Explore the Netherlands
The Netherlands, also known as Holland, is ‘the gateway to Europe’. Although it is a small country, it has a clear position globally. The port of Rotterdam is one of the biggest in the world. Schiphol Airport is one of the largest airports worldwide.
Multi Culti
The country has a long tradition of international trade. Nowadays the Netherlands is a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural society; most Dutch people also speak English.
Traditional culture
When you mention the Netherlands most people think of windmills, tulips and clogs (wooden shoes). There are still more than a thousand traditional working windmills. Nowadays modern wind turbines are being built to generate sustainable energy.
Dutch people
The Dutch are outgoing. When there’s an international soccer game, for instance, everybody dresses in orange. On the 30th of April it’s Queens Day, a national holiday. On this one day people are allowed to sell all kinds of stuff on the street: chairs, tables, toys, china, et cetera. It’s one big open air jumble sale. You’ll see that the whole nation is dressed in orange. Although the Dutch flag is red, white and blue, the national colour is also orange.
Becky Mast (21) USA
“I think Holland is a cute little country. It’s half the size of the state Illinois where I come from, but there are four million more people living over here. Dutch people are very open and friendly. In a short amount of time I’ve made very close friends. My Dutch friends will always be very special to me.”
Typical Dutch food
Hagelslag: chocolate sprinkles to put on your bread.
Snert: pea soup only served in winter.
Kroket and frikandel: both are fried, roll-formed snacks containing meat.
Haring: a typical Dutch delicacy is eating a raw herring (fish) with raw onions.
Stamppot: a very down-to-earth meal consisting of mashed potatoes with varying ingredients like carrots (wortel stamppot or hutspot), kale (boerenkool stamppot) or endive (andijvie stamppot) and usually served with bacon and rookworst (a smoked, juicy, mild sausage).
Patatje met: French fries with mayonnaise.
Drop: liquorice, sweet or salty sweets.
Facts and figures of the Netherlands
Capital city: Amsterdam
Seat of government: The Hague
Population: 16.3 million. The Netherlands Antilles and Aruba are part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Multicultural with 200 different nationalities.
Form of government: constitutional monarchy with a parliament
Head of government: Prime Minister
Monetary unit: Euro
Number of provinces: 12
Official languages: Dutch and Frisian.
Climate: The Netherlands has a maritime climate, with cool summers and mild winters. The average temperature is 2°C in January and 19°C in July, with an annual average of about 10°C.
Life on the beach
Long, sandy beaches line the whole of the western and northern shore, with soft, rolling dunes behind them. Mostly uncrowded and spotlessly clean, they are a real treat on sunny days. You will find a whole range of activities to suit your needs: swimming, sailing, windsurfing, deep-sea fishing, horseback riding on the beach. Or how about a walk through the dunes? There are more than 155 square miles of dunes ready to be explored.
Amsterdam
Anne Frank House
Paintings by Rembrandt
Historic houses
Canal tour
Diamond houses
More about Amsterdam »
Rotterdam
Rotterdam harbour and waterways
Modern art and architecture
Fabulous dance parties
Cool shops
More about Rotterdam »
Den Haag
Centre of politics
Miniature city Madurodam
Musea and palaces
Beach, spa & beauty
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Utrecht
Dom tower
Canal tour
Miffy by Dick Bruna
Great shopping
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Den Bosch
Medieval town, historical buildings
Sint-Jan Cathedral
Paintings by Jheronimus Bos
Canal tour
Good restaurants
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Maastricht
Culinary city, excellent food
Countryside with green valleys
Servatius Basilica
Spa & beauty
International city
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Groningen
Modern art
Shopping and local markets
Enjoyable nightlife
Botanic gardens
More about Groningen »
Alkmaar
Islands