Flanders has a long history as a medieval principality in the Low Countries. It became part of the Spanish Netherlands in the 16th century and later came under Austrian rule in the 18th century. After the fall of Napoleon, the Congress of Vienna united Flanders with the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 1815. The Belgian Revolution in 1830 led to the creation of Belgium, which included Flanders as one of its key regions. Over the years, there have been various levels of autonomy granted to the Flemish Region, with significant federalization occurring in the 1980s and 1990s.