FLANDERS

a region of Europe’ now included in Holland, Belgium, and France, stretching along the North Sea. The erection of the territory into a county took place in the ninth century, and was made by Philip the Bold, King of France, in favour of his son-in-law, Baidwin. It afterwards pa ed to the united Houses of Spain and Austria, and ultimately to the latter, but underwent considerable curtailment by the conquests of the French in the west, when part of it became French Flanders, and by the conquests of the Dutch in the north. The remainder still retains its ancient name, and forms the modern provinces of Hast and West I landers, in Belgium. East Flanders, the Belgian province of Hast Flanders (Fr. Ilandre Orientale) has an area of 1,147 sq. miles. The surface forms an extensive plain, sloping gently eastwards. It wholly belongs to the basinoftheScheldt. Its soil, partly of a sandy and partly ofa clayey nature, is so industriously and skilfully cultivated that it has the appearance of a vast garden. The principal crops are wheat and flax. Linen, laces, and damask are among the important manufactures. Gand or Ghent is the capital. Pop. (1931), 1,157,386. West Flanders (Fr. Flandre Occident ale) has an area of 1,249 sq. miles. The surface is generally flat; the soil naturally sandy and poor, but well cultivated and fertilized, though not so productive as that of Hast Flanders. The most important branch of industry is linen. Great quantities of lace also are made. Bruges is the capital. Flanders has always been ‘the cock-pit of Hurope,’ and during the Kuropean War (q.v.) it was the scene of some of the fiercest and most prowas the chief storm-centre of the fighting of the British and Imperia i armies. The three Battles of Ypres, each including many _ subsidiary battles, took place in 1914, 1915, and 1917. Pop. (1931), 911,760.