How did Netherlands territory change over time?

The Netherlands was originally part of various medieval states before coming under Spanish rule in the Middle Ages. In the 16th century, the Dutch provinces revolted and gained independence, forming a powerful state that quickly became a major naval and trading power.

During its Golden Age, the Netherlands built a global colonial empire. It established New Amsterdam in North America, which later became New York, and expanded into the Caribbean, South America, South Africa, India, and Indonesia. At the same time, the Dutch also expanded their territory by reclaiming land from the sea using dikes and polders.

In 1810, the Netherlands was conquered by Napoleon Bonaparte. After his defeat in 1815, the country united with Belgium and Luxembourg, though this union dissolved about a decade later. During World War II, the Netherlands was occupied by Germany. After the war, its colonies gradually gained independence, leaving the Netherlands with its modern territory.

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