Low Countries Facts for Kids

The Low Countries as seen from space

The Low Countries is a special name for a region in Western Europe. This name was used a lot, especially during the Middle Ages. This area is found around the deltas of three big rivers: the Rhine, the Scheldt, and the Meuse (also called Maas).

Today, the Low Countries mostly include the modern countries of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg. Sometimes, parts of Lower-Saxony in Germany are also included. Even a small part of northern France, called the French Netherlands (Nord-Pas-de-Calais), can be considered part of this historical region.

The name of the Netherlands in Dutch is Nederland. This word literally means low country. The whole region was often called de Nederlanden, meaning "the Low Countries".

Why Are They "Low"?
A Look at History
Today: The Benelux Countries
Images for kids
See also

Why Are They "Low"?

The name "Low Countries" tells you a lot about the geography of this area. A big part of this region is very flat and lies at or even below sea level. This means the land is very close to the ocean.

Rivers and Deltas: The Rhine, Scheldt, and Meuse rivers all flow into the North Sea here. They create large deltas, which are flat areas of land formed by the rivers depositing sediment.
Living with Water: Because the land is so low, people in the Low Countries have always had to manage water carefully. They built many dikes (walls to hold back water) and polders (land reclaimed from the sea or lakes). This shows how clever people were to live in such a watery place.

A Look at History

The Low Countries have a long and interesting history. For many centuries, this region was a busy center for trade and culture.

Early History

Before they became separate countries, the Low Countries were often united under different rulers.

Burgundian Rule: In the late Middle Ages, much of the Low Countries became part of the Burgundian Netherlands. This was a powerful group of territories ruled by the House of Burgundy.
Habsburg Empire: Later, the region came under the control of the Habsburg family. This family ruled a huge empire across Europe. The Low Countries were an important part of their lands, especially because of their rich cities and busy ports.

The Eighty Years' War

A very important event in the history of the Low Countries was the Eighty Years' War (1568–1648). This was a long fight for independence.

Fight for Freedom: The northern parts of the Low Countries, which would become the Netherlands, fought against their Spanish Habsburg rulers. They wanted more freedom and to practice their own religion.
A New Country: This war eventually led to the creation of the independent Dutch Republic. The southern parts of the Low Countries (modern-day Belgium and Luxembourg) remained under Spanish rule for a longer time. This war truly shaped the map of Europe.

The Golden Age

After gaining independence, the Dutch Republic entered a period known as the Dutch Golden Age (roughly 17th century).

Trade and Art: During this time, the Netherlands became a world leader in trade, science, and art. Ships from the Low Countries sailed all over the world, bringing back goods and new ideas. Famous artists like Rembrandt and Johannes Vermeer created beautiful paintings during this period.

Today: The Benelux Countries

Today, the core of the historical Low Countries is formed by the three countries of Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg.

Benelux Union: These three countries formed an economic union called Benelux after World War II. The name "Benelux" is made from the first letters of their names: Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg.
Working Together: The Benelux union helps these countries work closely together on economic and political matters. It was one of the first steps towards the larger European Union we know today.

So, while the term "Low Countries" might sound old, it still helps us understand the shared history and geography of these important European nations.