SPA, BELGIUM
Hercule Poirot's Birthplace

   Spa is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Li�ge. It is situated in a romantic valley amid hills which form part of the Ardennes chain, some 35 km [22 miles] southeast of Li�ge, and 45 km [28 miles] southwest of Aachen. On 1 January , Spa had a total population of 10,568. The total area is 39.85 km�, giving a population density of 265.2 inhabitants per km�.

  
   As the famed site of healing , Spa has been frequented as a watering-place since as early as the 14th century. Though other sources of healing hot mineral springs have become famous throughout the world, it is the town of Spa which has become eponymous with any place having a natural water source that is believed to possess special health-giving properties. As a generic term, the word "spa" may also refer to a resort hotel � usually located near a source of mineral water or hot spring � which offers hot-tub or similar warm-water hydro-massage facilities.

   In 1918 the German Army established its principal Headquarters in Spa, and it was from here that the delegates set out for the French lines to meet Marshal Foch and sue for peace in the consultations leading up to the Armistice which ended the First World War.

   The town is perhaps best known today as home to the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, which hosts the annual Formula One Belgian Grand Prix. It is also the location of mineral water producer Spa.