Antwerp is the largest city in Belgium after Brussels, as well as an important seaport. It lies within the province also know as Antwerp. Its most famous industries are diamonds and fashion.

It is believed that the name of the city comes from the word aanwerp, an old word for a muddy river embankment – this is where it is thought the city was first settled. There is evidence of habitation here from several centuries BC. By medieval times the city had become a significant stronghold of the Holy Roman Empire. Then, by the 1300s, Antwerp had taken full advantage of its prime position on the coast to become an important European trading city.

Antwerp hit hard times, though, when the turmoil caused by the Reformation led to a slump in the economy. However, despite this it retained a flourishing cultural scene, producing many excellent artists and other intellectuals.

Captured by Napoleon and ruled from France from the end of the 1700s to the start of the 1800s, the city saw an enormous expansion of its port, which the Emperor took advantage of due to its closeness to England. The city still remains an important seaport to this day.