Netherlands

Netherlands, the north-west corner of the great north European plain, a triangular region between France, Germany, and the sea, lying mainly in the basins of the Scheldt, the Meuse, and the lower Rhine, is now divided into nearly equal parts between the kingdoms of Holland and Belgium. The official designation of Netherlands is retained by what we commonly call Holland (q.v.), and under that head the early history common to the two is discussed; while the history of the 'Spanish Netherlands' falls mainly under the head of Flanders (q.v.) and Belgium (q.v.). The history of the Dutch and Flemish language and literature will be found under HOLLAND.