41. Belgium - History / Burgundian Period The ascension of Philip II to the Spanish throne in 1555 brought on the next crisis in belgium s history, as King Philip s strident Spanish Catholicism http://www.visitbelgium.com/bxhis03.htm

History Of Belgium Clickable Timeline The Burgundian Period Under Philip the Good (ruled 1419-1467), the Burgundian empire in Belgium expanded and began to flourish. Philip gained control of the southeastern areas, including Brussels Namur , and Liege . He suppressed the independence of the cities, brought them under central rule from Brussels, and consolidated the region's economy. Philip's reign brought new prosperity and, with it, a great era of cultural development. Painting especially reached new highs in the work of Robert Campin, the brothers van Eyck , and Rogier van der Weyden. After Philip's death, his rule over present-day Belgium passed first to Charles V. In the 1490s, as Bruges ' waterways to the sea gradually silted up, trade shifted further north and Antwerp emerged as the pre-eminent commercial city in the region By 1576, William's power in the north was virtually unchallenged, and he came to terms with the Spanish. The United Provinces, as the northern regions came to be known, struggled for the next seventy-five years to maintain their independence. The Catholic regions to the south remained faithful to Spain, becoming known as the Spanish Netherlands. In 1648, with the Treaty of Munster, the much-weakened Spanish not only recognized the independence of the United Provinces, but also agreed to close the Scheldt to navigation. As a result, Antwerp and Ghent , like Bruges before them, lost their predominance as the region's centers of trade. For the next several centuries, the Dutch port of Amsterdam would play that role.

42. Belgium -- Primary Documents history of belgium Primary Documents. Medieval Tournai ( 1602 ; Dutch-language transcriptions and datasets) Regelgeving in de Nederlanden. Historical Legal Sources from the Low Countries ( Flemish/Dutch transcriptions facsimiles and maps) Significant Resource! history of belgium under French Administration http://www.lib.byu.edu/~rdh/eurodocs/belgium.html

History of Belgium: Primary Documents Medieval Tournai (Historical Texts, Maps and Illustrations) Previously Unpublished Letters of Philip II Habsburg King of Spain. Including encounters with "los rebeldes de las islas de Holanda y Zelanda" (1592-1597, facsimiles). Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC) Dutch East Indian Company documents (1602- ; Dutch-language transcriptions and datasets) Regelgeving in de Nederlanden Historical Legal Sources from the Low Countries (1292 to the present; Flemish/Dutch transcriptions,facsimiles and maps) Significant Resource! History of Belgium under French Administration Includes letters of Flemish soldiers serving under Napoleon and other primary documents of the time. (1793-1813; Flemish and French transcriptions under "Documents") Ducat, Jean, Passagers Belges partis vers l'Amerique en 1856 A passenger list of Belgian emigrants to America From the Belgian-American Research Collection At the University of WisconsinGreen Bay. (1856; transcriptions) World War I Document Archive (pre-1914 - post-1918; translations and transcriptions) Major Resource The Belgian Grey Book "Diplomatic Correspondence Respecting the War."

43. Belgium, History Of The Territory belgium, history of the territory. Other topics on this site http://home-13.tiscali-business.nl/~tpm09245/terr/histterr.htm

Belgium, history of the territory Other topics on this site Dialects Old Written Dutch Provisional index 16th c The 17 Provinces County of Flanders with the French names of the districts County of Artois 16th century , Hainaut, subdivision into districts 16th century Map of the County of Namur bonnes villes 17th c map of the lands of Overmaas / Outre-Meuse map of the environment of the town of Limbourg-sur-Vesdre map of the Duchy of Limburg East Kreise annexation in the East 18th-20th c: Territorial history of the Kanton Sankt Vith Belgium: internal and external borderlines during WW I Last update: 2003-09-28 Euro-Support,Inc ., Mortsel

44. WWW-VL History Index Encyclopaedia Britannica; history of belgium 1579 Encyclopaedia Britannica. Prehistoric and Ancient Prèhistosite de Ramioul; Prehistorie http://www.ku.edu/history/VL/europe/belgium.html

WWW-VL: HISTORY Click here for The World-Wide Web Virtual Library (WWW-VL) central catalogue The WWW-VL search facility. Click Here to access the Mirror at Florence, Italy Click Here to access the Mirror at Lawrence, Kansas, USA Research Tools Maps Relief Historical maps Peeter Heyns, Le Miroir du Monde , Amsterdam 1598, based on Ortelius, [clickable maps: Brabantia, Flandria Maritima, Flandria, Flandria Imperialis, Flandris Liberae Territorium, Gives, Hornia, Lvczenburgum, Hannonia et Namur, Mechliniae Territorium, Wasia; posted by MATEO, Univ. Mannheim] Clickable Map to the Districts Comprising Limburg [in Dutch, from Het Rijke Verleden van Limburg] The Netherlands at the Death of Elizabeth - 1603 Map of the Netherlands 1702 Flanders and Brabant 1690-1696 Historical Maps of Brabant, from Jacob Aertsz, De Vyerige Colom ... De zuidelijke Nederlanden en Luik in de achttiende eeuw [southern Netherlands in 1648] Austrian Netherlands, 1792 Gazetteers Location of Cities and Towns [gazetteer of the parishes of Catholic Belgium] Language French French Dictionaries Tex's French Grammar French Language Course On-Line Flemish Vlaamse Woordenlijst [Flemish-Dutch] An Integral Dutch Course On-Line Bibliography and Internet Gateways Belgian Research Network Guide des resources disciplinaires sur le Web Belgian Government Library Web-Based OPACS ... Provincie Vlaams-Brabant Archives Texts Repositories of Primary Sources Archives in Belgium The VOC and Early Modern Maritime History in Archives and Libraries Archief Universiteit Gent ... Belgian State Archives [very large databank, downloadable, in French]

45. MapZones.com History belgium, history, Back to Top. belgium derives its name from a Celtic tribe, the Belgae, whom Caesar described as the most courageous tribe of Gaul. http://www.mapzones.com/world/europe/belgium/historyindex.php

Country Info Belgium Introduction Belgium General Data Belgium Maps Belgium Culture ... Belgium Time and Date Belgium History Back to Top Belgium derives its name from a Celtic tribe, the Belgae, whom Caesar described as the most courageous tribe of Gaul. However, the Belgae were forced to yield to Roman legions during the first century B.C. For some 300 years thereafter, what is now Belgium flourished as a province of Rome. But Rome's power gradually lessened. In about A.D. 300, Attila the Hun invaded what is now Germany and pushed Germanic tribes into northern Belgium. About 100 years later, the Germanic tribe of the Franks invaded and took possession of Belgium. The northern part of present-day Belgium became an overwhelmingly Germanized and Germanic-Frankish-speaking area, whereas in the southern part people continued to be Roman and spoke derivatives of Latin. After coming under the rule of the Dukes of Burgundy and, through marriage, passing into the possession of the Hapsburgs, Belgium was occupied by the Spanish (1519-1713) and the Austrians (1713-1794). Under these various rulers, and especially during the 500 years from the 12th to the 17th century, the great cities of Ghent, Bruges, Brussels, and Antwerp took turns at being major European centers for commerce, industry (especially textiles) and art. Flemish paintingfrom Van Eyck and Breugel to Rubens and Van Dyckbecame the most prized in Europe. Flemish tapestries hung on castle walls throughout Europe.

46. Bruges, History The history of Bruges begins around 2000 years ago. This historic date is now the feast day of the Flemish community in belgium. http://www.brugge.be/toerisme/en/historye.htm

A brief history of the city Tourism sights accommodation practical info surroundings + Zeebrugge The history of Bruges begins around 2000 years ago. At that time there was a Gallic-Roman settlement on the site of the city. The inhabitants did not live by agriculture alone, they also traded with England and the rest of Gaul. Around 270 the Germanic people attacked the Flemish coastal plain for the first time. The Romans probably still had a military fortification here at the end of the third century and during the fourth century. So it is very possible that Bruges was inhabited in the transition period to the early Middle Ages. When Saint Eligius came to spread Christianity in our area around 650, Bruges was perhaps the most important fortification in the Flemish coastal area. Around a hundred years later trade started with Scandinavia in Bruges. The name Bruges in fact comes from the Old Norse "Bryggja" which means landing stage. The name Bruges has appeared on documents and coins since the middle of the ninth century. At that time there was already a strong citadel in Bruges (the Burg). And the city was not plundered by the Norsemen. The overseas trade between Bruges and Scandinavia, the Norsemen's home, probably continued. So Bruges has a long tradition of international port activity. The oldest trade settlement of Bruges and the early middle age port was accessible from the sea until around 1050. The second area of occupation outside the Burg was close to the present day Steenstraat and the Oude Burg. It was here that the city grew fastest until around 1100. The two oldest parish churches in Bruges, the Church of Our Lady St.-Saviour's, were then at the edge of this district. They date from the ninth century.

47. Belgium/History - Encyclopedia Article About Belgium/History. Free Access, No Re encyclopedia article about belgium/history. belgium/history in Free online English dictionary, thesaurus and encyclopedia. belgium/history. http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Belgium/History

Dictionaries: General Computing Medical Legal Encyclopedia Belgium/History Word: Word Starts with Ends with Definition This is the history HIStory Album by Michael Jackson Released 1995 Recorded ? Length ? Record label Epic Records Producer ? Professional reviews Q 3 stars out of 5 January 2001 Robert Christgau Grade: ** Honorable mention link Rolling Stone 4 stars out of 5 (RS 714) Michael Jackson Chronology Dangerous HIStory Blood on the Dance Floor Click the link for more information. of Belgium Belgium België in Dutch, Belgique in French, and Belgien in German) is a country located in Western Europe, bordered by the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, France, and the North Sea. Belgium is at a cultural crossroad between the Germanic Europe (with Dutch speakers in the North, the Flemings) and the Romance Europe (with French speakers in the South), which is reflected in its complex institutions and political history. Click the link for more information. . See also the history of Europe For links to the history of individual countries in Europe see the end of this article. The origins Neanderthals settled Europe long before the emergence of modern humans

48. CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Belgium Information on the history, education, and cemeteries of the country. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02395a.htm

Home Encyclopedia Summa Fathers ... B > Belgium A B C D ... Z Belgium I. THE NAPOLEONIC ERA The victory of Fleurus, gained by the French army over the Austrian forces, 26 June, 1794, gave to revolutionary France At the beginning of the French rule, which was to last twenty years (1794-1814), religious conditions were not identical in the annexed countries. Religion was deeply rooted in what had formerly been the Austrian Netherlands. They had revolted in 1789 against the reforms of Joseph II, which were inspired by the spirit of sophistry. Jansenism, Febronianism , and Josephinism had gained but few partisans there; the University of Louvain was a bulwark of Catholic orthodoxy; even the Vonckist party, which in 1789 had been clamouring for political reforms, showed great respect for religion and had taken as its motto Pro aris et focis The Directory began by enforcing, one after another, the French revolutionary laws concerning monastic orders and public worship in Belgium. Religious houses, except those devoted to teaching or to the care of the sick, were suppressed; it was forbidden to wear an ecclesiastical garb; the clergy were forced to publish a declaration recognizing the people of France as the sovereign authority, and promising submission and obedience to the laws of the Republic; the communes were forbidden to contribute to the expenses of public worship and every external symbol of religion was prohibited. The Belgians stood firm, and the elections of the fifth year having shown an undeniable reaction of public opinion against the revolutionary spirit, the clergy appealed to the Five Hundred (

49. Belgium Maps, Pictures, History And More belgium. Click on a link below to find travel guides, embassy info, flags, maps, brief history, facts, and more. Please email us http://www.worldrover.com/country/belgium_main.html

Travel Books Used Books Bestsellers Search The Web! Search The Web! Search The Web! Search The Web! Free Travel Cheap Tickets Auction ... Make Money Belgium Click on a link below to find travel guides, embassy info, flags, maps, brief history, facts, and more. Please email us if you have any questions or suggestions. Search the Net for: Travel Guides source: CIA World Factbook 1999 Vital Statistics Brief History Embassy Info Travel Guides Search Net: Term Paper Search Net: Travel Free Clip Art w/ Flags! Slash your student loans 53%!! Thanks Uncle Sam!! home ... embassies

50. Travel In Namur - Belgium - History - WorldTravelGate.net® WorldTravelGate.net®Information about Namur,belgium,history,Gallery,Photos,restaurants,hotels,car rental,rentals,campings,travel agencies.! http://www.eurotravelling.net/belgium/namur/namur_history.htm

ADVERTISING INFORMATION Namur - History THE HISTORY OF NAMUR Namur, by Franks Hogenberg 1575 Namur was founded near the confluence of the rivers Meuse and Sambre. More precisely, the first settlement took place on the small plot of land exactly in-between the two rivers. This plot of land resembles a pig's head, hence the French name 'Grognon' (pig's head). A large, high and long rock situated between Meuse and Sambre served as an ideal outlook post from where the Meuse valley could be overlooked and controlled. During Roman times people settled on the left bank of the Sambre river. It became a busy cent re with a lot of blacksmiths and potters. Later, the first Christian churches were built in the small city. In the 10th century feudal power became important as was shown by the Donjon (fortified watchtower) that count Berengarius had constructed on top of the rock. During the 11th and 12th centuries the city continued to expand. New neighbo u rhoods were created and finally, by the end of the 15th century, the last city wall was completed.

51. Travel In Ghent (Gent) - Belgium - History - WorldTravelGate.net® WorldTravelGate.net®Information about Ghent (Gent),belgium,history,Gallery,Photos,restaurants,hotels,car rental,rentals,campings,travel agencies.! http://www.eurotravelling.net/belgium/ghent/ghent_history.htm

ADVERTISING INFORMATION Ghent (Gent) - History Arch a eological research has proved that there was human settlement in Gent during prehistoric times. Only later, in the Roman period, the nucleus of a city began to grow near the confluence of the two rivers Scheldt and Leie. (The name 'Gent' is probably derived from the Celtic 'Ganda', which meant confluence). It was around the year 630 that Gent continued to grow when the Abbey of Saint Peter (later Abbey of Saint Bavo) was founded. Later, a second abbey was founded on the so-called 'Blandijnberg'. It was around these two religious cent re s that a residential nucleus came into existence. This early city was important enough to create a 'portus' with commercial activity. Charlemagne gave it a fleet for protection against the Vikings. In both 851 and 879 the Vikings attacked and plundered the city. Shortly afterwards a first wooden fortification was built for better protection. It stood on the spot where now the impressive 'Castle of the Count' can be visited. From the 11th until the 12th century Gent rose to become an important trade cent re , especially because of the production of cloth based on the import of English wool. In 1178 Count Philip of Alsace granted Gent its first privileges. The same Count also transformed the wooden fortification into the impressive stone Castle of the Counts.

52. Belgium : History And Politics of relations between the communities has played a highly important part in recent Belgian history. Following four state reforms belgium was transformed into a http://www.btigerlily.net/BTBelgiumHistoryandPolitics.html

HISTORY AND POLITICS Belgium's independence (1830 - present time) At the Congress of Vienna, in 1815, Belgium (The Southern Netherlands) and the Northern Netherlands (Holland) were united to form one State. This new state was ruled by King William I. Although his policy was beneficial to the Belgian bourgeoisie, there was protest. The Catholics objected against the interference of the protestant king in clerical matters. The Liberals demanded more freedom. In 1828 Catholics and Liberals drew up a concerted programme of demands. The association between Catholics and Liberals was called unionism. After a series of incidents, the revolution erupted in Brussels in 1830. William I sent in his troops, but they were expelled on September 27th, 1830. The rebels received support from volunteers outside the city. Following this rising Belgium separated from the Northern Netherlands. A provisional government declared independence on October 4th, 1830. On November 3th of the same year, a National Congress was elected by an electorate of 30,000 men, who paid a given level of taxes or who had special qualifications. On February 7th, 1831 the national congress adopted a constitution which, for its time, was very progressive.

53. History Of Belgium --  Encyclopædia Britannica continued. belgium, history of Encyclopædia Britannica Article. history of belgium. MLA style history of belgium. Encyclopædia Britannica. 2004. http://www.britannica.com/eb/article?eu=118008&tocid=24973&query=auguste beernae

54. AllRefer Encyclopedia - Belgium : History : The Beginnings Of Belgium (Benelux P AllRefer.com reference and encyclopedia resource provides complete information on belgium history The Beginnings of belgium, Benelux Political Geography. http://reference.allrefer.com/encyclopedia/B/Belgium-history.html

AllRefer Channels :: Health Yellow Pages Reference Weather SEARCH : in Reference June 07, 2004 You are here : AllRefer.com Reference Encyclopedia Benelux Political Geography ... Belgium By Alphabet : Encyclopedia A-Z B Belgium, Benelux Political Geography Related Category: Benelux Political Geography Belgium u m] Pronunciation Key History- The Beginnings of Belgium Belgium takes its name from the Belgae, a people of ancient Gaul . The Roman province of Belgica was much larger than modern Belgium. There the Franks first appeared in the 3d cent. A.D. The Carolingian dynasty had its roots at Herstal , in Belgium. After the divisions (9th cent.) of Charlemagne's empire, Belgium became part of Lotharingia and later of the duchy of Lower Lorraine, which occupied all but the western part of the Low Countries In the 12th cent., Lower Lorraine disintegrated; the duchies of Brabant (see Brabant, duchy of ) and Luxembourg and the bishopric of LiEge took its place. The histories of these feudal states and of Flanders and Hainaut constitute the medieval history of Belgium. The salient development was the rise of the cities (e.g., Ghent, Bruges, and Ypres) to virtual independence and economic prosperity through their wool industry and trade. In the 15th cent., all of present Belgium passed to the dukes of Burgundy , who strove to curtail local liberties. Simultaneously the wool industry declined, mainly because of English competition.

55. AllRefer Encyclopedia - LiEge, City, Belgium : History (Benelux Political Geogra AllRefer.com reference and encyclopedia resource provides complete information on LiEge, city, belgium history, Benelux Political Geography. http://reference.allrefer.com/encyclopedia/L/Liege-cit-history.html

AllRefer Channels :: Health Yellow Pages Reference Weather SEARCH : in Reference June 07, 2004 You are here : AllRefer.com Reference Encyclopedia Benelux Political Geography ... LiEge, city, Belgium By Alphabet : Encyclopedia A-Z L LiEge, city, Belgium, Benelux Political Geography Related Category: Benelux Political Geography A growing trade center by the 10th cent., LiEge became the capital of the extensive prince-bishopric of LiEge, which included most of LiEge prov. and parts of Limburg and Namur provs. This ecclesiastical state, part of the Holy Roman Empire, lasted until 1792. The strongly fortified city, key to the Meuse valley, suffered numerous sieges in its history. In the Middle Ages, LiEge was a leading cultural center with important textile and metal industries. In the late Middle Ages it was torn by bitter social strife. In the 14th cent. the workers (organized in guilds) won far-reaching concessions from the nobles and the wealthy bourgeoisie and began to take part in the city's government. The episcopal functionaries were placed (1373) under the supervision of a tribunal of 22 persons, 14 of whom were burgesses. This Peace of the Twenty-Two remained, albeit with interruptions, the basic guarantee of the constitutional liberty of the inhabitants of LiEge until 1792. In 1465 the city became a protectorate of Burgundy; two years later, Charles the Bold, duke of Burgundy, abolished the citizens' communal liberties. The citizens of LiEge, encouraged by Louis XI of France, rose in rebellion, but Charles forced Louis to assist him in suppressing the revolt and then sacked the city (1468).

56. Atlas - Belgium Map belgium map and overview of history, culture, economy and currency. http://atlas.freegk.com/world/europe/belgium/belgium.php

Introduction People History Culture ... Communications Legal system Organization Provinces Disputes Belgium Introduction Back to Top Belgium (in French, Belgique; in Dutch, België), officially Kingdom of Belgium, constitutional monarchy in north-western Europe, bounded on the north by the Netherlands and the North Sea, on the east by Germany and Luxembourg, and on the south and south-west by France. With the Netherlands and Luxembourg, Belgium forms the Low, or Benelux, Countries. It is about 282 km (175 mi) long, from the south-east to the north-west, about 145 km (90 mi) wide, and is roughly triangular in shape. The area is 30,528 sq km (11,787 sq mi). The capital and largest city is Brussels, located in the centre of Belgium. Population 10,130,574 (1995 official estimate) Population Density 331 people/sq km (859 people/sq mi) Urban/Rural Breakdown 97% Urban 3% Rural Largest Cities Brussels 951,580 Antwerp 459,072 Ghent 227,483 (1995 estimates) Ethnic Groups 57% Flemings 32% Walloons 11% Other including Germans, Italians, Moroccans, French, Dutch, and Turks Languages Dutch, French, German Religions 80% Roman Catholicism 20% Other including Islam, Judaism, and Protestantism Belgium Provinces Back to Top 10 provinces (French: provinces, singular - province; Dutch: provincien, singular - provincie) and 1 region* (French: region; Dutch: gewest); Antwerpen, Brabant Wallon, Brussel* (Bruxelles), Hainaut, Liege, Limburg, Luxembourg, Namur, Oost-Vlaanderen, Vlaams-Brabant, West-Vlaanderen; note - the Brussels Capitol Region is not included within the 10 provinces.

57. Columbus World Travel Guide - Europe - Belgium - History And Government World Travel Guide belgium - history and Government - includes information on the constitution and politics. http://www.travel-guide.com/data/bel/bel580.asp

OAS_sitepage = URL + '/Europe/Belgium/HistoryandGovernment'; document.write('Research Belgium hotels at TripAdvisor'); Contact Addresses Overview General Information Passport/Visa ... Europe /Belgium BELGIUM History and Government History: In general, Belgium epitomises a stable, cautiously progressive Western European liberal democracy. The alliance with the Netherlands and Luxembourg became the Benelux Union in 1958, which in turn became one of the foundation stones of the European Community. The principal domestic problem is the continuing tension between the Flemish-speaking north and the French-speaking south of the country, whose inhabitants are known as Walloons. Electoral politics have been dominated by coalitions, as none of the four major parties – the Socialists (PS), Christian Social (CVP), Flemish Liberal Democrats (VLD) and Liberal parties (PRL) – have been able to attract sufficient support to establish a government on their own. In addition, there are several smaller parties that have a significant influence over the outcome of elections – the ecological parties, Ecolo and Agalev, and the extreme right-wing Flemish separatist party, Vlaams Blok. Coalitions of four or five parties governed Belgium throughout the 1990s. In 1992, Belgium lost its popular and long-serving Head of State when King Baudouin died; his brother, Prince Albert, then succeeded to the Belgian crown. In 1993, a new constitutional arrangement came into effect, under which Belgium became a federal state – now comprising the largely autonomous region of Flanders, Wallonia and the bilingual Brussels district. A complicated three-tier system of local government (regional, provincial and communal) now prevails.

58. WHKMLA : History Of Belgium, 1949-1969 EXTERNAL FILES, belgium history, from infoplease, encyclopedic, scroll down Leopold III, King of belgium, from Famous Belgians, encyclopedic; from Museum voor http://www.zum.de/whkmla/region/lowcountries/bel194969.html

Belgium 1949-1969 In 1950, a plebiscite approved for King Leopold to return, which he did. Yet the Belgian population was divided over the issue; he was resented by many; in 1951, the king abdicated in favour of his son, and King BAUDOUIN I. was crowned. BRUSSELS' importance as a European metropolis increased with the establishment of the EUROPEAN COMMISSION FOR COAL AND STEEL in 1951 and the EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY in 1957, which chose Brussels as its seat. When France withdrew from the military branch of NATO, NATO headquarters was also moved to Brussels (1967). Belgium released its colonies into independence (Congo-Leopoldville in 1960, Rwanda and Urundi in 1962). In both cases, transfer into independence was accompanied by violence - ethnic strife in Rwanda and Burundi, control over Katanga's mineral wealth the issue in the Congolese troubles. In domestic policy, the LANGUAGE ISSUE became more and more central. In 1965 the WALLOON PARTY was founded, changing its name into WALLOON RALLY in 1968. In 1968 the CVP/PSC (Christian People's Party) broke up in the Flemish CVP and the Walloon PSC, significant because it was the ruling party for much of the last two decades. Cabinets generally were short-lived; few lasted throughout a legislative period. In 1958 the WORLD FAIR was held at Brussels, the ATOMIUM being a lasting monument of the event. In 1956 Belgium and the Federal Republic of Germany signed a treaty of reconciliation.In 1963 German was introduced as language of administration in the eastern cantons (acquired in 1919). Belgian C. PIRE was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1958.

59. History Of Belgium belgium. history belgium has existed essentially in its present form since 1830, when an uprising led to independence from The Netherlands. http://www.worldrover.com/history/belgium_history.html

Search The Web! Search The Web! Search The Web! Search The Web! Free Travel Cheap Tickets Auction ... Make Money Belgium HISTORY Belgium has existed essentially in its present form since 1830, when an uprising led to independence from The Netherlands. The country's name goes back to a Celtic tribe, the Belgae, whom Julius Caesar described as the most courageous tribe in all of Gaul. The Belgae were overwhelmed, however, by Caesar's legions around 50 BC, and for 300 years the area was a Roman province. Some scholars believe that the southern part of Belgium was the northernmost area of true Roman cultural penetration, beyond which Latin never really took hold. The proto-Dutch language, spoken by the Frankish invaders who swept through the Roman Empire in the 4th century AD, took hold north of that line. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, life in the area centered on the quasi-independent trading and manufacturing townsGhent, Bruges, Antwerp, Liege, and othersthat rose out of the rubble left by the Viking ravages of northern Europe. After centuries of war and many accidents of

60. Map Zones - Belgium Map Learn about thecountry's language, geography, history, population, culture, currency, government, people, and economy. http://kids.mapzones.com/world/belgium/

Introduction People History Culture ... Communications Legal system Organization Provinces Disputes Belgium Introduction Back to Top Belgium (in French, Belgique; in Dutch, België), officially Kingdom of Belgium, constitutional monarchy in north-western Europe, bounded on the north by the Netherlands and the North Sea, on the east by Germany and Luxembourg, and on the south and south-west by France. With the Netherlands and Luxembourg, Belgium forms the Low, or Benelux, Countries. It is about 282 km (175 mi) long, from the south-east to the north-west, about 145 km (90 mi) wide, and is roughly triangular in shape. The area is 30,528 sq km (11,787 sq mi). The capital and largest city is Brussels, located in the centre of Belgium. Population 10,130,574 (1995 official estimate) Population Density 331 people/sq km (859 people/sq mi) Urban/Rural Breakdown 97% Urban 3% Rural Largest Cities Brussels 951,580 Antwerp 459,072 Ghent 227,483 (1995 estimates) Ethnic Groups 57% Flemings 32% Walloons 11% Other including Germans, Italians, Moroccans, French, Dutch, and Turks Languages Dutch, French, German Religions 80% Roman Catholicism 20% Other including Islam, Judaism, and Protestantism Belgium Provinces Back to Top 10 provinces (French: provinces, singular - province; Dutch: provincien, singular - provincie) and 1 region* (French: region; Dutch: gewest); Antwerpen, Brabant Wallon, Brussel* (Bruxelles), Hainaut, Liege, Limburg, Luxembourg, Namur, Oost-Vlaanderen, Vlaams-Brabant, West-Vlaanderen; note - the Brussels Capitol Region is not included within the 10 provinces.

A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z

Page 3     41-60 of 195    Back | 1  | 2  | 3  | 4  | 5  | 6  | 7  | 8  | 9  | 10  | Next 20