Antwerp's total population is 466,203 (as of January 2007) and its total area is 204.51 km², giving a population density of 2,280 inhabitants per km². Antwerp has long been an important city in the nations of the Benelux both economically. It is located on the right bank of the river Scheldt, which is linked to the North Sea by the Westerschelde.Origin of name According to folklore, and as celebrated by the statue in front of the town hall, the city got its name from a legend involving a mythical giant called Antigoon who lived near the river Scheldt. He exacted a toll from those crossing the river, and for those who refused, he severed one of their hands and threw it into the river Scheldt. Eventually, the giant was slain by a young hero named Brabo, who cut off the giant's own hand and flung it into the river. Hence the name Antwerpen, from Dutch hand werpen-akin to Old English hand and wearpan (= to throw), that has changed to today's warp.

The historical Antwerp had its origins in a Gallo-Roman vicus civilization. Excavations carried out in the oldest section near the Scheldt, 1952-1961, pottery and fragments of glass.Antwerp was the headquarters of Edward III during his early negotiations with Jacob van Artevelde.

• Taste Antwerp Culinary Festival - August (annual)
  In August, there are many kind foodies show on the Grote Markt square in the historic town centre of Antwerp for the three-day Antwerp Taste Festival. Twenty-five renowned restaurateurs and caterers offer tasty titbits of their own creation, at very democratic prices.Well-established names alongside up-and-coming talent pitch up luxurious tents on and around Antwerp's Grote Markt. This is the perfect opportunity to sample traditional Belgian cuisine.
• Antwerp Summer Festival - August (annual)
  The Antwerp Summer Festival (Zomer van Antwerpen) stages varied productions and performances including installations, outdoor movies, theatre, dance and music from around the world. Much of the festival is free.Spectators enjoy a feast of music from around the world and thematic open-air movies against the stunning background of the quays of the River Scheldt. The pick of the international new circus scene, visual-theatre pieces, and dance.
• Open-Air Ice Skating - 7 December - 6 January (annual)
  Every year at Christmas time the city of Antwerp sets up a skating rink in the Grote Markt, the large square by the west porch of the cathedral (Europe's tallest Gothic church). The awe-inspiring backdrop makes for a unique turn around the ice, while the lively cafes nearby offer the chance to warm up afterwards with a hot cup of coffee.
• Antique Market - 1 March - 31 October Saturday only (annual)
  Every Saturday from Easter through to October antique dealers and tourists crowd the street that runs alongside the Cathedral of Our Lady in Antwerp's Historic Centre. Although you are unlikely to find any real bargains at the antique market, this is a good place to pick up a more unusual souvenir. Don't be afraid to haggle.
• Eurantica Antwerp Antiques Festival - May (annual)
  The Fair offers high-quality collections of furniture, paintings, jewellery and objects of art. The fair attracts around 20,000 visitors, with some 150 exhibitors from the UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium.
• Jazz Middelheim - 17 August (annual)
  Jazz Middelheim's organisers decided to bring jazz to a wider audience by transposing the genre from late-night smoky bars to open fields in the afternoon. The world-class performers have been invited to Antwerp. See a performance from Dirk Swartenbroeckx, perhaps better known as Buscemi, who since 1989 has been pleasing crowds with Latin-influenced beats, with a dash of bossa and jazz thrown in for good measure.
• Antwerp Beach Festival - 15 June - 15 September (annual)
  The "Antwerp Beach" is a long stretch of golden sand in the docks south of the city centre, offering sports and cultural activities.For visitors who just want to chill, there are terraces with comfy sun loungers, an open-air cocktail bar, uninterrupted views of the River Schelde, plus a wide range of food.
• Antwerp Opera - August (annual)
  You will love the atmosphere in the Operahouse.Antwerp has a very nice opera house. It wasbuild turn of the century , beautiful balconies , such a nice ceiling. People really dress up to go to the opera.That is not so in all the cities in Belgium.If you like to wear those 1920's dress and pearls , go ahead. If your eyebrows are extravagant long , enjoy and fit in. If you love to wear moroccanmoccasins with silver on top and gold , feel free.

• T ANTWAARPS GENOT - Cuisine: Belgian
  You can ask the restaurant and ask for the weekly menu.We will serve you the Belgian cuisines as your interest. A various Belgian cuisine waiting for your a great taste.Our restaurant give you all information of the dishes.
• T BRANTYSER - Cuisine: French - Oriental
  We give you the quality of food ,service and atmosphere as possible as we can do. Good taste,Great drink! The The content, as well as the quotations for quality, service and atmosphere are a reproduction of your findings and we do not represent .We also have a big variety of wines and very good service
• T KARVEEL - Cuisine : French - International
  You enter visit and find out the menu of French and International cuisines.We will serve you the menu you interest .Then you will taste the good food and wine in the great atmosphere of both indoor and outdoor.
• Crystal
  It uses only the best products and the menu list is updated regularly as well as the chef's suggestions. A daily changed lunch menu and the authentic service is suitable for a large (business) audience. A separate and well ventilated smokers lounge with an assortment of Dominican and Havana cigars, specialWhiskies, a glass of Champagne will ensure a complete dining experience.
• WOK A WAY - Chinese
  This fast food Chinese restaurant is a good place for lunch. You order and pay your food at the desk next to the entrance. Take a seat at the counter and wait for your meal to pass by on a conveyor belt.Favorite Dish: Dim Sum or Sushi (chicken, fish or veggie) different vegetables, chicken, fish or tofu and a sauce (sweet, medium or hot)
• Sjalot & Schanul (Vegetarian) - Health Food
  A nice little restaurant and fruit & vegetable shop where you can eat delicious salads and healthy sandwiches. They serve breakfast and lunch.Directions: Behind the 'Grote Markt', take the street next to the tourist info and at the end of the street go left.
• T BRANTYSER - Eclectic/International
  This pub/restaurant is a 16th century old building situated on a little car-free square. They serve f.e. snacks, salads, wok meals. For veggies, there is also a small but delicious choice.Favorite Dish: Vegetarian salad Address: Hendrik Conscienceplein 7

• Het Steen - History
  Het Steen is a historic medieval castle in the old city center of Antwerp, Belgium, one of Europe's biggest ports. Built in 1200 - 1225, Het Steen is Antwerp's oldest building.Previously known as Antwerp Castle, Het Steen gained its current name in around 1520, after significant rebuilding under Charles V. "Het Steen" (The Stone). The Dutch word "Steen" means "stone", and is used for "castle" or "fortress".The castle made to control the access to the Schelde, the river that flows through Antwerp.
• Antwerp Zoo - Zoo
  Antwerp Zoo (Dutch: Zoo van Antwerpen) is a zoo in the centre of Antwerp, Belgium located right next to the Antwerpen-Centraal railway station. It is the oldest animal park in the country, established on July 21, 1843.This also became the popular nickname for the zoo ""De Zoologie"". The initial objective was to encourage zoological and botanical sciences. The first director was renowned zoologist and botanist Jacques Kets (November 10, 1785-February 1, 1865). He accepted this position on one condition: a museum had to be built to house his nature-historical collections. In 2007 the Antwerp Zoo has won a price as the 'most romantic and best preserved 19th century zoo', because of the beautiful garden and old architecture like the Egyptian temple (1856), Bird house, Aquarium, Reptile house, Hippo house and more. "
• Plantin-Moretus Museum - History
  The Plantin-Moretus Museum is a museum in Antwerp, Belgium. It is located in former residence and printing establishment, Plantin Press, at the Friday Market. In 2002 the museum was nominated as UNESCO World Heritage Site.The Plantin-Moretus Museum possesses an exceptional collection of typographical material. Not only does it house the two oldest surviving printing presses in the world and complete sets of dies and matrices, it it also has an extensive library, a richly decorated interior and the entire archives of the Plantin business.
• Royal Museum of Fine Arts, Antwerp - Arts
  The Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Antwerp founded in 1810, houses a collection of paintings, sculptures and drawings from the fourteenth to the twentieth centuries. This collection is representative of the artistic production and the taste of art enthusiasts in Antwerp, Belgium and the Northern and Southern Netherlands since the fifteenth century.Entrance to the MuseumThe neoclassical building housing the collection is one of the primary landmarks of the Zuid district of Antwerp.
• Zuid (Antwerp) - Fashionable Area
  The Zuid ("South") in Antwerp, is a currently fashionable area of Antwerp. it has an attractive street plan and a few Art Nouveau buildings, such as the former Volkshuis (or Maison du Peuple) on the Volkstraat, the Rudolf Steiner school. Three museums, numerous commercial art galleries, fashionable cafes and restaurants, two arts' centres and a sprinkling of up-market shops add to the attractions of the area. Antwerpen Zuid (Antwerp South) came into being as a distinct with the demolition of the Citadel or Zuidkasteel, which was originally built by the Spanish occupier. Demolition works were started in 1874. The street plan was approved by Royal Decree in 1875. It is said to have been inspired by Haussman, giving rise to the nickname "Le Petit Paris". Work was started on the excavation of the Zuiderdokken (Southern Docks) in the same year. The area was developed over the next 25 years, with most of the major public buildings being completed in the final decade of the century.
• Jewish Community of Antwerp - Community
  Jewish community of Antwerp consists of around 22,000 Jews. The majority of those who choose to identify themselves as Jewish belong to the traditional or orthodox streams, although levels of practice vary. Its main attraction for its close proximity to the diamond bourse, where in earlier days a large part of the community worked. It is also where the Jewish schools, kosher food outlets and general Jewish amenities are located.A new group of Jewish immigrants started to settle in Antwerp in the early 16th century. The current Jewish community of Antwerp was officially established in 1816, when there were about one hundred Jews living in the city. This, the first legally recognized community, was known as the Jewish Community (Communaute Israelite).
• Boerentoren - Skyscraper
  The Boerentoren (English: farmers' tower) is the second tallest building of Antwerp (after the Cathedral of Our Lady). It measures 97 meters and was the first skyscraper of the European continent, remaining the highest until the 1950s. The construction of the building was completed in 1931 and was 87.5 meters high back then. Due to restorations it now measures 97 meters. The building is in Art-deco style and was designed by Jan Van Hoenacker.A skyscraper is a tall, continuously habitable building.
• Cathedral of Our Lady (Antwerp) - Catherdal Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal, or the Cathedral of Our Lady, Antwerp, was started in 1351 and, although the first stage of construction was ended in 1521, has never been 'completed'. In Gothic style, its architects were Jan and Pieter Appelmans. It contains a number of significant works by the Baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens, as well paintings by artists such as Otto van Veen, Jacob de Backer and Marten de Vos.The cathedral is on the list of World Heritage Sites.Its one finished spire is 123 m high, the highest church tower in the Benelux.