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WESTERN EUROPE

BENELUX COUNTRIES Belgium, The Netherlands and Luxombourg. WESTERN EUROPE. THE NETHERLANDS. “God made the world but the Dutch made the Netherlands”– Descartes Human Environment interaction is very important to this region The North is bordered by the North Sea. . LAND RECLAMATION.

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WESTERN EUROPE

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  1. BENELUX COUNTRIES Belgium, The Netherlands and Luxombourg WESTERN EUROPE

  2. THE NETHERLANDS • “God made the world but the Dutch made the Netherlands”– Descartes • Human Environment interaction is very important to this region • The North is bordered by the North Sea.

  3. LAND RECLAMATION • Started over two thousand year ago • Build low mounds surrounded by stone walls to damn off the sea • Romans conquered built more sophisticated dikes

  4. LAND RECLAMATION • The reclaimed land was a called a polder • About 1/3 of the land is below sea level • Many times people will be looking up at ships as they pass by their land on the polder

  5. Dikes and Polders • 8 Year Process • Year 1-2 Earth dikes are built around an area of wate rand the water is drained away • Year 3-6 A mat of woven twigs is laid across the land. Planes sow seeds of reeds that grow through the mat. • Year 7 Reeds are burned, and ashes are plowed into the soil. • Year 8 Polder is used for farming and settlement.

  6. Belgium • Belgium is a product of cultural convergence • 30 % of people speak French (Walloons) • 55% speak Flemish (Dutch or Flemings) • Gained independence from the Netherlands in 1830

  7. Belgium • French was the official language after independence was gained • All government and universities used the official language • Tensions grew between the Walloons and the Flemish

  8. A Plan for Peace • 1898 Flemish also became an official language • In Recent years the Belgian Parliament passed new laws to decentralize the government • Power is now held in the 3 regions: Wallonia, Flanders and Brussels

  9. Luxembourg • Luxembourg 990 square miles (smaller than Rhode Island) • 1000 years of history • Close ties with Germany, France and Belgium • 3 major languages: French, German and Luxembourgish • Has one of the highest standards of living in Europe • Steel and High tech industries drive the economy

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