Flanders, French
Flanders, French,
region of N France, on the North Sea and along the Belgian border. It is coextensive with Nord dept. The area is studded with important industrial cities and historic towns and was once a rich coal-mining region. It was incorporated into France in 1678 by Louis XIV and was a province until the French Revolution. LilleLille, city (1990 pop. 178,301), capital of Nord dept., N France, near the Belgian border. With its central position in NW Europe, Lille became a great commercial, cultural, and manufacturing center, long known for its textile products—notably lisle (the name is derived
..... Click the link for more information. was the provincial capital, DouaiDouai
, town (1990 pop. 44,195), Nord dept., N France, in French Flanders, on the Scarpe River. It is a major industrial and commercial center in what formerly was the northern coal region.
..... Click the link for more information. the seat of the parlement. The area has been a battleground in several major European conflicts.