Questions and Answers
What are the Benelux countries?
What is unique about the Netherlands?
The entire western side of the country is bordered by the North Sea.
What did people two thousand years ago do in the Netherlands?
They built low mounds and surrounded them with stone walls to make dry islands to farm on.
What is a polder?
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How does the Dutch use the land?
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How do the Dutch make good use of their location on the North Sea?
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How is Belgium so diverse in languages?
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Why was there tension between the Walloons and Flemings after Belgium gained independence?
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How did the Belgian government amend the language issue?
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How is Luxembourg independent despite its cultural ties?
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How has economic activities in Luxembourg changed?
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Study Notes
Benelux Countries Overview
- Benelux comprises Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg, located in northwestern Europe.
- Belgium and the Netherlands rank as the most densely populated nations in Europe.
Unique Features of the Netherlands
- Entire western boundary is bordered by the North Sea.
- One-fifth of Dutch land is reclaimed from water through land reclamation efforts.
Historical Land Management in the Netherlands
- Two thousand years ago, inhabitants built mounds and stone walls to create dry islands for farming.
- Romans constructed dikes in the area to manage water levels.
Understanding Polders
- A polder is created by surrounding land with dikes and using canals to pump out water.
- Since the 1200s, windmills powered water removal, with nearly one-third of the country lying below sea level.
Land Use in the Netherlands
- Approximately half of the land is dedicated to agriculture, either for crop production or pasture.
- Efforts are in place to protect farmlands from urban expansion, particularly in the Randstad metropolis.
- Reclaimed land is being flooded to maintain its natural environment.
Economic Importance of Ports
- Rotterdam and Amsterdam serve as critical ports, enhancing trade relationships.
- Rotterdam's strategic position near Europe's largest inland waterway facilitates global trade connections.
Linguistic Diversity in Belgium
- Belgium features significant linguistic diversity, with 30% identifying as Walloons speaking French and 55% speaking Flemish (a Dutch dialect).
Historical Tensions in Belgium
- Post-independence in 1830, the exclusive use of French created barriers for Dutch-speaking Flemings in government and professional sectors.
Government Reforms in Belgium
- Flemish was recognized as an official language in 1898 to address linguistic disparities.
- The government has since decentralized authority to regions, including Wallonia, Flanders, and Brussels.
Luxembourg's Cultural Ties and Independence
- Luxembourg shares cultural connections with Germany, France, and Belgium, while maintaining independence.
- The population speaks three languages: French, German, and Luxembourgish (a German dialect).
Economic Evolution of Luxembourg
- Luxembourg is characterized by one of the highest living standards in Europe; once reliant on steel manufacturing.
- The economy has diversified into high-tech sectors and services, resulting in decreased steel production.
- As a European Union member, Luxembourg benefits from trade with other EU countries.
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Description
Test your knowledge about the Benelux countries, consisting of Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg. This set of flashcards covers unique facts and geography related to this fascinating region in northwestern Europe.
