Antwerp has long been an important city in the Low Countries, both economically and culturally, especially before the Spanish Fury in the Dutch Revolt. It is also known as the “diamond capital” of the world for its large diamond district. The city hosted the 1920 Summer Olympics.

The inhabitants of Antwerp are nicknamed Sinjoren, after the Spanish honorific señor or French seigneur, “lord”, referring to the Spanish noblemen who ruled the city in the 17th century. Today Antwerp is a major trade and cultural centre and is the world’s 2nd most multi-cultural city (after Amsterdam) home to 170 nationalities.