Brussels Periphery

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Situation of Brussels in Belgium and the EU
The former arrondissement of Brussels-Periphery within the province of Flemish Brabant.

The Brussels Periphery (Dutch: Brusselse Rand, i.e. the "Brussels Rim", or Vlaamse Rand, i.e. the "Flemish Rim", or just De Rand, "the Rim"; French: périphérie bruxelloise) refers to the 19 municipalities of the Flemish Region which are located around the Brussels-Capital Region.

Due to their proximity to Brussels, these municipalities have been urbanised and the housing prices are high. As a consequence, a lot of well-paid people working in e.g. EU institutions reside here. Another issue, very sensitive in Belgian politics, is the frenchification of this area. These municipalities are legally unilingually Dutch, although 6 municipalities have language facilities for French-speakers, namely Drogenbos, Kraainem, Linkebeek, Sint-Genesius-Rode, Wemmel and Wezembeek-Oppem. Other municipalities include Asse, Beersel, Dilbeek, Grimbergen, Hoeilaart, Machelen, Meise, Merchtem, Overijse, Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, Tervuren, Vilvoorde and Zaventem.

Each year, De Gordel ("the belt"), a family walking and cycling event, is organised in this area as a symbolic affirmation that the municipalities involved are part of Flanders.

See also

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