East Flanders
East Flanders is a province in the northwestern part of Belgium. It's surrounded by the provinces of West Flanders to the west, Flemish Brabant and Antwerp to the east and Hainaut to the south. East Flanders also shares a border with the Netherlands. Like the rest of Northern Belgium, the whole area is occupied by endless plains, crossed by numerous interconnected roads and cycling alleys. The monotony of the landscape is balanced out by the exceptional diversity of cultural heritage. Particularly noteworthy is the principal city, Ghent. One of the richest cities in Europe during the Middle Ages, it boasts a spectacular old quarter with splendid churches, palaces and squares. The whole historical centre is protected by UNESCO and declared a car-free zone. The boisterous nightlife and cosmopolitan cuisine attract thousands of tourists, as do the plentiful music and film festivals.