Serving as the centre of administration for Europe, Brussels economy is largely service-oriented (see the map of Brussels). Brussels is dominated by regional and world headquarters of multinationals, by European institutions, by various administrations, and by related services, though it does have a number of notable craft industries, such as the Cantillon Brewery, a lambic brewery founded in 1900.

 

Brussels is known for its local waffle, its chocolate, its French fries and its numerous types of beers as its mentioned in the map of Brussels. The Brussels sprout has long been popular in Brussels, and may have originated there. The Brussels gastronomic offer includes approximately 1,800 restaurants, and a number of high quality bars. Belgian cuisine is known among connoisseurs as one of the best in Europe.

 

Brussels has had a renowned artist scene for many years (see the map of Brussels). The famous Belgian surrealist René Magritte, for instance, studied in Brussels. The city was also home of Impressionist painters like Anna Boch from the Artist Group Les XX. Brussels is also a capital of the comic strip; some treasured Belgian characters are Lucky Luke, Tintin, Cubitus, Gaston Lagaffe and Marsupilami.

 

The architecture in Brussels is diverse, and spans from the medieval constructions on the Grote Markt/Grand Place to the postmodern buildings of the EU institutions. Main attractions include the Grand Place/Grote Markt as you can seein the map of Brussels, since 1988 a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the Gothic town hall in the old centre, the St. Michael and Gudula Cathedral and the Laken Castle with its large greenhouses. Another famous Brussels landmark is the Royal Palace.