waffle]], its [[chocolate]], its [[french fries]] and its numerous types of [[beer]]s . The [[Brussels sprout]] was first cultivated in Brussels, hence its name.

The gastronomic offer includes approximately 1,800 restaurants, and a number of high quality bars. The Belgian cuisine is known among connoisseurs as one of the best in Europe. In addition to the traditional restaurants, there is a large number of cafés, bistros and the usual range of international fast food chains. The cafés are similar to bars, and offer beer and light dishes, coffee houses in the usual sense are the Salons de Thé. Also widespread are ''brasseries'', which usually offer a large number of beers and typical national dishes.

The Belgian cuisine is characterised by the combination of French cuisine with the more hearty Flemish fare. Notable specialities include [[Brussels waffle]]s (gaufres) and [[mussels]] (usually as "moules frites," served with fries). The city is a stronghold of chocolate and pralines manufacturers with traditional companies like Godiva, Neuhaus and Leonidas. Numerous [[friteries]] are spread throughout the city, and in tourist areas, fresh, hot, waffles are also sold on the street.

In addition to the regular selection of Belgian beer, the famous [[lambic]] style of beer is only brewed in and around Brussels, and the yeasts have their origin in the Senne valley. In mild contrast to the other versions, [[Kriek]] (cherry beer) enjoys outstanding popularity, as it does in the rest of Belgium. Kriek is available in almost every bar or restaurant.

==Economy==
{{Expand|date=September 2008}}
{{see|Economy of Belgium}}
Serving as the centre of administration for Europe, Brussels' economy is largely service-oriented. It is dominated by regional headquarters of multinationals, by European institutions, by various administrations, and by related services, though it does have a number of notable craft industries, such as the [[Cantillon Brewery]], a [[lambic]] brewery founded in 1900.

==Education==
[[Image:ULB 20050712.jpg|thumb|151px|[[Université Libre de Bruxelles]]]]
There are several [[University|universities]] in Brussels. The two main universities are the [[Université Libre de Bruxelles]], a [[French language|French-speaking]] university with about 20,000 students in three campuses in the city (and two others outside),<ref>{{cite web|title=Presentation of the Université libre de Bruxelles|publisher=[[Université Libre de Bruxelles]]|url=http://www.ulb.ac.be/docs/ulb-prestige/indexuk.html|accessdate=2007-12-09}}</ref> and the [[Vrije Universiteit Brussel]], a [[Dutch language|Dutch-speaking]] university with about 10,000 students.<ref>{{cite web|title=About the University : Culture and History|publisher=[[Vrije Universiteit Brussel]]|url=http://www.vub.ac.be/english/home/about.html|accessdate=2007-12-09}}</ref> Both universities originate from a single ancestor university founded in 1834, namely the [[Free University of Brussels]], which was split in 1970 at about the same time the Flemish and French Communities gained legislative power over the organisation of higher education.

Other universities include the [[Facultés Universitaires Saint-Louis]] with 2,000 students,<ref>{{cite web|title=Institution: Historique|publisher=Facultés Universitaires Saint Louis|url=http://www.fusl.ac.be/fr/27.html|accessdate=2007-12-09}}</ref> , the Catholic University of Brussels ([[Katholieke Universiteit Brussel]])<ref>{{cite web|title=Katholieke Universiteit Brussel|publisher=Katholieke Universiteit Brussel|url=http://www.kubrussel.ac.be/english/index.htm|accessdate=2007-12-09}}</ref>
, the [[Royal Military Academy (Belgium)|Royal Military Academy]], a military college established in 1834 by a [[France|French]] colonel<ref>{{cite web|title=What makes the RMA so special?|publisher=[[Royal Military Academy (Belgium)|Belgian Royal Military Academy]]|url=http://www.rma.ac.be/RMAdotNet/scsc/infos/default.aspx?Page=1&SubPage=3|accessdate=2007-12-09}}</ref> and two drama schools founded in 1982: the [[Dutch language|Dutch-speaking]] [[Koninklijk Conservatorium (Brussel)|Koninklijk Conservatorium]] and the [[French language|French-speaking]] [[Conservatoire Royal (Brussels)|Conservatoire Royal]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Petite histoire du Conservatoire royal de Bruxelles|publisher=Conservatoire Royal|url=http://www.conservatoire.be/historique.html|accessdate=2007-12-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel|publisher=[[Koninklijk Conservatorium (Brussel)|Koninklijk Conservatorium]]|url=http://www.kcb.be/eng/indexin.asp?pag=bib&nr=1|accessdate=2007-12-09}}</ref>

Still other universities have campuses in Brussels, such as the [[Université Catholique de Louvain]] that has had its medical faculty in the city since 1973.<ref>{{cite web|title=L'histoire de l'UCL à Bruxelles|publisher=[[Université Catholique de Louvain]]|url=http://www.uclouvain.be/47547.html|accessdate=2007-12-09}}</ref> In addition the [[Boston University Brussels]] campus was established in 1972 and offers masters degrees in business administration and international relations. Due to the post-war international presence in the city, there are also a number of international schools, including the [[International School of Brussels]] with 1,450 pupils between 2½ to 18,<ref>{{cite web|title=ISB Profile|publisher=[[International School of Brussels]]|url=http://www.isb.be/page.cfm?p=7|accessdate=2007-12-09}}</ref> the British School of Brussels, and the four [[European School]]s serving those working in the [[Institutions of the European Union|EU institutions]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Background |publisher=[[European Schools|Schola Europaea]]|url=http://www.eursc.eu/index.php?id=133|accessdate=2007-12-09}}</ref>

==Transport==
[[Image:Eurostar at Brussels Midi-Zuid.jpg|thumb|Brussels is connected with other European cities through e.g. the [[Eurostar]] high-speed rail network.]]
===Connections===
Brussels is served by [[Brussels Airport]], located in the nearby Flemish municipality of [[Zaventem]], and by the much smaller so-called [[Brussels South Charleroi Airport]], located near [[Charleroi]] (Wallonia), some {{convert|50|km|mi|-1|abbr=on}} from Brussels. Brussels is also served by direct high-speed rail links: to [[London]] by the [[Eurostar]] train via the Channel Tunnel (1hr 51 min); to Amsterdam, Paris and Cologne by the [[Thalys]]; and to Cologne and Frankfurt by the German [[InterCityExpress|ICE]].

===Public transport===
The [[Brussels Metro]] dates back to 1976, but underground lines known as ''premetro'' have been serviced by tramways since 1968. A comprehensive bus and [[Brussels trams|tram network]] also covers the city.

Brussels also has its own port on the [[Brussels-Scheldt Maritime Canal]] located in the northwest of the city. The [[Brussels-Charleroi Canal]] connects the industrial areas of [[Wallonia]].

An interticketing system means that a STIB/MIVB ticket holder can use the train or long-distance buses inside the city. The commuter services operated by De Lijn, TEC and SNCB/NMBS will in the next few years be augmented by a metropolitan [[RER]] rail network around Brussels.

Since 2003 Brussels has had a car-sharing service operated by the [[Bremen]] company Cambio in partnership with STIB/MIVB and local ridesharing company taxi stop. In 2006 shared bicycles were also introduced.

===Road network===
[[Image:Wetstraat.jpg|thumb|150px|[[Rue de la Loi]]/Wetstraat is one of the city's main streets]]
In mediaeval times Brussels stood at the intersection of routes running north-south (the modern Hoogstraat/Rue Haute) and east-west (Gentsesteenweg/Chaussée de Gand-Grasmarkt/Rue du Marché aux Herbes-Naamsestraat/Rue de Namur). The ancient pattern of streets radiating from the [[Grand Place]] in large part remains, but has been overlaid by boulevards built [[covering of the Senne|over the River Zenne/Senne]], [[small ring (Brussels)|over the city walls]] and over the [[North-South connection|railway connection between the North and South Stations]].

As one expects of a capital city, Brussels is the hub of the fan of old national roads, the principal ones being clockwise the N1 (N to [[Breda]]), N2 (E to [[Maastricht]]), N3 (E to [[Aachen]]), N4 (SE to [[Luxembourg]]) N5 (S to [[Rheims]]), N6 (SW to [[Maubeuge]]), N8 (W to [[Koksijde]]) and N9 (NW to [[Ostend]])<ref>[http://www.autosnelwegen.net/frames.html?/nb.html Belgian N roads]</ref>. Usually named ''steenwegen/chaussées'', these highways normally run straight as a die, but on occasion lose themselves in a maze of narrow shopping streets.

As for motorways, the town is skirted by the [[European route E19]] (N-S) and the [[European route E40|E40]] (E-W), while the [[European route E411|E411]] leads away to the SE. Brussels has an [[beltway|orbital]] [[motorway]], numbered ''R0'' (R-zero) and commonly referred to as the "ring" (French: ''ring'' Dutch: ''grote ring''). It is pear-shaped as the southern side was never built as originally conceived, owing to residents' objections.

The city centre, sometimes known as "the pentagon", is surrounded by the "[[small ring (Brussels)|Small ring]]" (Dutch: ''kleine ring'', French: ''petite ceinture''), a sequence of boulevards formally numbered ''R20''. These were built upon the site of the second set of city walls following their demolition. Metro line 2 runs under much of these.

On the eastern side of the city, the ''R21'' (French: ''[[grande ceinture]]'', ''grote ring'' in Dutch) is formed by a string of boulevards that curves round from Laken ([[Laeken]]) to Ukkel ([[Uccle]]). Some ''premetro'' stations (see [[Brussels Metro]]) were built on that route. A little further out, a stretch numbered R22 leads from Zaventem to [[Sint-Job]].

==Twin cities==
[[Image:Brussels Zonienwoud.jpg|thumb|The [[Sonian Forest]] at the outskirts of Brussels]]
{{Refimprovesect|date=June 2008}}
Brussels is [[Town twinning|twinned]] with the following 15 cities:
{|
| valign="top" |
*{{flagicon|Turkey}} [[Akhisar]], [[Turkey]]
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Atlanta, Georgia|Atlanta]], [[United States]]
*{{flagicon|Germany}} [[Berlin]], [[Germany]]
*{{flagicon|China}} [[Beijing]], [[People's Republic of China|China]]
*{{flagicon|Canada}} [[Montreal]], [[Canada]] {{Fact|date=February 2008}}
*{{flagicon|Macau}} [[Macau]], [[People's Republic of China|China]]
*{{flagicon|Spain}} [[Madrid]], [[Spain]]
*{{flagicon|Spain}} [[Boltaña]], [[Spain]]
*{{flagicon|Russia}} [[Moscow]], [[Russia]]<ref>[http://www.mos.ru/wps/portal/!ut/p/c1/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3izECfXQHMPIwODQFMTAyMXFwNnFydvYwN3I6B8pFm8AQ7gaEBAdzjIPtwqDAwg8njM9_PIz03VL8iNMMgycVQEANg5rCU!/dl2/d1/L3dJVkkvd0xNQUJrQUVrQSEhL1lCcHhKRjFOQUEhIS82XzZUQkVRN0gyMDBRNTQwMkREMENEQkszMDA1LzdfNlRCRVE3SDIwMFE1NDAyREQwQ0RCSzMwODc!?nID=6_6TBEQ7H200Q5402DD0CDBK30G2&cID=6_6TBEQ7H200Q5402DD0CDBK30G2&documentId=102289#7_6TBEQ7H200Q5402DD0CDBK3087 Foregn relations of Moscow]</ref>
| valign="top" |
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Washington, D.C.]], [[United States]]
*{{flagicon|Ukraine}} [[Kiev]], [[Ukraine]]
*{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Breda]], The [[Netherlands]]
*{{flagicon|Czech Republic}} [[Prague]], [[Czech Republic]]
*{{flagicon|Slovenia}} [[Ljubljana]], [[Slovenia]]
*{{flagicon|Bulgaria}} [[Sofia]], [[Bulgaria]]
*{{flagicon|Albania}} [[Tirana]], [[Albania]]
|}

== See also ==
* [[Brussels Regional Investment Company]]
{{Brussels topics}}

== References ==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== External links ==
{{sisterlinks|Brussels}}
<!---Links to official and standard-reference sites only, please.--->
* [http://www.bruxelles.irisnet.be/ Brussels Capital-Region], official site
* {{wikitravel}}
* [http://www.ilotsacre.be/site/en/default_en.htm Interactive map]
* [http://www.360cities.net:7000/area/brussels-belgium 360º Interactive Virtual Tour of Brussels with Google Maps]

{{Template group
|list =
{{List of European capitals by region}}
{{Capital cities of the European Union}}
{{Subdivisions of Belgium}}
{{European Capital of Culture}}
{{coord|50|51|N|4|21|E|region:BE-BRU_type:city(1,000,000)|display=title}}
}}

[[Category:Brussels| ]]
[[Category:Capitals in Europe]]
[[Category:NUTS 1 statistical regions of the European Union]]
[[Category:Regions of Belgium]]

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Revision as of 03:39, 14 October 2008

Not to be confused with Mark Wahlberg.
Mark L. Walberg
Born
Mark Lewis Walberg
Occupation(s)Actor, Television Personality, Comedian
SpouseRobbi Morgan (1987-Present)

Mark Lewis Walberg (born August 31, 1962 in Florence, South Carolina) is a Jewish-American actor, television personality and comedian. He is perhaps best known from the PBS version of Antiques Roadshow and from hosting The Moment of Truth on FOX.

Biography

Before his time on PBS's Antiques Roadshow, Walberg hosted the game show on GSN known as Russian Roulette, but also the presenter of The Moment of Truth. Walberg married wife Robbi Morgan Walberg in 1987.

Career

Previous to the Roadshow he was the host of game shows: Temptation Island, Free 4 All, The Big Date, Russian Roulette (where he was introduced as Mark L. Walberg), and On The Cover, as well as a short lived, self-titled talk show (Mark Walberg) that aired for one season from 1995-1996 [1].

Before hosting game shows, Walberg's first television exposure was as announcer and sidekick to Pat Finn on the long-running TV series Shop 'Til You Drop from 1991 to 1994. He is hosting the new game show, The Moment of Truth on the FOX network in which contestants are asked a series of 21 increasingly personal and embarrassing questions for a huge jackpot.

Mark Walberg is on the board of directors of Goodwill of Southern California and the board of managers of the Hollywood/Wilshire YMCA. Mark plays on the World Poker Tour in the Hollywood Home Games for the Goodwill Industries of Southern California.

He was slated to host a game show adaptation of the popular board game Trivial Pursuit: America Plays beginning in fall 2008, but was unable to get out of his Fox contract and was replaced by Christopher Knight.

Personal life

Mark L. Walberg is married to actress Robbi Morgan Walberg and has two children. He is an avid Chicago Cubs fan, evidenced by his diehard love of the bleachers at Wrigley Field.[2]

He is a member of Kappa Alpha Order.

References

  1. ^ "The Mark Walberg Show" (1995)
  2. ^ The Cub Reporter, Archives

External links

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