East Belgium (Ostbelgien) is the German-speaking community of Belgium, a narrow strip of territory bordering Germany and Luxembourg that was ceded to Belgium after the First World War. About 78,000 people live here and German is the official language, though French and Dutch are widely understood.
The landscape is hilly and forested, part of the High Ardennes plateau, with several reservoirs — the Lac de Barrage de la Vesdre and Lac de Barrage des Robertville are the largest — used for sailing, kayaking, and swimming in summer. In winter, the higher ground around the Signal de Botrange (the highest point in Belgium at 694 metres) gets enough snow for cross-country skiing. The main town and regional capital is Eupen.
The area is worth a day or two for the walking, the quiet villages, and the good food — the cooking here leans more German than Belgian, which makes for hearty meals.