In the line of the thread Greatest Japanese contribution to the world?, I'd like to start a new series of threads about other countries' contribution to the world. It's an interesting way to learn about the world, history and inventions. I will start with Belgium as it is a country I know well. Feel free to start similar threads about other countries you know well.
Here is already a list of Interesting facts about belgium. Here is a few works by famous Flemish painters
Just a few details to help you choose; the War Crimes Law is unique to Belgium and invokes the concept of universal jurisdiction to allow anyone to bring war crime charges in Belgian courts, regardless of where the alleged crimes have taken place. It came under strong criticism (and threats) from the Bush Administration after several cases were filed against GW Bush, Rumsfeld and others. Note that the International Court of Justice is in the Netherlands, and the European Court of Justice is in Luxembourg. Belgium had to have its own.
The Mercator projection was invented by the Flemish navigator Gerardus Mercator in 1569, and has been one of the most widely used world map projection since then.
Belgian comics are enormously popular in the Benelux, France and some other European countries, although they rarely make it outside Europe. Tintin has been translated into over 50 languages and is the most widely known Belgian comic in the world. However there are hundreds more, covering all genres like Japanese manga (although the style is very different from Japanese manga or American comics).
Chips (french fries) were supposedly invented in Belgium (at least that is what the Belgians claim - although there is a slight chance it could be from Northern France).
Here is already a list of Interesting facts about belgium. Here is a few works by famous Flemish painters
Just a few details to help you choose; the War Crimes Law is unique to Belgium and invokes the concept of universal jurisdiction to allow anyone to bring war crime charges in Belgian courts, regardless of where the alleged crimes have taken place. It came under strong criticism (and threats) from the Bush Administration after several cases were filed against GW Bush, Rumsfeld and others. Note that the International Court of Justice is in the Netherlands, and the European Court of Justice is in Luxembourg. Belgium had to have its own.
The Mercator projection was invented by the Flemish navigator Gerardus Mercator in 1569, and has been one of the most widely used world map projection since then.
Belgian comics are enormously popular in the Benelux, France and some other European countries, although they rarely make it outside Europe. Tintin has been translated into over 50 languages and is the most widely known Belgian comic in the world. However there are hundreds more, covering all genres like Japanese manga (although the style is very different from Japanese manga or American comics).
Chips (french fries) were supposedly invented in Belgium (at least that is what the Belgians claim - although there is a slight chance it could be from Northern France).
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I heard the government won't give them passports too. :sorry:
