What many of you may or may not know, is that before the EU, there was BeNeLux. Benelux is an agreement between three fairly small and weak nations (Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg) to stick together.
This was, in my oppinion, and that of many historians, and well fact, was due to the raping that all three nations took during the second World War. There are no longer "borders" between the three countries (but then again there are not borders anymore between many countries in Europe) and they use a single tax system on cigs and booze.
This has, however, not kept swarms of people travelling to our dear Luxembourg for cheap cigs and booze. For instance, if you are French, then you would much rather pay 2,50€ for a pack of lucky strikes, than 6,00€. In Holland, cigs are cheaper around 3,90€ but still not as cheap as the Duchy has allowed them to be in his little Kingdom.
Luxembourg, Belgium and Holland were once part of the same country, (Den Republiek der Nederlanden), but this did not work out, because a few hundred years ago, the Dutch were not too nice to the catholics (Flanders, Walons and Luxembourgers). Thus, under Napolian, it became ruled by the French. Afterwards, the Dutch gave control away from the republic and back to a monarchy. But they were not allowed to be called a monarchy. They were "stateholders." Ironically, they were Germans. These same Germans, from the House of Nassau-Orange controlled what is today the Netherlands and Luxembourg. After a series of sucession rules, the house of Orange split, allowing the Duchy of Luxembourg to have his own country, named after his position (Duchy of Luxembourg).
What is most amazing, is that that took place after the treaty of VIENNA!!! WOW!
Now let's not forget about Belgium, It is the protectorate of Luxembourg, vowing to defend the nation against those hot headed bottoms the French and Germans.
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