Why are the Netherlands , Belgium, and Luxembourg called Low Countries?
They are called the low countries, as in “Nederlands” (=low countries in Dutch) in Netherlands. In general we can say the elevation of these countries are at sea-level or just above. There are a few mountains in Belgium at 600 and 700 meters above sealevel, nothing impressive though. Historically : In 1549 the Emperor Charles V declared in his document “The pragmatic Sanction” that the territories that were united under the Burgundian ruler from now on would be not divisible and would be retained as a unity through heritage. He introduces the name Netherlands to seperate the territory from France and the german territory.
They are called low because the land, near the North Sea, is of low elevation, some of it being below sea level. This term is not so accurate in its application to Luxembourg, which does not border on the North Sea. Since you are on the Internet, how could you possibley NOT to find this by searching on ‘low countries’, which returns articles in Britannica Online, Wikipedia, etc. etc. etc. ?
