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About the Netherlands
General Information
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Brief History: Once known as Holland and often referred to in that manner, the Netherlands is located in Western Europe. It borders Belgium to the south and Germany to the east and north, and the North Sea along its western coast.
Land Area: Total land area is 16,485 square miles. Land area is 13,084 square miles. Water area is 2,950 square miles.
Coastline: 280 miles
Weather: Temperate; marine; cool summers and mild winters.Rain is spread evenly over the year and it is not uncommon to end up in a Dutch drizzle. Spring time is nice because of the bulb flowers in bloom.
Population: 16,663,471. The Netherlands is the 61st most populated country in the world.
Capital City: Amsterdam
Major Cities: Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht
Official Language: Dutch, Frisian
Currency: Euro
Language: Dutch is the national language of Holland, however English is spoken by almost everyone and many Dutch people speak German and French.
Timezone: The Netherlands is located in the Central European Timezone. This implies the time difference with EST is +6 hours and with PST is + 9 hours. They observe daylight savings time.
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Economy
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The Dutch economy is one of the strongest in the world, and it is the sixth biggest within European Union. The Dutch economy and business community have a strong international focus, and over half the country’s Gross Product comes from international trade.
Natural Resources: Natural gas, petroleum, and arable land (land that can be used to grow crops).
Natural Hazards: Flooding by sea and rivers is a constant danger. The extensive system of dikes, dams, and sand dunes protect nearly one-half of the total area from being flooded during the heavy autumn storms.
Manufacturing: Chemicals, pharmaceuticals, metals and electronics, food processing, and tobacco.
Electronics manufacturing in the Netherlands is dominated by the multinational corporation Philips.
Land Use:
arable land: 25%
permanent crops: 3%
permanent pastures: 25%
forests and woodland: 8%
other: 39%
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Government
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The Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system, and its government consists of the Queen and ministers. For historical purposes the government and parliament are in The Hague, although Amsterdam is in fact the capital. The Netherlands has a coalition government . Queen Beatrix is the head of state.
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Education
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There are many types of schools in the Netherlands, representing different beliefs and approaches to education. Children are obliged to attend school between the ages of 5 and 16. Education is free of charge for children in this age group. For the final two years, partial compulsory education applies. The subjects that have to be taken are set, as are the objectives. Because of this, the government guarantees the level of each diploma that is presented in Holland.
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Religion
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Freedom of religion and religious beliefs is a fundamental right in the Netherlands. Church and state are separate and the largest single religion is Roman Catholicism.
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