"Belgium" was occupied since 1579 (till 1815 or 1830 for a then small elite minority), the "Netherlands" fought another 80 years to liberate themselves. " " Be

"Belgium" was occupied since 1579 (till 1815 or 1830 for a then small elite minority), the "Netherlands" fought another 80 years to liberate themselves. " " Because Spanish (Habsburg) territory at that time, known as the lowlands.