At the Grand Place, the central square of Brussels, Belgium

 "I have only one goal and one desire, namely to give myself a practical instruction, to get to know the world and its inhabitants. There will come times when this knowledge will be of use to me."-- Prince Leopold II (in 1854, before he ascended to the throne of Belgium in 1865)

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(in Belgium's valley of the Senne River, a tributary of the Schelde) Brussels is the administrative, commercial, and financial heart of Belgium, and the majority of services and institutions of national importance are based in the city. In addition, Brussels is a major European tourist and cultural attraction, functioning simultaneously as a regional metropolis and an international center. In the latter role, it has flourished since the city became host to the European Community (ultimately succeeded by the EU) as well as to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) headquarters. Brussels’ magnificent Grand Place is one of the world’s most unforgettable urban ensembles. Rather hidden, the enclosed cobblestone square is only revealed as you enter on foot from one of six narrow side alleys. The focal point is the spired 15th-century city hall, but each of the antique guildhalls (mostly 1697–1705) has a charm of its own. (The Grand Place is indeed one of the world’s most beautiful squares.)