Netherlands

It is a Land Plentiful in History and Culture, and Incredible Beautiful Landscapes

The nation of the Netherlands, or Holland as it can also be called, is a small country with rich history and culture as well as stunning views. The Netherlands is well-known by its windmills, canals, and tulip fields, the country provides a rare combination of history, art, and natural beauty. Be it cycling through a beautiful landscape or getting a glimpse of the art and the history of Amsterdam or the liveliness of Rotterdam, the Netherlands has a lot of treats to the eyes of any kind of tourist.

To obtain all information about Netherlands, look at its Wikipedia site to see its detailed history as well as general information. To get the official resource and news visit the official site of Netherlands

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Geographical Location

The Netherlands is Western European country, it is surrounded by Germany to the East, Belgium to the south and the North Victory to the North West. It is one of the smaller countries in Europe as it measures an area of approximately 41,543 square kilometers. Though small, Netherlands plays a very big cultural and economic role in Europe and the world.

Netherlands is also famous with its low lands geographically and some 26 percent of the terrain is sunken below sea level. The Netherlands is known to have elaborate networks of dikes, canals and polders (reclaimed land) that facilitate in coping with the living below sea level.

The Landforms and Natural Aspects

Netherlands is a flat land with clear expanses of productive plains, wetlands and river deltas. The best known of these natural structures is the Dutch coastline which extends more than 450 kilometers long and along the North Sea, and has sandy beaches and scenic coastal towns of Scheveningen and Zandvoort. Flowing through the country is the Rhine River that forms lively, green land and the means of their transportation routes.

The southern climes in the Limburg area are testified with rolling hills and vineyards providing a contrast to the generally flat countryside with which the state is characterized. The country also has a variety of nature reserves such as the National Park Zuid-Kennemerland which has wildlife, dunes, and coastal ecosystems offered to tourists.

Climate

The country of the Netherlands experiences a temperate maritime climate that has mild winters and cool summers. The climate is rather moderate, with average temperatures of 5 C in winter and 15 C in summer months. There are usually rains throughout the year, particularly during the fall and winters, which makes the country to be green.

The land is low lying and the country is open to the North Sea therefore the coast is more prone to storms and rain, but further inland it is a bit better weather-wise. Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November) are the best time to visit as the months are one of the pleasant times in the year and the landscapes are at their most beautiful times.

Historical View Pre-Modern and European History

Prehistoric settlement of the territory that now forms the Netherlands date back to prehistoric times. They were replaced by the arrival of Germanic tribes including the Frisians and Batavians who also made an important contribution to the history of the region. The Netherlands went under the control of many small feudal states in the middle age and these states were many times under the leadership of many dukes and counts.

With the medieval period the region was able to develop into a major trading hub and cities such as Bruges and Amsterdam were the major commercial centers. The Dutch were also a dominant force in shaping the European markets especially the Hanseatic league.

The era of the Dutch Golden Age

The 17th century was the Dutch Golden age as The Netherlands emerged as one of the major world power. These Dutch developed one of the biggest and most influential sea empires of its period with trading stations and colonies in Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The enlightenment was also represented by the revolutionary progress in the field of art, science, and culture, the outstanding representatives of the painting art being widely known painters such as Rembrandt and Vermeer.

The financial hub of Europe emerged by Amsterdam in the process of Golden Age, spawning the first stock exchange of the world, the Amsterdam Stock Exchange. Dutch East India company and Dutch West India company were very instrumental in world trade and exploration.

World Wars and Modern History

Following the great age, the Netherlands experienced a declining period because of the conflicts with France and England. Nevertheless, the nation rebuilt in the 19 th century and turned out to be a constitutional monarchy. Since the 16th century, the House of Orange has been the ruling house and the country remains a constitutional monarchy even to date.

During the 20 th century, the Netherlands suffered greatly because of the World War I and also the World War II when it was occupied by Nazi Germany. After the war, the country developed a rebuilding and modernization period. After World War II, the Netherlands was revered to be a founding member of the international organizations including work trade organization that included NATO, European Union and work trade organization.

Ethnic and Religious Diversity

Netherlands is a multicultural tolerant society. Most of the people are of Dutch ethnicity yet there are high Indonesian, Turkish, Moroccan and Surinamese population. The nation is known to long receive immigrants, and it has had a history of welcoming religious and political minorities.

The Netherlands is the country with Christianity as the main religion, and the most spread variations are Protestantism and Catholicism. Nonetheless, this country is also attributed to secularisation and freedom of religion. The Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists have also increasingly become communities.

Cultural Habits and Customs

Dutch people with their culture are very progressive and tolerant, and individualistic. King Day (April 27) is one of the most well-liked traditions of the country as it is the celebration of the king birthday and involves the street markets, music, and other celebrations. The other significant holiday is the Sinterklaas holiday that is celebrated on the 5 th of December which our Christmas like tradition involves St. Nicholas and his assistants who are the characters known as the Zwarte Piet.

The Netherlands is well known to have art especially during the Dutch golden age with artists like Rembrandt, Vermeer and Frans Hals. Amsterdam is home to some of the world most renowned artworks in the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum.

Language

Netherlands has Dutch as the official language. The language is used by the great majority of the citizens and is amongst the highly spoken languages worldwide. English is also widely spoken by most Dutch people, and German and French also are mostly used, particularly in business and tourisms.

Major Celebrations and Festivals

Religious Festivals

Traditional Christmas and Easter holidays are carried out in the Netherlands where people have Christmas markets, churches and family dinners. Another important festival that is religious in character is Sinterklaas which falls on December 5 th and presents children with gifts brought by St. Nicholas.

Special Days – Special Holidays in the Nation

The day of the monarch birthday (April 27) is the most prominent national holiday when the whole country celebrates the King. People wear a national color, orange, and engage in the activities of the music festivals and street markets.

The day of liberation (May 5): This is the end of the occupation by the Nazis in the course of the World War 2 and is marked throughout the country with various tournaments and concerts.

Economic Development

With a well-developed and diversified economy performing well in the processes of trade, industry, agriculture and services, the Netherlands have top economic powers. The land is a major exporter of agricultural commodities in the world exporting farm products such as flowers, cheese, and vegetables. It also hosts quite a number of multinational giants, and is a significant competitor in the international oil and natural gas industry.

Tourism

The economy of the Dutch relies greatly on tourism. Some of the popular attractions are the canals in Amsterdam, the Keukenhof Gardens and the windmills in Kinderdijk. Netherlands is also a world renowned biking destination and cyclists are known to have traveled across the world to visit the country and explore it in a bicycle.

Trade and Industry

Netherlands is considered to be on the list of the top exporters in the world with regard to electronics, machinery, and chemicals. The Port of Rotterdam is one of the largest and busiest ports in the whole world and it is serving as a major point in the international business.

Things to See in the Netherlands

These are the six attractions that one must visit in Netherlands:

1. Amsterdam Canals

The Amsterdam canals are a UNESCO World Heritage site, which provides stunningly beautiful vistas and chances to have a trip to the city by means of a boat. historic buildings, museums and cafes line the canals.

2. Keukenhof Gardens

Millions of tulips and other flowers are planted in the Keukenhof Gardens that makes the garden very colorful and bright during the spring season. It is amongst the biggest flower gardens of the world.

3. Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum Amsterdam is one of the biggest museums in the world with collections of paintings, drawings, sculptures, and decorative art by Dutch artist such as Rembrandt and Vermeer with a thorough insight into the Dutch culture.

4. Zaanse Schans Windmills

Amsterdam Zaanse Schans is a non-premised museum close to Amsterdam with many traditional windmills, wooden houses, and craftsmen shops with the history of the Dutch tradition of wind-powered technology.

5. Kinderdijk Windmills

Kinderdijk windmills are the UNESCO World Heritage site and a source of national pride; they are one of the most recognisable symbols of the Netherlands. They are a proof of Dutch skilfulness in water management.

6. The Hague

The Hague is the political centre of the Netherlands, and below the International Court of Justice and other international organizations have seats in the city. It has also another claim to fame: beautiful parks, museums, and the local beach at Scheveningen.

Healthcare System

The quality of universal healthcare system in the Netherlands is extremely good and affordable to all citizens. DUTCH healthcare system is one of the finest in Europe and people have access to well trained physicians ands best facilities.

Education System

The Netherlands has an outstanding education system that is offering free primary and secondary pupil. It has a number of leading universities located in this country such as Leiden University and University of Amsterdam.

Transport Network

The transport system of Netherlands is efficient and well linked up with a wide transport network of trains, buses and trams. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is a major international airport in Europe and the Port of Rotterdam is one of the biggest cargo ports in the world.

Urban Development

The Netherlands is regarded as a country with modern urban designing and sustainability projects. Such cities as Amsterdam and Rotterdam are pioneers in the ways of combining present-day architecture with greenery and transport systems.

Ideal Seasons

The best period of time to visit the Netherlands is the spring (April to June) when the tulip fields are hugely in bloom and the weather is moderate or autumn (September to November) the fall colors make a magical touch to the landscape.

Special events and festivals: Discussing his working experience at the company, Kim stated that while special events and festivals were crucial to its work, his professional tasks did not focus on these factors.

Keukenhoff Flower Festival, King s Day, Amsterdam Light Festival are some of the key events to attend in the Netherlands.

Resolution: Future of Netherlands

The Netherlands remains an innovator in terms of sustainability, cultural preservation and innovation. The Netherlands has an impressive history, marvelous scenery and modern cities, which makes it be among the leading destinations of people who wish to either enjoy the natural beauty or just to enjoy the hustle of the modern cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

It is when is it best to visit the Netherlands?

Spring (April to June) is the best time to see the tulips and fall (September to November) to see the fall colors.

Which are the most popular sites in Netherlands?

The most popular places of interest are the Amsterdam Canals, Keukenhof Gardens, Rijksmuseum, Kinderdijk Windmills, and The Hague.

Which languages do they speak in the Netherlands?

The official language in the country is Dutch; however, the English language is spoken by wide swathes of the population.

Is Netherlands tourist friendly?

Yes, the Netherlands can be described as among the safest destinations to tourists as it has a low crime rate.

Which are the cultural festival to attend in Netherlands?

Other huge cultural events to attend in the Netherlands are the Keukenhof Flower Festival, King Day and the Amsterdam Light Festival.