FRANCE AND THE BENELUX COUNTRIES

Chapter 12 Section 2

France

The largest country in Western Europe Economy

Based on agriculture and manufacturing Most people work in the service industry: Tourism 2nd largest food exporter in the world

The People “Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity”- Motto Strong sense of national loyalty French Speaking 90% Roman Catholic

Government Known as the Fifth Republic Elected leaders Headed by a President who is elected for a

5 year term 60 million people live in France

¾ of them live cities Paris is the capital and has a population of

more than 10 million

The Benelux Countries

Benelux ‘BE’ = Belgium ‘NE’ = Netherlands ‘LUX’ = Luxembourg

Most of their people live in cities and enjoy a high standard of living

All are Parliamentary democracies with a Constitutional Monarchy

Belgium

About the size of Maryland Trade and Manufacturing center Mainly Roman Catholic Two Culture Groups

Flemings in the north speak Flemish Walloons in the south speak French

Brussels is the capital and largest city

The Netherlands

½ the size of Maine One of the most densely populated countries in the world

It is sometimes called Holland and the people are called the Dutch

Nearly half of this country is below sea level Dikes and banks are built to hold back the sea

Most people work in service industries, manufacturing, and trade

90% of the people live in cities Capital and largest city is Amsterdam Language is mainly Dutch but moist speak English as well Religion is Catholic

Luxembourg

S.E. of Belgium lies one of Europe’s smallest countries

About 55 miles long and 35 miles wide Very prosperous country

Many multinational companies have their HQ here

The people are multilingual Luxembourgian, French – law, and German

– newspapers