The Benelux Countries 8 th Grade Geography Mrs. Reed via Mrs. Barker

Objectives  How were the Benelux countries influenced by larger countries?  What is the region’s culture like?  What are the Benelux countries like today?

Benelux Countries  Belgium  Netherlands  Luxembourg

History  Original inhabitants were Celtic and Germanic tribes.  They were conquered and occupied by the Romans and later Charlemagne.  Thus, the region was ruled alternately by French rulers and the Holy Roman emperor.

Holy Roman Emperor

History  In 1555, the Holy Roman emperor presented the Low Countries to his son, King Philip II of Spain.  Around 1570, the Protestants of the Netherlands won their freedom froma Spanish rule.

King Philip II of Spain

History  Soon after, the Netherlands became a great naval power.  Belgium was ruled by France and the Netherlands, but by 1830 Belgium had broken away and become an independent state.

World Wars  Both world wars scarred this region.  Major battles of WWI were fought on Belgium soil.  During WWII, Germany occupied the Low Countries.

Battles of WWI

German Occupation WWII

Nato  In 1949, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg were founding members of NATO.  Why did they help to establish NATO after WWII?  What is NATO?

NATO Flag

Government  Today, all three countries are part of the EU.  Also, each of the three countries is ruled by a parliament and a monarch. The monarch’s duties are mostly ceremonial.  Why do these countries retain a monarchy?

Culture  The people of Luxembourg and Belgium are mostly Roman Catholic.  The Netherlands is more divided among Catholics, Protestants, and those who have nor religious ties.  The Benelux countries are also home to immigrants from Asia and Africa.

Netherlands

Language  Dutch is the language of the Netherlands.  Flemish is a language related to Dutch that is spoken in Flanders, and northern Belgium.  Belgium’s coast and southern interior are called Wallonia and speak French.  How does this make sense considering their history?

Wallonia-Near France

Language  In the past, cultural differences between Flemish and Walloons have produced conflicts in Belgium.  Today street signs and other notices are often printed in both Flemish and French.

 The Lowlands of West-Central Europe experience a marine west coast climate.  Belgium and the Netherlands, the Northern European plain dip below sea level.  The region’s food include dairy products, fish, and sausage.

 Belgians claim that they invented french fries, which they eat with mayonnaise.  The Netherlands and Belgium have been world leaders in fine art.  In the 1400s and 1500s, Flemish artists painted realistic portraits and landscapes.

City Hall in Antwerp

 Dutch painters like Rembrandt and Jan Vermeer experimented with different qualities of light.  In the 1800s, Dutch painters Vincent van Gogh portrayed southern France with bold brush strokes and bright colors.

Exports-Resources  The Netherlands is famous for its flowers, particularly tulips.  Belgium and the Netherlands export cheese, chocolate, cocoa.  The Netherlands and Belgium are major- cutting centers.  The Netherlands also imports and refines oil.

Belgium Chocolates

 Luxembourg earns much of its income from services such as banking.  The region also produces steel, chemicals, and machines.  Cosmopolitan cites are centers of international businesses and government.

 What are the Benelux countries like today?