BELGIUM, LUXEMBOURG, GERMANY, FRANCE

BELGIUM

Belgium is considered to be a RELATIVELY YOUNG nation because it did not achieve independence from its Dutch overlords until the year 1830. It wasn't until 1919 that its current-day borders were first established. The country is split down the middle by the Meuse River Valley. Plains that are level and fruitful and extend all the way to the ocean can be found to the north. In the 16th century, a thriving textile industry emerged in and around cities like Bruges, which is still well-known for the production of lace. Other cities in the region also benefited from this growth. The region surrounding the Ardennes Mountains, which are found to the south, is characterized by its poor soil and scattered farmland.

BRUSSELS

Brussels serves as the political and economic hub of Belgium. It's also a major metropolis on the international stage. Since its inception, Brussels has served as the Benelux bloc's nerve center, tasked with overseeing all of its members' international affairs. The city is now home to the EU's centralized language bureau.

Languages 

There are three recognized languages in Belgium. French is spoken among those who live in the southern part of the country along the border with France. The Flemish people north of Brussels speak a Dutch dialect called Flemish. Language of official use in the far east is German. French is the most widely spoken language in Brussels, however Dutch is also widely spoken.

Industry

Belgium's traditional heavy industries, such as steel production and coal mining, are experiencing a period of stagnation or decline. They are being supplanted by more contemporary businesses such as the manufacturing of chemicals and electrical equipment (as seen in the image to the right), in addition to service industries such as banking and administration. The service industry is currently the primary source of income for a majority of Belgians.

LUXEMBOURG

The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is a small country stuck between Germany, France, and Belgium. It is known as a center for international banking and finance, and its quality of life is the best in all of Europe. Even though Luxembourg is a small country, it is very important to the rest of the European Union. There are also the headquarters of other important EU organizations, such as the European Court of Justice and the European Parliament.

GERMANY

One of the world's wealthiest countries is Germany, which can be found in the middle of Europe. In its present form, Germany is also one of Europe's younger countries. After WWII, Germany was divided into two countries; the western-style democracy of West Germany and the communist state of East Germany. In 1990, East and West Germany were joined to form a single nation. Currently, efforts are being made to reverse the communist era's environmental and economic damage to the region's eastern half.

Before they go to primary school, young German children go to nursery school. When a child turns 10, they are sent to either a Gymnasium, a Hauptschule, or a Realschule (vocational school). The focus of these last two types of schools is on teaching technical skills.

STATES OF AMERICA

A unified Germany exists since 1871. The region was once divided into a number of independent states. A federal system of government, similar to that of the United States, is still in place in Germany, and the country is divided into 16 states called Länder (seen on the left). Local issues, such as education, are handled by the respective Land's state government. Even today, many Germans have a strong sense of regional affiliation, putting their identity as Bavarians ahead of their national identity.

Environment

Following the success of the Green Party in Germany, people there have a much greater appreciation for the value of protecting the environment. German automakers have been pioneers in installing catalytic converters and using lead-free fuel in an effort to reduce pollution. Most residences have a minimum of three trash cans, one each for recyclable, organic, and non-biodegradable waste.

THE SETTING

A wide variety of landscapes may be seen in Germany, from the flat, fertile plains of the north to the snow-capped peaks of the Bavarian Alps, as shown here. Located in the southwestern part of the country, the Black Forest is a stunning natural wonder that gets its name from the dark coniferous trees that grow there.

LAKES AND STREETS IN THE SUBUBS

Germany's extensive network of canals and rivers plays a crucial role in the country's logistics. Barges are a common sight on waterways like the Rhine, which are used to convey goods across Germany and the rest of Europe. The Oder River is an important passageway for goods traveling from eastern Germany into Poland. When traveling over land, Germans can take use of the excellent highways and the fast, efficient rail network.

RELIGION

Martin Luther was a monk from Germany who, in the 16th century, posed a challenge to the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church in Germany and taught his own interpretation of Christianity. Reformation is the name given to the movement that he led, and those who followed him were known as Protestants. His campaign was most successful in the portion of northern Germany that is still predominately Protestant. This region is located in the Baltic states. Southern Germany is known for its strong Catholic presence.

SPORTS

The country of Germany has produced some of the best athletes in the history of the globe, such as the tennis great Boris Becker, the Schumacher racing twins Michael and Ralf, and Katja Seizinger. While you were skiing Soccer was watched by more spectators than any other sport in Germany. The West German team had an incredible amount of success, as evidenced by their repeated victories at the World Cup. The first time a unified German team competed at a major tournament was in the 1992 European Cup.

"NEW GERMANS"

As the German economy grew, more people needed to work. In the 1960s, a lot of workers from Turkey and the country that used to be Yugoslavia came to Germany. Their lives have not been easy. Even though they have helped German society, they have been discriminated against and denied citizenship. Since 1990, more than a million people who speak German from eastern Europe have moved to the United States.

OUR ECONOMY

As a result of the extensive reconstruction and modernisation that took place in Germany's industrial sector in the decades following World War II, the country now ranks among the most industrialized on the planet. This success can be attributed in large part to the nation's thriving industrial sector. Automobiles manufactured in Germany include Volkswagen, Mercedes, and BMW, and the country is also a world leader in the production of trucks, ships, and electrical equipment. These items are then sold in other nations after being transported there.

THE VALLEY OF THE RUHR

The Ruhr Valley is not only Germany's most densely populated but also its most industrialized and heavily populated region. It is also home to a number of important towns and cities. In the nineteenth century, this region's enormous coal deposits were brought to light. As a consequence of this, the area developed into a leading hub for the manufacture of iron and steel, which is an essential component of Germany's automobile industry. In the beginning, coal was extracted from areas of the coalfield that were quite close to the surface. The seams have now been stretched to their breaking point. The majority of mining activity is currently concentrated on northern mines that are deeper.

The extraction of coal

The Ruhr is home to not only black coal but also brown coal production, making it one of the greatest coalfields in the world (lignite). Since brown coal can be discovered on the surface, deep mines like this one are required to extract black coal for processing. The Ruhr region is currently coping with significant challenges. As new sources of fuel are discovered and existing coal supplies are depleted, a significant number of people lose their jobs.

FRANCE

The largest country in Western Europe, France also has the Mediterranean island of Corsica as part of its territory. Spectacular natural borders with adjacent nations are formed by the Pyrenees to the south and the Alps to the east. Both of these mountain ranges are located in France. The Loire, the Rhône, and the Seine are just a few of the rivers that are absolutely necessary for the transportation of goods and the irrigation of crops. Monaco and Andorra are the two states that are the farthest south.

LANDSCAPE

The landscape and climate change dramatically as one travels from the north to the south of France. The central part of the country is dominated by the steep hills of the Massif Central, while the gently undulating farmland in the north of France experiences chilly and wet weather. The southern region of Provence is characterized by the dry, pleasant climate and fields of lavender that are characteristic of the Mediterranean region.

HISTORY OF THE FRENCH

Throughout the course of several hundred years, the nation of France was ruled by kings and queens. They constructed some of the most exquisite homes and castles in the world along the Loire River, such as Chenonceau. The Revolution of 1789 washed away all of this, making it obsolete. After the monarchy was destroyed, both King Louis XVI and his queen, Marie Antoinette, were executed by having their heads publicly severed. 1792 saw the establishment of a republic in France. Even though there have been some attempts here and there to bring back the monarchy, France is still a republic.

The world has been influenced by French fashion, cuisine, and culture. France is a major industrialized country and a founding member of the European Union, and it is also quite influential in international affairs. Since the end of World War II, the nation has emerged as Europe's leading producer and exporter of agricultural products, with its primary exports being wheat, sugar beets, sunflower seeds, apples, and grapes used to make wine. The TGV, the fastest train in the world with a top speed of 320 mph (515 km/h), is found in France.

TOWN OF CULTURE

Paris, which is situated on the banks of the Seine River, serves as both the nation's capital and the epicenter of its political life. Paris, which is home to iconic tourist attractions such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Notre Dame Cathedral, is consistently ranked among the top travel destinations in the world. In addition, there are a great deal of retail establishments, restaurants, and cultural institutions. Each year in the spring, the most renowned fashion designers from across the world gather in Paris to show off their most recent works of art.

INDUSTRY

France, which is often regarded as one of the most industrialized nations on the planet, is at the forefront of global competition in the fields of engineering and technology. The nation also possesses significant manufacturing, steel, and chemical industries. The country is a large producer of automobiles as well as aircraft, such as this Airbus, which is constructed in the city of Toulouse. The significant nuclear industry in France is responsible for the generation of more than 75% of the country's electricity. Every year, millions of tourists partake in tourism activities, which in turn generate significant revenue for the economy.

FRANCE'S FOODS

Due to the great range of climates and landscapes that exist in France, the country is able to produce a wide variety of dishes as well as excellent wines. There is a cuisine that is uniquely representative of each location. For instance, the region of Central France is famous for its boeuf bourguignon, which is meat that has been cooked in red wine, but the city of Marseille on the Mediterranean coast is famous for its bouillabaisse (fish soup with garlic). In addition to its many cheeses, France is famous for its breads and pastries, such as the croissants, as well as its wine.

MAKING WINE

France is responsible for more than a fifth of the world's wine production, and the country is dotted all over with vines. Wine is made from the juice of grapes that appear black or white due to their skin color. Historically, grape juice was made by stomping on the freshly picked grapes, but today's methods are far more refined. Fermentation is one of the processes in winemaking, and it occurs when natural yeast on the grape skin reacts with the sugar in the fruit. Grapes are pressed using a state-of-the-art machine.

\n IMMIGRATION

There are approximately 6 million immigrants living in France, the vast majority of whom are Muslims who emigrated from Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria, which were all formerly French holdings in North Africa. In quest of employment opportunities, individuals from Spain, Italy, and Poland travel to Poland. Problems such as discrimination, unemployment, and a lack of sufficient housing are regularly encountered by immigrants.

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