Benelux - what is it? Attractions in Benelux

Benelux is not a single state, not a separate city and not a resort region. This is an economic, political and customs union, which includes three countries located in the neighborhood: Belgium, the Netherlands (Holland) and Luxembourg. The name of the union is the abbreviation of the first letters of the names of the countries entering Benelux - Be (Belgium), Ni (Netherlands), Lux (Luxembourg).

The history of the formation of the Benelux Union

The Treaty on the Economic Union of the three neighboring countries Benelux entered into force on November 1, 1960. Although the treaty itself was signed back in 1958, in February in The Hague. With the beginning of the agreement, signed in 2008 and entered into force in 2010, this agreement has lost its force. A new treaty was needed to strengthen and expand the cooperation of the Benelux countries in a broader European context. At that time, the name of the Benelux economic union was changed, it was now simply a Benelux alliance, which meant a broader cooperation between Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.

About the Benelux countries

Belgium is a country located in Western Europe, with an area of 30, 5 thousand square meters. M and a population of more than ten million people. The head of this state is the king, exercising legislative power together with a bicameral parliament. The constitutional system of Belgium is a monarchy, the capital is Brussels.

The Netherlands is a state consisting of a part in Western Europe and the Sint-Eustatius Islands, Bonaire, Saba (the Caribbean Sea). The Netherlands together with the islands of Curaçao, Aruba and Sint Maarten constitute the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Relations between the members of the kingdom are regulated by the Charter of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Luxembourg is a grand duchy in Western Europe, which has been part of the EU since 1957. This state borders on Belgium, Germany and France. Its total area is approximately 2586 sq. Km. The name comes from the High German lucilinburch and means "small town".

Attractions in Luxembourg

The Benelux Union - what is so special about each participating country? In Luxembourg, the tourist program, as a rule, includes the following attractions: the palace of the duke, the central part of the city, a trip in trailers along the valley of Petrussia and casemates. But in order to truly understand and feel this small country, it needs some time to live and communicate with the local population, as the sights of the Benelux in Luxembourg are little known. There are several places that are popular with Luxembourgers: small Switzerland (a mountainous area to the northwest of Echternach), golf clubs, Mondorf hot springs, Pidal sauna club, Utopolis cinema with ten rooms in the Kirschberg area, wine road, Walking along the river (vineyards, wineries, cellars, wine tasting and small restaurants).

Attractions in Belgium: Brussels

Many attractions can be seen by visiting the Benelux alliance. Belgium is famous for Brussels, the capital of this state. The first thing that tourists usually visit in Brussels is the central square of Grand Place. Not far from the square there is another attraction - the famous statue of a pissing boy. It is worth to look at the majestic building that towers over the whole city - the Palace of Justice, from which you can see an unforgettable view of the evening Brussels. The majestic Atom can also be included in the sights of the Benelux. This huge structure in the form of a crystal lattice of iron, increased by 165 billion times, was preserved after the 1958 World Exhibition. Atomium consists of nine spheres in which the restaurant, scientific and art exhibitions are located. Belgium, as already mentioned, is a member of the Benelux Union, what else can you see in this country, except for the sights of the capital.

Medieval city of Bruges

Bruges is called the chocolate capital of Belgium and the Northern Venice. This medieval city is cut across and through by narrow canals, along which carved facades of houses are lined in dense rows, making Bruges look like a gingerbread city. Local craftsmen embody these houses in chocolate, and tourists with pleasure buy them as a souvenir, as the sights of the Benelux. But this wonderful town is famous not only for its facades and chocolate. Visiting it, it is worth to visit the well-known watchtower Belfrod, located on the market square Grote Markt. Every hour fifty bells are ringing a new melody. The square itself is a visiting card of Bruges. At Christmas on the Grote Markt, a festive bazaar is organized and the skating rink is mandatory.

Attractions in the Netherlands

The Netherlands is one of the countries that are members of the Benelux alliance. What is there in this state and what it is famous for, many know. After all, in this place, in the capital of the Kingdom of Amsterdam - they go then to try what is forbidden in all other cities of the Netherlands. But not only free customs are known Amsterdam. This city is famous for its history, canals, tulips, buildings with narrow facades, beer. In the capital of the Netherlands, over 1200 bridges, many of which were built in the 18th century.

There are also museums in Amsterdam, the most original of them is a museum of marijuana, hashish and hemp. In this very interesting place all curious people can learn the history of hashish from the very beginning of its use (about 8 thousand years ago) and until the 20th century. It is worth to look and the house of the brothers Tripp, arms dealers - Trippenhouse. This house was built for the brothers in 1662 by the architect Wingbon. The original part of the structure are its pipes, similar to the mouth of guns. Also in Amsterdam is the house-museum of Rembrandt, one of the most famous painters of the country of the Benelux Union. What is in this house is not difficult to understand. It was here that the artist lived and worked, from 1639 to 1658. There is almost a complete collection of drawings and engravings, as well as paintings by his teacher and students.

The Hague is the administrative capital of the Netherlands. It is here that the royal residence, government and parliament are located. In this city the population is more homogeneous and conservative in comparison with the free customs of Amsterdam. For cognitive purposes, you can still visit the oldest Dutch museum of natural sciences, founded in 1820 by King Bill.

Who benefits from the union?

At first glance, it seems that many countries unite the Benelux, a message about any of them will affect the other members of the union. But in fact every state has its own history, features and attractions. In this case, the existence of the Benelux is important to all three countries, since this union guarantees them stability and prosperity.