Waterloo is a municipality in Walloon Brabant, a province in the Wallonia region of southern Belgium. As of 2011, the city had a population of 29,706 and covers an area of 21.03 square kilometers (8.12 square miles). Located with easy access to Brussels, Waterloo serves as both a residential area and a destination for visitors interested in early 19th-century European history.
The city is internationally known for its association with the Battle of Waterloo, fought on June 18, 1815, where forces led by the Duke of Wellington and Prussian General Blücher defeated Napoleon Bonaparte. Although the actual battlefield spans multiple communes including Lasne, Braine-l'Alleud, and Genappe, the battle is named after Waterloo because the victory dispatch was signed from the town's headquarters. The battlefield terrain remains largely preserved from the period of the battle. Key historical sites include the Butte du Lion, a monument topped with a sculpture reportedly made from abandoned French cannons, the Hameau du Lion visitor area, and the Wellington Museum.
Beyond its historical attractions, Waterloo offers visitors golf courses, walking and cycling paths, and proximity to the Forest of Soignies. The city has over 700 shops and boutiques, and is known for local food specialties including tarte au sucre (sugar pie) and Waterloo beer, brewed at the Saint-Jean farm, which served as a hospital during the 1815 battle. The town's central location makes it a practical base for exploring the wider Wallonia region.