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Belgium
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Western Europe page
Links:Ceolas celtic music archive: Description: The home of celtic music on the net, with reviews, biographies, guides, audio samples, hundreds of links to real-world and internet resources, tunes, schedules, instrument guides and much much more.The Encyclopedia of Traditional Celtic Music. A (at the moment) small collection of articles on Celtic Music. We loves this one: "What is meant by the term 'Celtic music'?" Ramblers.net Description: Rambles is a cultural arts review publication focusing on traditional music, books, film and art. |
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Belgium
Map of Belgium |
Population: 10 million
Capital: Brussels
Offisial language: French / Dutch
Major ethnic groups: Fleming 58%, Walloon 31%, mixed or other
11%
Background: Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830 and was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. It has prospered in the past half century as a modern, technologically advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU. Tensions between the Dutch-speaking Flemings of the north and the French-speaking Walloons of the south have led in recent years to constitutional amendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy. (Source: WorldFactbook 2000 CIA)
More Background: BBC Country profile: Belgium
Artists from Belgium:
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France
Map of France |
Population: 59 million
Capital: Paris
Offisial language: French
Major ethnic groups: Celtic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic,
North African, Indochinese, Basque minorities
Background: Although ultimately a victor in World Wars I and II, France suffered extensive losses in its empire, wealth, manpower, and rank as a dominant nation-state. Since 1958, it has constructed a presidential democracy resistant to the instabilities experienced in earlier parliamentary democracies. In recent years, its reconciliation and cooperation with Germany have proved central to the economic integration of Europe, including the advent of the euro in January 1999. Today, France is at the forefront of European states seeking to exploit the momentum of monetary union to advance the creation of a more unified and capable European defense and security apparatus. (Source: WorldFactbook 2000 CIA)
More Background: BBC Country profile: France
Artists from France:
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Ireland
Map of Ireland |
Population: 4 million
Capital: Dublin
Offisial language: English
Major ethnic groups: Celtic, English
Background: A failed 1916 Easter Monday Rebellion touched off several years of guerrilla warfare that in 1921 resulted in independence from the UK for the 26 southern counties; the six northern counties (Ulster) remained part of Great Britain. In 1948 Ireland withdrew from the British Commonwealth; it joined the European Community in 11033. Irish governments have sought the peaceful unification of Ireland and have cooperated with Britain against terrorist groups. A peace settlement for Northern Ireland, approved in 1998, has not yet been implemented. (Source: WorldFactbook 2000 CIA)
More Background: BBC
Country profile: Ireland
Artists from Ireland:
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Jersey
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Population: 90.000
Capital: Saint Helier
Official language: English, French
Ethnic groups: UK and Norman-French descent
Background: The island of Jersey and the other Channel Islands
represent the last remnants of the medieval Dukedom of Normandy that held
sway in both France and England. These islands were the only British soil
occupied by German troops in World War II.
(Source: WorldFackbook 2000 CIA)
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Luxumbourg
Map of Luxumbourg |
Population: 450.000
Capital: Luxumbourg
Offisial language:
Major ethnic groups: Celtic base (with French and German blend),
Portuguese, Italian, and European (guest and worker residents)
Background: Founded in 963, Luxembourg became a grand duchy in 1815 and an independent state under the Netherlands. It lost more than half of its territory to Belgium in 1839, but gained a larger measure of autonomy. Full independence was attained in 1867. Overrun by Germany in both World Wars, it ended its neutrality in 1948 when it entered into the Benelux Customs Union and when it joined NATO the following year. In 1957, Luxembourg became one of the six founding countries of the European Economic Community (later the European Union) and in 1999 it joined the euro currency area. (Source: WorldFactbook 2000 CIA)
More Background: BBC Country profile: Luxumburg
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Man, Isle of
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Location: Western Europe, island in the Irish Sea, between Great Britain and Ireland
Population: 75.000
Capital: Douglas
Official language: English
Ethnic groups: Manx (Norse-Celtic descent), Briton
Background: Part of the Norwegian
Kingdom of the Hebrides until the 13th century when it was ceded to Scotland,
the isle came under the British crown in 1765. Current concerns include
reviving the almost extinct Manx Celtic language.
(Source: WorldFackbook 2000 CIA)
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Netherlands
Map of Netherland |
Population: 16 million
Capital: Amsterdam; The Hague is the seat of government
Offisial language: Dutch
Major ethnic groups: Dutch 91%, Moroccans, Turks, and other
9% (1999 est.)
Background: The Kingdom of the Netherlands was formed in 1815. In 1830 Belgium seceded and formed a separate kingdom. The Netherlands remained neutral in World War I but suffered a brutal invasion and occupation by Germany in World War II. A modern, industrialized nation, the Netherlands is also a large exporter of agricultural products. The country was a founding member of NATO and the EC, and participated in the introduction of the euro in 1999. (Source: WorldFactbook 2000 CIA)
More Background: BBC Country profile: Netherlands
Artists from Netherlands:
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United Kingdom
Map of United Kingdom |
Population: 59,5 million
Capital: London
Offisial language: English
Major ethnic groups: English 81.5%, Scottish 9.6%, Irish 2.4%,
Welsh 1.9%, Ulster 1.8%, West Indian, Indian, Pakistani, and other 2.8%
Background: Great Britain, the dominant industrial and maritime power of the 19th century, played a leading role in developing parliamentary democracy and in advancing literature and science. At its zenith, the British Empire stretched over one-fourth of the earth's surface. The first half of the 20th century saw the UK's strength seriously depleted in two World Wars. The second half witnessed the dismantling of the Empire and the UK rebuilding itself into a modern and prosperous European nation. The UK currently is weighing the degree of its integration with continental Europe. A member of the EU, it chose to remain outside of the EMU for the time being. Constitutional reform is also a significant issue in the UK. Regional assemblies with varying degrees of power opened in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland in 1999. (Source: WorldFactbook 2000 CIA)
More Background: BBC Country profile: United Kingdom
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