The Netherlands

Once a leading seafaring and commercial power, The Netherlands abandoned its neutrality after being invaded and occupied by Germany during World War II. The Dutch United Provinces declared their independence from Spanish rule in 1579 and became a great colonial power with settlements around the world.

After being occupied by the French for twenty years, a Kingdom of the Netherlands came into existence. The year 1830 witnessed the secession of Belgium and formation of anew kingdom. Having produced many of the world's most famous artists including Rembrandt, Vermeer, Van Gogh and Mondrian, the Netherlands is a founding member of NATO and the European Union, and played an important role in the introduction of the euro in 1999.

Travel overview
Most people travelling to the Netherlands head for the uniquely atmospheric capital, Amsterdam, known for its seedy red-light district. It is home to the finest museums of the world Van Gogh Museum and Rijksmuseum.

Places like Harlem, Leiden and Delft are well worth a visit. The port city of Rotterdam and The Hague are fascinating cities.
For nature lovers the Hoge Veluwe National Park, swarming with marshlands, lush forests and sand dunes offers opportunities for hiking and biking.

Capital: Amsterdam
Location: Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between Belgium and Germany
Climate: temperate, marine, cool summers and mild winters
Total Area: 41,526 sq km
Total Population: 16,570,613
Population Growth Rate: 0.464%
Sex Ratio: 0.981 male(s)/female
Literacy: 99%
Ethnic Groups: Dutch, Turks, Surinamese, Moroccans, Antilleans, and Indonesians
Irrigated land: 5,650 sq km
Languages: Dutch, Frisian
Time Zone: UTC+8
Currency: euro (EUR)
Neighbouring countries: Belgium, Germany
Type of govt.: constitutional monarchy
Head of Govt.: Prime Minister Jan Peter
Major Political Parties: Christian Democratic Appeal or CDA , Christian Union Party , Democrats 66 or D66 , Green Left Party , Labour Party or PvdA , List Pim Fortuyn , Party for Freedom , People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (Liberal) or VVD , Socialist Party , Party for Freedom or PVV , Party for the Animals or PvdD , Reformed Political Party of SGP
Participation in International Organizations: AfDB, AsDB, BIS, Australia Group, Benelux, CE, CERN, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, G-10, IADB, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IEA, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, IPU, ISO, ITU, NATO, NEA, OECD, OPCW, OSCE, NSG, Paris Club, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNMIS, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WCL, WCO, WEU, WTO, ZC
Major Agricultural Products: grains, fruits, vegetables, potatoes, sugar beets, livestock
Natural Resources & Minerals; natural gas, limestone, salt, petroleum, peat, sand and gravel, arable land.
Industry & Transport: electrical machinery and equipment, agroindustries, metal and engineering products, chemicals, petroleum, fishing, construction, microelectronics
Airports: 27
Railways: 2,808 km
Roadways:
134,000 km
Waterways: 6,183 km
Major Trade Partners: Germany, Belgium, France, UK, Italy , US , Spain , Belgium, China , US, UK , Russia
Exports: $413.8 billion
Imports: $373.8 billion

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