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Benelux is an economic union comprising three neighbouring monarchies, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. The name is formed from the beginning of each country's name. It is a precursor of the European (Economic) Union and as such, borders here have been 'open' for many more years than in the rest of the EU.

[edit] Countries

Netherlands

Belgium

Luxembourg

[edit] Cities

• Amsterdam
• Brussels
• Luxembourg (city)

• Antwerp
• Liège
• Rotterdam
• The Hague

[edit] Other destinations

[edit] Understand

Luxembourg and the East of Belgium is a hilly area, but the rest of the area is what is known as the the Low Countries; this is the delta of the rivers Scheldt, Meuse, Rhine and Ems. Originally swamp land, enterprising fishermen discovered a flair for trade when trading routes started to emerge between the grain markets of the Baltic Sea and the renaissance-bitten luxury goods markets of northern Italy. Here is where stocks were invented.

This attention to trade made Bruges one of the largest cities in Europe in its day, and the mediaeval town is still well preserved. When the secession war with Spain progressed, French and Flemish alike fled to Amsterdam, which became the new world capital of trade, which is still witnessed in the many 'Houses of the Lords' lining the famous canals.

[edit] Talk

Dutch (or Flemish) is the main language in the Netherlands and in the north of Belgium (Flanders) and is also spoken in bilingual Brussels. French is the main language in Brussels and in the south of Belgium (Wallonia). On the east side of Belgium there are a few German speaking communities. Luxembourg has three official languages: Luxembourgish, French and German. Many, especially in the Netherlands, speak English. Frisian is spoken in Friesland (Netherlands).

[edit] Get in

[edit] Get around

[edit][add listing] See

Much of the swamp land in the Low Countries has been reclaimed, resulting in some of the largest water works in the world, and in other attractions such as the wind mills of the Kinderdijk in Zuid-Holland (South-Holland). Much has not been reclaimed, resulting in interesting biotopes, such as the 'Zwin' on the coast of Belgium and the area around the 'Waddenzee' in the North of the Netherlands.

[edit] Itineraries

[edit][add listing] Do

• You will find white-water canoeing in Luxembourg and the East of Belgium.

• There are some excellent golf courses in Luxembourg and the East of Belgium.

• Rent a bike and explore Amsterdam.

[edit][add listing] Eat

• Try Moules et frites - Belgium's answer to fish and chips.
• Try speculaas, the famous Dutch cookies.
• Belgian chocolate is some of the best on the planet.
• Eat the Dutch almond fingers, rich with sugar and marzipan.

[edit][add listing] Drink

• Try the famous Belgian brewed beers!

[edit] Stay safe

[edit] Get out

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