DUTCH - THE NERTHELANDS

HOLLAND ? OR THE NETHERLANDS?

Internationally , “Holland” is often used to indicate the Netherlands. The official name of the country is the (Kingdom of the ) Netherlands consists out of 12 provinces. 2 of them, North and South Holland, are the 2 provinces that together make Holland, are the 2 provinces that together make Holland. Due to the maritime and economic power of these provinces in the 17^th century,the Netherlands became known worldwide as Holland. To make matters even more confusing the inhabitants of the Netherlands are called Dutch.

PEOPLE

With over 16.5 million people and a population density of 488 people per square kilometres.The total size of the Netherlands is 41500 square kilometres. Amsterdam is the capital , but the government resides in Hague. More than 40% of the total population live in the Randstad, the agglomeration of the cities of Amsterdam,Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht.

LANGUAGE

The official language is Dutch.The population of the province of Friesland has a choice between Dutch and Frisian, the only officially recognized regional language. Many Dutch people also speak German and English.

LANDSCAPE

Water dominates the Dutch landscape. 3 big European rivers (Rhine, Meuse and Scheldt) reach the ocean via the Netherlands and create an important delta. 26% of the Netherlands is under sea level. During an age-long battle against the water, the Dutch constructed a water system consisting of dykes, polders and weirs. However, the Netherlands offers more variation than the familiar green, flat polder landscape with black and white cows.

ECONOMY

The Netherlands is known as a politically stable country with a sound financial policy. The Netherlands is one of the most open economies in the world and is one of the world’s top 5 biggest exporters.

Orange is related to the Dutch Royal Family and represents the national identity of the Netherlands.That’s why Dutch fans dress up in orange. During some sport events the whole country turns orange and people become infected with what we like to call the “orange fever.

NETHERLAND’S KEY FACTS

Surface area       : 41,528 square kilometres ( 18.4 % water)

Total population : over 16.5 million

Population density : 488 people per square kiloometres

Capital city : Amsterdam (inhabitants : 805 166 in 2019)

Government : The Hague

Official Language : Dutch, Frisian (only spoken in Friesland)

Type of government : Constitutional monarch –parliamentary democracy

Religion : 45% no religion, 27% Roman Catholic, 17% Protestant, 6% Muslim, 1% Muslim, 1 % Hindu, 1 % Buddhist

Currency : Euro

National Holidays : King’s Day ( 26 April), Liberation Day ( 5 May)

Highest point : 323 m ( Vaalserberg Limburg)

Lowest Point : 6.7 (Nieuwerkerk aan den I Jssell, Zuid –Holland)

Average temperature in July 17.4 degree celcius

Average Temperature in January : 2.8 degree celcius