Antwerp
the chief port of Belgium, and the capital of a province of the same name on the Scheldt, about 50 miles from the open sea. being completely surrounded on the land the open sea. It is strongly fortified, side by a semi-circular inner line of fortifications, the defenses being completed by an outer line of forts and outworks. The cathedral, with a spire 400 feet high, one of the largest and most beautiful specimens of Gothic architecture in Belgium, contains Rubens' celebrated masterpieces, the " Descent from the Cross," the "Elevation of the Cross," and "The Assumption." The other churches of note are St. James', St. An- The other drew's, and St. Paul's , all enriched with ANUS paintings by Rubens, Vandyke, and other masters. Among the other edifices of note are the exchange, the town hall, the palace, theater, academy of the fine arts, picture and sculpture galleries, etc.
The harbor accommodation is extensive and excellent. Antwerp's commerce before the World War was one of the THE CATHEDRAL AT ANTWERP, BELGIUM largest in Europe, though much of it annually. Antwerp is mentioned as early was transit. It exceeded $ 1,200,000,000 as the 8th century, and in the 11th and 12th it had attained a high degree of erlands and Spain greatly injured its prosperity. The wars between the Nethforces defeated the Belgian and British commerce. In August, 1914, the German it until the last of October, 1918. See troops defending the city and occupied WORLD WAR. Pop. about 400,000. The square miles in area; pop. about 1,000,province consists of a fertile plain 1,093 000. batrachians which lose the tail when they