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===Low Countries===

===Low Countries===

See also [[Netherlands, history]]

See also [[History of the Netherlands]]

Historically, Belgium and the [[Netherlands]] were known as the Low Countries.  From the end of the Middle Ages until the middle of the sixteenth century, the Low Countries, and Flanders in particular, were  a prosperous center of commerce and culture. From the fourteenth century onward they were governed by Dukes of [[Burgundy]] and later by the [[Hapsburg]] emperor [[Charles V]]. From the middle of the sixteenth century until the [[Belgian revolution]] of 1830, Belgium changed hands several times. 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).  

Historically, Belgium and the [[Netherlands]] were known as the Low Countries.  From the end of the Middle Ages until the middle of the sixteenth century, the Low Countries, and Flanders in particular, were  a prosperous center of commerce and culture. From the fourteenth century onward they were governed by Dukes of [[Burgundy]] and later by the [[Hapsburg]] emperor [[Charles V]]. From the middle of the sixteenth century until the [[Belgian revolution]] of 1830, Belgium changed hands several times. 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).  

Belgium has been an independent state since 1830.

Belgium has been an independent state since 1830.

==Belgium independence==

==Belgium independence==

Following the French Revolution, Belgium was invaded and annexed by Napoleonic France in 1795. Following the defeat of Napoleon's army at the Battle of Waterloo, fought just a few miles south of Brussels, Belgium was separated from France and became the southern part of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands by the Congress of Vienna in 1815.<ref>see [http://www.zum.de/whkmla/region/lowcountries/neth18151830.html online maps 1830, 1839] </ref>  

Following the French Revolution, Belgium was invaded and annexed by Napoleonic France in 1795. Following the defeat of Napoleon's army at the Battle of Waterloo, fought just a few miles south of Brussels, Belgium was separated from France and became the southern part of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands by the Congress of Vienna in 1815.<ref>see [http://www.zum.de/whkmla/region/lowcountries/neth18151830.html online maps 1830, 1839] </ref>