Despite being known as the Low Countries, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands are far from insignificant. The Benelux Economic Union, which sought economic integration between the three countries, in fact served as the model for the European Union. Additionally, each of the three boasts rich histories, and what they lack in size or population, they make up for in thriving cultural climates. This absorbing volume pays each country its due, surveying the lands, societies, traditions, and histories that have elevated the Low Countries on the world stage.

Chapter 1. Prehistory of the Low Countries -- chapter 2. Ancient and early medieval times -- chapter 3. The development of the territorial principalities and the rise of the towns (925-c. 1350) -- chapter 4. Consolidation of territorial states (1384-1567) -- chapter 5. The revolt and the formation of the Republic (1567-79) -- chapter 6. Belgium -- chapter 7. The Belgian economy -- chapter 8. Belgian government and society -- chapter 9. Belgian cultural life -- chapter 10. Belgium : past and present -- chapter 11. Luxembourg : the land and its people -- chapter 12. The Luxembourgian economy -- chapter 13. Luxembourgian government and society -- chapter 14. Luxembourgian cultural life -- chapter 15. Luxembourg : past and present -- chapter 16. The Netherlands : the land and its people -- chapter 17. The Dutch economy -- chapter 18. Dutch government and society -- chapter 19. Dutch cultural life -- chapter 20. The Netherlands : past and present.