The Spanish Netherlands

The Spanish Netherlands was a region in the Low Countries (present-day Belgium, Luxembourg, and parts of northern France) that was controlled by Spain from the 16th to the early 18th century. It was part of the Habsburg Empire, and its wealthy cities were important centers of trade, culture, and politics. The area experienced religious conflicts, notably between Catholics and Protestants, which contributed to broader European tensions. The Spanish Netherlands played a key role in European power struggles, eventually leading to its declaration of independence and the formation of modern Belgium in the early 19th century.