The Benelux Countries 16.3

Benelux NE Europe Belgium The Netherlands Luxembourg First letters of each: Benelux a.k.a. low countries 26.1 million people

Land from the Sea Human interaction: brought back 1/5 of land from the North Sea

Technology Creates Land 2000 years ago: mounds and stone walls to keep land dry Romans Built dikes-embankments of earth and rock

Technology Creates Land Dutch used dikes and pumped water to canals Polder—reclaiming land from sea 1200 Windmills to power the pumps New land for farming and cities 1/3 country below sea level Standing in a polder field, you can see ships passing by in canals that run alongside the land

Making Good Use of the Land High population density Dutch have learned to make the best possible use of their land ½ of land use for farming Fertilize and use modern ag methods Huge arc shaped metropolis area: The Hague, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, and Utrecht Utrecht Rotterdam The Hague Amsterdam

Advantages of Location Rotterdam and Amsterdam important ports

Belgium Two ethnic groups 30% Walloons French speaking 55% Flemish Speak Flemish- dialect of Dutch

Belgium 1830 independence Tense ethnic relations French: official language Govt and Universities spoke French Flemings couldn’t hold government office or attend school 1898 decentralized govt into 3 regions Flanders, Brussels, and Wallonia

Luxembourg 990 square miles Smaller than Rhode Island Existed for 1000 yrs Has close cultural ties with Germany, France, and Belgium

Luxembourg 3 languages: French German Luxembourgish Among highest standard of living in Europe Economy High-tech films Service industries