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The Netherlands is one of the world’s smaller countries, with 16.25 million inhabitants and an area of 41,864 square kilometres. Even so, it is the sixth largest exporter and investor in the world. And flat as it is, the Netherlands is full of surprises. A country where different cultures have lived together for centuries, the Netherlands is renowned for its accomplishments in the arts and sciences, but no less for its dairy farming and flower industry.

Holland has kept many traditional aspects alive, which makes it an interesting destination for many tourists. For a small country and as a typical merchant nation that always has been extremely tolerant and open for many foreign influences, it offers a rich and varied traditional culture.

The name Holland is often used instead of the Netherlands, although, strictly speaking, it refers to the two western coastal provinces, North and South Holland, which have played an important role in the country’s history. The fact that the Netherlands lies on the coast and is situated on the estuaries of three major Western European rivers - the Rhine, the Maas and the Scheldt - has always been a major factor in the development of the economy. And with Rotterdam as the largest port in the world, it is truly the gateway to Europe. What is more, the Netherlands has one of the biggest airports in Europe and the most up-to-date communications technology.

The major cities are all relatively close together, yet each has a character of its own. And none, incidentally, has a population of more than one million. Amsterdam with its historic city centre and museums, its unique ring of canals and impressive buildings, attracts the most tourists. But the cities of The Hague, Delft, Haarlem, Utrecht, Groningen and Maastricht certainly have their share of historic buildings, museums, traditions and attractions. Rotterdam is renowned for its striking modern architecture, like the Erasmus Bridge, known locally as the ‘Swan’.

The many bridges, dikes, water mills and pumping stations are an impressive sight. The extensive Delta works are a powerful reminder of the battle the Dutch are still waging against the sea. The final part of the project, the storm surge barrier in the New Waterway near the Europort, was completed in 1997. The barrier has two enormous hinged gates which can be lowered in severe weather conditions to close off the 360-metre-wide waterway and protect one million people in Rotterdam and the surrounding area from flooding, without doing any harm to the environment.

Nearly half of the country is below sea level. The lower Netherlands consists largely of flat polders surrounded by dikes, where the water table is regulated artificially. From the 16th century on, windmills were used not only to keep the land dry but also to drain entire inland lakes. They have since been replaced by pumping stations. Most of all, the Netherlands is known for its flowers. The bulb fields in the provinces of North and South Holland are at their most beautiful in April and May, when the daffodils, hyacinths and tulips are in bloom. Thousands of visitors flock to see them. The Netherlands produces 60 per cent of the world’s commercially-grown flowers.

Full country name: Kingdom of the Netherlands
Population: 16.25 million
Capital City: Amsterdam
People: About 83% of the population are Dutch (Germanic and Gallo-Celtic stock); most of the rest are Indonesian, Surinamese, Moroccan, Turkish or Antillian.
Languages: Dutch, Frisian, English, German, French.
Religion: 52% Christian (Roman Catholic and Protestant), 5.3% Muslim. About 40% say they have no religious affiliation.
Government: Constitutional Monarchy, EU Member.
Currency: Euro

Recommended hotels in Amsterdam:

Hotel NH Barbizon Palace Amsterdam
5 star hotel on Dam Square

Hotel Amstel Botel Amsterdam
Floating 3 star hotel near central station

Hotel Avenue Amsterdam
3 star tourist hotel near central station

Hotel Rho Amsterdam
3 star tourist hotel on dam Square

Hotel Crowne Plaza City Centre Amsterdam
5 star hotel between central station and Dam square

Hotel La Boheme Amsterdam
budget hotel near Leidseplein