My Family HistoryMy Family History

By: Joshua HopperBy: Joshua Hopper

Maria Van AelstMaria Van Aelst

At age 13, my great grandmother Maria Van At age 13, my great grandmother Maria Van Aelst was one the first immigrants of my family Aelst was one the first immigrants of my family to live in the United States.to live in the United States.

She moved from Belgium to New York City.She moved from Belgium to New York City. By 1936 during the great depression, she gave By 1936 during the great depression, she gave

birth my grandmother Rosella Van Aelst. birth my grandmother Rosella Van Aelst. She died in 1980 at age 72.She died in 1980 at age 72.

BelgiumBelgium

Belgium is a small country that is between Belgium is a small country that is between France and Germany.France and Germany.

Belgium shares borders with France (620 km), Belgium shares borders with France (620 km), Germany (167 km), Luxembourg (148 km) and Germany (167 km), Luxembourg (148 km) and the Netherlands (450 km). Its total area, the Netherlands (450 km). Its total area, including surface water area, is 33,990 square including surface water area, is 33,990 square kilometers; land area alone is 30,528 km2. kilometers; land area alone is 30,528 km2.

Belgium has three main geographical regions: Belgium has three main geographical regions: the coastal plain in the north-west and the the coastal plain in the north-west and the central plateau both belong to the Anglo-Belgian central plateau both belong to the Anglo-Belgian Basin; the Ardennes uplands in the south-east Basin; the Ardennes uplands in the south-east are part of the Hercynian orogenic belt. are part of the Hercynian orogenic belt.

Belgium is shared between the Atlantic Belgium is shared between the Atlantic European and Central European provinces of the European and Central European provinces of the Circumboreal Region within the Boreal Kingdom. Circumboreal Region within the Boreal Kingdom.

Canada Canada

Canada occupies a major northern portion of North America, sharing Canada occupies a major northern portion of North America, sharing the land borders with the contiguous United States to the south and the the land borders with the contiguous United States to the south and the

U.S. state ofU.S. state of Alaska to the northwest, stretching from the Atlantic Alaska to the northwest, stretching from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west; to the north lies the Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west; to the north lies the Arctic Ocean.Arctic Ocean.

Canada is also known as one of the second largest countries in the Canada is also known as one of the second largest countries in the world after Russia.world after Russia.

The population of this country is 34,339,000.The population of this country is 34,339,000.

GermanyGermany

Germany is located in the Germany is located in the Central Europe, the territory Central Europe, the territory

coverscovers 137,847 sq mi of land 137,847 sq mi of land

and water.and water. It is the seventh largest It is the seventh largest

country in Europe country in Europe Most of Germany has a Most of Germany has a

temperate seasonal climate in temperate seasonal climate in which humid westerly winds which humid westerly winds predominate. It is moderated predominate. It is moderated by the North Atlantic Drift, by the North Atlantic Drift, which is the northern which is the northern extension of the Gulf Stream.extension of the Gulf Stream.

The population is in Germany The population is in Germany is 81,757,600.is 81,757,600.

FranceFrance

France covers 211,209 miles of land France covers 211,209 miles of land and water.and water.

France possesses a wide variety of France possesses a wide variety of landscapes, from coastal plains in landscapes, from coastal plains in the north and west to mountain the north and west to mountain ranges of the Alps in the south-east, ranges of the Alps in the south-east, the Massif Central in the south-the Massif Central in the south-central and Pyrenees in the south-central and Pyrenees in the south-west.west.

The Ethel Tower that was built The Ethel Tower that was built between 1887 and 1889 has between 1887 and 1889 has becomes France’s greatest becomes France’s greatest structure achievement. structure achievement.

Ireland Ireland

The island of Ireland is The island of Ireland is located in the north-west of located in the north-west of Europe.Europe.

A ring of coastal mountains A ring of coastal mountains surround low plains at the surround low plains at the centre of the island. The centre of the island. The highest of these is highest of these is Carrauntoohil.Carrauntoohil.

Ireland’s lowest Ireland’s lowest temperature is low as 13 temperature is low as 13 degrees.degrees.

The population of Ireland is The population of Ireland is 6,197,100 6,197,100

NetherlandsNetherlands

The Netherlands was one the first The Netherlands was one the first parliamentary democracies.parliamentary democracies.

There are 20 national parks in the There are 20 national parks in the Netherlands.Netherlands.

The predominant wind direction in The predominant wind direction in the Netherlands is southwest, the Netherlands is southwest, which causes a moderate which causes a moderate maritime climate, with cool maritime climate, with cool summers and mild winters.summers and mild winters.

Ice days usually occur from Ice days usually occur from December to February, with December to February, with occasional rare ice day prior to or occasional rare ice day prior to or after that period.after that period.

The population of Ireland is The population of Ireland is

16,633,000.16,633,000.