They included bulk goods such as grain and timber from the Baltic region, as well as wool from Britain, wine from France and unprocessed salt from the Iberian Peninsula. The Dutch used imported raw materials to manufacture beer, broadcloth, fine salt for the herring trade, weapons and ships. Many of these products were then exported – again by water. Cities formed important trading centres in the international trade network. In the 15th and 16th centuries Antwerp was the largest port city in the Netherlands. After Spain reconquered it during the 80 Years’ War, Holland province and its capital Amsterdam became the country’s main trading hub. International trade fuelled the development of a financial market, provided a lot of employment, and led to urban growth.
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