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This website has been produced with the Financial assistance of the European Union. The content of this website is the sole responsibility of "Youth For Achievements" and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.

Netherlands

Year of EU entry: Founding member

Political system:Constitutional monarchy

Capital city: Amsterdam

Total area: 41 864 km²

Population: 16.3 million

Currency: euro

Official language: Dutch

The Netherlands is a small country in northwestern Europe that faces the North Sea.
As the name indicates, is low-lying territory, with one third of the country at or below sea level. Many areas are protected from flooding by dykes and sea walls. Much land has been reclaimed from the sea, the Flevoland polder being the most recent example.

The Netherlands is often called Holland, but Holland is really the name of only the northwestern part of the country though The Dutch have a saying that “God created the world, but the Dutch created Holland.”

The Netherlands has few natural resources, and its lands are poor for agriculture. However, the Dutch people have struggled against these obstacles and have made The Netherlands one of the wealthiest countries in the world. Foreign trade is the mainstay of the Dutch economy. Several major rivers of Europe flow through The Netherlands into the sea. These rivers and the country’s location on the North Sea have helped make it a great trading nation.

The Dutch Parliament consists of two chambers. The first with 75 members is indirectly elected and has limited powers. The second chamber, or lower house, is directly elected and controls the government. Members of both houses serve a four-year term. Given the balance among Dutch political parties, all governments are coalitions.