Netherlands Facts and Culture

What is Netherlands famous for?

• Food and Recipes: Breakfast is eaten between 7:30 and 8:15 AM with lunch at about 12:30 PM. Dinner is between 5:30 and... More
• Family: Dutch families are moderate in size. Both parents typically work outside the home. Couples usually live close to relatives.... More
• Fashion: On a typical day the clothing worn depends very much on the kind of job people have. Some organizations, like... More
• Visiting: When visiting, it is customary to shake hands with everyone present, including children. Dinner guests usually bring flowers or another... More
• Recreation: Cycling is a popular activity for commuting, recreation, and sport involving at least half the population.  Other favorite sports include tennis,... More
• Cultural Attributes: Netherlands has a strong tradition of involvement in international affairs. Dutch openness to the world has made them no less... More
• Dating: It is common for couples to live together before getting married. It is not uncommon for couples to live... More
• Diet: Bread or toast with jelly or jam, Dutch cheese or meats, are the most common foods for a Dutch breakfast.... More

What is the capital of Netherlands?

Capital	Amsterdam; note - The Hague is the seat of government
Government Type	parliamentary constitutional monarchy; part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Currency	Euro (EUR)
Total Area	16,040 Square Miles 41,543 Square Kilometers
Location	Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between Belgium and Germany
Language	Dutch (official language), Frisian (official language)
GDP - real growth rate	1.8%
GDP - per capita (PPP)	$49,300.00 (USD)

What is the population of Netherlands?

Ethnic Groups	Dutch 83%, other 17% (of which 9% are non-Western origin mainly Turks, Moroccans, Antilleans, Surinamese and Indonesians)
Nationality Adjective	Dutch
Nationality Noun	Dutchman(men), Dutchwoman(women)
Population	17,280,397
Population Growth Rate	0.44%
Population in Major Urban Areas	AMSTERDAM (capital) 1.056 million; Rotterdam 1.014 million; The Hague (seat of government) 635,000
Predominant Language	Dutch (official language), Frisian (official language)
Urban Population	83.2%

What type of government does Netherlands have?

• Executive Branch: chief of state: King WILLEM-ALEXANDER (since 30 April 2013); Heir Apparent Princess Catharina-Amalia (daughter of King WILLEM-ALEXANDER, born 7 December... More
• Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal More
• Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of the Netherlands dual citizenship recognized:... More
• National Holiday: King's Day (the King's birthday of 27 April (1967); celebrated on 26 April if 27 April is a Sunday) More
• Constitution: history: previous 1597, 1798; latest adopted 24 August 1815 (substantially revised in 1848) amendments: proposed as an “Act of Parliament” by... More
• Independence: 23 January 1579 (the northern provinces of the Low Countries conclude the Union of Utrecht breaking with Spain; on 26... More

What environmental issues does Netherlands have?

• Overview: The Netherlands is situated in Northwest Europe,reclaimed in part from the waters of the North Sea, The Netherlands is an... More
• Climate: The Netherlands lies in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere, and for the most part possesses a maritime climate.... More
• Border Countries: Belgium 450 km, Germany 577 km More
• Environment - Current Issues: Water pollution in the form of heavy metals, organic compounds, and nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates; air pollution from... More
• Environment - International Agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic... More
• Terrain: mostly coastal lowland and reclaimed land (polders); some hills in southeast More

How big is the Netherlands economy?

• Economic Overview: The Netherlands, the sixth-largest economy in the European Union, plays an important role as a European transportation hub, with a... More
• Industries: agroindustries, metal and engineering products, electrical machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum, construction, microelectronics, fishing More
• Currency Name and Code: Euro (EUR) More
• Export Partners: Germany 25.1%, Belgium 12.7%, UK 10.7%, France 10.2%, Italy 6%, US 4.6% More
• Import Partners: Germany 17.9%, Belgium 9.7%, US 9.1%, UK 6.9%, France 5.5%, China 5.1%, Japan 4% More

What current events are happening in Netherlands?
Source: Google News

What unique things can you discover about Netherlands?

• Although relatives and close friends call each other by their first names, co-workers may address each other using their last names, preceded by Mevrouw (Mrs or Ms), Juffrouw (Miss) or Mynheer (Mr)..
• As some Dutch people move away from traditional religion, many historic churches have been converted into art galleries. Amsterdam's medieval Nieuwe Kerk is both a church and a cultural center.
• Disastrous flooding in 1953 killed 1,800 people and destroyed more than 70,000 homes. This led to a huge flood-control project. Flooding struck again in 1995. Rising rivers forced 240,000 people to relocate until the water receded.
• Dutch farmers learned a kind of pole-vaulting so they could cross drainage ditches and get from field to field. This became a sport called polsstokspringen.
• In 1993, the Netherlands government legalized euthanasia (mercy-killing) under certain strict conditions, the first government in the world to do so.
• In the 17th century, a craze called 'tulip-mania' swept the country. Tulips became so popular that people had to pay huge sums to buy a single bulb. Eventually, the government regulated the tulip trade.
• In the northern province of Friesland children learn Frisian, the official language there, as well as Dutch and English.
• In the southern, mainly Catholic provinces, people celebrate before Lent with a huge carnival that lasts for three days and nights of merrymaking and parades.
• Recycling is well established in the Netherlands. Dutch families carefully sort recyclable waste. Organic matter like vegetable scraps is put into special bins for pickup.
• Some Dutch farmers announce the Christmas season using long crooked horns made of hollow branches. They blow these horns standing near their wells to amplify the eerie sound. From farm to farm, the farmers repeat the call.
• Some Dutch people hid Jewish citizens from Nazis during World War II. Among these 'onderduikers,' people who 'dove' into hiding, was a teenager named Anne Frank whose diary was later published worldwide.
• Some historians say the Dutch invented baseball. Art from the 1600s shows children playing something much like the modern game. Dutch settlers may have brought baseball to North America.
• 'That breaks my clog' is an old figure of speech. It's an expression of amazement. The sturdy wooden shoe called a clog (or klomp) is still worn by some farmers because it is waterproof in damp fields.
• The Netherlands have the most bicycles of any country in the world, approximately 16 million bikes. That averages to one bike per person in the country.
• The Dutch love for flowers shows up in many crafts. The popular blue-and-white porcelain called Delftware often has floral decoration. Frisian artists paint flowers onto furniture and tools
• The dutch people are known for their cheese, tulips and chocolates.
• The Netherlands is also known as Holland, because it contains the provinces of North and South Holland. These provinces, along with the province of Utrecht, are the mostly densely populated part of the country. The northern provinces are largely rural. Altogether there are 12 provinces in the Netherlands.
• The world's busiest port is in Rotterdam with over - 385,800 tons being transported.

What can you learn about Netherlands in this video?

Holland Guide YouTube, Expoza Travel

What makes Netherlands a unique country to travel to?

Country Description

The Netherlands is a highly developed, stable democracy. Tourist facilities are available throughout the country.

Crime

While the rate of violent crime in the Netherlands is low, tourists are often targeted by thieves. Visitors frequently fall prey to pickpockets, bag snatchers, and other petty thieves who target automobiles and hotel rooms. You should use your room or hotel safe, and keep your baggage locked or secured when you’re away.

While thieves may operate anywhere, the U.S. Consulate General in Amsterdam receives frequent reports of thefts from specific areas. Within Amsterdam, thieves and pickpockets are very active in and around train and tram stations, in the city center, and aboard public transportation. Theft is especially common on trains to and from Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport and international destinations, where hand luggage and laptop computers are often targeted. Thieves often work in pairs; one distracts you, often by asking for directions, while the accomplice moves in on your momentarily unguarded property. The timing of these thefts usually coincides with train stops, enabling the thieves to escape. In addition, many U.S. citizens have reported the theft of purses and briefcases while eating in downtown restaurants, including hotel breakfast rooms. Never leave your personal items or baggage unattended when going to the restroom, buffet table, etc.

Although still relatively limited, electronic theft has increased dramatically in the Netherlands in recent years. In March 2012, the Dutch Banking Association reported 2011 losses at 92 million euros – nearly double that of 2010. Most of the theft involved “skimming,” a technique that copies bank card information. ATM and credit card users are advised to keep an eye on their cards at all times. If you feel uncomfortable using your card for any reason, use cash. Contact your credit card provider for further guidance.

Confidence artists have victimized U.S. citizens around the world, including in the Netherlands. Typically, a U.S. citizen is notified via email of a winning lottery ticket, an inheritance, or other offer requiring his or her assistance and cooperation. The U.S. citizen is asked to forward advance payments for alleged “official expenses,” “taxes,” etc. and, often, to come to Amsterdam to conclude the operation. Another common scam involves an Internet friend or partner who is reported to have been detained by immigration authorities in the Netherlands en route to the United States, and will not be released unless additional funds are paid to the “traveler.” In every case, these reports have been determined to be confidence schemes. Several U.S. citizens have lost tens of thousands of dollars in such scams. Funds transferred in response to such offers can rarely be recovered. Information on fraud schemes can be found on the U.S. Consulate General's website, and the Department of State's International Financial Scams page. If you suspect you have been targeted by a scam based in the Netherlands, you may report it to Dutch law enforcement authorities by email at voorlichting@klpd.politie.nl, or at the following address:

KLPD, Financial Crimes Unit

PO Box 3016

2700 KX Zoetermeer

The Netherlands

Attention: Project Apollo

The Dutch Embassy in Washington, D.C. has a prepared letter that can be used to inform the Dutch Police of fraud.

Do not buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal to bring back into the United States, if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in the Netherlands, you are subject to its laws even though you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own. Under Dutch law, for example, you may be taken in for questioning if you are unable to present your passport to local authorities. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not in the country you are visiting.

Note that your U.S. passport will not help you avoid arrest or prosecution if you break local laws. If you are arrested in the Netherlands, however, you do have theright to request that the police, prison officials, or other authorities alert the Consulate General of your arrest, and to havecommunications from you forwarded to the Consulate General. This accommodation is based on the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, bilateral agreements with certain countries, and customary international law.

While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.

Medical Facilities and Health Information

Good medical facilities are widely available. Emergency medical response can be accessed by dialing 112. Pharmacies (“Apotheek”) are widely available and can assist with emergency prescription needs. Some common medications are not available in the Netherlands without a prescription, and some prescription drugs cannot be sent to the country. Travelers are urged to carry an adequate supply of prescription drugs in their original container, in their carry-on luggage. Please carry a letter from your pharmacist or medical doctor with you, as some drugs are subject to confiscation by local custom agents. Those traveling with any pre-existing medical problems should bring a letter from the attending physician, describing the medical condition and any prescription medications, including the generic name of prescribed drugs.

Vaccinations are not required for travel to the Netherlands.

Safety and Security

Since 2004, Dutch government security measures have been in place in response to concerns about terrorist activity in the Netherlands by international and domestic extremist groups. The Dutch Government has determined the current terrorist threat level to be "substantial." According to the Dutch National Coordinator for Counterterrorism, this level, the second-highest of four levels, means that “there is a realistic possibility that an attack will take place in the Netherlands.”

We encourage you to keep up with the latest news while in the Netherlands and to take steps to increase your security awareness. As with other countries in the Schengen area, the Netherlands’ open borders with its European neighbors allow for the possibility of terrorist groups entering/exiting the country with anonymity.

Demonstrations are commonplace in the Netherlands and may range in number from a few demonstrators to several thousand. Prior police notice is required for public demonstrations, and police oversight is routinely provided. Nonetheless, even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. We urge you to avoid areas of demonstrations if possible, and to exercise caution if near one. Visitors should stay informed about demonstrations from local news sources and hotel security.

Traffic Safety and Road Conditions

While in the Netherlands, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

In the Netherlands, travel in, around, and between cities is possible via a highly developed national public transportation system, an extensive system of bike paths, and by automobile and motorcycle on a modern highway system. Rail is often a convenient alternative to driving, particularly in the areas around Amsterdam, The Hague, and Rotterdam, where road congestion is frequent. Rail network information is available online. Intercity travel by road is relatively safe in comparison to some other European countries.

A valid driver’s license issued by a Department of Motor Vehicles in the United States is valid for use in the Netherlands for up to 180 days while in tourist or visitor status. You must use seat belts and child seats. Driving is on the right side of the road, as in the United States. Speed limits are strictly enforced via radar. Traffic cameras are pervasive throughout the Netherlands and tickets for traveling even 2-5 km/h over the limit are common. The maximum speed limit on highways is 120 km/h, with a highway speed limit of 100 km/h posted in most urban areas. Secondary roads and some urban-area highways have a speed limit of 80 km/h. The speed limit in towns and cities is 50 km/h, with 30 km/h zones in residential areas. The Dutch Government has reduced speed limits on certain roads near cities in an effort to reduce air pollution. You should be aware that speed limit signs are electronic, and therefore speed limits may be changed remotely by authorities depending on traffic conditions. Drivers must yield the right-of-way to drivers and bicyclists coming from the right at intersections or traffic circles unless otherwise posted. The maximum allowable blood-alcohol content in the Netherlands is 0.05%. Use of cellular telephones while driving without the use of a hands-free device is prohibited, and is punishable by severe fines.

Lanes in the center of many urban two-way streets are reserved for buses, trams, and taxis. In cities, pedestrians should be mindful of trams, which often cross or share bicycle and pedestrian paths. Serious – and sometimes fatal – accidents involving pedestrians or bicyclists colliding with trams occur each year. Motorists should be especially mindful that bicyclists have the right-of-way; motorists must yield to bicyclists. Pedestrians should not walk along bicycle paths, which are often adjacent to the sidewalk and usually designated by red pavement.

Bicyclists and pedestrians should be particularly cautious during the winter months, when paths, roads, and especially bridges can be icy and extremely slippery.

Taxi service in the Netherlands is safe but expensive. Trams and buses are both convenient and economical, but are often frequented by pickpockets.