Georges Simenon, novelist (1903-1989)
Liège is a major city of Belgium and municipality located in the Walloon province of Liège.
Liège is the biggest and the most important metropolis of Wallonia, the French speaking part of Belgium. The Liège municipality includes the former communes of Angleur, Bressoux, Chênée, Glain, Grivegnée, Jupille-sur-Meuse, Rocourt, and Wandre.
History :
Although settlements already existed in Roman times, Liège was first recorded in writing in 558 as Vicus Leudicus. Around 705, Saint Lambert of Maastricht completed the conversion of the pagans in the region. He was, however, murdered in Liège, and was thereafter popularly regarded as a martyr. To enshrine St. Lambert's relics, his successor, St Hubert, built a basilica which became the true nucleus of the city, and near which the residence of the bishops would be located. A couple of centuries later, the city became the capital of a prince-bishopric, which lasted from 985 t
Trade and Commerce:
In the past, Liège was one of the most important steel-making centres in Europe. Starting in 1817, John Cockerill extensively developed the iron and steel industry. The industrial complex of Seraing was the largest in the world. It once boasted numerous blast furnaces and mills. Although now a mere shadow of its former self, steel production and the manufacture of steel goods remain important.
Liège has also been an important centre for gunsmithing since the Middle ages and the arms industry is still strong with the headquarters of FN Herstal. The economy of the region is now diversified, the most important centers are : Mechanical industries (Aircraft engine and Spacecraft propulsion), space technology, information technology, biotechnology but also production of water, beer or chocolate. A science park south east of the city, close to the University of Liège campus, concentrates many spin-off and some of the more high tech industries
|
