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| General Information
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Antwerp is the second biggest city in Belgium with a population of approximately 500.000 inhabitants. Its location at the river Schelde, 88 km away from the North Sea makes Antwerp an important harbour in Europe, after Rotterdam the second biggest of Europe in fact. Moreover, Antwerp is a splendid city with numerous architectural highlights, most of which date from the 16th (the golden era of Antwerp) and the 17th century. Unfortunately, the destructions of the WWII have scarred somehow the fair face of the Old Town. But nevertheless there are enough monuments left for those who like monument-hopping to spend a few days admiring them. The past is also represented by the numerous paintings of Peter Paul Rubens who lived in Antwerp in the early 17th century.
Traditionally, Antwerp is the most important trading centre for diamonds in the world which is reflected in the numerous shops selling discounted pieces, museums and 4 stock markets from which the Beurs voor Diamanthandel is the biggest. Antwerp, however, does not only live from the past. Nowadays, Antwerp has earned a place among the fashion cities of the world thanks to the efforts of numerous young Flemish fashion designers. The legacy of six famous Belgians - the Antwerp Six is very much alive today, not just in the Fashion Museum, or in the famous Antwerp Fashion Academy school, but on many city streets, where it seems that every other shop window is a designer statement. In Fact, many people like to come for a relaxed visit to Antwerp because of the old cobbled alleyways with their many excellent bars, restaurants and stylish shops and of course because of the laid back atmosphere that is created by the friendly citizens that are supposed to be the happiest city dwellers in Europe.
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| Weather
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The weather in Antwerp is comfortable and maritime. Usually winters are mild and summers warm. The months between April and September are the warmest months with an average temperature of 21 °C. The coldest months are from November to January with temperatures between -1 and +5° C. Rainfall lies around 6 – 10 inches per month.
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| Languages
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Belgium is officially trilingual but the people in Antwerp speak Flemish. English is widely understood and spoken. Stores, restaurants and cafes are usually having staff that is fluent in English. Although German is one of the three official languages of the country only a relatively low percentage of people understand and speak German outside the German speaking area of Belgium.
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| Religion
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Antwerp possesses one of the biggest Jewish communities in Europe. Therefore it is not surprising that many Orthodox Jews characterise some quarters of the city. Nevertheless, since Antwerp is the Catholic diocesan town most of the population is Roman-Catholic but there are also minor Islamic and Protestant groups.
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| Currency
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The currency used in Belgium is the Euro. Notes come in denominations of €100, €50, €20, €10 and €5 and the coins in use are €2, €1, € 0.50, € 0.20, € 0.10, € 0.05, € 0.02 and € 0.01.
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| Tipping
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Service charges are included in the prices you pay in pubs and restaurants, as well as for taxis. It is not required to tip in a restaurant, but it is common to round up the prices. Even for very good service, a tip of € 1 or 2 is sufficient. Porters, waiters and taxi drivers do not require a tip unless you receive particularly outstanding service. Tips for taxis also tend to be only a couple of euros, not a percentage the way it is done in some countries. Restroom attendants often to expect a small tip (a few cents), and doormen in clubs will often try to get you to give them a small tip on the way out.
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| Taxes
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Sales tax is always included in store prices. Visitors from outside of the EU can get this tax refunded in some cases, when they spend € 125 or more in the same store. In order to receive this refund, the goods must be shown to a customs official when departing the country, along with some paperwork that you receive from the store. These items must leave the country within three months to qualify for the refund.
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| Telephone
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Public telephones in Belgium accept both coins and phone cards. If a phone has stickers showing different flags, they can be used to make international calls by using operator assistance. Phone cards are available in post offices, train stations, book stores, newspaper stands, supermarkets and phone shops. The “Belgacom Phone Pass” can be used from all types of phones: pay phones, landlines and mobile phones.
To call a Belgian number from outside the country, dial 00 32 and then (0)3 for Antwerp, leaving off the first zero.
Mobile phones use the networks of Base NV/SA, Mobistar and Proximus. Most of the time there are roaming agreements with other European countries.
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| Internet
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Antwerp has a lot of internet cafes but also some cafes offer a connection to the internet. The main provider is Belgacom (Internet: www.belgacom.com).
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| Emergency numbers
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Police: 101
Fire Brigade: 100
Ambulance: 100
In case of poisoning: 0032 - (0)2 - 345 45 45
Pharmacy emergency number: 0900 - 10 - 500 (from Belgium)
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| Opening times
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Business hours for banks are weekdays from 9 am to 1 pm and from 2 pm to 4.30 or 5 pm. The main post office is open during the week between 9 am and 6 pm and on Saturdays from 9 am to 3 pm. Smaller post offices are open from 9 am to 12 am and from 2 pm to 5 pm. Opening hours of offices are usually from Monday to Friday 9 am / 10 am to 4 pm /5 pm. Shops are open between 9 am and 7 pm on weekdays, on Friday even until 9 pm. Most of the bigger supermarkets are open until 8 pm and on Fridays also until 9 pm. The shops along the big shopping streets and some markets are even open on Sundays between 10 am and 5 pm.
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| Public holidays
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On the following days, most shops, banks and museums will be closed, and public transport is likely to be more limited.
1 January, New Year’s Day
5 April, Maundy Thursday
6 April, Good Friday
9 April, Easter Monday
1 May, Labour Day
17 May, Ascension Day
28 May, Whit Monday
15 August, Assumption Day
1 November, All Saints Day
11 November, Armistice Day
24 December, Christmas Eve
25 December, Christmas Day
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| Safety
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Belgium in general is a quite safe country and Antwerp in particular doesn’t present a high crime rate. Car theft is a common crime. Therefore don’t leave any belongings and valuables in the parked car. Usual precautions against pick pocketing and foray should be arranged even though the likelihood is smaller than in any big metropolis.
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