Belgium For Foreginers

1. Alain Coumont, a young chef in Brussels opened a small bakery in Brussels, where he made bread with traditional old techniques, because he could not find the right bread for his restaurant. The bakery was located in rue Antoine Dansaert, and it opened in 1990. Alain Coumont named his bakery...

Le Pain Quotidien, which later became an international chain operating in many countries around the globe.

Le Saint-Aulay, named after a small town in the Dordogne where Coumont did his apprenticeship.

Le Pain Antoine Dansaert, which was later on bought by bakery Le Paul.

2. The first supermarket ever opened in Belgium on 18 December 1957 was:

Colruyt

Les Mousquetaires

Delhaize

3. King Albert II of Belgium is married to:

An Italian princess

Daughter of a Walloon Count of Belgian noble family and female line descendant of Polish noble families

Paola, Queen of the Belgians, was born in Tuscany. She is the child of Prince Ruffo di Calabria, 6th Duke of Guardia Lombarda.

It is Willem-Alexander, the heir to the throne of the Netherlands who married an Argentinian.

It is the son of King Albert II, prince Philippe, who is married to daughter of a Walloon Count of Belgian noble family and female line descendant of Polish noble families.

Explanation

Paola, Queen of the Belgians, was born in Tuscany. She is the child of Prince Ruffo di Calabria, 6th Duke of Guardia Lombarda.

It is Willem-Alexander, the heir to the throne of the Netherlands who married an Argentinian.

It is the son of King Albert II, prince Philippe, who is married to daughter of a Walloon Count of Belgian noble family and female line descendant of Polish noble families.

4. Who was Eugène Flagey?

Mayor of Ixelles from 1935 to 1953.

The architect who designed Maison de la Radio building, which now hosts Flagey cultural centre.

A Romanian and French playwright and dramatist, and one of the foremost playwrights of the Theatre of the Absurd.

5. Baudouin of Belgium was one of the most popular monarchs of the 20th century. Which of the following facts with regards to his passing is true?

King Baudouin was succeeded by his son, who became King Albert II.

In truth 500,000 people (5% of the population of Belgium) turned up to pay their respects during viewing of the body organised at the Royal Palace.

King Baudouin was succeeded by his by his younger brother, who became King Albert II. King Baudouin did not have children.

Explanation

In truth 500,000 people (5% of the population of Belgium) turned up to pay their respects during viewing of the body organised at the Royal Palace.

King Baudouin was succeeded by his by his younger brother, who became King Albert II. King Baudouin did not have children.

6. AND FINALLY: Why is 21 July Belgium's National Day? :)

On July 21st 1830 Belgium gained independence by breaking away from the Netherlands.

On July 21st 1831, the National Congress adopted a constitution .

Belgium gained independence from the Netherlands in 1830 but the National Day is linked to the events in 1831. The National Congress adopted a Constitution in February 1831. Today we are celebrating Leopold swearing his allegiance to the Belgian constitution.

Explanation

Belgium gained independence from the Netherlands in 1830 but the National Day is linked to the events in 1831. The National Congress adopted a Constitution in February 1831. Today we are celebrating Leopold swearing his allegiance to the Belgian constitution.

7. We all drink it, but how much do we know about the traditional Belgian beer? Lambic is a type of Belgian beer, brewed using one of the oldest brewing techniques – spontaneous fermentation. Which of the following statements about Lambic is NOT true?

Lambic refermented in the presence of sour cherries and with secondary fermentation in the bottle is called Faro.

Lambic refermented in the presence of sour cherries and with secondary fermentation in the bottle is called kriek.

Explanation

Lambic refermented in the presence of sour cherries and with secondary fermentation in the bottle is called kriek.

8. Comic books! Which of the following is NOT true?

French-speaking Belgium is the world's biggest producer of comics per capita.

Even Japan has less comic makers per square kilometer then Belgium.

Explanation

Even Japan has less comic makers per square kilometer then Belgium.

9. Which of the following facts about Belgian chocolate is NOT true?:

The world's biggest chocolate selling point is in Brussels National Airport.

Jean Neuhaus invented the pralines chocolate in Brussels in 1912.

Belgium produces 110,000 tones of chocolate per year i.e. 11kg of chocolate per inhabitant annually.

Belgium produces 220,000 tones of chocolate per year i.e. 22kg of chocolate per inhabitant annually.

Explanation

Belgium produces 220,000 tones of chocolate per year i.e. 22kg of chocolate per inhabitant annually.

10. Which of the following is true?

Belgium has the second highest income tax in the EU.

Belgium has the highest income tax in any OECD country.

Belgium has the third highest income tax in Europe.

Average income tax in Belgium is even higher than in Sweden.

Explanation

Average income tax in Belgium is even higher than in Sweden.

11. Equality & freedoms in Belgium: TWO of the following FOUR statements are true. Which ones?

Belgium was the first country in the world to ban forced marriage.

Possession of up to 3 grams of cannabis is legal in Belgium.

Belgium is the first country in the world that grants most citizenships.

Belgium is the country to have the highest proportion of female ministers (55%).

Belgium is the second country in the world that grants most citizenships. The first one is Canada. Belgium was the second country in the world to ban forced marriage, not the first one. All other statements are true.

Explanation

Belgium is the second country in the world that grants most citizenships. The first one is Canada. Belgium was the second country in the world to ban forced marriage, not the first one. All other statements are true.

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