Antwerp

Province of Belgium, part of the Dutch-speaking Flemish community and region, bounded to the north and northeast by the Netherlands, to the south by Flemish Brabant, to the southeast by Limbourg, and to the southwest by East Flanders; area 2,859 sq km/1,104 sq mi; population (1997 est) 1,635,600. Its capital is the city of Antwerp, one of the world's leading ports, and other major towns include Mechelen and Turnhout.

Physical The province is marked by coastal and interior lowlands. The Kempenland, to the north and east, is a sandy plateau area, drained and fertilized to produce potatoes, oats, and cattle feed. The Schelde River flows through the region.

Economy Major economic sectors include the chemical and metal-working industries, the diamond industry (the city of Antwerp is the world's leading centre for diamond cutting and dealing), and the shipping and transportation industries.