Netherlands Geography

What is the terrain and geography like in Netherlands?

Overview

The Netherlands is situated in Northwest Europe,reclaimed in part from the waters of the North Sea, The Netherlands is an artificially created land, half of which lies at or below sea level. The country possesses a flat terrain compromising mostly of coastal lowland, farmland, grassy dunes, and sandy beaches. The country is crisscrossed by numerous rivers and canals.

Geography - note

located at mouths of three major European rivers (Rhine, Maas or Meuse, and Schelde)

Climate

The Netherlands lies in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere, and for the most part possesses a maritime climate. The summers are cool while winters are quite cold. The warmest months fall between July and September with temperatures ranging from 60-75°F. The winter months are long and dreary with strong winds and some snow. Temperatures range from 20-35°F. Due to the proximity of the sea, rain is quite common and spread pretty evenly all year round.

Netherlands Use of Natural Resources

Netherlands Environment

Climate:

Terrain:

mostly coastal lowland and reclaimed land (polders); some hills in southeast

Natural Resources:

natural gas, petroleum, peat, limestone, salt, sand and gravel, arable land

Natural Hazards:

flooding

Irrigated Land:

1,765 Square Miles
4,572 Square Kilometers

Environmental Issues:

Water pollution in the form of heavy metals, organic compounds, and nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates; air pollution from vehicles and refining activities; acid rain.

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 Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Netherlands Geography

Geographic Location	Europe
Total Area	16,040 Square Miles 41,543 Square Kilometers
Land Area	13,086 Square Miles 33,893 Square Kilometers
Water Area	2,954 Square Miles 7,650 Square Kilometers
Land Boundaries	638 Miles 1,027 Kilometers
Irrigated Land	1,765 Square Miles 4,572 Square Kilometers
Border Countries	Belgium 450 km, Germany 577 km
Coastline	280 Miles 451 Kilometers
Geographic Coordinates	52 30 N, 5 45 E
Terrain	mostly coastal lowland and reclaimed land (polders); some hills in southeast
Highest Point	322 Meters
Highest Point Location	Vaalserberg 322 m
Lowest Point	-7 Meters
Lowest Point Location	Zuidplaspolder -7 m
Natural Resources	natural gas, petroleum, peat, limestone, salt, sand and gravel, arable land
Time Zone	UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) time zone note: time descriptions apply to the continental Netherlands only, for the constituent countries in the Caribbean, the time difference is UTC-4
Daylight saving time	+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

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