Antwerp
The province of Antwerp is situated in the Flemish region of Northern Belgium. The northernmost point of the country is here, on the border with the Netherlands. Antwerp is extremely densely populated and has more inhabitants than any other Belgian province. The landscape is absolutely flat and some zones around the frontier are even below sea level. Despite its distinctive urban character, the province possesses a large share of arable land, used mainly for fruit and vegetable production. A network of canals connected to the Scheldt River and copious cycling alleys cover the entire countryside, providing ideal alternatives for leisure and recreation. The principal city of the area is Antwerp, a settlement with more than 1,600 years of history, which was an important international cultural and commercial centre during the late Middle Ages. Nowadays it's known for its diamond trade and enjoys cult status as a fashion city. The choice of entertainment is striking, from sightseeing in the magnificent Old Town to visiting the Medieval castle De Steen, or the house-museum of the great painter Rubens.