Atlas of Belgium

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Wikimedia Commons Atlas of the World The Wikimedia Atlas of the World is an organized and commented collection of geographical, political and historical maps available at Wikimedia Commons. Discussion • Update the atlas • Index of the Atlas • Atlas in categories • Other atlases on line

The introductions of the country, dependency and region entries are in the native languages and in English. The other introductions are in English.

Atlas-country Belgium

België Belgique Belgien Nederlands België - Koninkrijk België Het Koninkrijk België is een West-Europees land begrensd door de Noordzee in het westen, Nederland in het noorden en noordoosten, Duitsland in het oosten, Luxemburg in het zuidoosten en Frankrijk in het zuiden. Français Belgique - Royaume de Belgique Le Royaume de Belgique est un pays de l'Europe de l'Ouest ayant une frontière commune avec les Pays-Bas, l'Allemagne, la France et le Luxembourg. Il est bordé au nord-ouest par la mer du Nord. Il s'étire sur une distance de 318 kilomètres entre Ostende et Arlon. Deutsch Belgien - Königreich Belgien Das Königreich Belgien ist eine föderal organisierte parlamentarische Monarchie in Westeuropa. Es grenzt an die Niederlande, Deutschland, Luxemburg, Frankreich und an die Nordsee. English Belgium - Kingdom of Belgium The Kingdom of Belgium is a country in northwest Europe bordered by the ► Netherlands, ► Germany, ► Luxembourg and ► France and is one of the founding and core members of the European Union. Belgium is divided into three federal autonomous regions: ► Flanders, ► Wallonia and ► Brussels. Short name  Belgium Official name Kingdom of Belgium Status Independent country since 1830, recognized 1839, member of the ► European Union since 1957 Location Western Europe Capital Brussel (Brussels) Bruxelles Brüssel Population 11,492,641 inhabitants Area 30,528 square kilometres (11,787 sq mi) Major languages Dutch, French, German (all official) Major religions Roman-Catholic More information Belgium, Geography of Belgium, History of Belgium and Politics of Belgium More images Belgium - Belgium (Category).

General maps

Kaart van België Carte de Belgique (en néerlandais) Karte Belgiens (niederl.) Map of Belgium (in Dutch)

Carte de Belgique (en français) Kaart van België Karte Belgiens (franz.) Map of Belgium (in French)

Map of Belgium (in English) Kaart van België Karte Belgiens (engl.) Carte de Belgique (en anglais)

Map of Belgium (in English) Kaart van België Karte Belgiens (engl.) Carte de Belgique (en anglais)

Federalism in Belgium

Administratieve verdeling van België Provinces de Belgique Die Provinzen Belgiens Administrative divisions of Belgium

Gewesten en provincies Régions et provinces Regionen und Provinzen Regions and provinces

Gewesten en provincies Régions et provinces Regionen und Provinzen Regions and provinces

Communautés de la Belgique Gemeinschaften Belgiens Community's of Belgium

Vlaamse Gemeenschap Communauté flamande fr:néerlandais néerlandophone Flemish Community, Dutch speaking

Gewest Vlaanderen Région flamande Flemish region

Communauté française de Belgique Franse Gemeenschap French Community

Wallonie Gewest Wallonië Wallonische Region Walloon region

Deutschsprachige Gemeinschaft Communauté germanophone de Belgique Duitstalige Gemeenschap German-speaking Community

Die 9 Gemeinden der Deutschsprachigen Gemeinschaft Communes germanophones Municipalities

Région de Bruxelles-Capitale Gewest Brussel-Hoofdstad Brussels-Capital region

Communes de Bruxelles Gemeenten van het Gewest Brussels municipalities

Faciliteitengemeenten Communes avec facilitées linguistiques (en néerlandais) Gemeinden mit Spracherleichterungen: Fazilitätengemeinden (niederl.) Municipalities with language facilities (in Dutch)

Faciliteitengemeenten (in het Frans) Communes avec facilitées linguistiques Gemeinden mit Spracherleichterungen: Fazilitätengemeinden (auf franz.) Municipalities with language facilities (in French)

Faciliteitengemeenten (in het Duits) Communes avec facilitées linguistiques (en allemand) Gemeinden mit Spracherleichterungen: Fazilitätengemeinden (auf deutsch) Municipalities with language facilities

Faciliteitengemeenten (in het Engels) Communes avec facilitées linguistiques (en anglais) Municipalities with language facilities

• 

  Vlaamse provincies
  Provinces flamandes

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  Provincie Antwerpen
  Anvers
  Province of Antwerp

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  Provincie Limburg
  Limbourg
  Province of Limburg

• 

  Province of East Flanders
  Provincie Oost-Vlaanderen
  Province de Flandre orientale

• 

  Province of Flemish Brabant
  Provincie Vlaams-Brabant
  Province de Brabant flamand

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  Province of West Flanders
  Provincie West-Vlaanderen
  Province de Flandre occidentale

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  Walloon provinces
  Provinces de Wallonie
  Waalse provincies

• 

  Province of Walloon Brabant
  Province du Brabant Wallon
  Waals Brabant

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  Province of Hainaut
  Province de Hainaut
  Henegouwen

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  Province of Liège
  Province de Liège
  Luik

• 

  Province of Luxembourg
  Province de Luxembourg
  Luxemburg

• 

  Province of Namur
  Province de Namur
  Namen

History maps

This section holds a short summary of the history of the area of present-day Belgium, illustrated with maps, including historical maps of former countries and empires that included present-day Belgium.

Early history

Since 600 BC present-day Belgium is inhabited by Celtic tribes, like the Belgae. This map shows the possible extent of (proto-)Celtic influence 800-400 BC De Kelten in Europa. Oker: Kernbereik Noord-West-Alpine Hallstattcultuur (ca. 750–500/450 v. Chr.) groen: Uitbreiding La-Tène-cultuur, bzw. oranje: de Keltische taal (3. Jh. v. Chr.)

The Romans

57/51 BC-395: Roman Empire - includes present-day Belgium ► Roman Empire

Between 57 and 51 BC the Belgae are defeated by the Roman Empire. The area becomes the Roman province of Belgica and is romanized. This map shows the Roman Empire in 50. De territoriale ontwikkeling van de Romeinse Republiek en het Romeinse Rijk.

Around 256 the Germanic tribe of the Franks enter Belgica and since 296 they rule the area as defender of the border of the Roman Empire. This map shows the invasions of the Roman Empire 100-500. Invallen in het Romeinse Rijk 100-500

395-486: Western Roman Empire - includes present-day Belgium ► Roman Empire

After the division of the Roman Empire, Belgica become part of the Western Roman Empire. This map shows the Empire in 395. (Het Westromeinse Rijk rond 395)

The Franks

481-843: Frankish Empire - independent monarchy including present-day Belgium ► Frankish Empire

The Frankish position culminate in the forming of the Frankish Empire. The Frankish Empire becomes an independent state, but in 639 the country is divided in Austrasia and Neustria. Both kingdoms are reunited in 719 and the Empire develops further until the rul of Charlemagne. (Na de val van het West-Romeinse Rijk nemen Germaanse stammen als de Franken de controle over het gebied over. Uiteindelijk wordt België deel van het Frankische Rijk. Zie de Atlas van het Frankische Rijk.}

843-870: Middle Frankish Empire - independent monarchy including the present-day Netherlands ► Frankish Empire

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After the division of the Frankish Empire in the Treaty of Verdun the area became part of the Middle Frankish Empire. Het Verdrag van Verdun

This map compares the Treaty of Verdun (843) with the Treaty of Meerssen (870) Het Verdrag van Verdun 843 en het Verdrag van Meersen 870

843-962: East Frankish Empire - independent monarchy, including present-days Belgium ► Germany

This treaty leads to the most parts of the area becoming part of the East Frankish Empire. Verdeling van het Frankische Rijk 870

Part of the Holy Roman Empire

962-1648: Holy Roman Empire - independent monarchy, including most of present-days Belgium ► Germany

In 925 the area is annexed to the Eastern Frankish Empire, later continued by the German Empire. Only the western part becomes part of the Western Frankish Kingdom, later continued by the France. This map shows Central Europe between 919-1125 Midden-Europa 919-1125

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This map shows the Holy Roman Empire in the 10th century. Het Heilige Roomse Rijk in de 11e eeuw

The house of Bavaria-Straubing comes in 1346 in the possession of Hainaut, which is in a personal union with the County of Holland. Beierse bezittingen in Henegouwen en Holland

In the feudal German Empire and France the duchies and counties, together known as the Netherlands, come between 1384 and 1451 under the rule of Burgundy. Holland and Hainaut become Burgundian in 1436. The bishop-principality of Liege remains separate. The Holy Roman Empire in the 14th century Het Heilige Roomse Rijk in de 14e eeuw

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At the same time, the city of Bruges plays an important role in the Hanseatic League De Hanze

Bruges is part of the hanseatic trade routes De Hanze-routes

This map shows the Low Countries in 1477, largely under control of the Burgundians. De Lage Landen in 1477

The Burgundian possessions come under control of the Habsburgians since 1506. This map shows the Low Countries as part of the Holy Roman Empire. De Nederlanden als deel van het Heilige Roomse Rijk

And this map shows the Low Countries as part of Habsburgian ruled Europe, as does the following map. It was the empire of Charles I/V. Europa onder Karel V   Castile/Castillië   Aragon   Burgundy/Bourgondië   Habsburg

Separation

After the division of the Habsburgian countries in 1555 the Netherlands come under control of Habsburg-ruled ► Spain. In resistance to the Spanish rule, the northern Netherlands form the Union of Utrecht, followe dby the formation of the Union of Arras De Unies van Utrecht en Atrecht

In 1568 a rebellion against the Spanish occupation starts. This map shows the area ruled by the Spanish king around 1580 (Netherlands in blue) on a map showing modern-day state borders. De bezittingen van de Spaanse koning rond 1580 (De Nederlanden in blauw)

The northern part of the ► Netherlands develop as the Republic of the United Netherlands into a de facto independent state. The southern parts remain at the same time under Spanish rule as the Spanish Netherlands. This map shows the Netherlands from 1559-1608. De Nederlanden

This map shows both the United and the Spanish Netherlands. De Verenigde en de Spaanse Nederlanden

The Spanish Netherlands are at the same time part of the Holy Roman Empire, as are formally the United Netherlands to. Het Heilige Roomse Rijk in 1630

In 1713 the Spanish Netherlands are acquired by ► Austria: the area gets known as the Austrian Netherlands. After a revolution in 1789 the United Belgian States are founded, but already in 1790 Austrian rule is restored. De Oostenrijkse Nederlanden

French rule

1794-1815: French Empire - includes present-day Belgium ► France

In 1794 France invades the Austrian Netherlands and incorporates them together with Liege into France. De Zuidelijke Nederlanden als deel van het Franse Rijk in 1811.

The Southern Netherlands under French control Europa onder Napoleon

Part of the Netherlands

1815-1831: Kingdom of the Netherlands - includes present-day Belgium ► the Netherlands

After the French defeat in 1815, the Austrian Netherlands are united with the Netherlands and Liege into the United Kingdom of the Netherlands. This is a constitutional monarchy with real power in hands of the King. ► Moresnet becomes a condominium with ► Prussia. Het Verenigde Koninkrijk der Nederlanden (1815-1831)

A revolution in the Southern Netherlands leads to various partition plans. This map shows the Talleyrand partition plan. Het Talleyrand verdelingsplan

Kingdom of Belgium

1831-present: Kingdom of Belgium (Royaume de Belgique) - independent country

At the end, Belgium secedes from the Netherlands. This map shows the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Limburg in 1839. 1, 2 and 3 United Kingdom of the Netherlands (until 1830) 1 and 2 Kingdom of the Netherlands (after 1830) 2 Duchy of Limburg (In the German Confederacy after 1839 as compensation for Waals-Luxemburg) 3 and 4 Kingdom of Belgium (after 1830) 4 and 5 Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (borders until 1830) 4 Province of Luxembourg (Waals-Luxemburg, to Belgium in 1839) 5 Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (German Luxemburg; borders after 1839) In blue, the borders of the German Confederacy Splitsing van de Nederlanden. 1 en 2: Koninkrijk der Nederlanden, waarvan 2 Limburg, lid van de Duitse Bond. 3 en 4: Koninkrijk België, inclusief 4 Waals Luxemburg. 5: Groothertogdom Luxemburg, in personele unie met Nederland, lid van de Duitse Bond, maar exclusief 4 Waals Luxemburg.

Le territoire belge entre 1830 et 1839.

At the end of the nineteenth century, Belgium controls a colonial empire, especially Belgian Congo. Het Belgisch koloniaal rijk

In 1940 Belgium is invaded and occupied by Germany. Hubert Pierlot (Prime Minister of Belgium) and his government go into exile in London. Belgium is liberated in 1944. See the Atlas of World War II.

An important constitutional reform occurrs in the summer of 1993, changing Belgium definitively from a unitary to a federal state. This makes Belgium is a federation of Dutch-speaking Flanders, francophone Wallonia and bilingual Brussels.

History of other entities

Moresnet

1816-1919: Moresnet (Neutraal Moresnet, Moresnet neutre, Neutral-Moresnet) - Condominium

The Netherlands form in 1816 together with Prussia the condominium of Moresnet. The Netherlands position is continued by Belgium after its independence. The condominium exists until the end of World War I. Neutraal Moresnet Das preußisch-niederländische, später preußisch-belgische Kondominium Neutral-Moresnet.

Old maps

This section holds copies of original general maps more than 70 years old.

The 17 Netherlands, depicted as Leo Belgicus De 17 Nederlanden als Leo Belgicus

Leo Belgicus by Josse de Hond Leo Belgicus door Josse de Hond

Blaeu map of the Low Countries in 1635 De Lage Landen door Blaeu in 1645

Brabant by Ioan Blaeu, 1645 Hertogdom Brabant

Map of the Southern Netherlands by Herman Moll, 1740

Belgium and the Netherlands in 1905

Other maps

the Benelux states

Old Dutch language Het Oudnederlands

Dutch language in Europe Nederlands in Europa

Dutch dialects Nederlandse dialecten

Dutch dialects Nederlandse dialecten

Low Franconian dialects Nederfrankische dialecten

Low Franconian dialects Nederfrankische dialecten

Linguistic map of Wallonia Taalkaart van Wallonië

Linguistic map of Wallonia Taalkaart van Wallonië

Satellite maps

Satellite map Satellietfoto

Notes and references

General remarks: The WIKIMEDIA COMMONS Atlas of the World is an organized and commented collection of geographical, political and historical maps available at Wikimedia Commons. The main page is therefore the portal to maps and cartography on Wikimedia. That page contains links to entries by country, continent and by topic as well as general notes and references. Every entry has an introduction section in English. If other languages are native and/or official in an entity, introductions in other languages are added in separate sections. The text of the introduction(s) is based on the content of the Wikipedia encyclopedia. For sources of the introduction see therefore the Wikipedia entries linked to. The same goes for the texts in the history sections. Historical maps are included in the continent, country and dependency entries. The status of various entities is disputed. See the content for the entities concerned. The maps of former countries that are more or less continued by a present-day country or had a territory included in only one or two countries are included in the atlas of the present-day country. For example the Ottoman Empire can be found in the Atlas of Turkey.