Some Interesting Facts about the Netherlands
Geography – The Netherlands is situated in Western Europe, bordering Belgium to the south and Germany to the east and to its north and west is the North Sea.
Area – 41,526sq km
Population – 16,105,000
Capital City – Amsterdam (population 735,500). Amsterdam is the nation’s capital, but the seat of government is in The Hague.
Languages – Dutch, Flemish, Friesian, but most people living in the larger cities speak English
Currency – Euro
Head of State – Queen Beatrix van Oranje Nassau
The History of the Netherlands
The Netherlands is a country reclaimed from the sea, an artificially created land, around half of which lies at or below sea level. It didn’t reach its present size until 1830. Until then the borders of the entire region included Belgium and Luxembourg. A major colonial power in the 17th century, its mercantile fleets once challenged the best in the world for supremacy, and its standard of living was second to none. Today The Netherlands is one of the most developed countries in the world, small and urban, with the highest population density in Europe. It is an international, well-integrated place, most people speak English and infrastructure is efficient. On the political scene the Netherlands is one of Europe’s most liberal countries of the world. It is a staunch supporter of the European Union, and further integration is taken for granted by most Dutch people.
Culture
The Netherlands has kept many traditional aspects alive. For a small country it offers a rich traditional culture. Windmills, bulb fields and dykes are still prominent features in the Dutch scenery. Visits to a cheese market, a clog factory and to Volendam or Marken where people still wear the traditional costume are all worthwhile. All visitors to the Netherlands should take advantage to the spectacular sights of the tulip fields and gardens at Keukenhof.
Festivals and events in The Netherlands
As soon as it has frozen for one day, there is endless speculation about the very popular Elfstedentocht, a grueling skating marathon through the countryside of Friesland. Carnival in February starts off the lent period before Easter. It is mainly celebrated in the South. The queen’s birthday is celebrated on Koninginnedag (April 30). It is a huge party where people dress up in orange and go out into the street. On May 5 the country celebrates the 1945 liberation from Nazi occupation with bands, speeches and markets around the country. St. Maarten (11 Nov.) is the Dutch equivalent of Halloween. Children go from door to door with self-made lanterns and sing a song in return for a treat. The arrival of Sinterklaas is always celebrated amongst the children. Sinterklaas arrives by steam boat from Spain, accompanied by his helpers. The feast day is celebrated on 5th December with presents from Sinterklaas.
The History of Amsterdam
As the name suggests, Amsterdam was founded on a dam on the river Amstel in the thirteenth century. The seventeenth century was Amsterdam’s Golden Age. Amsterdam became the most important port in the world and an international centre for banking. Amsterdam accommodated its expansion with the cobweb of canals that gives the city its distinctive and elegant shape today. The city centre is eligible for a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List. After all, Amsterdam is the proud owner of one of the most important intact historical city centres of the world. Nowadays Amsterdam has many faces. The romantic canals, the numerous bikes, the 17th- and 18th-century architecture and scattered parks all contribute to the mood of the city. It has all the advantages of a big city: culture, history, food, good transport, entertainment and fashionable and upscale products in chic shopping streets.
Amsterdam Museums and other places of interest
For a fairly small city, Amsterdam has a surprisingly large number of museums and galleries. Amongst the most well known are the Rijksmuseum with its collections of medieval and seventeenth-century Dutch paintings and the Van Gogh museum but modern art is also represented in the Stedelijk museum and in the Cobra museum in Amstelveen. Amsterdam boasts the most museums per square inch of the world, therefore besides art museums and galleries there are museums to suit everyone’s taste. The city also has a Zoo and botanical gardens and there are many large parks and recreational areas within the city centre and surrounding areas.
Amsterdam Canals and Waterways
The city’s canals and waterways embody the spirit of Amsterdam. They are spanned by many beautiful bridges including the famous ‘Magere Bridge’ (or skinny bridge) a traditionally styled lift bridge.
Transport
Cycling is probably the easiest, often quickest (and healthiest) way to go around the city. However, Amsterdam has a very good public transport system and the trams, buses and metro are all very viable options to travel around the city. Many people choose to drive around the city although parking can sometimes prove problematic.
