Liège

Industrial city, capital of Liège province in eastern Belgium, southeast of Brussels, almost bisected by the River Meuse, and bounded on the east side by Germany; population (2006 est) 187,100. It is one of the largest river ports in Europe. Weapons, textiles, paper, and chemicals are manufactured here. The city has a university, founded in 1817, and several ancient churches; the oldest, St Martin's, dates from 692.

In the Battle of Liège, the city was heavily defended against German siege at the outbreak of World War I, but eventually fell after intensive artillery bombardment from Big Bertha guns and remained in German hands until the end of the war.

Liège

Province of eastern Belgium, including the French- and German-speaking communities of the Walloon region, bordered by Germany to the east, the Netherlands to the north, and the provinces of Limbourg, Flemish and Walloon Brabant, Namur, and Luxembourg to the west; area 3,900 sq km/1,506 sq mi; population (1997 est) 1,014,900. Its capital is the city of Liège. Other major towns include Verviers, Huv, Eupen, Spa, and Stavelot.

Physical The high plateau of the Ardennes rises in the southeast. The highest point of the province, and of Belgium, is the Botrange (694 m/2,277 ft). The fertile Hesbaye plateau is rich in phosphate and lime. The region is drained by the Meuse, Amblève, Ourthe, and Vesdre rivers.

Economy The centre of the Belgian wool industry is found in Verviers. Other major industries include steel, chemical and allied products, and sugar-beet refining. Agricultural production includes grains and sugar beet, and horse, cattle and pig breeding.

History For nearly a millennium, Liège was the centre of an independent bishopric, the prince-bishops collaborating closely with the Habsburg rulers in the Netherlands. In 1795, Liège was annexed by France. In 1815 it was given to Holland, and it became a province of Belgium in 1830. The inhabitants are mainly Walloons. In 1920 the districts of Eupen and Malmedy were ceded to Belgium by Germany and incorporated into the province of Liège, forming what is now the centre of the German-speaking community in Belgium.