Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Genk shopping experience:
1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Genk offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Genk at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.
2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about
3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Genk? Wrong! If the Genk is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.
4. Questions - Got a question about Genk then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....
5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Genk? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Genk and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.
6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Genk wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.
7. Feedback - happy with your Genk then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.
8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Genk site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site
9. Contact - got a question about Genk, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.
10. Payment - ready to pay for your Genk, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.
{{Infobox Belgium Municipality|name=Genk|picture=|picture-width=260px|picture-legend=|map=Genk Limburg Belgium Map.png|map-legend=Location of Genk in Limburg (Belgium)|arms=|flag=|region=|community=|province=|arrondissement=Hasselt|nis=71016|pyramid-date=01/01/2006|0-19=24.68|20-64=59.75|65=15.57|foreigners=14.02|foreigners-date=01/07/2005|mayor=Jef Gabriels (
CD&V)]|postal-codes=3600|telephone-area=089|web= www.genk.be|lat_deg=50|lat_min=58|lon_deg=05|lon_min=30-->
Genk is a city and Municipalities in Belgium located in the
Belgium Provinces of Belgium of
Limburg (Belgium) near
Hasselt. The municipality only comprises the city of Genk itself. It is one of the most important industrial cities in
Flanders, located on the Albert Canal, between
Antwerp and
Liège. Genk was recently voted the friendliest city in Europe by the SEA Tourist Commission.
History
Celtic and medieval origins
Genk probably originated as a Celtic village, and was converted to
Christianity in the
10th century. The remains of a little wooden church dating from that period were found in the area. The first mention of Genk as
Geneche can be found in a document dating from 1108, ceding the territory to the Abbey of Rolduc. Politically, Genk belonged to the County of Loon until it was annexed by the Prince-Bishopric of Liège in
1365.
20th century development
The village remained unimportant and small, growing slowly to a population of 2,000 around 1900. The peaceful village was the home of landscape painters and writers such as Neel Doff. In 1901,
André Dumont found a large quantity of
coal in the nearby village of
As (municipality). Soon after, the “Black Gold” was also found in Genk. After
World War I, the village started to attract a large quantity of both Belgian and foreign immigrants, and quickly became the biggest city in Limburg after Hasselt, peaking to a population of 70 000. However, in 1966 the coal mine of Zwartberg closed down, and Genk had to develop new industries, mainly along the
Albert Canal and highways. The most important nowadays is the Ford Motor Company factory.By the end of the
1980s, the two remaining coal mines of Winterslag and Waterschei were also closed.
Automotive industry
The production plant of
Ford Motor Company is the largest and most important employer in Genk today, employing some 5,000 people and building the Ford Mondeo sedan and hatchback, the
Ford_Galaxy#Second_generation_Galaxy_.282006_to_present.29 (second generation, from 2006 and onwards) MPV/minivan, and the Ford_S-MAX sub-MPV.
Genk today
Genk is now the industrial centre of Limburg, offering over 45,000 jobs, making it the third economical city in Belgium, and harbouring a population consisting of about 86 nationalities. In fact, one third of the population is of a foreign nationality. This mix of Belgian and Mediterranean (mostly
Italy,15000;
Turkey,4000; and
Greece,1000) culture makes Genk a true
multicultural society. In 2000, Genk officially became a city.
Sights
- The biggest tourist attraction of Genk is Bokrijk (http://www.bokrijk.be/eng/index.html), an open-air museum consisting of authentic relocated buildings (mainly dating from 17th till 19th century) from all over Flanders. In the summer season, historical Flanders comes alive in Bokrijk through numerous actors and re-enactment events.
- Also noteworthy are the old coalmines of Zwartberg, Waterschei and Winterslag, surrounded by huge black mountains of dug up soil and coal remnants. Some of the mine buildings and housing can be visited.
- Despite its industrial past and present, Genk is nicknamed The Green City. It sports a nature reserve called "De Maten", the large recreational area Kattevennen (with the Europlaneterium), Bokrijk, and several other green areas. In sunny weather, you may also want to pay a visit to the Sundial Park (Dutch language: Zonnewijzerpark).
Events
- Genk is the proud home of Motives Festival, an annual event taking place in November and celebrating "new sounds of jazz." Recent performers have included the fiery piano jazz of Esbjörn Svensson Trio, funky saxman Joshua Redman, and futuristic electronics wizard Leafcutter John. Another musical event, Genk on Stage, takes place during three days in the summer.
- Genk is also rich in tradition, with a colourful carnival taking place around Ash Wednesday, the May celebrations featuring the May Queen, a flowers parade and a huge fireworks finale, and finally the Saint Martin procession, in honour of Saint Martin of Tours, one of the most popular saints in Flanders.
Famous inhabitants
Sports
Genk's major football (soccer) club,
K.R.C. Genk, promoted from second division in 1996 and quickly became one of Belgiums top clubs. They finished first in the
Jupiler League in 1999 and 2002 and won the Belgian Cup in 1998 and 2000. Because of this success, the Cristal Arena (before: Fenix stadium) of KRC Genk (place for 25 500 supporters) has become an important centre of both sport and non-sport activities in recent years.
Twin city
External links
- Official website - Only available in Dutch language
- Official website of soccer club KRC Genk
- Official website of the Open-Air Museum Bokrijk
{{Infobox Belgium Municipality|name=Genk|picture=|picture-width=260px|picture-legend=|map=Genk Limburg Belgium Map.png|map-legend=Location of Genk in Limburg (Belgium)|arms=|flag=|region=|community=|province=|arrondissement=Hasselt|nis=71016|pyramid-date=01/01/2006|0-19=24.68|20-64=59.75|65=15.57|foreigners=14.02|foreigners-date=01/07/2005|mayor=Jef Gabriels (
CD&V)]|postal-codes=3600|telephone-area=089|web= www.genk.be|lat_deg=50|lat_min=58|lon_deg=05|lon_min=30-->
Genk is a city and Municipalities in Belgium located in the
Belgium Provinces of Belgium of Limburg (Belgium) near Hasselt. The municipality only comprises the city of Genk itself. It is one of the most important industrial cities in
Flanders, located on the
Albert Canal, between
Antwerp and
Liège. Genk was recently voted the friendliest city in Europe by the SEA Tourist Commission.
History
Celtic and medieval origins
Genk probably originated as a Celtic village, and was converted to
Christianity in the 10th century. The remains of a little wooden church dating from that period were found in the area. The first mention of Genk as
Geneche can be found in a document dating from 1108, ceding the territory to the Abbey of Rolduc. Politically, Genk belonged to the
County of Loon until it was annexed by the Prince-Bishopric of Liège in 1365.
20th century development
The village remained unimportant and small, growing slowly to a population of 2,000 around 1900. The peaceful village was the home of landscape painters and writers such as Neel Doff. In
1901, André Dumont found a large quantity of
coal in the nearby village of
As (municipality). Soon after, the “Black Gold” was also found in Genk. After World War I, the village started to attract a large quantity of both Belgian and foreign immigrants, and quickly became the biggest city in Limburg after Hasselt, peaking to a population of 70 000. However, in
1966 the coal mine of Zwartberg closed down, and Genk had to develop new industries, mainly along the Albert Canal and highways. The most important nowadays is the
Ford Motor Company factory.By the end of the
1980s, the two remaining coal mines of Winterslag and Waterschei were also closed.
Automotive industry
The production plant of
Ford Motor Company is the largest and most important employer in Genk today, employing some 5,000 people and building the Ford Mondeo sedan and hatchback, the Ford_Galaxy#Second_generation_Galaxy_.282006_to_present.29 (second generation, from 2006 and onwards) MPV/minivan, and the
Ford_S-MAX sub-MPV.
Genk today
Genk is now the industrial centre of Limburg, offering over 45,000 jobs, making it the third economical city in Belgium, and harbouring a population consisting of about 86 nationalities. In fact, one third of the population is of a foreign nationality. This mix of Belgian and
Mediterranean (mostly
Italy,15000; Turkey,4000; and Greece,1000) culture makes Genk a true multicultural society. In 2000, Genk officially became a city.
Sights
- The biggest tourist attraction of Genk is Bokrijk (http://www.bokrijk.be/eng/index.html), an open-air museum consisting of authentic relocated buildings (mainly dating from 17th till 19th century) from all over Flanders. In the summer season, historical Flanders comes alive in Bokrijk through numerous actors and re-enactment events.
- Also noteworthy are the old coalmines of Zwartberg, Waterschei and Winterslag, surrounded by huge black mountains of dug up soil and coal remnants. Some of the mine buildings and housing can be visited.
- Despite its industrial past and present, Genk is nicknamed The Green City. It sports a nature reserve called "De Maten", the large recreational area Kattevennen (with the Europlaneterium), Bokrijk, and several other green areas. In sunny weather, you may also want to pay a visit to the Sundial Park (Dutch language: Zonnewijzerpark).
Events
- Genk is the proud home of Motives Festival, an annual event taking place in November and celebrating "new sounds of jazz." Recent performers have included the fiery piano jazz of Esbjörn Svensson Trio, funky saxman Joshua Redman, and futuristic electronics wizard Leafcutter John. Another musical event, Genk on Stage, takes place during three days in the summer.
- Genk is also rich in tradition, with a colourful carnival taking place around Ash Wednesday, the May celebrations featuring the May Queen, a flowers parade and a huge fireworks finale, and finally the Saint Martin procession, in honour of Saint Martin of Tours, one of the most popular saints in Flanders.
Famous inhabitants
Sports
Genk's major football (soccer) club, K.R.C. Genk, promoted from second division in
1996 and quickly became one of Belgiums top clubs. They finished first in the
Jupiler League in
1999 and
2002 and won the
Belgian Cup in
1998 and 2000. Because of this success, the Cristal Arena (before: Fenix stadium) of KRC Genk (place for 25 500 supporters) has become an important centre of both sport and non-sport activities in recent years.
Twin city
External links
- Official website - Only available in Dutch language
- Official website of soccer club KRC Genk
- Official website of the Open-Air Museum Bokrijk
