Richard Boom (boomboom aka boomvavavoom)
Here is my world!!!
The current province of Limburg
has a long history and has been permanently inhabited for several
thousands of years.
During the Roman empire settlements were
founded that later became such cities as Maastricht and Heerlen.
In the 12th century the Duchy of Limburg covered part of the
south of the current province it was named after. For most of
the region's history it was divided by many masters. While the
Duchy of Brabant ruled parts in the south, much of the north
belonged to Gelre.
After the 80-Years War the northern part remained
in Spanish hands, while the south became an enclave under the
rule of the Republic. In this area itself were several Spanish,
later Austrian, and German enclaves. In 1713 Prussia got a part
of the north as well. Until in 1794 French troops invaded the
province it consisted of 18 principalities. In 1798 France annexed
the entire region.
In 1815 it became part of the newly founded
Kingdom of the Netherlands. To preserve the memory of the long
vanished Duchy a new province was founded with the name of Limburg.
Already in 1839 the province was divided between Belgium and
the Netherlands. Large parts of what became the Dutch province
of Limburg had been part of Belgium from 1830 until 1839, including
the city of Roermond. The involuntary incorporation in the Netherlands
was felt by the population as an occupation for a long time.
When in 1853 the diocese of Roermond was re-established it covered
the same territory as the province, which meant a great deal
for the unification of Limburg. In the final months of World
War Two the northern and central part of the province suffered
from heavy fighting. Germany annexed parts of the province for
several months.
Unlike people in most of the rest of the Netherlands, Limburgers
have a strong sense of attachment to their province.
Recently
Limburgish was recognized as a seperate language.
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