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 17th 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
