In 1609, at the beginning of the Twelve Years' Truce, the young Republic was still a country with a split personality. The coastal provinces, which were experiencing spectacular economic growth, were overrun with immigrants, fleeing the violence elsewhere or in search of a better life. Ever since the Spanish had vacated Geertruidenberg after the Dutch recaptured it in 1593, the violence of war had been nothing more than a frightening memory and a financial burden to the people of Holland. The inhabitants of Friesland and Zeeland could also reckon themselves safe. In the inland provinces, however, people were still suffering from the ravages of war. Twente was in Spanish hands and would remain so for years to come. Groenlo was still Spanish, whereas the rest of the county of Zutphen had already surrendered to the States General. Elsewhere, too, the borders were in dispute. Limburg lay completely outside the authority of the States General. The Republic occupied the north-western tip of the duchy of Brabant, including Bergen-op-Zoom and the Orangist city of Breda, but 's-Hertogenbosch and the Meierij (one of the four parts of the duchy of Brabant) were completely under the authority of the king of Spain. By contrast, States Flanders (the part of Flanders now known as Zeeuws-Vlaanderen) was controlled by the Republic.