|
|
|
|
|
¡¡ ¡¡ |
Geography & Statistics Please click here for a full listing of the geography and statistics for the region. History of the Region This region has been in constant transience for most of its early and middle years, with one nation controlling it only to be replaced by another. The area is rather small, so it took until 1648 when the Dutch took control of the area from the Spanish and established a lasting autonomous kingdom. The Dutch were one of the most important nations in the early years of the age of exploration and imperialism, and their trading routes would not be matched until the mid 1700¡¯s when the British fleet became the dominant navy. Napoleon invaded the country in the early 1800¡¯s, decreasing Dutch control over its colonies, and halting trade for a short time, a slump that the Netherlands would not recover from for many years. Belgium was recognized in 1839 by the Netherlands as a separate nation, gaining independence but without much global significance. The World Wars would also wreak havoc on the Dutch and Belgium trade networks such that by the end of WWII, they had lost almost all their colonial holdings, yet would quickly regain their positions as two of the world¡¯s leading trading nations. Belgium and Luxembourg had made a common trading agreement so that all trade in both nations was conducted jointly. By siding with the U.S. and the other capitalist democracies in the Cold War against the communist nations, the three nations were able to capitalize on the influx of trade the U.S.¡¯s trade agreements brought in. All three countries remain, to this day, centers of trade, being fully industrialized and globalized, and trading all over the world by importing machinery, textiles, metals and food products, and exporting automobiles, chemicals, plastics, and petroleum products. Politics Luxemburg, Belgium, and the Netherlands are located in what is considered central Europe. Netherlands itself, as a constitutional monarchy, is a founding member of the EC (now known as the EU or the European Union). Because of an invasion during World War II, Netherlands has also become a founding nation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The Netherlands is highly dependent on outward trade and is noted for its stable economy, relatively good growth rate (at 4%; better than that of many of the nations in the European Union). Because of its stability economically and its role as a transportation hub, the Netherlands has been host to a lot of direct investments by other companies and countries. The Future and Beyond This trio of countries, as members of the European Union, all share a common economic position: their economies predominately depend on the success of the EU in general as well as the success of the global market. The Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg all suffered a downturn during 2001-2003 trend of economic stress. Much of the region specializes in manufacturing and trade and are generally rich in natural resources, with the exception of Belgium, who must import raw materials heavily. Additionally, the Netherlands is experiencing complications in managing their budget, as well as compensating for a decrease in domestic demand and poor price competition. The region as a whole possesses a rather stable economic position, and future growth depends on the prosperity of the global market, but more importantly the US and EU. |
a |
Did you know? The Netherlans is about twice the size of New Jersey ¡¡ |
 |
|||
¡¡
