Flemish facts for kids
Flemish refers to several things connected to a special part of Belgium called the Flemish Region. This region is often known as Flanders. When you hear the word "Flemish," it usually means something about the people, the language, or the culture of this area.
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What Does Flemish Mean?
The word "Flemish" can describe different things, all linked to the northern part of Belgium. It's important to know which meaning is being used.
The Flemish Region (Flanders)
The Flemish Region is one of the three main parts of Belgium. It's located in the northern part of the country. This region is often called Flanders. It has its own government and capital city, which is Brussels. However, Brussels is also the capital of Belgium and a separate region itself.
Geography and Cities
Flanders is mostly flat and has a coastline along the North Sea. It is known for its beautiful historic cities. Some of the most famous Flemish cities include Antwerp, Ghent, and Bruges. These cities are famous for their old buildings, canals, and rich history. Many tourists visit them every year.
Government in Flanders
The Flemish Region has its own parliament and government. They make decisions about things like education, culture, and local economy for the people living in Flanders. This helps manage the specific needs and interests of the region.
The Flemish Language
The Flemish language is actually a variety of the Dutch language. It is spoken mainly in the Flemish Region of Belgium. People in the Netherlands also speak Dutch, but there are small differences in accent and some words between the Dutch spoken in Flanders and the Dutch spoken in the Netherlands. Think of it like the differences between American English and British English.
Where Flemish is Spoken
Flemish Dutch is the official language in the Flemish Region. It is also spoken by many people in Brussels. A small number of people in northern France and a part of the Netherlands also speak dialects closely related to Flemish.
The Flemish People
The Flemish people are an ethnic group who mostly live in the Flemish Region of Belgium. They share a common history, culture, and speak the Flemish variety of Dutch.
Flemish Culture and History
Flemish culture is very rich and has a long history. It is famous for its art, especially from the Flemish Primitives period. Famous artists like Jan van Eyck and Pieter Bruegel the Elder were Flemish. The region also has a strong tradition of delicious food, like waffles, fries, and chocolate. Throughout history, Flanders has been an important center for trade and craftsmanship in Europe.
Related pages
Images for kids
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Map showing the historical dialects spoken in the Low Countries. This map does not portray dialect zones of the modern Dutch language family, wherein Dutch and Flemish are distinct varieties of Dutch.
