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| {{Short description|Country in Northwestern Europe}} | |||
| {{about|the constituent country|the sovereign state|Kingdom of the Netherlands|all other uses}} | |||
| {{Redirect|Nederland}} | |||
| {{pp-move-indef}} | |||
| {{About|the constituent country|the sovereign state|Kingdom of the Netherlands|other uses}} | |||
| {{short description|Country in Western Europe}} | |||
| {{pp-semi-indef|small=yes}} | |||
| {{use dmy dates|date=February 2019}} | |||
| {{pp-move}} | |||
| {{Infobox country | |||
| {{Use British English|date=August 2023}} | |||
| | conventional_long_name = Netherlands<!--Do not change to Kingdom of the Netherlands; it has its own article.--> | |||
| {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}} | |||
| | native_name = {{native name|nl|Nederland}}<!--Do not change to Kingdom of the Netherlands; it has its own article.--> | |||
| {{Infobox political division | |||
| | common_name = Netherlands | |||
| | name = Netherlands<!--Do not change to Kingdom of the Netherlands; it has its own article.--> | |||
| | image_flag = Flag of the Netherlands.svg | |||
| | native_name = {{native name|nl|Nederland}}{{collapsible list | |||
| | image_coat = State coat of arms of the Netherlands.svg | |||
| |titlestyle = background:transparent;text-align:center;line-height:normal;font-size:84%; | |||
| | coa_size = 110 | |||
| |title = {{resize|1.0 em|In 2 regional languages}}{{efn|name=co-official_languages|Apart from Dutch, English is an official language in the special municipalities of ] and ], Papiamentu is an official language in the special municipality of ], and West Frisian is an official language in the province of ].<ref name="official-and-recognised-languages">{{cite web |url=https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/erkende-talen/vraag-en-antwoord/erkende-talen-nederland |title=Welke erkende talen heeft Nederland? |publisher=Rijksoverheid |access-date=27 December 2017 |language=nl|date=11 January 2016}}</ref>}} | |||
| | national_motto = <br /> {{native name|fr|"]"|nolink=on}} | |||
| |{{Infobox|subbox=yes|bodystyle=font-size:80%;font-weight:normal; | |||
| <br />"I will maintain" | |||
| |rowclass1 = mergedrow|label1=]:|data1={{lang|fy|Nederlân}} | |||
| | national_anthem = <br />{{native name|nl|"]"|nolink=on}}<br />"William of Nassau"<br />{{brk|2}}{{center|]}} | |||
| |rowclass2 = mergedrow|label2=]:|data2={{lang|pap|Hulanda}} | |||
| | image_map = EU-Netherlands.svg | |||
| | map_caption = {{map caption |countryprefix=the |location_color=dark green |region=] | region_color=dark grey |subregion=the ] | subregion_color=green}} | |||
| | image_map2 = BES islands location map.svg | |||
| | map_caption2 = {{map caption |countryprefix=the |country=] |location_color=green}} | |||
| | image_map3 = Netherlands-CIA WFB Map-10-10-10.png | |||
| | capital = ]{{efn|name=central_cities|Amsterdam is the constitutional capital, while the government and the royal family is seated in The Hague.}} | |||
| | largest_city = capital | |||
| | coordinates = {{coord|52|22|N|4|53|E|type:city}} | |||
| | admin_center = ]{{efn|name=central_cities}} | |||
| | admin_center_type = Government seat | |||
| | official_languages = ]<ref name="official-and-recognised-languages">{{cite web |url=https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/erkende-talen/vraag-en-antwoord/erkende-talen-nederland |title=Welke erkende talen heeft Nederland? |publisher=Rijksoverheid |accessdate=27 December 2017 |language=Dutch|date=11 January 2016 }}</ref> | |||
| | languages_type = Regional | |||
| | languages_sub = yes | |||
| | languages = ], ], ]{{efn|name=languages|West Frisian has official status in ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0034047/2014-01-01 |title=Wet gebruik Friese taal |publisher= wetten.nl |accessdate=27 December 2017 |language=Dutch}}</ref> Dutch Low Saxon and Limburgish are recognised as ] by the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.<ref name="official-and-recognised-languages" /> Papiamento is recognised by the Government of the Netherlands in relation to ], and English in relation to ] and ].<ref name=languages>{{cite web|url = http://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0028063/2017-01-01|title = Invoeringswet openbare lichamen Bonaire, Sint Eustatius en Saba|language = nl|publisher = Overheid.nl|accessdate = |date = 31 July 2017}}</ref>}} | |||
| | languages2_type = Recognised | |||
| | languages2_sub = yes | |||
| | languages2 = ], ]{{efn|name=languages}} | |||
| | ethnic_groups = {{plainlist|class=nowrap| | |||
| * 77.39% ] | |||
| * 9.88% Other ] | |||
| * 2.34% ] | |||
| * 2.29% ] | |||
| * {{allow wrap|2.13% ] and other ]}} | |||
| * 2.05% ] | |||
| * 0.90% ]s | |||
| * 0.23% Other ] | |||
| * 2.80% ]}} | |||
| | ethnic_groups_year = 2017<ref>. Cbs.nl. Retrieved on 4 July 2017.</ref> | |||
| | religion = {{plainlist| | |||
| * 51% ] | |||
| * 24% ] | |||
| * 15% ] | |||
| * 5% ] | |||
| * 6% Other}} | |||
| | religion_year = 2017<ref name="cbs2016">{{cite web |url = https://www.cbs.nl/nl-nl/nieuws/2018/43/meer-dan-de-helft-nederlanders-niet-religieus |title = Meer dan de helft Nederlanders niet religieus |author = CBS |website=www.cbs.nl |language=nl-NL |access-date=20 February 2019}}</ref> | |||
| | demonym = Dutch | |||
| | membership = ] | |||
| | membership_type = Sovereign state | |||
| | government_type = ] ] ] | |||
| | leader_title1 = ] | |||
| | leader_title2 = ] | |||
| | leader_title3 = ] | |||
| | leader_title4 = ] | |||
| | leader_name1 = ] | |||
| | leader_name2 = ] | |||
| | leader_name3 = {{ubl|]|]|]}} | |||
| | leader_name4 = ] | |||
| | legislature = ] | |||
| | upper_house = ] | |||
| | lower_house = ] | |||
| | sovereignty_type = Independence {{nobold|from ]}} | |||
| | established_event1 = ] | |||
| | established_event2 = ] | |||
| | established_event3 = Kingdom established | |||
| | established_event4 = ] | |||
| | established_event5 = ] | |||
| | established_event6 = ] | |||
| | established_event7 = ] | |||
| | established_date1 = 26 July 1581 | |||
| | established_date2 = 30 January 1648 | |||
| | established_date3 = 16 March 1815 | |||
| | established_date4 = 5 May 1945 | |||
| | established_date5 = 10 December 1945 | |||
| | established_date6 = 15 December 1954 | |||
| | established_date7 = 10 October 2010 | |||
| | area_km2 = 41765 <ref name="auto2">{{Cite web|url=https://opendata.cbs.nl/statline/#/CBS/nl/dataset/70072ned/table?ts=1583461308305|title=Totale oppervlakte}}</ref> <ref name="auto2-additional">{{Cite web|url=https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/caribische-deel-van-het-koninkrijk/vraag-en-antwoord/waaruit-bestaat-het-koninkrijk-der-nederlanden|title=Bonaire, Sint-Eustatius, Saba}}</ref> | |||
| | area_rank = 131st | |||
| | area_sq_mi = | |||
| | percent_water = 19.26 | |||
| | population_estimate = 17,424,978 {{increase}}<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://opendata.cbs.nl/statline/#/CBS/nl/dataset/37230ned/table|title=CBS Statline|website=opendata.cbs.nl}}</ref> | |||
| | population_estimate_year = 1 November 2019 | |||
| | population_estimate_rank = 64th | |||
| | population_density_km2 = 521 | |||
| | population_density_rank = 12th | |||
| | population_density_sq_mi = | |||
| | GDP_PPP = $1.004 trillion<ref name=imf2>{{cite web|url = https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2019/01/weodata/weorept.aspx?pr.x=90&pr.y=17&sy=2019&ey=2019&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=138&s=NGDPD%2CPPPGDP%2CNGDPDPC%2CPPPPC&grp=0&a=|title = Netherlands|date = April 2019|publisher = International Monetary Fund }}</ref> | |||
| | GDP_PPP_year = 2019 | |||
| | GDP_PPP_rank = 28th | |||
| | GDP_PPP_per_capita = $58,255<ref name=imf2/> | |||
| | GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 13th | |||
| | GDP_nominal = $914 billion<ref name=imf2/> | |||
| | GDP_nominal_year = 2019 | |||
| | GDP_nominal_rank = 17th | |||
| | GDP_nominal_per_capita = $53,016<ref name=imf2/> | |||
| | GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 13th | |||
| | Gini = 27.4<!--number only--> | |||
| | Gini_year = 2018 | |||
| | Gini_change = increase | |||
| | Gini_ref = <ref name=eurogini>{{cite web |url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/tgm/table.do?tab=table&init=1&language=en&pcode=tessi190&plugin=1 |title=Gini coefficient of equivalised disposable income - EU-SILC survey |publisher=] |website=ec.europa.eu/eurostat |access-date=20 October 2019}}</ref> | |||
| | Gini_rank = 15th | |||
| | HDI = 0.933<!--number only--> | |||
| | HDI_year = 2019<!-- Please use the year to which the data refers, not the publication year--> | |||
| | HDI_change = increase | |||
| | HDI_ref = <ref name="UNHDR">{{cite web|url=http://hdr.undp.org/en/content/2019-human-development-index-ranking|title=Human Development Report 2019|language=en|publisher=]|date=10 December 2019|accessdate=10 December 2019|format=PDF}}</ref> | |||
| | HDI_rank = 10th | |||
| | currency = ]; ]{{efn|The euro is used in the European part of the Netherlands and replaced the ] in 2002. The US dollar is used in the ] and replaced the ] in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0028551 |title=Wet geldstelsel BES |publisher=Dutch government |date=30 September 2010 |accessdate=11 January 2014 }}</ref>}} | |||
| | time_zone = {{ubl|]+1 (])|]−4 (]){{efn|CET and CEST are used in the European Netherlands, and AST is used in the Caribbean Netherlands.}}}} | |||
| | utc_offset = | |||
| | utc_offset_DST = | |||
| | time_zone_DST = {{ubl|]+2 (])|]−4 (])}} | |||
| | DST_note = {{smaller|Note: Although Netherlands is located in ]/] (Z) zone, since 2 November 1942, upon ], ]/] was adopted as standard time, with a +0:40:28 offset (+1:40:28 during ]) from Amsterdam’s ] (UTC+0:19:32).}} | |||
| | date_format = dd-mm-yyyy | |||
| | electricity = 230 V–50 Hz | |||
| | drives_on = right | |||
| | calling_code = ]; ]{{efn|599 was the country code designated for the now dissolved ]. The Caribbean Netherlands still use 599–7 (Bonaire), 599–3 (Sint Eustatius) and 599–4 (Saba).}} | |||
| | iso3166code = NL | |||
| | cctld = ];]; ]{{efn|.nl is the common internet top level domain name for the Netherlands. The ] domain is also used, as it is shared with other ] member states. .bq is designated, but not in use, for the ].}} | |||
| | today = | |||
| }} | }} | ||
| }} | |||
| | settlement_type = ] | |||
| | image_flag = Flag of the Netherlands.svg | |||
| | flag_size = 125 | |||
| | flag_link = Flag of the Netherlands | |||
| | image_seal = State coat of arms of the Netherlands.svg | |||
| | seal_size = 110 | |||
| | seal_type = Coat of arms | |||
| | seal_link = Coat of arms of the Netherlands | |||
| | motto = {{native name|fr|]|link=on}}<br />(''"I will maintain"'') | |||
| | anthem = {{native name|nl|]|link=on}}<br />(''"William of Nassau"'')<br><div style="display:inline-block;margin-top:0.4em;">{{center|]}}</div> | |||
| | image_map = {{Switcher|]|Netherlands on the globe|]|Metropolitan Netherlands in Europe|]|] in the Caribbean|default=2}} | |||
| | map_caption = {{map caption|location_color=dark green|region=Europe|region_color=dark grey|subregion=the European Union|subregion_color=light green}} | |||
| | subdivision_type = ] | |||
| | subdivision_name = ] | |||
| | established_title = Before independence | |||
| | established_date = ] | |||
| | established_title2 = ] | |||
| | established_date2 = 26 July 1581 | |||
| | established_title3 = ] | |||
| | established_date3 = 30 January 1648 | |||
| | established_title4 = ] | |||
| | established_date4 = 16 March 1815 | |||
| | established_title5 = ] | |||
| | established_date5 = 5 May 1945 | |||
| | established_title6 = ] | |||
| | established_date6 = 15 December 1954 | |||
| | established_title7 = ] | |||
| | established_date7 = 10 October 2010 | |||
| | official_languages = ] | |||
| | languages_type = ]s | |||
| | languages_sub = yes | |||
| | languages = {{hlist|]|]|]{{efn|name=co-official_languages|Apart from Dutch, English is an official language in the special municipalities of ] and ], Papiamentu is an official language in the special municipality of ], and West Frisian is an official language in the province of ].<ref name="official-and-recognised-languages">{{cite web |url=https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/erkende-talen/vraag-en-antwoord/erkende-talen-nederland |title=Welke erkende talen heeft Nederland? |publisher=Rijksoverheid |access-date=27 December 2017 |language=nl|date=11 January 2016}}</ref>}}}} | |||
| | languages2_type = Recognised languages | |||
| | languages2_sub = yes | |||
| | languages2 = {{hlist|]|]|]|]|]{{efn|name=recognised_languages|Having ratified the ] in 1996, the Dutch government recognises Dutch Low Saxon, Limburgish, Sinte Romani and Yiddish as regional or non-territorial minority languages.<ref name="official-and-recognised-languages" /> On 1 July 2021, Dutch Sign Language received the status of recognised language.<ref name="NGT">{{cite journal |title=Besluit van 24 juni 2021 tot vaststelling van het tijdstip van inwerkingtreding van de Wet erkenning Nederlandse Gebarentaal |journal=Staatsblad van het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden |date=2021 |url=https://www.eerstekamer.nl/behandeling/20210629/publicatie_inwerkingtreding/document3/f=/vlk1d0bzv6qf.pdf |access-date=1 July 2021 |issn=0920-2064}}</ref>}}}} | |||
| | demonym = Dutch | |||
| | capital = ]{{efn|name=central_cities|Amsterdam is the constitutional capital, while the government and the royal family are seated in The Hague.}} | |||
| | largest_city = capital | |||
| | coordinates = {{coord|52|22|N|4|53|E|type:city}} | |||
| | admin_center = ]{{efn|name=central_cities}} | |||
| | admin_center_type = Government seat | |||
| | ethnic_groups = {{ublist |item_style=white-space:nowrap; | |||
| |74.0% ]{{efn|Includes residents who were born in the Netherlands and whose parents were born in the Netherlands.}} | |||
| |8.4% other European | |||
| |2.4% ] | |||
| |2.4% ] | |||
| |2.1% ] | |||
| |2.1% ] | |||
| |1.1% ] | |||
| |7.6% ]<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|title=How many residents have origins outside the Netherlands|url=https://www.cbs.nl/nl-nl/dossier/dossier-asiel-migratie-en-integratie/hoeveel-inwoners-hebben-een-herkomst-buiten-nederland|access-date=21 July 2023|website=opendata.cbs.nl|date=March 2023}}</ref>}} | |||
| | ethnic_groups_year = 2022 | |||
| | religion = {{tree list}} | |||
| *58% ] | |||
| *30% ] | |||
| *6% ] | |||
| *6% ] | |||
| {{tree list/end}} | |||
| | religion_ref = <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbs.nl/nl-nl/cijfers/detail/82904NED |title=Religieuze betrokkenheid; persoonskenmerken |website=CBS|date=29 March 2024 |language=en,nl}}</ref> | |||
| | religion_year = 2023 | |||
| | government_type = Unitary parliamentary ] | |||
| | leader_title1 = ] | |||
| | leader_name1 = ] | |||
| | leader_title2 = ] | |||
| | leader_name2 = ] | |||
| | national_representation = ] | |||
| | national_representation_type1 = ] | |||
| | national_representation1 = 31 seats | |||
| | legislature = ] | |||
| | upper_house = ] | |||
| | lower_house = ] | |||
| | area_km2 = 41865<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/caribische-deel-van-het-koninkrijk/vraag-en-antwoord/waaruit-bestaat-het-koninkrijk-der-nederlanden |title=Waaruit bestaat het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden? – Rijksoverheid.nl |date=19 May 2015}}</ref> {{efn|name=area|The area of the Netherlands with overseas territories. Metropolitan Netherlands is 41,543 square kilometers}}<!-- Should match ] --> | |||
| | area_rank = 134th | |||
| | area_sq_mi = 16039 | |||
| | percent_water = 18.41<ref name="cia-worldfactbook-nl"/> | |||
| | elevation_max_m = 887 | |||
| | elevation_max_ft = | |||
| | elevation_max_point = ] | |||
| | population_census = 16,655,799<ref name="2011Census">{{cite web|url=https://www.cbs.nl/-/media/imported/documents/2014/44/2014-b57-pub.pdf?la=en-gb|title=Dutch Census 2011 Analysis and Methodology|publisher=]|page=9|date=19 November 2014|accessdate=9 June 2021}}</ref> | |||
| | population_census_year = 2011 | |||
| | population_estimate = {{IncreaseNeutral}} {{data Netherlands|poptoday|formatnum}}<ref name="Counter">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbs.nl/nl-nl/visualisaties/dashboard-bevolking/bevolkingsteller|title=Bevolkingsteller|publisher=]|language=Dutch|accessdate=9 June 2021}}</ref> | |||
| | population_estimate_rank = 69th | |||
| | population_estimate_year = {{CURRENTDAY}} {{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}} | |||
| | population_density_km2 = 520 | |||
| | population_density_sq_mi = | |||
| | population_density_rank = 33rd | |||
| | GDP_PPP = {{increase}} $1.460 trillion<ref name="IMFWEO.NL">{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2024/October/weo-report?c=138,&s=NGDPD,PPPGDP,NGDPDPC,PPPPC,&sy=2022&ey=2029&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1 |title=World Economic Outlook Database, October 2024 Edition. (Netherlands) |publisher=] |website=www.imf.org |date=22 October 2024 |access-date=22 October 2024}}</ref> | |||
| | GDP_PPP_year = 2024 | |||
| | GDP_PPP_rank = 28th | |||
| | GDP_PPP_per_capita = {{increase}} $81,494<ref name="IMFWEO.NL"/> | |||
| | GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 11th | |||
| | GDP_nominal = {{increase}} $1.218 trillion<ref name="IMFWEO.NL"/> | |||
| | GDP_nominal_year = 2024 | |||
| | GDP_nominal_rank = 17th | |||
| | GDP_nominal_per_capita = {{increase}} $67,984<ref name="IMFWEO.NL"/> | |||
| | GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 11th | |||
| | Gini = 26.4<!--number only--> | |||
| | Gini_year = 2021 | |||
| | Gini_change = decrease | |||
| | Gini_ref = <ref name=eurogini>{{cite web |url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/tessi190/default/table?lang=en |title=Gini coefficient of equivalised disposable income – EU-SILC survey|publisher=] |website=ec.europa.eu |access-date=25 January 2023}}</ref> | |||
| | Gini_rank = | |||
| | HDI = 0.946<!--number only--> | |||
| | HDI_year = 2022<!-- Please use the year to which the data refer, not the publication year--> | |||
| | HDI_change = steady | |||
| | HDI_ref = <ref name="UNHDR">{{cite web|url=https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2023-24reporten.pdf|title=Human Development Report 2023/24|language=en|publisher=]|date=13 March 2024|page=288|access-date=13 March 2024}}</ref>| HDI_rank = 10th | |||
| | currency = {{hlist|] (€) (])|United States dollar (US$) (]){{efn|The euro is used in the European part of the Netherlands and replaced the ] in 2002. The United States dollar is used in the ] and replaced the ] in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0028551 |title=Wet geldstelsel BES |publisher=Dutch government |date=30 September 2010 |access-date=11 January 2014}}</ref>}}}} | |||
| | timezone = | |||
| | utc_offset_list = {{hlist|] (])|] (])}}{{efn|CET and CEST are used in the European Netherlands, and AST is used in the Caribbean Netherlands.}} | |||
| | utc_offset_list_DST = {{hlist|] (])|] (AST)}} | |||
| | calling_code = ], ]{{efn|+599 was the country code designated for the now dissolved ]. The Caribbean Netherlands still use +599 7 (for Bonaire), +599 3 (for Sint Eustatius), and +599 4 (for Saba).}} | |||
| | cctld = ], ]{{efn|.nl is the common internet top-level domain name for the Netherlands. The ] domain is also used, as it is shared with other ] member states. .bq is designated, but not in use, for the ].}} | |||
| |drives_on=Right}} | |||
| The '''Netherlands''' |
{{nowrap|The '''Netherlands'''}},{{efn|{{langx|nl|Nederland}} {{IPA|nl|ˈneːdərlɑnt||Nl-Nederland.ogg}}}} ] '''Holland''',<!-- IMPORTANT!!! Do not link this Holland per ]; It is already linked and discussed further below and the bold unlinked inclusion is per community consensus!--> is a country in ], with ] in the ]. It is the largest of the four constituent countries of the ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0002154/2017-11-17 |title=Statuut voor het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden |trans-title=Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands |language=nl |publisher=Government of the Netherlands |date=17 November 2017 |access-date=11 July 2020}}</ref> The Netherlands consists of ]; it borders ] to the east and ] to the south, with a ] coastline to the north and west. It shares ] with the ], Germany, and Belgium.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defensie.nl/english/topics/hydrography/contents/maritime-zones-and-boundaries/netherlands-boundaries-in-the-north-sea |title=Netherlands boundaries in the North Sea |publisher=Ministry of Defence |access-date=15 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819083824/http://www.defensie.nl/english/topics/hydrography/contents/maritime-zones-and-boundaries/netherlands-boundaries-in-the-north-sea |archive-date=19 August 2014}}</ref> The official language is Dutch, with ] as a secondary official language in the province of ].<ref name="official-and-recognised-languages"/> Dutch, English, and ] are official in the ].<ref name="official-and-recognised-languages"/> | ||
| {{anchor|name}}''Netherlands'' literally means "lower countries" in reference to its low elevation and flat topography, with 26% below ].<ref name=":1" /> Most of the areas below sea level, known as ], are the result of ].<ref name="Cavendish_2003">{{cite book|title=How it Works: Science and Technology|url=https://archive.org/details/howitworks09mars|url-access=registration|year=2003|publisher=Marshall Cavendish|isbn=978-0-7614-7323-7|page=}}</ref> In the ], which began in 1588, the Netherlands entered a unique era of political, economic, and cultural greatness, ranked among the most powerful and influential in Europe and the world; this period is known as the ].<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Netherlands – Dutch civilization in the Golden Age (1609–1713)|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Netherlands|access-date=10 November 2021|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en}}</ref> During this time, its trading companies, the ] and the ], ] all over the world.<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Dutch Republic {{!}} History & Facts|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Dutch-Republic|access-date=10 November 2021|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=History of the Dutch Empire|url=http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/plaintexthistories.asp?historyid=aa61|access-date=10 November 2021|website=historyworld.net}}</ref> | |||
| The four largest cities in the Netherlands are ], ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbs.nl/nl-nl/onze-diensten/methoden/classificaties/overig/gemeentegrootte-en-stedelijkheid |title=Gemeentegrootte en stedelijkheid |language=Dutch |publisher=] |accessdate=16 December 2019}}</ref> Amsterdam is the country's most populous city and nominal ],<ref>{{cite web |last=Dutch Wikisource |title=Grondwet voor het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden |trans-title=Constitution for the Kingdom of the Netherlands |language=Dutch |url=http://nl.wikisource.org/Grondwet_voor_het_Koninkrijk_der_Nederlanden |at= |quote=... de hoofdstad Amsterdam ... |accessdate=3 July 2013}}</ref> while The Hague holds the seat of the ], ] and ].<!--Do not change this without broad consensus--><ref>{{cite web|url=http://netherlandsmission.org/article.asp?articleref=AR00000154EN&categoryvalue=netherlands&subcategoryvalue=nlgeneralinfo |author=Permanent Mission of the Netherlands to the UN |title=General Information |accessdate=26 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005025411/http://netherlandsmission.org/article.asp?articleref=AR00000154EN&categoryvalue=netherlands&subcategoryvalue=nlgeneralinfo |archivedate=5 October 2013 }}</ref> The ] is the busiest ] in Europe, and the busiest in any country outside ].<ref>{{cite press release |date=1 June 2014 |title=Port Statistics 2013 |url=https://www.portofrotterdam.com/sites/default/files/Port-statistics-2013.pdf |page=8 |publisher=Rotterdam Port Authority |accessdate=28 June 2014}}</ref> ] is the busiest airport in the Netherlands, and the third busiest in Europe. The country is a founding member of the ], ], ], ], ] and ], as well as a part of the ] and the trilateral ]. It hosts several ] and ]s, many of which are centered in The Hague, which is consequently dubbed 'the world's legal capital'.<ref>{{Cite book|last = van Krieken|first = Peter J.|author2 = David McKay|title = The Hague: Legal Capital of the World|publisher = Cambridge University Press|year = 2005|isbn = 978-90-6704-185-0|url-access = registration|url = https://archive.org/details/haguelegalcapita0000unse}}, specifically, ''"In the 1990s, during his term as United Nations Secretary General, Boutros Boutros-Ghali started calling The Hague the world's legal capital."''</ref> | |||
| With a population of over 18 million people, all living within a total area of {{cvt|41,850|km2}}—of which the land area is {{cvt|33,500|km2}}—the Netherlands is the ] country, with a density of {{convert|535|/km2||disp=preunit|people |people}}. Nevertheless, it is the world's second-largest exporter of food and agricultural products by value, owing to its ], mild climate, ], and ].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Reiley |first=Laura |title=Cutting-edge tech made this tiny country a major exporter of food |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/interactive/2022/netherlands-agriculture-technology/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=23 November 2022 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en}}</ref><ref name="hollandtrade.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.hollandtrade.com/sector-information/agriculture-and-food/?bstnum=4909|title=Agriculture and food|first=Netherlands Enterprise Agency|last=(RVO)|work=hollandtrade.com|access-date=26 August 2016|date=17 July 2015|archive-date=1 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101082732/http://www.hollandtrade.com/sector-information/agriculture-and-food/?bstnum=4909|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="nationalgeographic.com">{{cite web |date=September 2017 |title=How the Netherlands Feeds the World |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/article/holland-agriculture-sustainable-farming |url-access=subscription |access-date=15 January 2020 |publisher=]}}</ref> The four largest cities in the Netherlands are ], ], ] and ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbs.nl/nl-nl/onze-diensten/methoden/classificaties/overig/gemeentegrootte-en-stedelijkheid |title=Gemeentegrootte en stedelijkheid |language=nl |publisher=] |access-date=16 December 2019}}</ref> Amsterdam is the country's most populous city and the nominal ], though the primary national political institutions are located in the Hague.<ref>{{cite web |last=Dutch Wikisource |title=Grondwet voor het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden |trans-title=Constitution for the Kingdom of the Netherlands |language=nl |url=http://nl.wikisource.org/Grondwet_voor_het_Koninkrijk_der_Nederlanden |at= |quote=... de hoofdstad Amsterdam ... |access-date=3 July 2013}}</ref> | |||
| The Netherlands has been a |
The Netherlands has been a parliamentary ] with a ] since 1848. The country has a tradition of ] (separation of citizens into groups by religion and political beliefs) and a long record of ], having legalised ] and ], along with maintaining ]. The Netherlands allowed ] in 1919 and was the first country to legalise ] in 2001.<ref>{{cite news |date=1 April 2001 |title=Same-Sex Marriage Legalized in Amsterdam |publisher=] |url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0104/01/sm.10.html |url-status=dead |access-date=11 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303221411/http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0104/01/sm.10.html |archive-date=3 March 2016}}</ref> Its ] ] has the ] per capita income globally. The Hague holds the seat of the ], ], and ].<!--Do not change this without broad consensus--><ref>{{cite web|url=http://netherlandsmission.org/article.asp?articleref=AR00000154EN&categoryvalue=netherlands&subcategoryvalue=nlgeneralinfo |author=Permanent Mission of the Netherlands to the UN |title=General Information |access-date=26 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005025411/http://netherlandsmission.org/article.asp?articleref=AR00000154EN&categoryvalue=netherlands&subcategoryvalue=nlgeneralinfo |archive-date=5 October 2013}}</ref> The ] is the ].<ref name="Ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/-/ddn-20200402-2_2021-11-25">{{Cite web |url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/-/ddn-20200402-2 |title=Rotterdam: the largest freight port in the EU |publisher=European Commission |date=2 April 2020 |accessdate=25 November 2021}}</ref> ] is the ], and the ]. Being a ], the Netherlands is a founding member of the ], ], ], ], ], and ], as well as a part of the ] and the trilateral ] Union. It hosts ] and ]s, many of which are in The Hague.<ref>{{Cite book |last=van Krieken |first=Peter J. |author2=David McKay |title=The Hague: Legal Capital of the World |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2005 |isbn=978-90-6704-185-0 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/haguelegalcapita0000unse}}</ref> | ||
| ==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
| {{Main|Terminology of the Low Countries}} | {{Main|Terminology of the Low Countries}} | ||
| ===Netherlands and the Low Countries=== | |||
| The Netherlands' turbulent history and shifts of power resulted in exceptionally many and widely varying names in different languages. There is diversity even within languages. In English, the Netherlands is also called ] or (part of) ], whereas the term ''"]"'' is used as the ] and adjectival form. | |||
| The countries that comprise the region called the ] (Netherlands, ], and ]) all have comparatively the same ]. Place names with {{lang|gem|Neder}}, {{lang|gem|Nieder}}, {{lang|gem|Nedre}}, {{lang|gem|Nether}}, {{lang|gem|Lage(r)}} or {{lang|gem|Low(er)}} (in ]) and {{lang|roa|Bas}} or {{lang|roa|Inferior}} (in ]) are in use in low-lying places all over Europe. The ] made a distinction between the Roman provinces of downstream ] (nowadays part of Belgium and the Netherlands) and upstream ]. Thus, in the case of the Low Countries and the Netherlands, the geographical location of this ''lower'' region is more or less downstream and near the sea, compared to that of the upper region of Germania Superior. The designation 'Low' returned in the 10th-century Duchy of ], which covered much of the Low Countries.<ref name="Franks (Columbia Encyclopedia)">{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Franks.aspx |title=Franks |publisher=] |encyclopedia=] |year=2013 |access-date=1 February 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://nobhist.narod.ru/lorraine.html |title=Lotharingia / Lorraine (Lothringen) |date=5 September 2013 |access-date=1 February 2014}}</ref> | |||
| The ] used the term ''les pays de par deçà'' ("the lands over here") for the Low Countries.<ref name="BlockmansPrevenier2010">{{cite book |author1=Wim Blockmans |author2=Walter Prevenier |title=The Promised Lands: The Low Countries Under Burgundian Rule, 1369–1530 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0Foy9GGgdcgC&q=duke+pays+de+par+deçà&pg=PA85 |date=3 August 2010 |publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press |isbn=978-0-8122-0070-6 |pages=85–}}</ref> Under ], this became ''pays d'embas'' ("lands down-here").<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=59Pae06JSiUC&q=The%20New%20Cambridge%20Modern%20History%3A%20Volume%202%2C%20The%20Reformation%2C%201520-1559&pg=PA342 |title=The New Cambridge Modern History: Volume 2, The Reformation, 1520–1559 |isbn=978-0-521-34536-1 |last1=Elton |first1=Geoffrey Rudolph |year=1990 |publisher=Cambridge University Press}}</ref> This was translated as {{lang|nl|Neder-landen}} in contemporary Dutch official documents.<ref name="Lem">{{cite web |last=Van der Lem |first=Anton |title=De Opstand in de Nederlanden 1555–1609;De landen van herwaarts over |url=http://www.dutchrevolt.leiden.edu/dutch/verhaal/Pages/verhaal01.aspx |access-date=11 March 2013 |archive-date=10 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010141427/http://www.dutchrevolt.leiden.edu/dutch/verhaal/Pages/verhaal01.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref> From a regional point of view, ''Niderlant'' was also the area between the ] and the lower ] in the late Middle Ages. From the mid-sixteenth century, the "Low Countries" and the "Netherlands" lost their original ]. | |||
| ===The Netherlands and the Low Countries=== | |||
| The region called the ] (comprising ], the Netherlands and ]) and the Country of the Netherlands, have the same ]. Place names with ''Neder'' (or ''lage''), ''Nieder'', ''Nether'' (or ''low'') and ''Nedre'' (in ]) and ''Bas'' or ''Inferior'' (in ]) are in use in places all over Europe. They are sometimes used in a ] relation to a higher ground that consecutively is indicated as ''Upper'', ''Boven'', ''Oben'', ''Superior'' or ''Haut''. In the case of the Low Countries / Netherlands the geographical location of the ''lower'' region has been more or less downstream and near the sea. The geographical location of the upper region, however, changed tremendously over time, depending on the location of the economic and military power governing the Low Countries area. The ] made a distinction between the Roman provinces of downstream ] (nowadays part of Belgium and the Netherlands) and upstream ] (nowadays part of Germany). The designation 'Low' to refer to the region returns again in the 10th century Duchy of ], that covered much of the Low Countries.<ref name="Franks (Columbia Encyclopedia)">{{cite web |url = http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Franks.aspx |title=Franks |publisher=] |encyclopedia=] |year=2013 |accessdate=1 February 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://nobhist.narod.ru/lorraine.html |title=Lotharingia / Lorraine (Lothringen) |date=5 September 2013 |accessdate=1 February 2014 }}</ref> But this time the corresponding ''Upper'' region is ], in nowadays Northern France. | |||
| In most ], the term "Low Countries" is officially used as the name for the Netherlands. | |||
| The ], who ruled the Low Countries in the 15th century, used the term ''les pays de par deçà'' ("the lands over here") for the Low Countries as opposed to ''les pays de par delà'' ("the lands over there") for their original homeland: ] in present-day east-central France.<ref name="BlockmansPrevenier2010">{{cite book |author1=Wim Blockmans |author2=Walter Prevenier |title = The Promised Lands: The Low Countries Under Burgundian Rule, 1369-1530 |url = https://books.google.com/?id=0Foy9GGgdcgC&pg=PA85&dq=duke+pays+de+par+deçà#v=onepage&q=duke%20pays%20de%20par%20deçà&f=false |date=3 August 2010 |publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press |isbn=978-0-8122-0070-6 |pages=85– }}</ref> Under ], ''Les pays de par deçà'' developed in ''pays d'embas'' ("lands down-here"),<ref>{{cite book |url = https://books.google.com/?id=59Pae06JSiUC&lpg=PP1&dq=The%20New%20Cambridge%20Modern%20History%3A%20Volume%202%2C%20The%20Reformation%2C%201520-1559&pg=PA342#v=onepage&q=The%20New%20Cambridge%20Modern%20History:%20Volume%202,%20The%20Reformation,%201520-1559&f=false |title = The New Cambridge Modern History: Volume 2, The Reformation, 1520–1559 |isbn = 9780521345361 |last1 = Elton |first1 = Geoffrey Rudolph |year = 1990 }}</ref> a deictic expression in relation to other Habsburg possessions like Hungary and Austria. This was translated as ''Neder-landen'' in contemporary Dutch official documents.<ref name="Lem">{{cite web |last=Van der Lem |first=Anton |title=De Opstand in de Nederlanden 1555–1609;De landen van herwaarts over |url = http://www.dutchrevolt.leiden.edu/dutch/verhaal/Pages/verhaal01.aspx |accessdate=11 March 2013 }}</ref> From a regional point of view, ''Niderlant'' was also the area between the ] and the lower ] in the late Middle Ages. The area known as ''Oberland'' (High country) was in this deictic context considered to begin approximately at the nearby higher located ]. | |||
| === Holland === | |||
| From the mid-sixteenth century on, the "Low Countries" and the "Netherlands" lost their original deictic meaning. They were probably the most commonly used names, besides ], a '']'' for the Low Countries, especially in Romance language speaking Europe. The ] (1568–1648) divided the Low Countries into an independent northern ] (or ] ''Belgica Foederata'', "Federated Netherlands", the precursor state of the Netherlands) and a Spanish controlled ] (Latinised ''Belgica Regia'', "Royal Netherlands", the precursor state of Belgium). The Low Countries today is a designation that includes the countries of the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg, although in most ], the term "Low Countries" is used as the name for the Netherlands specifically. It is used synonymous with the more neutral and geopolitical term ]. | |||
| The term '']'' has frequently been used ] to ] of the modern country of the Netherlands in various languages,<ref name="MoFA">{{cite web |title=Holland or the Netherlands? |url=http://sweden.nlembassy.org/you-and-netherlands |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027142541/http://sweden.nlembassy.org/you-and-netherlands |archive-date=27 October 2016 |access-date=15 December 2012 |publisher=Dutch Embassy in Sweden}}</ref> including ]<ref name="Van Dale">G. Geerts & H. Heestermans, 1981, ''Groot Woordenboek der Nederlandse Taal. Deel I'', Van Dale Lexicografie, Utrecht, p 1105</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=11 May 2016 |title=Nederland vs. Holland |url=https://www.holland.com/be_nl/toerisme/informatie/algemeen/nederland-vs-holland.htm |access-date=5 February 2023 |website=holland.com |language=Dutch |quote=Wat is het verschil tussen Holland en Nederland? Nederland bestaat uit de 12 provincies, maar veel mensen gebruiken ook het woord Holland als ze het over Nederland hebben.}}</ref> and English. In some languages, Holland is used as the formal name for the Netherlands. However, Holland is a region within the Netherlands that consists of the two provinces of ] and ]. Formerly these were a single province, and earlier the ], which included parts of present-day ]. The emphasis on Holland during the formation of the ], the ], and the ] in the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries, made Holland a '']'' for the entire country.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/about-us/style-book/1435302/Telegraph-style-book-places-and-peoples.html |title=Telegraph style book: places and peoples |access-date=31 March 2014 |location=London |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=12 April 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.media.uoa.gr/lectures/linguistic_archives/academic_papers0506/notes/stylesheets_3.pdf|title=The BBC News Styleguide|access-date=31 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227003642/http://www2.media.uoa.gr/lectures/linguistic_archives/academic_papers0506/notes/stylesheets_3.pdf|archive-date=27 February 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
| Many Dutch people object to the country being referred to as ''Holland'' instead of ''the Netherlands'', on much the same grounds as many ] or ] people object to the United Kingdom being referred to as England.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Oostendorp |first=Marc van |date=1 June 2018 |title=Nederland of Holland? |url=https://neerlandistiek.nl/2018/06/nederland-of-holland/ |access-date=1 September 2023 |website=Neerlandistiek |language=nl-NL}}</ref> In particular, those from regions other than Holland find it undesirable or misrepresentative to use the term Holland for the whole country,<ref name="MoFA"/> as the ] region only comprises two of the twelve provinces, and 38% of Dutch citizens. As of 2019, the Dutch government officially has preferred ''the Netherlands'' instead of ''Holland'' when talking about the country''.''<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 December 2019 |title=Wennen aan The Netherlands, want Holland bestaat niet langer |url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2316869-wennen-aan-the-netherlands-want-holland-bestaat-niet-langer |access-date=1 September 2023 |website=nos.nl |language=nl}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=margoD |date=3 September 2020 |title=Wat is het verschil tussen Holland en Nederland? |url=https://wheninholland.com/weetjes/het-verschil-tussen-holland-en-nederland/ |access-date=1 September 2023 |website=When in Holland |language=nl-NL}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Romano |first=Andrea |date=7 January 2020 |title=The Netherlands Will No Longer Be Called Holland |url=https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/netherlands-holland-official-name-change |access-date=5 February 2022 |website=Travel + Leisure |language=en}}</ref> | |||
| ===Holland=== | |||
| The Netherlands is also referred to as ] in various languages, including English. The region of Holland proper consists of ] and ], two of the nation's twelve provinces, formerly a single province, and earlier still, the ], a remnant of the dissolved ]. Following the decline of the ] and the ], Holland became the most economically and politically important county in the ] region. The emphasis on Holland during the formation of the ], the ], and the ] in the 16th, 17th, and 18th century, made Holland serve as a '']'' for the entire country, which is now considered informal<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/about-us/style-book/1435302/Telegraph-style-book-places-and-peoples.html |title=Telegraph style book: places and peoples |accessdate=31 March 2014 |location=London |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=12 April 2008 }}</ref> or incorrect.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://handbook.reuters.com/index.php?title=H#Holland |title=The Reuters Style Guide |accessdate=31 March 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.media.uoa.gr/lectures/linguistic_archives/academic_papers0506/notes/stylesheets_3.pdf|title=The BBC News Styleguide|accessdate=31 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227003642/http://www2.media.uoa.gr/lectures/linguistic_archives/academic_papers0506/notes/stylesheets_3.pdf|archive-date=27 February 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> The use of the term Holland when referring to the whole of the Netherlands is disliked by many Dutch people.{{Citation needed|date=February 2020}} Nonetheless, the name "Holland" is still widely used for the ], including in the Netherlands,<ref>{{cite news |url = http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-files/Guardian/documents/2004/07/15/styleguidepdfjuly2004.pdf |title=The Guardian style guide |accessdate=31 March 2014 |location=London }}</ref> and the Dutch government's international websites for tourism and trade are "holland.com" and "hollandtradeandinvest.com".<ref> "Holland vs Netherlands – Is the Netherlands the same as Holland?"</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://exploreholland.nl/holland-vs-netherlands/|title=Holland vs Netherlands: Everything you need to know|date=2020-01-17|website=Explore Holland|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-17}}</ref> In 2020, however, the Dutch government has announced that it will only communicate and advertise under the name "the Netherlands" in the future.<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/13/world/europe/holland-netherlands-new-name.html |title=Why Dutch Officials Want You to Forget the Country of Holland|date=13 January 2020|website=The New York Times|accessdate=15 January 2020|location=New York City }}</ref> | |||
| Often ''Holland'' or ''Hollanders'' is used by the ] to refer to the Dutch in the Netherlands,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Het Vlaams woordenboek » hollander |url=https://www.vlaamswoordenboek.be/definities/term/hollander |access-date=12 September 2023 |website=vlaamswoordenboek.be}}</ref> and by the Southern Dutch (Dutch living "'']''", a natural cultural, social and ] boundary formed by the rivers ] and ]) to refer to the Northern Dutch (Dutch living North of these rivers).<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=HOLLANDER – de betekenis volgens Encyclopedie van Noord Brabant |url=https://www.ensie.nl/encyclopedie-van-noord-brabant/hollander |access-date=12 September 2023 |website=ensie.nl}}</ref> In the Southern province of Limburg, the term is used for the Dutch from the other 11 provinces.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=25 October 2017 |title=Limburger vindt 'Hollander' bedreigender dan buitenlander |url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2199675-limburger-vindt-hollander-bedreigender-dan-buitenlander |access-date=12 September 2023 |website=nos.nl |language=nl}}</ref> The use of the term in this context by the Southern Dutch is in a ] fashion.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> | |||
| ===Dutch=== | |||
| The term Dutch is used as the demonymic and adjectival form of the Netherlands in the English language. The origins of the word go back to Proto-Germanic ''*þiudiskaz'', meaning "popular" or "of the people"; akin to Old Dutch ''dietsc'', Old High German ''diutsch'', and Old English ''þeodisc'', all meaning "(of) the common (Germanic) people". At first, the English language used (the contemporary form of) Dutch to refer to any or all speakers of West Germanic languages (e.g. the Dutch, the Frisians, and the Germans). Gradually its meaning shifted to the West Germanic people they had most contact with, because of their geographical proximity and for the rivalry in trade and overseas territories. The derivative of the Proto-Germanic word ''*þiudiskaz'' in modern Dutch, ''Diets'', can be found in Dutch literature as a poetic name for the Dutch people or language, but is considered very archaic. It is still used in the expression "diets maken" - to put it straight to him/her (as in a threat) or, more neutral, to make it clear, understandable, explain, say in the people's language (cf. the Vulgate (Bible not in Greek or Hebrew, but Latin; the folks' language) in meaning vulgar, though not in a pejorative sense) | |||
| === Dutch === | |||
| ''Dutch'' is used as the adjective for the Netherlands, as well as the ]. The origins of the word go back to Proto-Germanic ''*þiudiskaz'', ] into ], meaning "popular" or "of the people", akin to ] ''Dietsch'' or Old English ''þeodisc'', meaning "(of) the common (]) people".<ref>{{cite book |title=The Oxford Introduction to Proto-Indo-European and the Proto-Indo-European World |last1=Mallory |first1=J. P. |last2=Adams |first2=D. Q. |author-link2=Douglas Q. Adams |year=2006 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=US |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yfZZX1qjpvkC |isbn=0-19-929668-5 |access-date=6 April 2016 |archive-date=31 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831164332/https://books.google.com/books?id=yfZZX1qjpvkC |url-status=live}}, p. 269.</ref> At first, the English language used ''Dutch'' to refer to any or all speakers of ]. Gradually its meaning shifted to the West Germanic people they had the most contact with.<ref>M. Philippa e.a. (2003–2009) Etymologisch Woordenboek van het Nederlands </ref> | |||
| ==History== | ==History== | ||
| {{Main|History of the Netherlands}} | {{Main|History of the Netherlands}} | ||
| ===Prehistory (before 800 |
===Prehistory (before 800 BC)=== | ||
| {{Main|Prehistory of the Netherlands}} | |||
| {{Main|Paleolithic Europe|Neolithic Europe|Bronze Age Europe}} | |||
| ] (4500 BCE)]] | |||
| The prehistory of the area that is now the Netherlands was largely shaped by the sea and the rivers that constantly shifted the low-lying geography. The oldest human (]) traces were found in higher soils, near ], from what is believed to be about 250,000 years ago.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Roebroeks|first1=Wil|last2=Sier|first2=Mark J.|last3=Nielsen|first3=Trine Kellberg|last4=Loecker|first4=Dimitri De|last5=Parés|first5=Josep Maria|last6=Arps|first6=Charles E. S.|last7=Mücher|first7=Herman J.|title=Use of red ochre by early Neandertals|journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences|volume=109|issue=6 |pages=1889–1894 |doi=10.1073/pnas.1112261109 |pmid=22308348|date=7 February 2012 |pmc=3277516 |bibcode=2012PNAS..109.1889R}}</ref> At the end of the ], the ] late ] ] (c. 13.000–10.000 BC) hunted ] in the area, using spears, but the later ] (c. 11.200–9500 BC) used ]. From ] ] (c. 8000 BC) the ] in the world was found in ].<ref>{{Citation | last1 = Van Zeist | first1 = W. | title = De steentijd van Nederland | journal=Nieuwe Drentse Volksalmanak | volume = 75 | pages = 4–11 | year = 1957}}</ref> | |||
| Indigenous late Mesolithic ]s from the ] (c. 5600 BC) were related to the southern Scandinavian ] and were strongly linked to rivers and open water.<ref name="Kooijmans1998">Louwe Kooijmans, L.P., "", 1998, ''Spiegel Historiael'' 33, pp. 423–428</ref> Between 4800 and 4500 BC, the Swifterbant people started to copy from the neighbouring ] the practise of ], and between 4300 and 4000 BC the practice of ].<ref>Volkskrant 24 August 2007 " {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090919141403/http://www.volkskrant.nl/wetenschap/article455140.ece/Prehistorische_akker_gevonden_bij_Swifterbant |date=19 September 2009 }}"</ref> To Swifterbant the related ] (c. 4300–2800 BC) erected the ], large stone grave monuments found in Drenthe. There was a quick and smooth transition from the Funnelbeaker farming culture to the pan-European ] ] culture (c. 2950 BC). In the southwest, the ] — which was related to the ] (c. 2600 BC), an apparently more primitive culture of hunter-gatherers — survived well into the ] period, until it too was succeeded by the Corded Ware culture. | |||
| {{multiple image |perrow=2|total_width=350|caption_align=center | {{multiple image |perrow=2|total_width=350|caption_align=center | ||
| | title = | | title = | ||
| | image1 = 5500vc ex leg.jpg|caption1=The Netherlands in 5500 |
| image1 = 5500vc ex leg.jpg|caption1=The Netherlands in 5500 BC | ||
| | image2 = BronzAgeElp.png|caption2=Bronze Age cultures in the Netherlands | | image2 = BronzAgeElp.png|caption2=Bronze Age cultures in the Netherlands | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| The oldest human (]) traces in the Netherlands, believed to be about 250,000 years old, were found near ].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Roebroeks|first1=Wil|last2=Sier|first2=Mark J.|last3=Nielsen|first3=Trine Kellberg|last4=Loecker|first4=Dimitri De|last5=Parés|first5=Josep Maria|last6=Arps|first6=Charles E. S.|last7=Mücher|first7=Herman J.|title=Use of red ochre by early Neandertals|journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences|volume=109|issue=6 |pages=1889–1894 |doi=10.1073/pnas.1112261109 |pmid=22308348|date=7 February 2012 |pmc=3277516 |bibcode=2012PNAS..109.1889R|doi-access=free| issn=0027-8424 }}</ref> At the end of the ], the ] late ] ] (13,000–10,000 BC) hunted ] in the area, using spears. The later ] (11,200–9,500 BC) used ]. From ] ] (c. 8000 BC), the world's ] was found in ].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Van Zeist |first1=W. |title=De steentijd van Nederland |journal=Nieuwe Drentse Volksalmanak |volume=75 |pages=4–11 |year=1957}}</ref> | |||
| Indigenous late Mesolithic ]s from the ] (c. 5600 BC), related to the southern Scandinavian ], were strongly linked to rivers and open water.<ref name="Kooijmans1998">Louwe Kooijmans, L.P., "", 1998, ''Spiegel Historiael'' 33, pp. 423–428</ref> Between 4800 and 4500 BC, the Swifterbant people started to adopt from the neighbouring ] the practice of ], and between 4300 and 4000 BC agriculture.<ref>Volkskrant 24 August 2007 " {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090919141403/http://www.volkskrant.nl/wetenschap/article455140.ece/Prehistorische_akker_gevonden_bij_Swifterbant |date=19 September 2009}}"</ref> The ] (4300–2800 BC) erected the ], large stone grave monuments found in ]. There was a quick transition from the Funnelbeaker farming culture to the pan-European ] ] culture (c. 2950 BC). In the southwest, the ]—related to the ] (c. 2600 BC)—survived well into the ] period, until it too was succeeded by the Corded Ware culture. | |||
| Of the subsequent ] (2700–2100 BC) several regions of origin have been postulated, notably the Iberian peninsula, the Netherlands and Central Europe.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Nicolis|first1=edited by Harry Fokkens & Franco|title=Background to beakers : inquiries in regional cultural backgrounds to the Bell Beaker complex|date=2012|publisher=Sidestone|location=Leiden|isbn=978-90-8890-084-6|page=131}}</ref> They introduced metalwork in copper, gold and later bronze and opened international trade routes not seen before, reflected in the discoveries of ], as the metal is not normally found in Dutch soil. The many finds in ] of rare bronze objects, suggest that it was even a trading centre in the Bronze Age (2000–800 BC). The Bell Beaker culture developed locally into the Barbed-Wire Beaker culture (2100–1800 BC) and later the ] (c. 1800–800 BC),<ref>{{cite web|last1=Harry|first1=Fokkens|title=The Periodisation of the Dutch Bronze Age: a Critical Review|url=https://openaccess.leidenuniv.nl/bitstream/handle/1887/19822/Fokkens_2001_The%20periodisation%20of%20the%20Dutch%20Bronze%20Age%20a%20critical%20review_Redacted.pdf?sequence=1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010141442/https://openaccess.leidenuniv.nl/bitstream/handle/1887/19822/Fokkens_2001_The%20periodisation%20of%20the%20Dutch%20Bronze%20Age%20a%20critical%20review%5b1%5d_Redacted.pdf?sequence=1|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 October 2017|website=Open Access Leiden University|publisher=Faculty of Archaeology, Leiden|accessdate=7 July 2017}}</ref> a Middle Bronze Age archaeological culture having ] pottery of low quality as a marker. The initial phase of the Elp culture was characterised by ] (1800–1200 BC) that were strongly tied to contemporary tumuli in northern Germany and Scandinavia, and were apparently related to the ] in central Europe. The subsequent phase was that of cremating the dead and placing their ashes in urns which were then buried in fields, following the customs of the ] (1200–800 BC). The southern region became dominated by the related ] (1800–800 BC), which apparently inherited cultural ties with Britain of the previous Barbed-Wire Beaker culture. | |||
| The subsequent ] (2700–2100 BC)<ref>{{cite book |editor-first=Harry |editor-last=Fokkens |editor-first2=Franco |editor-last2=Nicolis |title=Background to beakers : inquiries in regional cultural backgrounds to the Bell Beaker complex|date=2012|publisher=Sidestone|location=Leiden|isbn=978-90-8890-084-6|page=131}}</ref> introduced metalwork in copper, gold and later bronze and opened new international trade routes, reflected in ]. Finds of rare bronze objects suggest that Drenthe was a trading centre in the Bronze Age (2000–800 BC). The Bell Beaker culture developed locally into the Barbed-Wire Beaker culture (2100–1800 BC) and later the ] (1800–800 BC),<ref>{{cite web|last1=Fokkens|first1=Harry|title=The Periodisation of the Dutch Bronze Age: a Critical Review|url=https://openaccess.leidenuniv.nl/bitstream/handle/1887/19822/Fokkens_2001_The%20periodisation%20of%20the%20Dutch%20Bronze%20Age%20a%20critical%20review_Redacted.pdf?sequence=1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010141442/https://openaccess.leidenuniv.nl/bitstream/handle/1887/19822/Fokkens_2001_The%20periodisation%20of%20the%20Dutch%20Bronze%20Age%20a%20critical%20review%5b1%5d_Redacted.pdf?sequence=1|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 October 2017|website=Open Access Leiden University|publisher=Faculty of Archaeology, Leiden|access-date=7 July 2017}}</ref> a Middle Bronze Age culture marked by ] pottery. The southern region became dominated by the related ] (1800–800 BC). | |||
| ===Celts, Germanic tribes and Romans (800 BC–410 AD)=== | ===Celts, Germanic tribes and Romans (800 BC–410 AD)=== | ||
| {{Main|Iron Age Europe|Celts|Germanic peoples| |
{{Main|Iron Age Europe|Celts|Germanic peoples|Netherlands in the Roman era}} | ||
| ] distribution of ] from 500 BC}}{{legend|#97FFB6|Expansion into the southern ] by 270 BC}}]] | |||
| From 800 BC onwards, the ] Celtic ] became influential, replacing the ]. Iron ore brought a measure of prosperity, and was available throughout the country, including ]. ] travelled from settlement to settlement with bronze and iron, fabricating tools on demand. The ] (700 BC) was found in a burial mound, the largest of its kind in western Europe and containing an iron sword with an inlay of gold and coral. | |||
| From 800 BC onwards, the ] Celtic ] became influential, replacing the ]. Iron ore brought a measure of prosperity and was available throughout the country. ] travelled from settlement to settlement with bronze and iron, fabricating tools on demand. The ] (700 BC) was found in a burial mound, the largest of its kind in Western Europe. | |||
| The deteriorating climate in Scandinavia around 850 BC further deteriorated around 650 BC and might have triggered migration of ] tribes from the North. By the time this migration was complete, around 250 BC, a few general cultural and linguistic groups had emerged.<ref>''The New Encyclopædia Britannica'', 15th edition, 22:641–642</ref><ref name="Verhaal">de Vries, Jan W., Roland Willemyns and Peter Burger, ''Het verhaal van een taal'', Amsterdam: Prometheus, 2003, pp. 12, 21–27</ref> The ] ] inhabited the northern part of the ]. They would later develop into the ] and the early ].<ref name="Verhaal" /> A second grouping, the ] (or ]), extended along the middle Rhine and ] and inhabited the Low Countries south of the great rivers. This group consisted of tribes that would eventually develop into the ].<ref name="Verhaal" /> Also the ] ] (c. 450 BC up to the Roman conquest) had expanded over a wide range, including the southern area of the ]. Some scholars have speculated that even a third ethnic identity and language, neither Germanic nor Celtic, survived in the Netherlands until the Roman period, the Iron Age ] culture,<ref>Hachmann, Rolf, Georg Kossack and Hans Kuhn, ''Völker zwischen Germanen und Kelten'', 1986, pp. 183–212</ref><ref name="Lendering">Lendering, Jona, , Livius.org. Retrieved 6 October 2011.</ref> that eventually was being absorbed by the ] to the south and the Germanic peoples from the east. | |||
| The deteriorating climate in Scandinavia from 850 BC and 650 BC might have triggered the migration of ] tribes from the North. By the time this migration was complete, around 250 BC, a few general cultural and linguistic groups had emerged.<ref>''The New Encyclopædia Britannica'', 15th edition, 22:641–642</ref><ref name="Verhaal">de Vries, Jan W., Roland Willemyns and Peter Burger, ''Het verhaal van een taal'', Amsterdam: Prometheus, 2003, pp. 12, 21–27</ref> The ] ] inhabited the northern part of the ]. They would later develop into the ] and the early ].<ref name="Verhaal" /> The ] (or ]) extended along the middle Rhine and ] and inhabited the Low Countries south of the great rivers. These tribes would eventually develop into the ].<ref name="Verhaal" /> The ] ] (c. 450 BC to the Roman conquest) expanded over a wide range, including the southern area of the ]. Some scholars have speculated that even a third ethnic identity and language, neither Germanic nor Celtic, survived in the Netherlands until the Roman period, the ] culture.<ref>Hachmann, Rolf, Georg Kossack and Hans Kuhn, ''Völker zwischen Germanen und Kelten'', 1986, pp. 183–212</ref><ref name="Lendering">Lendering, Jona, {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027034706/http://www.livius.org/ga-gh/germania/inferior.htm |date=27 October 2016}}, Livius.org. Retrieved 6 October 2011.</ref> | |||
| ] | ] | ||
| The first author to describe the coast of ] and ] was the |
The first author to describe the coast of ] and ] was the geographer ], who noted in c. 325 BC that in these regions, "more people died in the struggle against water than in the struggle against men."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lendering |first1=Jona |title=The Edges of the Earth (3) – Livius |url=https://www.livius.org/articles/concept/the-edges-of-the-earth-1/the-edges-of-the-earth-3/ |website=livius.org |access-date=28 February 2019}}</ref> During the ], the area south and west of the ] was conquered by ] under ] from 57 BC to 53 BC.<ref name="Lendering"/> Caesar describes two main Celtic tribes living in what is now the southern Netherlands: the ] and the ]. Under ], the ] would conquer the entirety of the modern day Netherlands, incorporating it into the province of ] in 7 BC, but would be repelled back across the Rhine after the ] in 9 AD, with the Rhine becoming fixed as Rome's permanent northern frontier around 12 AD. Notable towns would arise along the ]: ] and ]. In the first part of ], the area south of the Limes became part of the ] of ]. The area to the north of the Rhine, inhabited by the Frisii, remained outside Roman rule, while the Germanic border tribes of the ] and ] served in the ].<ref>Roymans, Nico, ''Ethnic Identity and Imperial Power: The Batavians in the Early Roman Empire'', Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press, 2005, pp 226–227</ref> The Batavi rose against the Romans in the ] of 69 AD but were eventually defeated. The Batavi later merged with other tribes into the confederation of the Salian Franks, whose identity emerged in the first half of the third century.<ref name="Previté-Orton">Previté-Orton, Charles, ''The Shorter Cambridge Medieval History'', vol. I, pp. 51–52, 151</ref> Salian Franks appear in Roman texts as both allies and enemies. They were forced by the confederation of the Saxons from the east to move over the Rhine into Roman territory in the fourth century. From their new base in ] and the Southwest Netherlands, they were raiding the ]. Roman forces pacified the region but did not expel the Franks, who continued to be feared at least until the time of ] (358) when Salian Franks were allowed to settle as '']'' in ].<ref name="Previté-Orton"/> | ||
| ===Early Middle Ages (411–1000)=== | ===Early Middle Ages (411–1000)=== | ||
| {{Main|Frankish Kingdom|Frisian Kingdom}} | {{Main|Frankish Kingdom|Frisian Kingdom}} | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| After the ] government in the area collapsed in roughly the year 406,<ref name=":022">{{Cite book |last=Rietbergen |first=P. J. A. N. |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/52849131 |title=A Short History of the Netherlands: From Prehistory to the Present Day |publisher=Bekking |year=2000 |isbn=90-6109-440-2 |edition=4th |location=Amersfoort |pages=158 |oclc=52849131}}</ref> the Franks expanded their territories into numerous kingdoms. By the 490s, ] had conquered and united all these territories in the southern Netherlands in one ], and from there continued his conquests into ]. During this expansion, Franks migrating to the south (modern territory of France and Walloon part of Belgium) eventually adopted the ] of the local population.<ref name="Verhaal"/> A widening cultural divide grew with the Franks remaining in their original homeland in the north (i.e. the southern Netherlands and Flanders), who kept on speaking ], which by the ninth century had evolved into Old Low Franconian or Old Dutch.<ref name="Verhaal"/> A Dutch-French language boundary hence came into existence.<ref name="Verhaal"/><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j10lCgAAQBAJ|title=History of the Low Countries|last=Blom|first=J. C. H.|date=30 June 2006|publisher=Berghahn Books|isbn=978-1-84545-272-8|pages=6–18|language=en}}</ref> | |||
| To the north of the Franks, climatic conditions improved, and during the ] ], the closely related ], ], and ] settled the coast.<ref name="Ethnic Constructs in Antiquity">{{Cite book |last=Bazelmans |first=Jos |year=2009 |editor1-last=Derks |editor1-first=Ton |editor2-last=Roymans |editor2-first=Nico |chapter=The early-medieval use of ethnic names from classical antiquity: The case of the Frisians |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fM_cmuhmSbIC&pg=PA321 |title=Ethnic Constructs in Antiquity: The Role of Power and Tradition |publisher=Amsterdam University |publication-date=2009 |location=Amsterdam |pages=321–337 |isbn=978-90-8964-078-9 |access-date=3 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830194912/http://s393993344.online.de/ssoar/handle/document/27183 |archive-date=30 August 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Many moved on to England and came to be known as ], but those who stayed would be referred to as ] and their language as ].<ref name="Ethnic Constructs in Antiquity"/> Frisian was spoken along the entire southern North Sea coast. By the seventh century, a ] (650–734) under King ] and King ] emerged with ] (]) as its centre of power,<ref name="Ethnic Constructs in Antiquity"/><ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003101550/http://www.bertsgeschiedenissite.nl/ijzertijd/eeuw1ac/frisii.html |date=3 October 2011}}, Bertsgeschiedenissite.nl. Retrieved 6 October 2011</ref> while ] was a flourishing trading place.<ref>Willemsen, A. (2009), ''Dorestad. Een wereldstad in de middeleeuwen'', Walburg Pers, Zutphen, pp. 23–27, {{ISBN|978-90-5730-627-3}}</ref><ref name="Atlas">{{cite book |title=Atlas of Medieval Europe |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=q50IyzCMQxgC&q=dorestad&pg=PA57 |last=MacKay |first=Angus|author2=David Ditchburn |year=1997 |page=57 |publisher=] |isbn=978-0-415-01923-1}}</ref> Between 600 and around 719 the cities were often fought over between the Frisians and the Franks. In 734, at the ], the Frisians were defeated after a ]. With the approval of the Franks, the ] missionary ] converted the Frisian people to Christianity and established the ]. However, his successor ] was murdered by the Frisians in 754. | |||
| After ] government in the area collapsed, the Franks expanded their territories in numerous kingdoms. By the 490s, ] had conquered and united all these territories in the southern Netherlands in one ], and from there continued his conquests into ]. During this expansion, Franks migrating to the south eventually adopted the ] of the local population.<ref name="Verhaal"/> A widening cultural divide grew with the Franks remaining in their original homeland in the north (i.e. southern Netherlands and Flanders), who kept on speaking ], which by the ninth century had evolved into ] or ].<ref name="Verhaal"/> A Dutch-French language boundary came into existence.<ref name="Verhaal"/><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j10lCgAAQBAJ|title=History of the Low Countries|last=Blom|first=J. C. H.|date=30 June 2006|publisher=Berghahn Books|isbn=9781845452728|location=|pages=6–18|language=en|via=}}</ref> | |||
| ], ] ruler of ] (romantic 1912 depiction)]] | |||
| ] | |||
| The Frankish ] controlled much of Western Europe. In 843, it was divided into three parts—], ], and ]. Most of present-day Netherlands became part of Middle Francia, which was a weak kingdom and subject to numerous partitions and annexation attempts by its stronger neighbours. It comprised territories from ] in the north to the ] in the south. Around 850, ] of Middle Francia acknowledged the Viking ] as ruler of most of Frisia. When the kingdom of Middle Francia was partitioned in 855, the lands north of the ] passed to ] and subsequently were named ]. After he died in 869, Lotharingia was partitioned, into ] and ], the latter comprising the Low Countries that became part of ] in 870. Around 879, another Viking expedition led by ], raided the Frisian lands. Resistance to the Vikings, if any, came from local nobles, who gained in stature as a result, and that laid the basis for the disintegration of Lower Lotharingia into semi-independent states. One of these local nobles was ], who assumed lordship in Frisia, and Viking rule came to an end.<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |date=1 June 2023 |title=Lindisfarne raid I Facts, Summary, & Significance |url=https://www.britannica.com/event/Lindisfarne-Raid |access-date=21 June 2023 |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Britannica |language=en}}</ref> | |||
| To the north of the Franks, climatic conditions improved, and during the ] ] the closely related ], ] and ] settled the coastal land.<ref name="Ethnic Constructs in Antiquity">{{Citation |last=Bazelmans |first=Jos |year=2009 |editor1-last=Derks |editor1-first=Ton |editor2-last=Roymans |editor2-first=Nico |contribution=The early-medieval use of ethnic names from classical antiquity: The case of the Frisians |contribution-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fM_cmuhmSbIC&pg=PA321 |title=Ethnic Constructs in Antiquity: The Role of Power and Tradition |publisher=Amsterdam University |publication-date=2009 |location=Amsterdam |pages=321–337 |url=http://s393993344.online.de/ssoar/handle/document/27183 |isbn=978-90-8964-078-9 |access-date=3 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830194912/http://s393993344.online.de/ssoar/handle/document/27183 |archive-date=30 August 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Many moved on to ] and came to be known as ], but those who stayed would be referred to as ] and their language as ], named after the land that was once inhabited by Frisii.<ref name="Ethnic Constructs in Antiquity"/> Frisian was spoken along the entire southern North Sea coast, and it is still the language most closely related to English among the living languages of continental Europe. By the seventh century a ] (650–734) under King ] and King ] emerged with ] as its centre of power,<ref name="Ethnic Constructs in Antiquity"/><ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003101550/http://www.bertsgeschiedenissite.nl/ijzertijd/eeuw1ac/frisii.html |date=3 October 2011 }}, Bertsgeschiedenissite.nl. Retrieved 6 October 2011</ref> while ] was a flourishing trading place.<ref>Willemsen, A. (2009), ''Dorestad. Een wereldstad in de middeleeuwen'', Walburg Pers, Zutphen, pp. 23–27, {{ISBN|978-90-5730-627-3}}</ref><ref name="Atlas">{{cite book | title=Atlas of Medieval Europe| url=https://books.google.com/?id=q50IyzCMQxgC&pg=PA57&lpg=PA57&dq=dorestad#PPA57,M1| last=MacKay| first=Angus|author2=David Ditchburn| year=1997| page=57| publisher=]| isbn=978-0-415-01923-1}}</ref> Between 600 and around 719 the cities were often fought over between the Frisians and the Franks. In 734, at the ], the Frisians were defeated after a ]. With the approval of the Franks, the ] missionary ] converted the Frisian people to ]. He established the ] and became bishop of the Frisians. However, his successor ] was murdered by the Frisians in ], in 754. | |||
| ], ] ruler of ] (romantic 1912 depiction)]] | |||
| ] | |||
| The Frankish ] modeled itself after the Roman Empire and controlled much of Western Europe. However, as of 843, it was divided into three parts—], ], and ]. Most of present-day Netherlands became part of ], which was a weak kingdom and subject of numerous partitions and annexation attempts by its stronger neighbours. It comprised territories from ] in the north to the ] in the south. Around 850, ] of Middle Francia acknowledged the Viking ] as ruler of most of Frisia.<ref>Baldwin, Stewart, . Retrieved 9 October 2011.</ref> When the kingdom of Middle Francia was partitioned in 855, the lands north of the ] passed to ] and subsequently were named ]. After he died in 869, Lotharingia was partitioned, into ] and ], the latter part comprising the Low Countries that technically became part of ] in 870, although it was effectively under the control of Vikings, who raided the largely defenceless ] and ] towns lying on the Frisian coast and along the rivers. Around 879, another Viking raided the Frisian lands, ]. The Viking raids made the sway of French and German lords in the area weak. Resistance to the Vikings, if any, came from local nobles, who gained in stature as a result, and that laid the basis for the disintegration of Lower Lotharingia into semi-independent states. One of these local nobles was ], who assumed lordship in Frisia after he helped to assassinate Godfrid, and Viking rule came to an end. | |||
| ===High Middle Ages (1000–1384)=== | ===High Middle Ages (1000–1384)=== | ||
| {{Main|History of urban |
{{Main|History of urban centres in the Low Countries}} | ||
| ] | |||
| The ] (the successor state of East Francia and then Lotharingia) ruled much of the Low Countries in the 10th and 11th century, but was not able to maintain political unity. Powerful local nobles turned their cities, counties and duchies into private kingdoms that felt little sense of obligation to the emperor. ], ], ], ], ], and ] were in a state of almost continual war or in paradoxically formed personal unions. The language and culture of most of the people who lived in the County of Holland were originally ]n. As Frankish settlement progressed from Flanders and Brabant, the area quickly became ] (or ]). The rest of ] in the north (now ] and ]) continued to maintain its independence and had its own institutions (collectively called the "]"), which resented the imposition of the feudal system. | |||
| The ] ruled much of the Low Countries in the 10th and 11th century but was not able to maintain political unity. Powerful local nobles turned their cities, counties and duchies into private kingdoms that felt little sense of obligation to the emperor.<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Louis II {{!}} king of the East Franks |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Louis-II-king-of-the-East-Franks |access-date=21 June 2023 |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Britannica |language=en}}</ref> ], ], ], ], ], and ] were in a state of almost continual war or paradoxically formed personal unions. As Frankish settlement progressed from Flanders and Brabant, the area quickly became Old Low Franconian (or Old Dutch). | |||
| Around 1000 AD, due to several agricultural developments, the economy started to develop at a fast pace, and the higher productivity allowed workers to farm more land or |
Around 1000 AD, due to several agricultural developments, the economy started to develop at a fast pace, and the higher productivity allowed workers to farm more land or become tradesmen. Towns grew around ] and ], and a mercantile middle class began to develop in these urban areas, especially in Flanders, and later Brabant. Wealthy cities started to buy certain ] for themselves from the sovereign. | ||
| Around 1100 AD, farmers from ] and ] began draining and cultivating uninhabited swampy land in the western Netherlands, making the emergence of the County of Holland as the centre of power possible. The title of ] was fought over in the ] |
Around 1100 AD, farmers from ] and ] began draining and cultivating uninhabited swampy land in the western Netherlands, making the emergence of the County of Holland as the centre of power possible. The title of ] was fought over in the ] between 1350 and 1490. The Cod faction consisted of the more progressive cities, while the Hook faction consisted of the conservative noblemen. These noblemen invited Duke ] of Burgundy to conquer Holland.{{Citation needed|date=July 2022}} | ||
| ===Burgundian, Habsburg and Spanish Habsburg Netherlands (1384–1581)=== | ===Burgundian, Habsburg and Spanish Habsburg Netherlands (1384–1581)=== | ||
| {{Main|Burgundian Netherlands|Habsburg Netherlands|Spanish Netherlands}} | {{Main|Burgundian Netherlands|Habsburg Netherlands|Spanish Netherlands}} | ||
| {{multiple image|perrow=1/2/1|align=left|total_width=250|caption_align=center | {{multiple image|perrow=1/2/1|align=left|total_width=250|caption_align=center | ||
| | title = |
| title = Habsburg Netherlands | ||
| | image1 = |
| image1 = Carlos V en Mühlberg, by Titian, from Prado in Google Earth.jpg|caption1=''], Lord of the Netherlands at the ]'' (1547), by ] | ||
| | image2 = Political map of the Low Countries (1350)-NL.svg|caption2=The Low Countries in the late 14th century | | image2 = Political map of the Low Countries (1350)-NL.svg|caption2=The Low Countries in the late 14th century | ||
| | image3 = William I, Prince of Orange by Adriaen Thomasz. Key Rijksmuseum Amsterdam SK-A-3148.jpg|caption3=William |
| image3 = William I, Prince of Orange by Adriaen Thomasz. Key Rijksmuseum Amsterdam SK-A-3148.jpg|caption3=], leader of the ], by ] | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| Most of the ] and ] fiefs in what is now the Netherlands and Belgium were united in a ] by Philip the Good, Duke of ] in 1433. The ] and their ] heirs would rule the Low Countries in the period from 1384 to 1581. Before the Burgundian union, the Dutch identified themselves by the town they lived in or their local duchy or county. The Burgundian period is when the road to nationhood began. The new rulers defended Dutch trading interests, which then developed rapidly. The fleets of the ] defeated the fleets of the ] several times. ] grew and in the 15th century became the primary trading port in Europe for grain from the ]. Amsterdam distributed grain to the major cities of Belgium, Northern France and England. This trade was vital, because Holland could no longer produce enough grain to feed itself. Land drainage had caused the ] of the former ]s to reduce to a level that was too low for drainage to be maintained. | |||
| Most of the ] and ] fiefs in what is now the Netherlands and Belgium were united in a ] by Philip the Good in 1433. The ] and their ] heirs would rule the Low Countries from 1384 to 1581. The new rulers defended Dutch trading interests. The fleets of the ] defeated the fleets of the ] several times. ] grew and in the 15th century became the primary trading port in Europe for grain from the ]. Amsterdam distributed grain to the major cities of Belgium, Northern France and England. This trade was vital because Holland could no longer produce enough grain to feed itself. Land drainage had caused the ] of the former ]s to reduce to a level that was too low for drainage to be maintained.<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |date=31 May 2023 |title=Low Countries {{!}} Facts, Map, & History |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Low-Countries |access-date=21 June 2023 |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Britannica |language=en}}</ref> | |||
| Under Habsburg ], ruler of the ] and King of ], all fiefs in the current Netherlands region were united into the ], which also included most of present-day Belgium, Luxembourg, and some adjacent land in what is now France and Germany. In 1568, the ] between the Provinces and their ] ruler began. The level of ferocity exhibited by both sides can be gleaned from a Dutch chronicler's report:<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/risedutchrepubl01motlgoog|quote=On more than one occasion men were seen hanging their own brothers, who had been taken prisoners in the enemy's ranks.... A Spaniard had ceased to be human in their eyes. On one occasion, a surgeon at Veer cut the heart from a Spanish prisoner, nailed it on a vessel's prow, and invited the townsmen to come and fasten their teeth in it, which many did with savage satisfaction.|title=The Rise of the Dutch Republic, Volume 2|last=Motley|first=John|year=1859|isbn=|location=|pages=}}</ref> | |||
| <blockquote> On more than one occasion men were seen hanging their own brothers, who had been taken prisoners in the enemy's ranks.... A Spaniard had ceased to be human in their eyes. On one occasion, a surgeon at Veer cut the heart from a Spanish prisoner, nailed it on a vessel's prow, and invited the townsmen to come and fasten their teeth in it, which many did with savage satisfaction. </blockquote> | |||
| Under Habsburg ], all fiefs in the current Netherlands region were united into the ], which included most of present-day Belgium, Luxembourg, and parts of France and Germany. In 1568, under Phillip II, the ] between the Provinces and their ] ruler began. The level of ferocity exhibited by both sides can be gleaned from a Dutch chronicler's report:<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/risedutchrepubl01motlgoog|title=The Rise of the Dutch Republic, Volume 2|last=Motley|first=John|year=1859|pages=}}</ref> | |||
| The ] ruthlessly attempted to suppress the Protestant movement in the Netherlands. Netherlanders were “burned, strangled, beheaded, or buried alive” by his “]” and his Spanish soldiers. Severed heads and decapitated corpses were displayed along streets and roads to terrorize the population into submission. Alba boasted of having executed 18,600,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://necrometrics.com/pre1700a.htm#Ne1566|title=Twentieth Century Atlas - Historical Body Count|website=necrometrics.com}}</ref> {{Dubious|date=May 2019}} but this figure does not include those who perished by war and famine. | |||
| <blockquote>On more than one occasion men were seen hanging their own brothers, who had been taken prisoners in the enemy's ranks... A Spaniard had ceased to be human in their eyes. On one occasion, a surgeon at Veer cut the heart from a Spanish prisoner, nailed it on a vessel's prow, and invited the townsmen to come and fasten their teeth in it, which many did with savage satisfaction.</blockquote> | |||
| ] dominions. From 1556 the dynasty's lands in the ] were retained by the ].]] | |||
| ] at ] in 1579]] | |||
| The ] attempted to suppress the Protestant movement in the Netherlands. Netherlanders were "burned, strangled, beheaded, or buried alive" by his "]" and Spanish soldiers. Bodies were displayed along roads to terrorise the population into submission. Alba boasted of having executed 18,600;<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://necrometrics.com/pre1700a.htm#Ne1566|title=Twentieth Century Atlas – Historical Body Count|website=necrometrics.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Clodfelter |first1=Micheal |title=Warfare and Armed Conflicts: A Statistical Encyclopedia of Casualty and Other Figures, 1492–2015, 4th ed. |date=9 May 2017 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-0-7864-7470-7 |pages=16 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8urEDgAAQBAJ |access-date=11 November 2020 |language=en}}</ref> this figure does not include those who perished by war and famine.<ref>{{cite book|last=Sharp Hume|first=Martin Andrew|title=The Spanish People: Their Origin, Growth and Influence|date=1901|page=372}}</ref> | |||
| The first great siege was Alba's effort to capture ] and thereby cut Holland in half. It dragged on from December 1572 to the next summer, when Haarlemers finally surrendered on 13 July upon promise that the city would be spared from being sacked. It was a stipulation ] was unable to honor, when his soldiers mutinied, angered over pay owed and the miserable conditions they endured during the long, cold months of the campaign.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Arnade |first1=Peter J. |title=Beggars, Iconoclasts, and Civic Patriots: The Political Culture of the Dutch Revolt |page=237}}</ref> On 4 November 1576, Spanish ]s seized ] and subjected it to the worst pillage in the Netherlands' history. The citizens resisted, but were overcome; seven thousand of them were mowed down; a thousand buildings were torched; men, women, and children were slaughtered in a delirium of blood by soldiers crying, "Santiago! España! A sangre, a carne, a fuego, a sacco!" (Saint James! Spain! To blood, to the flesh, to fire, to sack!)<ref>{{cite book |last1=Durant |first1=Will |last2=Durant |first2=Ariel |title=The Age of Reason Begins: A History of European Civilization in the Period of Shakespeare, Bacon, Montaigne, Rembrandt, Galileo, and Descartes: 1558-1648 |page=451}}</ref> | |||
| The first great siege was Alba's effort to capture ] and thereby cut Holland in half. It dragged on from December 1572 to the next summer, when Haarlemers finally surrendered on 13 July upon the promise that the city would be spared from being sacked. It was a stipulation ] was unable to honour, when his soldiers mutinied, angered over pay owed and the miserable conditions of the campaign.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Arnade |first1=Peter J. |title=Beggars, Iconoclasts, and Civic Patriots: The Political Culture of the Dutch Revolt |page=237}}</ref> On 4 November 1576, Spanish ]s seized ] and subjected it to the worst pillage in the Netherlands' history. The citizens resisted but were overcome; seven thousand were killed and a thousand buildings were torched.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Durant |first1=Will |last2=Durant |first2=Ariel |title=The Age of Reason Begins: A History of European Civilization in the Period of Shakespeare, Bacon, Montaigne, Rembrandt, Galileo, and Descartes: 1558–1648 |page=451}}</ref> | |||
| Following the ], delegates from Catholic Brabant, Protestant Holland and Zeeland agreed, at Ghent, to join Utrecht and William the Silent in driving out all Spanish troops and forming a new government for the Netherlands. ], the new Spanish governor, was forced to concede initially, but within months returned to active hostilities. As the fighting restarted, the Dutch began to look for help from the Queen of England, but she initially stood by her commitments to the Spanish in the ] of 1574. The result was that when the next large-scale battle did occur at ] in 1578, the Spanish forces easily won the day, killing at least 10,000 rebels, with the Spanish suffering few losses.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Gillespie |first1=Alexander |title=The Causes of War: Volume III: 1400 CE to 1650 CE |date=2017 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |page=131}}</ref> In light of the ], the southern states of the Seventeen Provinces (today in northern France and Belgium) distanced themselves from the rebels in the north with the 1579 ], which expressed their loyalty to ]. Opposing them, the northern half of the Seventeen Provinces forged the ] (also of 1579) in which they committed to support each other in their defence against the Spanish army.<ref>Motley, John Lothrop (1855). Vol. III, Harper Bros.: New York, p. 411.</ref> The Union of Utrecht is seen as the foundation of the modern Netherlands. | |||
| Following the ], delegates from Catholic Brabant, Protestant Holland and Zeeland agreed to join Utrecht and ] in driving out Spanish troops and forming a new government for the Netherlands. ], the new Spanish governor, was forced to concede initially, but within months returned to active hostilities. The Dutch looked for help from the Protestant ] of England, but she initially stood by her commitments to the Spanish in the ] of 1574. When the next large-scale battle occurred at ] in 1578, the Spanish forces won easily.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Gillespie |first1=Alexander |title=The Causes of War: Volume III: 1400 CE to 1650 CE |date=2017 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |page=131}}</ref> In light of the ], the southern states of the Seventeen Provinces distanced themselves from the rebels in the north with the 1579 ]. Opposing them, the northern half of the Seventeen Provinces forged the ] in which they committed to support each other against the Spanish.<ref>Motley, John Lothrop (1855). Vol. III, Harper Bros.: New York, p. 411.</ref> The Union of Utrecht is seen as the foundation of the modern Netherlands.<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Union of Utrecht {{!}} European history |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Union-of-Utrecht |access-date=21 June 2023 |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Britannica |language=en}}</ref> | |||
| Spanish troops sacked ] in 1579, killing over 10,000 civilians and thereby ensuring the rebellion continued.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Nolan |first1=Cathal J. |title=The Age of Wars of Religion, 1000-1650: An Encyclopedia of Global Warfare and Civilization, Volume 1 |date=2006 |publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group |page=247}}</ref> In 1581, the northern provinces adopted the ], the declaration of independence in which the provinces officially deposed Philip II as reigning monarch in the northern provinces.<ref>Motley, John Lothrop (1855). Vol. III, Harper Bros.: New York, p. 508.</ref> Against the rebels Philip could draw on the resources of Spain, Spanish America, Spanish Italy and the Spanish Netherlands. The ] Queen ] sympathised with the Dutch struggle against the Spanish, and sent an army of 7,600 soldiers to aid the Dutch in their war with the Catholic Spanish.<ref>Willson, David Harris (1972). ''History of England'', Holt, Rinehart & Winston: New York, p. 294.</ref> English forces under the Earl of Leicester and then Lord Willoughby faced the Spanish in the Netherlands under the ] in a series of largely indecisive actions that tied down significant numbers of Spanish troops and bought time for the Dutch to reorganise their defenses.<ref>{{cite book |title=Ground Warfare: An International Encyclopedia, Volume 1 |date=2002 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |page=45}}</ref> The war continued until 1648, when Spain under King ] finally recognised the independence of the seven north-western provinces in the ]. Parts of the southern provinces became ''de facto'' colonies of the new republican-mercantile empire. | |||
| ] at ], 1579]] | |||
| Spanish troops sacked ] in 1579, killing over 10,000 civilians.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Nolan |first1=Cathal J. |title=The Age of Wars of Religion, 1000–1650: An Encyclopedia of Global Warfare and Civilization, Volume 1 |date=2006 |publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group |page=247}}</ref> In 1581, the northern provinces adopted the ], the declaration of independence in which the provinces officially deposed Philip II.<ref>Motley, John Lothrop (1855). Vol. III, Harper Bros.: New York, p. 508.</ref> Against the rebels Philip could draw on the resources of the ]. Elizabeth I sympathised with the Dutch struggle and sent an army of 7,600 soldiers to aid them.<ref>Willson, David Harris (1972). ''History of England'', Holt, Rinehart & Winston: New York, p. 294.</ref> English forces faced the Spanish in the Netherlands under the ] in a series of largely indecisive actions that tied down significant numbers of Spanish troops and bought time for the Dutch to reorganise their defences.<ref>{{cite book |title=Ground Warfare: An International Encyclopedia, Volume 1 |date=2002 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |page=45}}</ref> The war continued until 1648, when Spain under King ] recognised the independence of the seven north-western provinces in the ].<ref name=":022" /> Parts of the southern provinces became ''de facto'' colonies of the new republican-mercantile empire.<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |title=History of Spain |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/history-of-Spain |access-date=21 June 2023 |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Britannica |language=en}}</ref> | |||
| ===Dutch Republic (1581–1795)=== | ===Dutch Republic (1581–1795)=== | ||
| {{Main|Dutch Republic|Evolution of the Dutch Empire}} | {{Main|Dutch Republic|Evolution of the Dutch Empire}} | ||
| ] factory in ], ] by Hendrik van Schuylenburgh, 1665]] | ] factory in ], ] by Hendrik van Schuylenburgh, 1665]] | ||
| Following the declaration of independence, the provinces of ], ], ], ], ], ], and ] entered into a ]. All these duchies, lordships and counties enjoyed a significant degree of autonomy and was governed by its own administrative body known as the ]. The confederal government, known as the ], was headquartered in ] and comprised representatives from each of the seven provinces. The sparsely populated region of ] was part of the republic, albeit not considered a province in its own right. Moreover, during the ], the Republic came to occupy a number of ] located in ], ] and ]. These areas were primarily inhabited by Roman Catholics and lacked a distinct governmental structure of their own. They were utilized as a buffer zone between the Republic and the Spanish-controlled ].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XjTSBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA66|title=The Dutch Republic in the Seventeenth Century: The Golden Age|last=Prak|first=Maarten|date=22 September 2005|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-1-316-34248-0|language=en}} p. 66</ref> | |||
| ]'' by ] (1620s)]] | ]'' by ] (1620s)]] | ||
| ]'s ] in 1656]] | ]'s ] in 1656 by ]]] | ||
| In the ], spanning much of the 17th century, the ] grew to become one of the major seafaring and economic powers. Science, military and art (especially ]) were among the most acclaimed in the world. By 1650, the Dutch owned 16,000 merchant ships.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/database/article_display_printable.cfm?HHID=682 |title=The Middle Colonies: New York |access-date=14 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120114182245/http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/database/article_display_printable.cfm?HHID=682 |archive-date=14 January 2012}} Digital History.</ref> The ] and the ] established ] and ]s all over the world. The ] began with the founding of ] in 1614. In South Africa, the Dutch settled the ] in 1652. ] were established along the many rivers in the fertile ] plains, among them ] (now ]). In Asia, the Dutch established a presence in ], the ] (now ]), ] (now ]), and the only western trading post in Japan, ].<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Dutch West India Company {{!}} Dutch trading company |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Dutch-West-India-Company |access-date=21 June 2023 |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Britannica |language=en}}</ref> During the period of ], the empire received 50% of textiles and 80% of silks import from the India's ].<ref name="tong">{{cite book |author=Junie T. Tong |year=2016 |title=Finance and Society in 21st Century China: Chinese Culture Versus Western Markets |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_UQGDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA151 |publisher=CRC Press |page=151 |isbn=978-1-317-13522-7}}</ref><ref name="esposito">{{cite book |editor1=John L. Esposito |editor1-link=John L. Esposito |year=2004 |title=The Islamic World: Past and Present |volume=1|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KZcohRpc4OsC&pg=PT190 |publisher=Oxford University Press |page=174 |isbn=978-0-19-516520-3}}</ref><ref>Nanda, J. N (2005). {{cite book |year=2005 |title=Bengal: the unique state |publisher=Concept Publishing Company. p. 10. |isbn=978-81-8069-149-2 |quote=Bengal was rich in the production and export of grain, salt, fruit, liquors and wines, precious metals and ornaments besides the output of its handlooms in silk and cotton. Europe referred to Bengal as the richest country to trade with.}}</ref><ref name="Prakash">], "", ''History of World Trade Since 1450'', edited by ], vol. 1, Macmillan Reference USA, 2006, pp. 237–240, ''World History in Context''. Retrieved 3 August 2017</ref> | |||
| Many economic historians regard the Netherlands as the first thoroughly capitalist country. In early modern Europe, it had the wealthiest trading city in ], and the first full-time ]. The inventiveness of the traders led to insurance and retirement funds as well as phenomena such as the ], the world's first ], the ] of 1636–1637, and the world's first ]er, ].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.lrb.co.uk/v23/n07/murray-sayle/japan-goes-dutch|title=Japan Goes Dutch|magazine=London Review of Books|date=5 April 2001|author=Sayle, Murray |volume=23|issue=7|pages=3–7}}</ref> In 1672 – known in Dutch history as the ] (Disaster Year) – the Dutch Republic was attacked by France, England and three German Bishoprics simultaneously, in what would become known as the ]. ], it could successfully prevent the English and French navies from blockading the western shores. On land, however, it was almost taken over by the advancing French and German armies from the east. It managed to turn the tide by ].<ref name="Rowman & Littlefield">{{cite book|last1=Koopmans|first1=Joop W.|title=Historical Dictionary of the Netherlands|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn=978-1-4422-5593-7|pages=233|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GU-xCgAAQBAJ&q=main+political+factions+dutch+society+18th+century&pg=PA271|language=en|date=5 November 2015}}</ref> | |||
| In the ], spanning much of the 17th century, the ] grew to become one of the major seafaring and economic powers, alongside Portugal, Spain, France and England. Science, military, and art (especially ]) were among the most acclaimed in the world. By 1650, the Dutch owned 16,000 merchant ships.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/database/article_display_printable.cfm?HHID=682 |title=The Middle Colonies: New York |accessdate=14 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120114182245/http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/database/article_display_printable.cfm?HHID=682 |archivedate=14 January 2012 }} Digital History.</ref> The ] and the ] established ] and ]s all over the world, including ruling the northern parts of ] between ]. The ] began with the founding of ] on the southern part of ] in 1614. In South Africa, the Dutch settled the ] in 1652. ] were established along the many rivers in the fertile ] plains, among them ] (now ]). In Asia, the Dutch established the ] (now ]), and the only western trading post in Japan, ]. | |||
| From 1672 to 1712, the Republic, led by ] and ] would regularly clash with France in what some historians have come to call the ''Forty Years' War''. In the ] and the ], the Republic was at the centre of anti-French coalitions. The Dutch ultimately successfully defended the ], established a ] there, and their troops proved central to the alliance which halted French territorial expansion in Europe until a new cycle began in 1792 with the ].{{sfn|Van Nimwegen|2020|p=354}} However, the wars left them effectively bankrupt, and inflicted permanent damage on the Dutch merchant navy; while they remained the dominant economic power in the Far East, Britain took over as the pre-eminent global commercial and maritime power.{{sfn|Elliott|2014|p=8}} Between 1590 and 1713, the United Provinces consistently possessed one of Europe's largest and most capable armies. However, following the ], other major powers such as Prussia, Austria, Britain, and Russia significantly expanded their military forces. The Republic struggled to match these developments, and gradually assumed the status of a mid-tier power. However, historians have sometimes overstated the extent of this decline, especially when considering the period up to the 1750s.{{sfn|Israel|1995|pp=985–986}} | |||
| During the period of ], the empire received 50% of textiles and 80% of silks import from the India's ], chiefly from its most developed region known as ].<ref name="tong">{{cite book |author=Junie T. Tong |year=2016 |title=Finance and Society in 21st Century China: Chinese Culture Versus Western Markets |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_UQGDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA151 |publisher=CRC Press |page=151 |isbn=978-1-317-13522-7}}</ref><ref name="esposito">{{cite book |editor1=John L. Esposito |editor1-link=John L. Esposito |year=2004 |title=The Islamic World: Past and Present |volume=Volume 1: Abba - Hist. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KZcohRpc4OsC&pg=PT190 |publisher=Oxford University Press |page=174 |isbn=978-0-19-516520-3}}</ref><ref>Nanda, J. N (2005). {{cite book |year=2005 | title=Bengal: the unique state | publisher=Concept Publishing Company. p. 10. | isbn=978-81-8069-149-2 | quote=Bengal was rich in the production and export of grain, salt, fruit, liquors and wines, precious metals and ornaments besides the output of its handlooms in silk and cotton. Europe referred to Bengal as the richest country to trade with.}}</ref><ref name="Prakash">], "", ''History of World Trade Since 1450'', edited by John J. McCusker, vol. 1, Macmillan Reference USA, 2006, pp. 237–240, ''World History in Context''. Retrieved 3 August 2017</ref> | |||
| Many economic historians regard the Netherlands as the first thoroughly ] country in the world. In early modern Europe it had the wealthiest trading city (]) and the first full-time ]. The inventiveness of the traders led to insurance and retirement funds as well as phenomena such as the ], the world's first ], the ] of 1636–1637, and the world's first ]er, ], who forced prices down by dumping stock and then buying it back at a discount.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.lrb.co.uk/v23/n07/murray-sayle/japan-goes-dutch|title=Japan Goes Dutch|magazine=London Review of Books|date=5 April 2001|author=Sayle, Murray |volume=23|issue=7|pages=3–7}}</ref> In 1672 – known in Dutch history as the ] (Disaster Year) – the Dutch Republic was at war with France, England and three German Bishoprics simultaneously. At sea it could successfully prevent the English and French navy entering the western shores. On land, however, it was almost taken over internally by the advancing French and German armies coming from the east. It managed to turn the tide by ] but could never recover to its former glory again and went into a state of general decline in the 18th century, with economic competition from England and long-standing rivalries between the two main factions in Dutch society, the republican ] and the supporters of the ] the ] as main ]s.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Koopmans|first1=Joop W.|title=Historical Dictionary of the Netherlands|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn=9781442255937|pages=233|url=https://books.google.com/?id=GU-xCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA271&dq=main+political+factions+dutch+society+18th+century#v=onepage&q=orangism&f=false|language=en|date=5 November 2015}}</ref> | |||
| ===Batavian Republic and Kingdom (1795–1890)=== | ===Batavian Republic and Kingdom (1795–1890)=== | ||
| {{Main|Batavian Republic|Kingdom of Holland|Sovereign Principality of the United Netherlands|United Kingdom of the Netherlands|Kingdom of the Netherlands}} | {{Main|Batavian Republic|Kingdom of Holland|Sovereign Principality of the United Netherlands|United Kingdom of the Netherlands|Kingdom of the Netherlands}} | ||
| With the armed support of ], ] proclaimed the ], modelled after the ] and rendering the Netherlands a ] on 19 January 1795. The ] ] had fled to England. But from 1806 to 1810, the ] was set up by ] as a puppet kingdom governed by his brother ] to control the Netherlands more effectively. However, King Louis Bonaparte tried to serve Dutch interests instead of his brother's, and he was forced to abdicate on 1 July 1810. The Emperor sent in an army and the Netherlands became part of the French Empire until the autumn of 1813, when Napoleon was defeated in the ]. | |||
| In the 18th century the Dutch Republic had seen a state of a general decline, with economic competition from England and long-standing rivalries between the two main factions in Dutch society, the republican ] and the supporters of the ] the ] as main political factions.<ref name="Rowman & Littlefield"/> With the armed support of ], ] proclaimed the ], modelled after the ] and rendering the Netherlands a ] on 19 January 1795. The stadtholder ] had fled to England. From 1806 to 1810, the ] was set up by ] as a puppet kingdom governed by his brother ]. However, King Louis Bonaparte tried to serve Dutch interests instead of his brother's, and he was forced to abdicate on 1 July 1810. The Emperor sent in an army and the Netherlands ] until November 1813, when Napoleon was defeated in the ].<ref>{{Cite book|chapter-url=https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-66658-3_1|title=Napoleonic Governance in the Netherlands and Northwest Germany: Conquest, Incorporation, and Integration|chapter=Introduction: Napoleonic Governance and the Integration of Europe |series=War, Culture and Society, 1750 –1850 |date=19 January 2024 |pages=1–22 |publisher=Springer |doi=10.1007/978-3-030-66658-3_1 |isbn=978-3-030-66658-3 |last1=Van Der Burg |first1=Martijn }}</ref> | |||
| ]. Light green: territories administered by or originating from territories administered by the ]; dark green: the ]. In yellow are the territories occupied later, during the 19th century.]] | ]. Light green: territories administered by or originating from territories administered by the ]; dark green: the ]. In yellow are the territories occupied later, during the 19th century.]] | ||
| ], son of the last stadtholder, returned to the Netherlands in 1813 and proclaimed himself ]. Two years later, the ] added the southern Netherlands to the north to create a strong country on the northern border of France. William Frederick raised this ] to the status of a kingdom and proclaimed himself as ] in 1815. |
], son of the last stadtholder, returned to the Netherlands in 1813 and proclaimed himself ]. Two years later, the ] added the southern Netherlands to the north to create a strong country on the northern border of France. William Frederick raised this ] to the status of a kingdom and proclaimed himself as ] in 1815.<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |title=History of France |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/history-of-France |access-date=21 June 2023 |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Britannica |language=en}}</ref> William became hereditary ] in exchange for his German possessions. However, the Southern Netherlands had been culturally separate from the north since 1581, and ]. The south gained independence in 1830 as Belgium (recognised by the Northern Netherlands in 1839 as the Kingdom of the Netherlands was created by decree), while the ] between Luxembourg and the Netherlands was severed in 1890, when ] died with no surviving male heirs. ] prevented his daughter ] from becoming the next Grand Duchess.<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |date=2 June 2023 |title=William I {{!}} king of The Netherlands |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/William-I-king-of-The-Netherlands |access-date=21 June 2023 |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Britannica |language=en}}</ref> | ||
| The Belgian Revolution and the ] in the Dutch East Indies brought the Netherlands to the brink of bankruptcy. However, the ] was introduced in 1830; in the Dutch East Indies, 20% of village land had to be devoted to government crops for export. The policy brought the Dutch enormous wealth and made the colony self-sufficient.<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Belgium – Industrial Revolution, Belgian Revolution, and Unionist Coalition |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Belgium/The-Austrian-Netherlands |access-date=21 June 2023 |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Britannica |language=en}}</ref> The Netherlands abolished slavery in its colonies in 1863.<ref>Finkelman and Miller, ''Macmillan Encyclopedia of World Slavery'' 2:637</ref> Enslaved people in ] would be fully free only in 1873.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ascleiden.nl/content/webdossiers/dutch-involvement-transatlantic-slave-trade-and-abolition|title=Dutch involvement in the transatlantic slave trade and abolition|work=ascleiden.nl|date=24 June 2013}}</ref> | |||
| ] to ] at the end of the ] in 1830. ] by ]]] | |||
| The Belgian Revolution at home and the ] in the Dutch East Indies brought the Netherlands to the brink of bankruptcy. However, the ] was introduced in 1830; in the Dutch East Indies, 20% of village land had to be devoted to government crops for export. The policy brought the Dutch enormous wealth and made the colony self-sufficient. | |||
| The Netherlands abolished slavery in its colonies in 1863.<ref>Finkelman and Miller, ''Macmillan Encyclopedia of World Slavery'' 2:637</ref> Slaves in ] would be fully free only in 1873, since the law stipulated that there was to be a mandatory 10-year transition.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ascleiden.nl/content/webdossiers/dutch-involvement-transatlantic-slave-trade-and-abolition|title=Dutch involvement in the transatlantic slave trade and abolition|work=ascleiden.nl|date=24 June 2013}}</ref> | |||
| The Dutch were also one of the last European countries to ], in the second half of the 19th century. | |||
| ===World wars and beyond (1890–present)=== | ===World wars and beyond (1890–present)=== | ||
| {{Main|History of the Netherlands (1900–present)| |
{{Main|History of the Netherlands (1900–present)|Netherlands in World War I|Netherlands in World War II}} | ||
| ] after ] in 1940]] | ] after ] in 1940]] | ||
| The Netherlands |
The Netherlands remained neutral during World War I, in part because the import of goods through the Netherlands proved essential to German survival until the blockade by the British ] in 1916.<ref name="Abbenhuis">Abbenhuis, Maartje M. (2006) . Amsterdam University Press, {{ISBN|978-90-5356-818-7}}.</ref> That changed in World War II, when ] on 10 May 1940. The ] forced most of the Dutch army to surrender. During the occupation, over 100,000 ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kampwesterbork.nl/site1.2/English/KAMP/k08.html |title=93 trains |access-date=7 December 2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041207064440/http://www.kampwesterbork.nl/site1.2/English/KAMP/k08.html |archive-date=7 December 2004}}. kampwesterbork.nl</ref> were transported to Nazi ]s; only a few survived. Dutch workers were conscripted for forced labour in Germany, ] were killed in reprisal for attacks on German soldiers, and the countryside was plundered for food. Although there were thousands of Dutch who risked their lives by hiding Jews from the Germans, over 20,000 Dutch fascists ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.waffen-ss.nl/main.php|title=Nederlanders in de Waffen-SS|website=waffen-ss.nl|access-date=13 November 2015|archive-date=2 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151202043232/http://www.waffen-ss.nl/main.php|url-status=dead}}</ref> Political ] were members of the fascist ], the only legal political party in the occupied Netherlands. On 8 December 1941, the ] in London declared war on Japan,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ibiblio.org/pha/policy/1941/411208c.html |title=The Kingdom of the Netherlands declares war with Japan |publisher=ibiblio |access-date=2 October 2009}}</ref> but could not prevent the ].<ref> Access date: 9 February 2007.</ref> In 1944–45, the ] liberated much of the Netherlands.<ref>{{cite video |year=1944 |title=Video: Allies Set For Offensive |url=https://archive.org/details/gov.archives.arc.39141 |publisher=] |access-date=21 February 2012}}</ref> Soon after ], the Dutch fought a ].<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |date=17 June 2023 |title=Sukarno {{!}} Indonesian Nationalist & 1st President of Indonesia |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sukarno |access-date=21 June 2023 |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Britannica |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |title=History of the Netherlands |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/history-of-the-Netherlands |access-date=21 June 2023 |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Britannica |language=en}}</ref> | ||
| ====Decolonisation==== | |||
| ], ], ], ] and ] with Prime Minister ], in 2011]] | |||
| In 1954, the ] reformed the political structure |
In 1954, the ] reformed the political structure as a result of international pressure to carry out ]. The Dutch colonies of ] and ] and the European country all became countries within the Kingdom, on a basis of equality. Indonesia had declared its independence in August 1945. ] followed in 1975. The Netherlands was one of the founding members of ] and ].<ref>{{cite web |title=The Benelux |url=https://gouvernement.lu/en/dossiers/2018/benelux.html |website=gouvernement.lu |access-date=21 November 2022 |language=en |date=4 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Member countries |url=https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_52044.htm |publisher=NATO |access-date=21 November 2022 |language=en}}</ref> In the 1950s, the Netherlands became one of the six founding countries of the ], following the 1952 establishment of the ], and subsequent 1958 creations of the ] and ].<ref name="NL: EU member state">{{cite web |title=The Netherlands: EU member state – European Union – Government.nl |url=https://www.government.nl/topics/european-union/the-netherlands-eu-member-state |website=government.nl |access-date=21 November 2022 |date=26 September 2012}}</ref> In 1993, the former two were incorporated into the ].<ref name="NL: EU member state" /> | ||
| Government-encouraged emigration efforts to reduce |
Government-encouraged emigration efforts to reduce population density prompted some 500,000 ] to leave the country after the war.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url=https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/409956/Netherlands |title=Netherlands |encyclopedia=] |publisher=] |access-date=8 September 2012}}</ref> The 1960s and 1970s were a time of great social and cultural change, such as rapid de-]. Students and other youth rejected traditional mores and pushed for change in matters such as ], ], ] and ]. In 2002 the ] was introduced as ], and in 2010 the ] was ]. Referendums were held on each island. As a result, ], ] and ] (the BES islands) were incorporated as '']'' upon the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles. The special municipalities are collectively known as the ].<ref>{{cite book|last=Grommé|first= Francisca|chapter= "Thinking, seeing, and doing like a kingdom: The making of Caribbean Netherlands statistics and the 'native Bonairian'|year=2021|doi=10.36019/9781978818705-008|title=Equaliberty in the Dutch Caribbean: Ways of Being Non/Sovereign|pages= 101–117|isbn= 978-1-9788-1870-5|url= https://pure.eur.nl/en/publications/11e04fa0-02d7-49d6-a16b-a727a1d6c889|chapter-url= https://www.researchgate.net/publication/353121877}}</ref> | ||
| ==Geography== | ==Geography== | ||
| {{ |
{{Further|Geography of the Netherlands}} | ||
| ] | |||
| {{See also|Low Countries}} | |||
| ] | |||
| The European Netherlands has a total area of {{convert|41543|km2|abbr=on}}, including water bodies, and a land area of {{convert|33481|km2|abbr=on}}. The ] has a total area of {{convert|328|km2|abbr=on}}<ref>{{Cite web |author=Central Bureau of Statistics |title=Land – en tuinbouwcijfers |publisher=Government of the Netherlands, Department of Publication and Information|url=https://www.cbs.nl/-/media/imported/documents/2009/36/2009-j29-pub.pdf |issn=1386-9566 |language=nl |year=2009 |page=14 |access-date=6 January 2018}}</ref> It lies between latitudes ] and ], and longitudes ] and ]. | |||
| The Netherlands is geographically very low relative to sea level and is considered a flat country, with about 26% of its area<ref name=":1">{{cite journal |last1=Schiermeier |first1=Quirin |title=Few fishy facts found in climate report |journal=Nature |date=5 July 2010 |volume=466 |issue=170 |pages=170 |doi=10.1038/466170a |pmid=20613812 |doi-access=free}}</ref> and 21% of its population<ref name=milrek>{{cite web |title=Milieurekeningen 2008 |publisher=] |url=http://www.cbs.nl/NR/rdonlyres/D2CE63F9-D210-4006-B68B-98BE079EA9B6/0/2008c167pub.pdf |access-date=4 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100215002601/http://www.cbs.nl/NR/rdonlyres/D2CE63F9-D210-4006-B68B-98BE079EA9B6/0/2008c167pub.pdf |archive-date=15 February 2010 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}}</ref> below sea level. The European part of the country is for the most part flat, with the exception of ] in the far southeast, up to a height of no more than {{Convert|322|m|ft|abbr=on}} at the ], and some low hill ranges in the central parts. Most of the areas below sea level are caused by ] extraction or achieved through ]. Since the late 16th century, large ] areas are preserved through elaborate drainage systems that include ], canals and pumping stations. | |||
| Much of the country was originally formed by the ] of three large European rivers: the ] (''Rijn''), the ] (''Maas'') and the ] (''Schelde''), as well as their ]. The south-western part of the Netherlands is a ] of these rivers, the ].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=de Haas |first1=Tjalling |last2=van der Valk |first2=Lambertus |last3=Cohen |first3=Kim M. |last4=Pierik |first4=Harm Jan |last5=Weisscher |first5=Steven A. H. |last6=Hijma |first6=Marc P. |last7=van der Spek |first7=Ad J. F. |last8=Kleinhans |first8=Maarten G. |date=February 2019 |title=Long-term evolution of the Old Rhine estuary: Unravelling effects of changing boundary conditions and inherited landscape |journal=The Depositional Record |volume=5 |issue=1 |pages=84–108 |doi=10.1002/dep2.56 |issn=2055-4877 |pmc=6743690 |pmid=31543980|bibcode=2019DepRe...5...84D }}</ref> | |||
| The European Netherlands is divided into north and south parts by the Rhine, the ], its main tributary branch, and the Meuse. These rivers functioned as a natural barrier between ]doms and hence historically created a cultural divide, as is evident in some phonetic traits that are recognisable on either side of what the Dutch call their "Great Rivers" (''de Grote Rivieren''). Another significant branch of the Rhine, the ] river, discharges into ], the former ] ('southern sea'). Just like the previous, this river forms a linguistic divide: people to the northeast of this river speak ] dialects (except for the province of ], which has its own language).<ref name="international2000">Welschen, Ad: Course ''Dutch Society and Culture'', International School for Humanities and Social Studies ISHSS, Universiteit van Amsterdam, 2000–2005.</ref> | |||
| === Geology === | |||
| The Netherlands is geographically very low relative to sea level and is considered a flat country, with about 26% of its area<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Schiermeier|first1=Quirin|title=Few fishy facts found in climate report|journal=Nature|date=5 July 2010|volume=466|issue=170|pages=170|doi=10.1038/466170a|pmid=20613812}}</ref> and 21% of its population<ref name=milrek>{{cite web|title = Milieurekeningen 2008|publisher = ]|url = http://www.cbs.nl/NR/rdonlyres/D2CE63F9-D210-4006-B68B-98BE079EA9B6/0/2008c167pub.pdf|accessdate = 4 February 2010|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100215002601/http://www.cbs.nl/NR/rdonlyres/D2CE63F9-D210-4006-B68B-98BE079EA9B6/0/2008c167pub.pdf|archive-date = 15 February 2010|url-status=dead|df = dmy-all}}</ref> located below sea level, and only about 50% of its land exceed one metre ].<ref name="Eupedia"/> The European part of the country is for the most part flat, with the exception of foothills in the far southeast, up to a height of no more than 321 metres, and some low hill ranges in the central parts. Most of the areas below sea level are man-made, caused by ] extraction or achieved through ]. Since the late 16th century, large ] areas are preserved through elaborate drainage systems that include ], canals and pumping stations. Nearly 17% of the country's land area is reclaimed from the sea and from lakes. | |||
| {{main|Geology of the Netherlands}} | |||
| The Netherlands is mostly composed of ], ]al and ] derived sediments during the ] ] and ] periods.<ref name="international2000" /> | |||
| Much of the country was originally formed by the ] of three large European rivers: the ] (''Rijn''), the ] (''Maas'') and the ] (''Schelde''), as well as their ]. The south-western part of the Netherlands is to this day a ] of these three rivers, the ]. | |||
| Almost the entire west Netherlands is composed of the ]-] river ]. In the east of the Netherlands, remains are found of the ], which ended approximately ten thousand years ago. As the continental ] moved in from the north, it pushed ] forward. The ice sheet halted as it covered the eastern half of the Netherlands. After the ice age ended, the moraine remained in the form of a long hill-line. The cities of ] and ] are built on these hills.<ref>{{cite book |last1= Wong |first1=Th.E. |last2=Batjes |first2=D.A.J.|last3=Jager|first3=J. de|year=2007 |title=Geology of the Netherlands |publisher=] |isbn=978-90-6984-481-7}}</ref> | |||
| The European Netherlands is divided into north and south parts by the Rhine, the ], its main tributary branch, and the Meuse. In the past these rivers functioned as a natural barrier between ]doms and hence historically created a cultural divide, as is evident in some phonetic traits that are recognisable on either side of what the Dutch call their "Great Rivers" (''de Grote Rivieren''). Another significant branch of the Rhine, the ] river, discharges into ], the former ] ('southern sea'). Just like the previous, this river forms a linguistic divide: people to the northeast of this river speak ] dialects (except for the province of ], which has its own language).<ref name="international2000">Welschen, Ad: Course ''Dutch Society and Culture'', International School for Humanities and Social Studies ISHSS, Universiteit van Amsterdam, 2000–2005.</ref> | |||
| ===Floods=== | ===Floods=== | ||
| {{Main|Flood control in the Netherlands| |
{{Main|Flood control in the Netherlands|List of floods in the Netherlands|Storm tides of the North Sea}} | ||
| ] |
] resulted in the death of thousands.]] | ||
| Over the centuries, the Dutch coastline has changed considerably as a result of natural disasters and human intervention. | Over the centuries, the Dutch coastline has changed considerably as a result of natural disasters and human intervention. | ||
| On 14 December 1287, ] affected the Netherlands and Germany, killing more than 50,000 people in one of the most destructive floods in recorded history.<ref>. Britannica Online Encyclopedia.</ref> The ] of 1421 and the mismanagement in its aftermath destroyed a newly reclaimed ], replacing it with the {{convert|72|km2|mi2| |
On 14 December 1287, ] affected the Netherlands and Germany, killing more than 50,000 people in one of the most destructive floods in recorded history.<ref>. Britannica Online Encyclopedia.</ref> The ] of 1421 and the mismanagement in its aftermath destroyed a newly reclaimed ], replacing it with the {{convert|72|km2|mi2|abbr=on}} '']'' tidal floodplains. The huge ] caused the collapse of several dikes in the southwest Netherlands; more than 1,800 people drowned. The Dutch government subsequently instituted a large-scale programme, the "]", to protect the country against future flooding, which was completed over a period of more than 40 years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.architectural-review.com/essays/dutch-delta-works-from-engineering-feat-to-cultural-statement|title=Dutch Delta Works: from engineering feat to cultural statement|first=Ronald|last=Rietveld|date=8 June 2017}}</ref> | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| The impact of disasters was, to an extent, increased through human activity. Relatively high-lying ]land was drained to be used as farmland. The drainage caused the fertile ] to contract and ground levels to drop |
The impact of disasters was, to an extent, increased through human activity. Relatively high-lying ]land was drained to be used as farmland. The drainage caused the fertile ] to contract and ground levels to drop; groundwater levels were lowered to compensate, causing the underlying peat to contract further. Additionally, until the 19th century peat was mined, dried, and used for fuel, further exacerbating the problem. Even in flooded areas, peat extraction continued through turf dredging.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Netherlands : Fugros Ground Investigation Links Dutch Subsidence to Former Peat Extraction |journal=MENA Report |date=20 September 2021}}</ref> | ||
| To guard against floods, a series of defences against the water were contrived. In the first millennium ], villages and farmhouses were built on hills called '']s''. Later, these terps were connected by dikes. In the 12th century, local government agencies called ''"]"'' ("water boards") or ''"]"'' ("high home councils") started to appear, whose job it was to maintain the water level and to protect a region from floods; these agencies continue to exist. As the ground level dropped, the dikes by necessity grew and merged into an integrated system. By the 13th century ]s had come into use to pump water. The windmills were later used to drain lakes, creating the famous ]s.<ref>{{cite web|title=Windmills in Dutch History|url=http://www.let.rug.nl/polders/boekje/history.htm|website=Let.rug.nl|publisher=Rijks Universiteit Groningen|access-date=7 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705084250/http://www.let.rug.nl/polders/boekje/history.htm|archive-date=5 July 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
| Because of the flooding, farming was difficult, which encouraged foreign trade, the result of which was that the Dutch were involved in world affairs since the early 14th/15th century.<ref>Duplessis, Robert S. (1997) ''Transitions to Capitalism in Early Modern Europe'', Cambridge University Press, {{ISBN|0-521-39773-1}}</ref> | |||
| In 1932 the '']'' ("Closure Dike") was completed, blocking the former '']'' (Southern Sea) from the North Sea and thus creating the ] (] Lake). It became part of the larger ] in which four polders totalling {{convert|2500|km2|mi2|0}} were reclaimed from the sea.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sdu.nl/staatscourant/gemeentes/gem533nh.htm |publisher=sdu.nl |title=Kerngegevens gemeente Wieringermeer |access-date=21 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080106163025/http://www.sdu.nl/staatscourant/gemeentes/gem533nh.htm |archive-date=6 January 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sdu.nl/staatscourant/PROVINCIES/flevoland.htm |publisher=sdu.nl |title=Kerngegevens procincie Flevoland |access-date=21 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071226115958/http://www.sdu.nl/staatscourant/PROVINCIES/flevoland.htm |archive-date=26 December 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
| The Netherlands is one of the countries that may suffer most from ]. Not only is the rising sea a problem, but erratic weather patterns may cause the rivers to overflow.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Nickerson |first=Colin |title=Netherlands relinquishes some of itself to the waters |work=] |date=5 December 2005 |url=https://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/articles/2005/12/05/holland_goes_beyond_holding_back_the_tide/ |access-date=10 October 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060630210923/http://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/articles/2005/12/05/holland_goes_beyond_holding_back_the_tide/ |archive-date=30 June 2006}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Olsthoorn |first=A.A. |author2=Richard S.J. Tol |title=Floods, flood management and climate change in The Netherlands |publisher=Institute for Environmental Studies, Vrije Universiteit |date=February 2001 |url=http://de.scientificcommons.org/16816958 |oclc=150386158 |access-date=10 October 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071022043234/http://de.scientificcommons.org/16816958 |archive-date=22 October 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Tol |first1=Richard S. J. |last2=van der Grijp |first2=Nicolien |last3=Olsthoorn |first3=Alexander A. |last4=van der Werff |first4=Peter E. |title=Adapting to Climate: A Case Study on Riverine Flood Risks in the Netherlands |journal=Risk Analysis |volume=23 |issue=3 |pages=575–583 |year=2003 |doi=10.1111/1539-6924.00338 |pmid=12836850|bibcode=2003RiskA..23..575T |url=http://dare.ubvu.vu.nl/bitstream/1871/31872/1/158073.pdf |hdl=1871/31872 |s2cid=1054016}}</ref> | |||
| ] | |||
| To guard against floods, a series of defences against the water were contrived. In the first millennium ], villages and farmhouses were built on man-made hills called ''terps''. Later, these terps were connected by dikes. In the 12th century, local government agencies called ''"]"'' ("water boards") or ''"]"'' ("high home councils") started to appear, whose job it was to maintain the water level and to protect a region from floods; these agencies continue to exist. As the ground level dropped, the dikes by necessity grew and merged into an integrated system. By the 13th century ]s had come into use to pump water out of areas below sea level. The windmills were later used to drain lakes, creating the famous ]s.<ref>{{cite web|title=Windmills in Dutch History|url=http://www.let.rug.nl/polders/boekje/history.htm|website=Let.rug.nl|publisher=Rijks Universiteit Groningen|accessdate=7 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705084250/http://www.let.rug.nl/polders/boekje/history.htm|archive-date=5 July 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
| In 1932 the '']'' ("Closure Dike") was completed, blocking the former '']'' (Southern Sea) from the North Sea and thus creating the ] (] Lake). It became part of the larger ] in which four polders totalling {{convert|2500|km2|mi2|0}} were reclaimed from the sea.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sdu.nl/staatscourant/gemeentes/gem533nh.htm |publisher=sdu.nl |title=Kerngegevens gemeente Wieringermeer |accessdate=21 January 2008 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080106163025/http://www.sdu.nl/staatscourant/gemeentes/gem533nh.htm |archivedate=6 January 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sdu.nl/staatscourant/PROVINCIES/flevoland.htm |publisher=sdu.nl |title=Kerngegevens procincie Flevoland |accessdate=21 January 2008 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071226115958/http://www.sdu.nl/staatscourant/PROVINCIES/flevoland.htm |archivedate=26 December 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | |||
| The Netherlands is one of the countries that may suffer most from ]. Not only is the rising sea a problem, but erratic weather patterns may cause the rivers to overflow.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Nickerson |first=Colin |title=Netherlands relinquishes some of itself to the waters |work=Boston Globe |date=5 December 2005 |url=https://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/articles/2005/12/05/holland_goes_beyond_holding_back_the_tide/ |accessdate=10 October 2007 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060630210923/http://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/articles/2005/12/05/holland_goes_beyond_holding_back_the_tide/ |archivedate=30 June 2006 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Olsthoorn |first=A.A. |author2=Richard S.J. Tol |title=Floods, flood management and climate change in The Netherlands |publisher=Institute for Environmental Studies, Vrije Universiteit |date=February 2001 |url=http://de.scientificcommons.org/16816958 |oclc=150386158 |accessdate=10 October 2007 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071022043234/http://de.scientificcommons.org/16816958 |archivedate=22 October 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Tol |first1=Richard S. J. |last2=van der Grijp |first2=Nicolien |last3=Olsthoorn |first3=Alexander A. |last4=van der Werff |first4=Peter E. |title=Adapting to Climate: A Case Study on Riverine Flood Risks in the Netherlands |journal=Risk Analysis |volume=23 |issue=3 |pages=575–583 |year=2003 |doi=10.1111/1539-6924.00338 |pmid=12836850|url=http://dare.ubvu.vu.nl/bitstream/1871/31872/1/158073.pdf |hdl=1871/31872 }}</ref> | |||
| ===Delta Works=== | ===Delta Works=== | ||
| {{Main|Delta Works|Flood control in the Netherlands}} | {{Main|Delta Works|Flood control in the Netherlands}} | ||
| ] are located in the provinces of ] and ].]] | ] are located in the provinces of ] and ].]] | ||
| After the ], the ] was constructed, which is a comprehensive set of civil works throughout the Dutch coast. The project started in 1958 and was largely completed in 1997 with the completion of the ]. Since then, new projects have been periodically started to renovate and renew the Delta Works. A main goal of the Delta project was to reduce the risk of flooding in South Holland and Zeeland to once per 10,000 years (compared to 1 per 4000 years for the rest of the country). This was achieved by raising {{convert|3000|km|mi|0}} of outer sea-dikes and {{convert|10000|km|mi|0}} of inner, canal, and river dikes, and by closing off the sea ] of the Zeeland province. New risk assessments occasionally show problems requiring additional Delta project dike reinforcements. The Delta project is considered by the ] as one of the ].<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100802060056/http://www.asce.org/Content.aspx?id=2147487305 |date=2 August 2010 }}. Asce.org (19 July 2010). Retrieved on 21 August 2012.</ref> | |||
| After the ], the Delta Works was constructed, which is a comprehensive set of civil works throughout the Dutch coast. The project started in 1958 and was largely completed in 1997 with the completion of the ]. Since then, new projects have been periodically started to renovate and renew the Delta Works. The main goal of the Delta project was to reduce the risk of flooding in South Holland and Zeeland. This was achieved by raising {{convert|3000|km|mi|abbr=on}} of outer sea-dikes and {{convert|10000|km|mi|abbr=on}} of the inner, canal, and river dikes, and by closing off the sea ] of Zeeland. New risk assessments occasionally show problems requiring additional Delta project dike reinforcements. The Delta project is considered by the ] as one of the ].<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100802060056/http://www.asce.org/Content.aspx?id=2147487305 |date=2 August 2010}}. Asce.org (19 July 2010). Retrieved on 21 August 2012.</ref> | |||
| ], completed in 1971]] | |||
| It is anticipated that ] in the 21st century will result in a rise in ]. The Netherlands is actively preparing for a sea level rise. A politically neutral Delta Commission has formulated an action plan to cope with a sea level rise of {{convert|1.10|m|ft}} and a simultaneous land height decline of {{convert|10|cm|in}}. The plan encompasses the reinforcement of the existing coastal defences like ] and ]s with {{convert|1.30|m|ft}} of additional flood protection. Climate change will not only threaten the Netherlands from the sea side, but could also alter rainfall patterns and river run-off. To protect the country from river flooding, another program is already being executed. The ] grants more flow space to rivers, protects the major populated areas and allows for periodic flooding of indefensible lands. The few residents who lived in these so-called "overflow areas" have been moved to higher ground, with some of that ground having been raised above anticipated flood levels.<ref name=NYT021313>{{cite news|title=Going With the Flow|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/17/arts/design/flood-control-in-the-netherlands-now-allows-sea-water-in.html|accessdate=19 February 2013|newspaper=The New York Times|date=13 February 2013|author=Kimmelman, Michael}}</ref> | |||
| It is anticipated that ] will result in a rise in sea level. The Netherlands is actively preparing for a sea-level rise. A politically neutral Delta Commission has formulated an action plan to cope with a sea-level rise of {{convert|1.10|m|ft|abbr=on|0}} and a simultaneous land height decline of {{convert|10|cm|in|abbr=on|0}}. The plan encompasses the reinforcement of existing coastal defences like ]s and ]s with {{convert|1.30|m|ft|abbr=on}} of additional flood protection. Climate change will not only threaten the Netherlands from the coast, but could also alter rainfall patterns and river run-off. To protect the country from river flooding, another programme is already being executed. The ] grants more flow space to rivers, protects the major populated areas and allows for periodic flooding of indefensible lands. The few residents who lived in these so-called "overflow areas" have been moved to higher ground, with some of that ground having been raised above anticipated flood levels.<ref name=NYT021313>{{cite news|title=Going With the Flow|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/17/arts/design/flood-control-in-the-netherlands-now-allows-sea-water-in.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130214132056/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/17/arts/design/flood-control-in-the-netherlands-now-allows-sea-water-in.html |archive-date=14 February 2013 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=19 February 2013|newspaper=The New York Times|date=13 February 2013|author=Kimmelman, Michael}}</ref> | |||
| ===Climate=== | |||
| The predominant wind direction in the European Netherlands is southwest, which causes a mild ], with moderately warm summers and cool winters, and typically high humidity. This is especially true close to the Dutch coastline, where the difference in temperature between summer and winter, as well as between day and night is noticeably smaller than it is in the southeast of the country. | |||
| ===Climate change=== | |||
| {{multiple image | |||
| {{main|Climate change in the Netherlands}} | |||
| | perrow = 1 | |||
| The Netherlands is already affected by ]. The average temperature in the Netherlands rose by more than 2 °C from 1901 to 2020.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://cdn.knmi.nl/knmi/asc/klimaatsignaal21/KNMI_Klimaatsignaal21.pdf |title=Klimaatsignaal 21: hoe het klimaat in Nederland snel verandert |publisher=KNMI |year=2021 |location=De Bilt |pages=11 |language=nl |author=Koninklijk Nederlands Meteorologisch Instituut}}</ref> Climate change has resulted in increased frequency of droughts and heatwaves. Because significant portions of the Netherlands have been ] or otherwise are very near sea level, the Netherlands is very vulnerable to ]. | |||
| | total_width = 250 | |||
| | caption_align = center | |||
| | image1 = Nijlânnermolen Workum.jpg | |||
| | caption1 = ], ] | |||
| | image2 = Floroj en Lisse.jpg | |||
| | caption2 = ], ] | |||
| | align = | |||
| | direction = | |||
| | alt1 = | |||
| }} | |||
| Ice days—maximum temperature below {{convert|0|C|F|0}}—usually occur from December until February, with the occasional rare ice day prior to or after that period. Freezing days—minimum temperature below {{convert|0|C|F|0}}—occur much more often, usually ranging from mid-November to late March, but not rarely measured as early as mid-October and as late as mid-May. If one chooses the height of measurement to be {{convert|10|cm|0|abbr=on}} above ground instead of {{convert|150|cm|0|abbr=on}}, one may even find such temperatures in the middle of the summer. On average, snow can occur from November to April, but sometimes occurs in May or October too. | |||
| The Netherlands has the fourth largest ] of the European Union,<ref>{{Cite news |title=EEA greenhouse gases — data viewer — European Environment Agency |url=https://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/data/data-viewers/greenhouse-gases-viewer |access-date=2023-04-04 |newspaper=European Environment Agency |language=en}}</ref> in part due to the large number of cows.<ref name="The Economist">{{Cite news |title=The cucumber Saudis: how the Dutch got too good at farming |newspaper=The Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/europe/2023/03/23/the-cucumber-saudis-how-the-dutch-got-too-good-at-farming |access-date=2023-04-04 |issn=0013-0613 |url-access=registration |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323153856/https://www.economist.com/europe/2023/03/23/the-cucumber-saudis-how-the-dutch-got-too-good-at-farming |archive-date=2023-03-23 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Dutch government has set goals to lower emissions in the next few decades. The Dutch response to climate change is driven by a number of unique factors, including larger ] plans by the European Union in the face of the ] and a ] case, ], which created mandatory ] through emissions reductions 25% below 1990 levels.<ref name="BBC">{{cite web|date=20 December 2019|title=Netherlands climate change: Court orders bigger cuts in emissions|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-50864569|language=English|newspaper=BBC}}</ref><ref name="AP">{{cite web|date=20 December 2019|title=Activists cheer victory in landmark Dutch climate case|url=https://apnews.com/5534fe18ac5352ba43c74c9a64d6a20a|language=English|newspaper=Associated Press}}</ref> In 2021 ] were down 14% compared to 1990 levels.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Statistiek |first=Centraal Bureau voor de |title=Hoe groot is onze broeikasgasuitstoot? |url=https://www.cbs.nl/nl-nl/dossier/dossier-broeikasgassen/hoe-groot-is-onze-broeikasgasuitstoot-wat-is-het-doel- |access-date=2023-07-09 |website=Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek |language=nl-NL}}</ref> The goal of the Dutch government is to reduce emissions in 2030 by 49%.<ref>{{cite web|date=2019|title=Long-term strategy on climate mitigation – The Netherlands|url=https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/LTS1_Netherlands.pdf|access-date=16 May 2021|website=unfccc}}</ref> | |||
| Warm days—maximum temperature above {{convert|20|C|F|0}}—are usually found in April to October, but in some parts of the country these warm days can also occur in March, or even sometimes in November or February (usually not in {{Not a typo|De Bilt}}, however). Summer days—maximum temperature above {{convert|25|C|F|0}}—are usually measured in {{Not a typo|De Bilt}} from May until September, tropical days—maximum temperature above {{convert|30|C|F|0}}—are rare and usually occur only in June to August. | |||
| Precipitation throughout the year is distributed relatively equally each month. Summer and autumn months tend to gather a little more precipitation than the other months, mainly because of the intensity of the rainfall rather than the frequency of rain days (this is especially the case in summer, when lightning is also much more frequent). | |||
| The number of sunshine hours is affected by the fact that because of the geographical latitude, the length of the days varies between barely eight hours in December and nearly 17 hours in June. | |||
| The following tables are based on mean measurements by the ] weather station in ] between 1981 and 2010. The highest recorded temperature was an established on 25 July 2019.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.knmi.nl/over-het-knmi/nieuws/temperatuur-door-historische-grens-van-40-c | title=KNMI - Temperatuur door historische grens van 40°C}}</ref> | |||
| {{stack begin | align=center | clear=false | float=center}} | |||
| {{Weather box | |||
| | collapsed = yes | |||
| |location = De Bilt (1981–2010 averages), all KNMI locations (1901–2019 extremes), snowy days: (1971–2000 averages). | |||
| |metric first = Yes | |||
| |single line = Yes | |||
| |Jan record high C = 17.2 | |||
| |Feb record high C = 20.5 | |||
| |Mar record high C = 25.6 | |||
| |Apr record high C = 32.2 | |||
| |May record high C = 35.6 | |||
| |Jun record high C = 38.4 | |||
| |Jul record high C = 42.9 | |||
| |Aug record high C = 38.6 | |||
| |Sep record high C = 35.2 | |||
| |Oct record high C = 30.1 | |||
| |Nov record high C = 22.0 | |||
| |Dec record high C = 17.8 | |||
| |year record high C = 40.7 | |||
| |Jan high C = 5.6 | |||
| |Feb high C = 6.4 | |||
| |Mar high C = 10.0 | |||
| |Apr high C = 14.0 | |||
| |May high C = 18.0 | |||
| |Jun high C = 20.4 | |||
| |Jul high C = 22.8 | |||
| |Aug high C = 22.6 | |||
| |Sep high C = 19.1 | |||
| |Oct high C = 14.6 | |||
| |Nov high C = 9.6 | |||
| |Dec high C = 6.1 | |||
| |year high C = 14.1 | |||
| |Jan mean C = 3.1 | |||
| |Feb mean C = 3.3 | |||
| |Mar mean C = 6.2 | |||
| |Apr mean C = 9.2 | |||
| |May mean C = 13.1 | |||
| |Jun mean C = 15.6 | |||
| |Jul mean C = 17.9 | |||
| |Aug mean C = 17.5 | |||
| |Sep mean C = 14.5 | |||
| |Oct mean C = 10.7 | |||
| |Nov mean C = 6.7 | |||
| |Dec mean C = 3.7 | |||
| |year mean C = 10.1 | |||
| |Jan low C = 0.3 | |||
| |Feb low C = 0.2 | |||
| |Mar low C = 2.3 | |||
| |Apr low C = 4.1 | |||
| |May low C = 7.8 | |||
| |Jun low C = 10.5 | |||
| |Jul low C = 12.8 | |||
| |Aug low C = 12.3 | |||
| |Sep low C = 9.9 | |||
| |Oct low C = 6.9 | |||
| |Nov low C = 3.6 | |||
| |Dec low C = 1.0 | |||
| |year low C = 6.0 | |||
| |Jan record low C = -27.4 | |||
| |Feb record low C = -26.8 | |||
| |Mar record low C = -20.7 | |||
| |Apr record low C = -9.4 | |||
| |May record low C = -5.4 | |||
| |Jun record low C = -1.2 | |||
| |Jul record low C = 0.7 | |||
| |Aug record low C = 1.3 | |||
| |Sep record low C = -3.7 | |||
| |Oct record low C = -8.5 | |||
| |Nov record low C = -14.4 | |||
| |Dec record low C = -22.3 | |||
| |year record low C = -27.4 | |||
| |Jan precipitation mm = 69.6 | |||
| |Feb precipitation mm = 55.8 | |||
| |Mar precipitation mm = 66.8 | |||
| |Apr precipitation mm = 42.3 | |||
| |May precipitation mm = 61.9 | |||
| |Jun precipitation mm = 65.6 | |||
| |Jul precipitation mm = 81.1 | |||
| |Aug precipitation mm = 72.9 | |||
| |Sep precipitation mm = 78.1 | |||
| |Oct precipitation mm = 82.8 | |||
| |Nov precipitation mm = 79.8 | |||
| |Dec precipitation mm = 75.8 | |||
| |year precipitation mm = 832.5 | |||
| |precipitation colour = green | |||
| |Jan humidity= 87 | |||
| |Feb humidity= 84 | |||
| |Mar humidity= 81 | |||
| |Apr humidity= 75 | |||
| |May humidity= 75 | |||
| |Jun humidity= 76 | |||
| |Jul humidity= 77 | |||
| |Aug humidity= 79 | |||
| |Sep humidity= 84 | |||
| |Oct humidity= 86 | |||
| |Nov humidity= 89 | |||
| |Dec humidity= 89 | |||
| |year humidity= 82 | |||
| |unit precipitation days = 0.1 mm | |||
| |Jan precipitation days = 17 | |||
| |Feb precipitation days = 14 | |||
| |Mar precipitation days = 17 | |||
| |Apr precipitation days = 13 | |||
| |May precipitation days = 14 | |||
| |Jun precipitation days = 14 | |||
| |Jul precipitation days = 14 | |||
| |Aug precipitation days = 14 | |||
| |Sep precipitation days = 15 | |||
| |Oct precipitation days = 16 | |||
| |Nov precipitation days = 18 | |||
| |Dec precipitation days = 17 | |||
| |year precipitation days = 184 | |||
| |unit snow days = 0 cm | |||
| |Jan snow days = 6 | |||
| |Feb snow days = 6 | |||
| |Mar snow days = 4 | |||
| |Apr snow days = 2 | |||
| |May snow days = 0 | |||
| |Jun snow days = – | |||
| |Jul snow days = – | |||
| |Aug snow days = – | |||
| |Sep snow days = – | |||
| |Oct snow days = 0 | |||
| |Nov snow days = 2 | |||
| |Dec snow days = 5 | |||
| |year snow days = 25 | |||
| |Jan sun = 62.3 | |||
| |Feb sun = 85.7 | |||
| |Mar sun = 121.6 | |||
| |Apr sun = 173.6 | |||
| |May sun = 207.2 | |||
| |Jun sun = 193.9 | |||
| |Jul sun = 206.0 | |||
| |Aug sun = 187.7 | |||
| |Sep sun = 138.3 | |||
| |Oct sun = 112.9 | |||
| |Nov sun = 63.0 | |||
| |Dec sun = 49.3 | |||
| |year sun = 1601.5 | |||
| |date=December 2011 | |||
| |source 1 = KNMI.nl<ref name="knmi">{{cite web| url = http://www.knmi.nl/|title = Knmi.nl| accessdate =25 December 2011|language = Dutch}}</ref> | |||
| }} | |||
| {{stack end}} | |||
| ===Nature=== | ===Nature=== | ||
| {{Further|List of national parks |
{{Further|List of national parks of the Netherlands}} | ||
| The Netherlands has 20 national parks and hundreds of other nature reserves, that include ]s, ], ], ]s and other habitats. Most of these are owned by ], the national department for ] and ] and ] (literally 'Natures monuments'), a private organisation that buys, protects and manages nature reserves. The Dutch part of the ] in the north, with its ]s and ]s, is rich in ], and was declared a ] ] in 2009. | |||
| ] on ], a ] island]] | ] on ], a ] island]] | ||
| The Netherlands has 21 national parks<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://nationaalpark.nl/ |access-date=27 January 2023 |website=Nationaal Park |language=nl-NL}}</ref> and hundreds of other nature reserves. Most of these are owned by ], the national department for ] and ] and ], a private organisation that buys, protects and manages nature reserves.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.natuurmonumenten.nl/over-natuurmonumenten|title=Over Natuurmonumenten|website=Natuurmonumenten}}</ref> The ] in the north, with its ]s and ]s, is rich in ], and is a ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=|first=|title=Wadden Sea |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1314/ |access-date=27 January 2023 |publisher=] World Heritage Centre |language=en}}</ref> The ], formerly the northeast ] of the river ] was designated a national park in 2002, making it the largest national park in the Netherlands at an area of {{convert|370|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}. | |||
| The ], formerly the northeast ] of the river ] was designated a national park in 2002, thereby making it the largest national park in the Netherlands at an area of {{convert|370|km2|sqmi}}. It consists primarily of the salt waters of the Oosterschelde, but also includes mud flats, meadows, and shoals. Because of the large variety of sea life, including unique regional species, the park is popular with ]. Other activities include sailing, fishing, cycling, and bird watching. | |||
| ], the European Netherlands is shared between the Atlantic European and Central European provinces of the ] within the ]. According to the ], the European territory of the Netherlands belongs to the ] of ].<ref name="DinersteinOlson2017">{{cite journal|last1=Dinerstein|first1=Eric|last2=Olson|first2=David|last3=Joshi|first3=Anup|last4=Vynne|first4=Carly|last5=Burgess|first5=Neil D.|last6=Wikramanayake|first6=Eric|last7=Hahn|first7=Nathan|last8=Palminteri|first8=Suzanne|last9=Hedao|first9=Prashant|last10=Noss|first10=Reed|last11=Hansen|first11=Matt|last12=Locke|first12=Harvey|last13=Ellis|first13=Erle C|last14=Jones|first14=Benjamin|last15=Barber|first15=Charles Victor|last16=Hayes|first16=Randy|last17=Kormos|first17=Cyril|last18=Martin|first18=Vance|last19=Crist|first19=Eileen|last20=Sechrest|first20=Wes|last21=Price|first21=Lori|last22=Baillie|first22=Jonathan E. M.|last23=Weeden|first23=Don|last24=Suckling|first24=Kierán|last25=Davis|first25=Crystal|last26=Sizer|first26=Nigel|last27=Moore|first27=Rebecca|last28=Thau|first28=David|last29=Birch|first29=Tanya|last30=Potapov|first30=Peter|last31=Turubanova|first31=Svetlana|last32=Tyukavina|first32=Alexandra|last33=de Souza|first33=Nadia|last34=Pintea|first34=Lilian|last35=Brito|first35=José C.|last36=Llewellyn|first36=Othman A.|last37=Miller|first37=Anthony G.|last38=Patzelt|first38=Annette|last39=Ghazanfar|first39=Shahina A.|last40=Timberlake|first40=Jonathan|last41=Klöser|first41=Heinz|last42=Shennan-Farpón|first42=Yara|last43=Kindt|first43=Roeland|last44=Lillesø|first44=Jens-Peter Barnekow|last45=van Breugel|first45=Paulo|last46=Graudal|first46=Lars|last47=Voge|first47=Maianna|last48=Al-Shammari|first48=Khalaf F.|last49=Saleem|first49=Muhammad|display-authors=1|title=An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm|journal=BioScience|volume=67|issue=6|year=2017|pages=534–545|issn=0006-3568|doi=10.1093/biosci/bix014 |doi-access=free |pmid=28608869|pmc=5451287}}</ref> In 1871, the last old original natural woods were cut down.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Beekbergerwoud - Natuurgebied |url=https://www.natuurmonumenten.nl/natuurgebieden/beekbergerwoud |access-date=13 June 2022 |website=Natuurmonumenten |language=nl}}</ref> These woods were planted on ] and sand-drifts (overgrazed heaths) (]). The Netherlands had a 2019 ] mean score of 0.6/10, ranking it 169th globally out of 172 countries.<ref name="FLII-Supplementary">{{cite journal|last1=Grantham|first1=H. S.|last2=Duncan|first2=A.|last3=Evans|first3=T. D.|last4=Jones|first4=K. R.|last5=Beyer|first5=H. L.|last6=Schuster|first6=R.|last7=Walston|first7=J.|last8=Ray|first8=J. C.|last9=Robinson|first9=J. G.|last10=Callow|first10=M.|last11=Clements|first11=T.|last12=Costa|first12=H. M.|last13=DeGemmis|first13=A.|last14=Elsen|first14=P. R.|last15=Ervin|first15=J.|last16=Franco|first16=P.|last17=Goldman|first17=E.|last18=Goetz|first18=S.|last19=Hansen|first19=A.|last20=Hofsvang|first20=E.|last21=Jantz|first21=P.|last22=Jupiter|first22=S.|last23=Kang|first23=A.|last24=Langhammer|first24=P.|last25=Laurance|first25=W. F.|last26=Lieberman|first26=S.|last27=Linkie|first27=M.|last28=Malhi|first28=Y.|last29=Maxwell|first29=S.|last30=Mendez|first30=M.|last31=Mittermeier|first31=R.|last32=Murray|first32=N. J.|last33=Possingham|first33=H.|last34=Radachowsky|first34=J.|last35=Saatchi|first35=S.|last36=Samper|first36=C.|last37=Silverman|first37=J.|last38=Shapiro|first38=A.|last39=Strassburg|first39=B.|last40=Stevens|first40=T.|last41=Stokes|first41=E.|last42=Taylor|first42=R.|last43=Tear|first43=T.|last44=Tizard|first44=R.|last45=Venter|first45=O.|last46=Visconti|first46=P.|last47=Wang|first47=S.|last48=Watson|first48=J. E. M.|display-authors=1|title=Anthropogenic modification of forests means only 40% of remaining forests have high ecosystem integrity – Supplementary Material|journal=Nature Communications|volume=11|issue=1|year=2020|page=5978|issn=2041-1723|doi=10.1038/s41467-020-19493-3|pmid=33293507|pmc=7723057|bibcode=2020NatCo..11.5978G}}</ref> | |||
| ], the European Netherlands is shared between the Atlantic European and Central European provinces of the ] within the ]. According to the ], the European territory of the Netherlands belongs to the ] of Atlantic mixed forests. In 1871, the last old original natural woods were cut down, and most woods today are planted monocultures of trees like ] and trees that are not native to the Netherlands.{{Citation needed|date=January 2009}} These woods were planted on ] and sand-drifts (overgrazed heaths) (]). | |||
| ] is a problem.<ref name="The Economist"/> The number of flying insects in the Netherlands has dropped by 75% since the 1990s.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.consoglobe.com/insectes-disparaitre-cg |title=Les insectes sont bel et bien en train de disparaître |language=fr |trans-title=Insects are well and truly disappearing |first=Paul |last=Malo |date=18 November 2019 |website=consoglobe.com}}</ref> | |||
| ===Caribbean islands=== | ===Caribbean islands=== | ||
| {{Main|Bonaire |
{{Main|Bonaire|Sint Eustatius|Saba (island)|Caribbean Netherlands}} | ||
| In the ] islands of the Caribbean, the territories of ], ] and ] have a constituent country status within the wider Kingdom of the Netherlands. Another three territories which make up the ] are designated as special municipalities. The Caribbean Netherlands have maritime borders with ], ], France (]), ], the ] and ].<ref name="Caribbean-Borders">{{cite web |title=Maritime boundaries of the Caribbean part of the Kingdom |url=https://english.defensie.nl/topics/hydrography/maritime-limits-and-boundaries/maritime-boundaries-of-the-caribbean-part-of-the-kingdom |publisher=Ministry of Defence |date=15 November 2017 |access-date=5 August 2020 |language=en}}</ref> The islands of the Caribbean Netherlands enjoy a tropical ] with warm weather all year round.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Biasutti |first1=Michela |last2=Sobel |first2=Adam H. |last3=Camargo |first3=Suzana J. |last4=Creyts |first4=Timothy T. |date=1 June 2012 |title=Projected changes in the physical climate of the Gulf Coast and Caribbean |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-011-0254-y |journal=Climatic Change |language=en |volume=112 |issue=3 |pages=819–845 |doi=10.1007/s10584-011-0254-y |bibcode=2012ClCh..112..819B |s2cid=8304158 |issn=1573-1480}}</ref> | |||
| ]]] | ]]] | ||
| Within this island group: | Within this island group: | ||
| * ] is part of the ] within the ] island chain off the ]n coast. The Leeward Antilles have a mixed volcanic and coral origin. | * ] is part of the ] within the ] island chain off the ]n coast. The Leeward Antilles have a mixed volcanic and coral origin. | ||
| * ] and ] are part of the ]. They are located east of ] and the ]. |
* ] and ] are part of the ] within the ]. They are located east of ] and the ]. The locals (French, Spanish, ] and the locally spoken English) consider them part of the Windward Islands, although in the international English language, the ] refer to other islands further south. These two islands are of volcanic origin and hilly, leaving little ground suitable for ]. The highest point is ], {{convert|887|m|ft|abbr=on}}, on ]. This is the highest point in the country and in the entire Kingdom of the Netherlands. | ||
| ==Government and politics== | |||
| The islands of the Caribbean Netherlands enjoy a ] ] with warm weather all year round. The Leeward Antilles are warmer and drier than the Windward islands. In summer, the Windward Islands can be subject to ]. | |||
| {{Main|Politics of the Netherlands}} | |||
| ], where the lower and upper houses of the States General meet]] | |||
| The Netherlands has been a ] since 1815 and a ] since 1848. The Netherlands is described as a ]. Dutch politics and governance are characterised by an effort to achieve broad consensus on important issues. The Netherlands was ranked as the 17th best electoral democracy in the world by ] in 2023<ref name="vdem_dataset">Coppedge, Michael, John Gerring, Carl Henrik Knutsen, Staffan I. Lindberg, Jan Teorell, Nazifa Alizada, David Altman, Michael Bernhard, Agnes Cornell, M. Steven Fish, Lisa Gastaldi, Haakon Gjerløw, Adam Glynn, Allen Hicken, Garry Hindle, Nina Ilchenko, Joshua Krusell, Anna Lührmann, Seraphine F. Maerz, Kyle L. Marquardt, Kelly McMann, Valeriya Mechkova, Juraj Medzihorsky, Pamela Paxton, Daniel Pemstein, Josefine Pernes, Johannes von Römer, Brigitte Seim, Rachel Sigman, Svend-Erik Skaaning, Jeffrey Staton, Aksel Sundström, Eitan Tzelgov, Yi-ting Wang, Tore Wig, Steven Wilson and Daniel Ziblatt. 2021. "V-Dem Dataset v11.1" Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) Project. https://doi.org/10.23696/vdemds21.</ref> and 9th most democratic country in the world by the ] in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023 |title=Democracy Index 2022: Frontline democracy and the battle for Ukraine |url=https://pages.eiu.com/rs/753-RIQ-438/images/DI-final-version-report.pdf |website=] |page=3 |language=en-GB}}</ref> | |||
| ==Politics== | |||
| ], where the lower and upper houses of the States General meet]] | |||
| The Netherlands has been a ] since 1815, and due to the efforts of ],<ref name=NRC>{{Cite web |last=Stevens |first=Harm |url=http://retro.nrc.nl/W2/Lab/Profiel/Grondwet/thorbecke.html |title=Een stijf Hollands heertje |website=] |language=Dutch |date=13 March 1998 |accessdate=11 November 2018}}</ref> became a ] since 1848. The Netherlands is described as a ]. Dutch politics and governance are characterised by an effort to achieve broad consensus on important issues, within both the political community and society as a whole. In 2017, '']'' ranked the Netherlands as the 11th ]. | |||
| The ] is the ], at present King ]. Constitutionally, the position is equipped with limited powers.<!-- Commented out: "The monarch can exert some influence during the formation of a new cabinet, where they serve as neutral arbiter between the political parties." |
The ] is the ], at present King ]. Constitutionally, the position is equipped with limited powers due to ministerial responsibility.<!-- Commented out: "The monarch can exert some influence during the formation of a new cabinet, where they serve as neutral arbiter between the political parties." Information: The Dutch Lower House (Tweede Kamer) relieved the monarch of this role on 27 March 2012. --> | ||
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| | image1 = Koning- |
| image1 = Zijne Majesteit Koning Willem-Alexander met koningsmantel april 2013 (cropped).jpeg | ||
| | width1 = |
| width1 = 152 | ||
| | caption1 = ]<br / |
| caption1 = ]<br />]<br />since 30 April 2013 | ||
| | image2 = |
| image2 = Directeur-generaal_AIVD_Dick_Schoof_(cropped).jpg | ||
| | width2 = |
| width2 = 143 | ||
| | caption2 = ]<br / |
| caption2 = ]<br />]<br />since 2 July 2024 | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| The ] is formed by the ], the deliberative organ of the ]. The cabinet usually consists of 13 to 16 ministers and a varying number of ]. One to three ministers are ]. The |
The ] is formed by the government that includes the monarch and the ], the deliberative organ of the ]. The cabinet usually consists of 13 to 16 ministers and a varying number of ]. One to three ministers are ]. The council of ministers is presided over by the ], who often is the leader of the largest party of the coalition. The Prime Minister is a '']'', with no explicit powers beyond those of the other ministers. ] has been Prime Minister since July 2024, succeeding the longest-serving Prime Minister ]. | ||
| The cabinet is ] to the ] |
The cabinet is ] to the ] parliament, the ], which also has ]. The 150 members of the ], the ], are elected in ]s on the basis of ]. These are held every four years, or sooner in case the cabinet falls. The provincial assemblies, the ], are directly elected every four years as well. The members of the provincial assemblies elect the 75 members of the ], the ], which has the power to reject laws, but not amend them.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.government.nl/topics/parliament/senate-and-house-of-representatives|title=The House of Representatives and Senate – Parliament – Government.nl|first=Ministerie van Algemene|last=Zaken|date=12 October 2011|website=government.nl}}</ref> | ||
| ===Political culture=== | ===Political culture=== | ||
| Both trade unions and ]s are consulted beforehand in policymaking in the financial, economic and social areas. They meet regularly with the government in the ]. This body advises government and its advice cannot be put aside easily. | |||
| The Netherlands has a long tradition of ].<ref name="Singh2010">{{cite book|author=Shiva Pratap Singh|title=Glimpses of Europe: A Crucible of Winning Ideas, Great Civilizations and Bloodiest Wars|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MPMkaHfHLRgC&pg=PA579|year=2010|publisher=Gyan Publishing House|isbn=978-81-7835-831-4|pages=579–}}</ref> In the 18th century, while the ] was the ], ], other forms of Protestantism, such as Baptists and Lutherans, as well as ] were tolerated but discriminated against.<ref name="Singh2010"/> | |||
| ], Amsterdam's ], offers activities such as legal ] and a number of ] that sell ], symbolising the Dutch political culture and tradition of tolerance.]] | |||
| In the late 19th century this Dutch tradition of religious tolerance transformed into a system of ], in which religious groups coexisted separately and only interacted at the level of government. This tradition of tolerance influences Dutch ] policies on ], ], ], ], and ], which are among the most liberal in the world. | |||
| ===Political parties=== | |||
| {{Main|Political parties of the Netherlands|Politics of the Netherlands}} | {{Main|Political parties of the Netherlands|Politics of the Netherlands}} | ||
| ] (CDA), ] (GL), ] (VVD), ] (D66) and ] (SP), 2010]] | |||
| ], Amsterdam's red-light district, offers activities such as legal ], symbolizing the Dutch political culture and tradition of tolerance.]] | |||
| Because of the ], no single party has held a majority in parliament since the 19th century, as a result, ] had to be formed. Since suffrage became universal ], the Dutch political system has been dominated by three families of political parties: the strongest of which were the ], currently represented by the ] (CDA); second were the ], represented by the ] (PvdA); and third were the ], of which the right-wing ] (VVD) is the main representative. | |||
| Both trade unions and ]s are consulted in policymaking in the financial, economic and social areas. They meet regularly with the government in the ]. | |||
| These parties co-operated in coalition cabinets in which the Christian Democrats had always been a partner: so either a centre-left coalition of the Christian Democrats and Social Democrats was ruling or a centre-right coalition of Christian Democrats and Liberals. In the 1970s, the ] became more volatile: the Christian Democratic parties lost seats, while new parties became successful, such as the ] and ] liberal ] (D66) or the ] party ] (GL). | |||
| The Netherlands has a tradition of ].<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Buruma|first=Ybo|date=2007|title=Dutch Tolerance: On Drugs, Prostitution, and Euthanasia|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/650185|journal=Crime and Justice|volume=35|issue=1|pages=73–113|doi=10.1086/650185|jstor=10.1086/650185|s2cid=144295342|issn=0192-3234}}</ref> In the late 19th century this Dutch tradition of religious tolerance transformed into a system of ], in which religious groups coexisted separately and only interacted at the level of government.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kaplan |first=Benjamin J. |url=https://brill.com/view/book/9789004353954/BP000009.xml |title="Dutch" Religious Tolerance: Celebration and Revision |date=5 September 2019 |publisher=Brill |isbn=978-90-04-35395-4 |language=en}}</ref> Protection for ] and abortion rights are enshrined within the Netherlands' foreign aid policy.<ref>{{cite web |title=Feminist foreign policy explained |date=18 November 2022 |url=https://www.government.nl/latest/news/2022/11/18/feminist-foreign-policy-netherlands |publisher=Government of the Netherlands |access-date=8 September 2023}}</ref> | |||
| In the ], the CDA lost its dominant position. A "]" cabinet was formed by the VVD, D66, and PvdA. In the ], this cabinet lost its majority, because of an increased support for the CDA and the rise of the right ], a new political party, around ], who was assassinated a week before the elections. A short-lived ] was formed by CDA, VVD, and LPF, which was led by the CDA Leader ]. After the ], in which the LPF lost most of its seats, a ] was formed by the CDA, VVD, and D66. The cabinet initiated an ambitious programme of reforming the ], the ], and ]. | |||
| No single party has held a majority in parliament since the 19th century, and as a result, ] had to be formed. Since suffrage became universal ], the Dutch political system has been dominated by three families of political parties: ] (currently the ]), ] (currently the ]), and ] (currently the ]). In November 2023, the right-wing populist ] of ] was the winner of ], securing 37 out of 150 seats.<ref>{{Cite news |url = https://www.nu.nl/formatie-2023/6292138/verkiezingsuitslag-definitief-d66-grijpt-net-naast-tiende-zetel-pvv-blijft-op-37.html |date = 1 December 2023 |access-date = 3 July 2024 |language = nl |website = ] |title = Verkiezingsuitslag definitief: D66 grijpt net naast tiende zetel, PVV blijft op 37 |trans-title = Final election results: D66 barely misses tenth seat, PVV stays at 37 }}</ref> ] was inaugurated in July 2024, and ] succeeded ] as ].<ref>{{Cite news |url = https://nos.nl/collectie/13962/artikel/2527025-ministers-en-staatssecretarissen-kabinet-schoof-beedigd |date = 2 July 2024 |access-date = 2 July 2024 |language = nl |website = ] |title = Ministers en staatssecretarissen kabinet-Schoof beëdigd |trans-title = Ministers and state secretaries of Schoof cabinet sworn in }}</ref> | |||
| In June 2006, the cabinet fell after D66 voted in favour of a motion of no confidence against the ], ], who had instigated an investigation of the asylum procedure of ], a VVD ]. A ] was formed by the CDA and VVD, and ] were held on 22 November 2006. In these elections, the CDA remained the largest party and the ] made the largest gains. The ] took three months, resulting in a ] of CDA, PvdA, and ]. | |||
| === Administrative divisions === | |||
| On 20 February 2010, the cabinet fell when the PvdA refused to prolong the involvement of the Dutch Army in ], Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kabinet valt over Uruzgan-besluit |newspaper=] |date=20 February 2010 |url=http://www.volkskrant.nl/binnenland/article1350355.ece/Kabinet_valt_over_Uruzgan-besluit |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100223041947/http://www.volkskrant.nl/binnenland/article1350355.ece/Kabinet_valt_over_Uruzgan-besluit |archivedate=23 February 2010 |accessdate=20 February 2010 |author1=Dirks, Bart |author2=Koelé, Theo |lastauthoramp=yes |language=Dutch |url-status=dead }}</ref> ]s were held on ], with devastating results for the previously largest party, the CDA, which lost about half of its seats, resulting in 21 seats. The VVD became the largest party with 31 seats, closely followed by the PvdA with 30 seats. The big winner of the 2010 elections was ], whose right wing ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/dutch-parliamentary-elections-will-far-right-freedom-party-defy-polls-again-780833 |title=Dutch Parliamentary Elections: Will Far-Right Freedom Party Defy Polls Again? |website=International Business Times |date=12 September 2012 |accessdate=26 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/w/geert_wilders/index.html |title=Times Topics: Geert Wilders |newspaper=The New York Times|accessdate=26 March 2013|first1=Stephen|last1=Castle|first2=Steven|last2=Erlanger}}</ref> the ideological successor to the ], more than doubled its number of seats.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.france24.com/en/20100610-netherlands-government-coalition-elections-party-for-freedom-anti-islam |title=Lengthy coalition talks loom after far-right gain in Dutch elections |publisher=] |accessdate=12 June 2010|date=10 June 2010 }}</ref> ] resulted in a ], led by VVD (a first) in coalition with CDA, which was sworn in on 14 October 2010. This unprecedented minority government was supported by PVV, but proved ultimately to be unstable,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/0,1518,722177,00.html |title=Neue niederländische Regierung formiert sich |work=Der Spiegel |date=8 October 2010|language=de}}</ref> when on 21 April 2012, Wilders, leader of PVV, unexpectedly 'torpedoed seven weeks of austerity talks' on new austerity measures, paving the way for early elections.<ref>{{cite news|title=Dutch prime minister says government austerity talks collapse |agency=] |url=https://www.boston.com/business/articles/2012/04/21/dutch_prime_minister_says_austerity_talks_collapse/ |newspaper=] |date=21 April 2012 |author=Corder, Mike |accessdate=21 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120710060135/http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2012/04/21/dutch_prime_minister_says_austerity_talks_collapse/ |archivedate=10 July 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Dutch prime minister lays blame squarely with Geert Wilders|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2012/apr/23/eurozone-crisis-austerity-dutch-government | location=London | work=The Guardian |first=Graeme |last=Wearden |date=23 April 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.nwaonline.com/news/2012/apr/21/dutch-prime-minister-says-austerity-talks-collapse/ | title=Dutch prime minister says austerity talks collapse | work=] | date=21 April 2012 | accessdate=12 March 2017 | agency=The Associated Press}}</ref> | |||
| ] and ] of the Netherlands]] | |||
| VVD and PvdA won a majority in the House of Representatives during the ]. On 5 November 2012 they formed the ]. | |||
| {{Main|Administrative divisions of the Netherlands|Public body (Netherlands)}} | |||
| After the ], ], ], ] and ] formed the ]. | |||
| The Netherlands is divided into twelve provinces, each under a ]. All provinces are divided into ] (''gemeenten''), of which there are 342 (2023).<ref name="CBS_code">{{cite web |url=https://www.cbs.nl/nl-nl/onze-diensten/methoden/classificaties/overig/gemeentelijke-indelingen-per-jaar/indeling-per-jaar/gemeentelijke-indeling-op-1-januari-2023 |title=Gemeentelijke indeling op 1 januari 2023 |trans-title=Municipalities on 1 January 2021 |language=nl |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |work=CBS Classifications |publisher=] |access-date=16 January 2023}}</ref> | |||
| ==Government== | |||
| {{Main|Government of the Netherlands}} | |||
| The country is subdivided into 21 water districts, governed by a ] (''waterschap'' or ''hoogheemraadschap''), each having authority in matters concerning water management.<ref name=WATER>{{cite web|url=http://www.uvw.nl/de-waterschappen.html |title=De waterschappen |language=nl |access-date=7 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103064157/http://www.uvw.nl/de-waterschappen.html |archive-date=3 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.waterschappen.nl/mijn-waterschap/ |title=Mijn waterschap |language=nl |access-date=6 May 2021}}</ref> The creation of water boards pre-dates that of the nation itself, the first appearing in 1196. The Dutch water boards are among the oldest democratic entities in the world still in existence. Direct elections of the water boards take place every four years. | |||
| ===Administrative divisions=== | |||
| {{Main|Provinces of the Netherlands|Municipalities of the Netherlands|Water board (Netherlands)|Public body (Netherlands)}} | |||
| ] and ] of the Netherlands]] | |||
| The Netherlands is divided into twelve provinces, each under a ] (''Commissaris van de Koning''). Informally in ] this position is named Governor (''Gouverneur''). All provinces are divided into ] (''gemeenten''), of which there are 355 (2019).<ref name=MUNICPS>{{cite web |url = https://www.cbs.nl/nl-nl/onze-diensten/methoden/classificaties/overig/gemeentelijke-indelingen-per-jaar/indeling%20per%20jaar/gemeentelijke-indeling-op-1-januari-2019 |title = Gemeentelijke indeling op 1 januari 2019 |trans-title = Municipalities on 1 January 2019 |language = Dutch |author = <!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date = 1 January 2019 |work = CBS Classifications |publisher = ] |accessdate = 7 February 2020}}</ref> | |||
| The country is also subdivided into 21 water districts (as of 2018), governed by a ] (''waterschap'' or ''hoogheemraadschap''), each having authority in matters concerning water management.<ref name=WATER>{{cite web|url=http://www.uvw.nl/de-waterschappen.html |title=De waterschappen |language=Dutch |accessdate=7 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103064157/http://www.uvw.nl/de-waterschappen.html |archivedate=3 November 2013 }}</ref> The creation of water boards actually pre-dates that of the nation itself, the first appearing in 1196. The Dutch water boards are among the oldest democratic entities in the world still in existence. Direct elections of the water boards take place every 4 years. | |||
| The administrative structure on the 3 BES islands, collectively known as the ], is outside the twelve provinces. These islands have the status of ''openbare lichamen (])''.<ref name=WOLBES>{{cite web|url=http://www.eerstekamer.nl/wetsvoorstel/31954_wet_openbare_lichamen|title=31.954, Wet openbare lichamen Bonaire, Sint Eustatius en Saba|language=Dutch|publisher=Eerste kamer der Staten-Generaal|quote=De openbare lichamen vallen rechtstreeks onder het Rijk omdat zij geen deel uitmaken van een provincie.<br />"Through the establishment of the BES islands as public bodies, rather than communities, the BES islands' rules may deviate from the rules in the European part of the Netherlands. The Dutch legislation will be introduced gradually. The public bodies fall directly under the central government because they are not part of a province."|accessdate=15 October 2010}}</ref> In the Netherlands these administrative units are often referred to as ''special municipalities''. | |||
| Within the Dutch town of ], are 22 Belgian ]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.exclave.eu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4&Itemid=10|title=Baarle-Hertog and Baarle Nassau|website=Exclave.eu|access-date=21 November 2016}}</ref> and within those are 8 Dutch ]. | |||
| <!--As prose text is preferred overly detailed data charts and diagrams such as weather data boxes, population charts and past elections results etc should be reserved for main sub articles on the topic as per WP:DETAIL.---> | |||
| {| class="sortable wikitable" style="width:60em" {{right}} | |||
| {| style="background:none;" cellspacing="2" | |||
| | | |||
| {| class="sortable wikitable" style="text-align:left;" | |||
| |- | |- | ||
| ! style= |
! style=width:8em | Province | ||
| ! style= |
! style=width:7em | Capital | ||
| ! style= |
! style=width:6em | Largest city | ||
| ! Total area<br/>(km<sup>2</sup>)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.waarstaatjeprovincie.nl/Paginas/Ruimtelijke%20ordening/Oppervlakte.aspx |title=Oppervlakte |access-date=10 January 2020 |archive-date=4 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504021427/https://www.waarstaatjeprovincie.nl/Paginas/Ruimtelijke%20ordening/Oppervlakte.aspx |url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
| ! style="width:100px;"| Largest city | |||
| ! Land area<br/>(km<sup>2</sup>)<ref name="NL data">{{cite web |url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/netherlands/cities/ |title=Netherlands : Major Urban Centers |date=15 September 2022 |website=City Population |access-date=28 October 2023}}</ref> | |||
| ! style="width:60px;"| Total Area<ref name="auto2"/> | |||
| ! Population<br/>(2023)<ref name="NL data"/> | |||
| ! style="width:60px;"| Land Area | |||
| ! Density<br/>(/km<sup>2</sup>) | |||
| ! style="width:90px;"| Population<ref name="auto"/><br />(November 2019) | |||
| ! style="width:80px;"|Density | |||
| |- | |- | ||
| | {{left}} {{flag|Drenthe}} || colspan="2" | {{center| ]}} | |||
| | style="text-align:center"|{{flagicon|Drenthe|size=27px}} || ] || <center>]</center> || <center>]</center> || style="text-align:right"|{{convert|2680|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}}||style="text-align:right"|{{convert|2634|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}}|| style="text-align:right"|493,449|| style="text-align:right"|{{convert|188|/km2|/sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | |||
| | 2,680 || 2,633 || 502,051 || 191 | |||
| |- | |- | ||
| | {{left}} {{flag|Flevoland}} || {{center| ]}} || {{center| ]}} | |||
| | style="text-align:center"|{{flagicon|Flevoland|size=27px}} || ] || <center>]</center> || <center>]</center> || style="text-align:right"|{{convert|2413|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}}||style="text-align:right"|{{convert|1413|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}}|| style="text-align:right"|422,202|| style="text-align:right"|{{convert|299|/km2|/sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | |||
| | 2,412 || 1,410 || 444,701 || 315 | |||
| |- | |- | ||
| | {{left}} {{flag|Friesland}} || colspan="2" | {{center| ]}} | |||
| | style="text-align:center"|{{flagicon|Friesland|size=27px}} || ] ||colspan="2" | <center>]</center> || style="text-align:right"|{{convert|5749|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}}||style="text-align:right"|{{convert|3324|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}}|| style="text-align:right"|649,988|| style="text-align:right"|{{convert|196|/km2|/sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | |||
| | 5,753 || 3,340 || 659,551 || 197 | |||
| |- | |- | ||
| | {{left}} {{flag|Gelderland}} || {{center| ]}} || {{center| ]}} | |||
| | style="text-align:center"|{{flagicon|Gelderland|size=27px}} || ] || <center>]</center> || <center>]</center> || style="text-align:right"|{{convert|5136|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}}||style="text-align:right"|{{convert|4967|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}}|| style="text-align:right"|2,084,478|| style="text-align:right"|{{convert|420|/km2|/sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | |||
| | 5,136 || 4,960 || 2,133,708 || 430 | |||
| |- | |- | ||
| | {{left}} {{flag|Groningen}} || colspan="2" | {{center| ]}} | |||
| | style="text-align:center"|{{flagicon|Groningen|size=27px}} || ] || colspan="2" | <center>]</center> || style="text-align:right"|{{convert|2960|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}}||style="text-align:right"|{{convert|2325|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}}|| style="text-align:right"|585,881|| style="text-align:right"|{{convert|252|/km2|/sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | |||
| | 2,955 || 2,316 || 596,075 || 257 | |||
| |- | |- | ||
| | {{left}} {{flag|Limburg (Netherlands)|name=Limburg}} || colspan="2" | {{center| ]}} | |||
| | style="text-align:center"|{{flagicon|Limburg (Netherlands)|size=27px}} || ] || colspan="2" |<center>]</center> || style="text-align:right"|{{convert|2210|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}}||style="text-align:right"|{{convert|2148|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}}|| style="text-align:right"|1,118,223|| style="text-align:right"|{{convert|521|/km2|/sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | |||
| | 2,210 || 2,145 || 1,128,367 || 526 | |||
| |- | |- | ||
| | {{left}} {{flag|North Brabant }} || {{center| ]}} || {{center| ]}} | |||
| | style="text-align:center"|{{flagicon|North Brabant|size=27px}} || ]|| <center>]</center><!-- spelled this way for table-aesthetic reasons--> || <center>]</center> || style="text-align:right"|{{convert|5082|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}}||style="text-align:right"|{{convert|4908|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}}|| style="text-align:right"|2,562,566|| style="text-align:right"|{{convert|523|/km2|/sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | |||
| | 5,082 || 4,902 || 2,626,210 || 536 | |||
| |- | |- | ||
| | {{left}} {{flag|North Holland}} || {{center| ]}} || {{center| ]}} | |||
| | style="text-align:center"|{{flagicon|North Holland|size=27px}} || ] || <center>]</center> || <center>]</center> || style="text-align:right"|{{convert|4092|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}}||style="text-align:right"|{{convert|2662|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}}|| style="text-align:right"|2,877,909|| style="text-align:right"|{{convert|1082|/km2|/sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | |||
| | 4,092 || 2,663 || 2,952,622 || 1,109 | |||
| |- | |- | ||
| | {{left}} {{flag|Overijssel}} || {{center| ]}} || {{center| ]}} | |||
| | style="text-align:center"|{{flagicon|Overijssel|size=27px}} || ] || <center>]</center> || <center>]</center> || style="text-align:right"|{{convert|3421|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}}||style="text-align:right"|{{convert|3323|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}}|| style="text-align:right"|1,162,215|| style="text-align:right"|{{convert|350|/km2|/sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | |||
| | 3,421 || 3,317 || 1,184,333 || 357 | |||
| |- | |- | ||
| | {{left}} {{flag|South Holland}} || {{center| ]}} || {{center| ]}} | |||
| | style="text-align:center"|{{flagicon|South Holland|size=27px}} || ] || <center>]</center> || <center>]</center> || style="text-align:right"|{{convert|3419|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}}||style="text-align:right"|{{convert|2814|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}}|| style="text-align:right"|3,705,625|| style="text-align:right"|{{convert|1317|/km2|/sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | |||
| | 3,308 || 2,698 || 3,804,906 || 1,410 | |||
| |- | |- | ||
| | {{left}} {{flag|Utrecht}} || colspan="2" | {{center| ]}} | |||
| | style="text-align:center"|{{flagicon|Utrecht|size=27px}} || ] || colspan="2" |<center>]</center> || style="text-align:right"|{{convert|1449|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}}||style="text-align:right"|{{convert|1380|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}}|| style="text-align:right"|1,353,596|| style="text-align:right"|{{convert|981|/km2|/sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | |||
| | 1,560 || 1,484 || 1,387,643 || 935 | |||
| |- | |- | ||
| | {{left}} {{flag|Zeeland}} || colspan="2" | {{center| ]}} | |||
| | style="text-align:center"|{{flagicon|Zeeland|size=27px}} || ] || <center>]</center> || <center>]</center> || style="text-align:right"|{{convert|2934|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}}||style="text-align:right"|{{convert|1783|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}}|| style="text-align:right"|383,689|| style="text-align:right"|{{convert|216|/km2|/sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | |||
| | 2,933 || 1,780 || 391,124 || 220 | |||
| |- class="sortbottom" | |- class="sortbottom" | ||
| ! colspan=" |
! colspan="3"| Mainland | ||
| ! 41,543 || 33,647 || 17,811,291 || 529 | |||
| ! colspan="2" style="text-align:right;"| <center>]</center> | |||
| ! style="text-align:right;"| {{convert|41545|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | |||
| ! style="text-align:right;"| {{convert|33481|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | |||
| ! style="text-align:right;"| 17,399,821 | |||
| ! style="text-align:right;"| {{convert|521|/km2|/sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | |||
| |} | |||
| |} | |} | ||
| The administrative structure on the three BES islands, collectively known as the ], is outside the twelve provinces. These islands have the status of ''openbare lichamen (])''.<ref name=WOLBES>{{cite web|url=http://www.eerstekamer.nl/wetsvoorstel/31954_wet_openbare_lichamen|title=31.954, Wet openbare lichamen Bonaire, Sint Eustatius en Saba|language=nl|publisher=Eerste kamer der Staten-Generaal|quote=De openbare lichamen vallen rechtstreeks onder het Rijk omdat zij geen deel uitmaken van een provincie. <br />"Through the establishment of the BES islands as public bodies, rather than communities, the BES islands' rules may deviate from the rules in the European part of the Netherlands. The Dutch legislation will be introduced gradually. The public bodies fall directly under the central government because they are not part of a province."|access-date=15 October 2010}}</ref> In the Netherlands these administrative units are often referred to as ''special municipalities''. | |||
| {| style="background:none;" cellspacing="2" | |||
| | | |||
| {| class="sortable wikitable" |
{| class="sortable wikitable" {{right}} | ||
| |- | |- | ||
| ! Island | |||
| ! style="width:40px;" class="unsortable"| Flag | |||
| ! Capital | |||
| ! style="width:110px;"| Name | |||
| ! Area<br/>(km<sup>2</sup>)<ref name="BES">{{cite web |url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/caribbeannetherlands/ |title=Caribbean Netherlands |date=23 July 2023 |website=City Population |access-date=28 October 2023}}</ref> | |||
| ! style="width:120px;"| Capital | |||
| ! Population<br/>(2023)<ref name="BES"/> | |||
| ! style="width:60px;"| Area<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=http://onderwerpen/caribische-deel-van-het-koninkrijk/vraag-en-antwoord/waaruit-bestaat-het-koninkrijk-der-nederlanden|title=Waaruit bestaat het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden? - Rijksoverheid.nl|author=Ministerie van Algemene Zaken|date=19 May 2015|website=onderwerpen}}</ref> | |||
| ! Density<br/>(/km<sup>2</sup>) | |||
| ! style="width:90px;"| Population<ref name="auto1"/><br />(January 2019) | |||
| ! style="width:80px;"|Density | |||
| |- | |- | ||
| | {{left}} {{flag|Bonaire}} || {{center| ]}} | |||
| | style="text-align:center"|{{flagicon|Bonaire|size=27px}} || ] ||<center>]</center> || style="text-align:right"|{{convert|294|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}}|| style="text-align:right"|20,104|| style="text-align:right"|{{convert|69|/km2|/sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | |||
| | 288 || 24,090 || 84 | |||
| |- | |- | ||
| | {{left}} {{flag|Saba}} || {{center| ]}} | |||
| | style="text-align:center"|{{flagicon|Saba|size=27px}} || ] ||<center>]</center> || style="text-align:right"|{{convert|13|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}}|| style="text-align:right"|1,915|| style="text-align:right"|{{convert|148|/km2|/sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | |||
| | 13 || 2,035 || 157 | |||
| |- | |- | ||
| | |
| {{left}} {{flag|Sint Eustatius}} || {{center| ]}} | ||
| | 21 || 3,293 || 157 | |||
| |- class="sortbottom" | |- class="sortbottom" | ||
| ! colspan=" |
! colspan="2" | Caribbean Netherlands | ||
| ! 322 || 29,418 || 91 | |||
| ! style="text-align:right;"| {{convert|328|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | |||
| ! style="text-align:right;"| 25,157 | |||
| ! style="text-align:right;"| {{convert|77|/km2|/sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}} | |||
| |} | |||
| |} | |} | ||
| ===Foreign relations=== | ===Foreign relations=== | ||
| {{Main|Foreign relations of the Netherlands|List of diplomatic missions of the Netherlands}} | {{Main|Foreign relations of the Netherlands|List of diplomatic missions of the Netherlands}} | ||
| ] (''Vredespaleis''), in ]]] | ] (''Vredespaleis''), in ]]] | ||
| The history of ] has been characterised by its ]. Since World War II, the Netherlands has become a member of a large number of international organisations, most prominently the UN, ] and the EU. The Dutch economy is very open and relies strongly on ]. | |||
| The history of ] has been characterized by its ]. According to the 2024 ], Netherlands is the 18th most peaceful country in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 Global Peace Index |url=https://www.economicsandpeace.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/GPI-2024-web.pdf}}</ref> Since World War II, the Netherlands has become a member of a large number of international organisations, most prominently the UN, ] and the EU. | |||
| The ] of the Netherlands is based on four basic commitments: to ], to ], to ] and to ]. One of the more controversial international issues surrounding the Netherlands is its ]. | |||
| The ] of the Netherlands is based on four basic commitments: to ], to ], to ] and to ]. One of the more controversial international issues surrounding the Netherlands is its ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Drug Kingpin Trial 'Ultimate Test' for Dutch Rule of Law |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/drug-kingpin-trial-ultimate-test-for-dutch-rule-of-law/6885306.html |access-date=18 July 2023 |agency=Agence France-Presse |publisher=VOA |date=21 December 2022}}</ref> | |||
| During and after the ], the Dutch people built up a commercial and colonial empire. The most important colonies were present-day ] and ]. Indonesia became independent after the ] in the 1940s following a war of independence, international pressure and several ]s. Suriname became independent in 1975. The historical ties inherited from its colonial past still influence the foreign relations of the Netherlands. In addition, many people from these countries are living permanently in the Netherlands. | |||
| The historical ties inherited from its colonial past in ] and ] still influence the foreign relations of the Netherlands. Many with heritage from these countries now live permanently in the Netherlands.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/suriname/|title=Suriname|date=6 December 2023|publisher=Central Intelligence Agency|via=CIA.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scholarhub.ui.ac.id/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1003&context=wacana|title=Indonesian political exiles in the Netherlands after 1965; Postcolonial nationalists in an era of transnationalism}}</ref> | |||
| ===Military=== | ===Military=== | ||
| {{Main|Armed forces of the Netherlands}} | {{Main|Armed forces of the Netherlands}} | ||
| {{Multiple image | |||
| ] is the current ].]] | |||
| | direction = vertical | |||
| The Netherlands has one of the oldest standing armies in Europe; it was first established as such by ] in the late 1500s. The Dutch army was used throughout the ]. After the defeat of Napoleon, the Dutch army was transformed into a ] army. The army was unsuccessfully deployed during the ] in 1830. After 1830, it was deployed mainly in the Dutch colonies, as the Netherlands remained neutral in European wars (including the First World War), until the ] and defeated by the Wehrmacht in May 1940. | |||
| | caption_align = center | |||
| | image1 = HNLMS Holland.jpg | |||
| ] ]]] | |||
| | caption1 = ] of the ] | |||
| The Netherlands abandoned its neutrality in 1948 when it signed the ], and became a founding member of ] in 1949. The Dutch military was therefore part of the NATO strength in ] Europe, deploying its army to several bases in Germany. More than 3,000 Dutch soldiers were assigned to the ] of the ] during the ]. In 1996 conscription was suspended, and the Dutch army was once again transformed into a professional army. Since the 1990s the Dutch army has been involved in the ] and the ], it held a province in ] after the defeat of ], and it was engaged in ]. | |||
| | image2 = Aankomst F-35 Leeuwarden-4.jpg | |||
| | caption2 = ] of the ] | |||
| }} | |||
| The Netherlands has one of the oldest standing armies in Europe; it was first established in the late 1500s. After the defeat of Napoleon, the Dutch army was transformed into a ] army. The Netherlands abandoned its neutrality in 1948 when it signed the ], and became a founding member of ] in 1949. The Dutch military was therefore part of the NATO strength in ] Europe. In 1983 the (ceremonial) function of commander of chief of the monarch was transferred to the government, which means the monarch (nominal head of state) has no formal military function. In 1996 conscription was suspended, and the Dutch army was once again transformed into a professional army. Since the 1990s the Dutch army has been involved in the ] and the ], it held a province in ] after the defeat of ], and it was engaged in ].<ref name="Vol. 21, No. 3, 429–458">{{cite journal|last=Dimitriu|first=George|author2=de Graaf |title=The Dutch COIN Approach: Three years in Uruzgan|journal=Small Wars & Insurgencies|date=September 2010|volume=21|issue=3|pages=429–458|url=https://www.academia.edu/3091201|doi=10.1080/09592318.2010.505471|hdl=1887/16536|s2cid=144724148 |hdl-access=free}}</ref> The Netherlands has ratified many international conventions concerning ]. The Netherlands decided not to sign the UN ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Red Cross urges Netherlands to sign UN nuclear weapons ban |url=https://nltimes.nl/2019/02/11/red-cross-urges-netherlands-sign-un-nuclear-weapons-ban |work=NL Times |date=11 February 2019}}</ref> | |||
| The military is composed of four branches, all of which carry the prefix ''Koninklijke'' (Royal): | The military is composed of four branches, all of which carry the prefix ''Koninklijke'' (Royal): | ||
| Line 643: | Line 476: | ||
| * ''Koninklijke Marechaussee'' (KMar), the ] (Military Police), tasks include military police and border control. | * ''Koninklijke Marechaussee'' (KMar), the ] (Military Police), tasks include military police and border control. | ||
| The submarine service |
The submarine service opened to women on 1 January 2017. The ], the Special Operations Force of the Netherlands Army, is open to women, but because of the extremely high physical demands for initial training, it is almost impossible for a woman to become a commando.<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110205094656/http://www.korpscommandotroepen.nl/index.php?l=nl&p=118 |date=5 February 2011}}. Korpscommandotroepen.nl (14 April 2010). Retrieved on 21 August 2012.</ref> The Dutch Ministry of Defence employs more than 70,000 personnel, including over 20,000 civilians and over 50,000 military personnel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defensie.nl/onderwerpen/werken_bij_defensie |title=Ministerie van defensie – Werken bij Defensie |publisher=Mindef.nl |access-date=29 April 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811142105/http://www.defensie.nl/onderwerpen/werken_bij_defensie |archive-date=11 August 2011}}</ref> | ||
| ==Economy== | ==Economy== | ||
| {{Main|Economy of the Netherlands}} | {{Main|Economy of the Netherlands}} | ||
| ])]] | |||
| ] is Europe's largest port.]] | |||
| The Netherlands has a developed economy and has been playing a special role in the European economy for many centuries. Since the 16th century, shipping, fishing, agriculture, trade, and banking have been leading sectors of the Dutch economy. The Netherlands has ]. The Netherlands is one of the top countries in the ] (2nd in 2016), and was ranked the fifth most competitive economy in the world by the Swiss ] in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imd.org/globalassets/wcc/docs/release-2017/2017-world_competitiveness_ranking.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170604200349/http://www.imd.org/globalassets/wcc/docs/release-2017/2017-world_competitiveness_ranking.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 June 2017|title=Wayback Machine|date=4 June 2017|accessdate=3 August 2017}}</ref> In addition, the country was ranked the second most innovative nation in the world in the 2018 ].<ref>Cornell University, INSEAD, and WIPO (2018): The Global Innovation Index 2018: Energizing the World with Innovation. Ithaca, Fontainebleau and Geneva</ref> | |||
| ] with a ], and two ] in the background.]] | |||
| {{As of|2016}}, the key trading partners of the Netherlands were Germany, Belgium, the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Italy, China and Russia.<ref>{{cite web|title = The World Factbook|url = https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/nl.html|website = www.cia.gov|accessdate = 22 April 2015}}</ref> The Netherlands is one of the world's 10 leading exporting countries. Foodstuffs form the largest industrial sector. Other major industries include chemicals, metallurgy, machinery, electrical goods, trade, services and tourism. Examples of international Dutch companies operating in Netherlands include ], ], ], ], financial services (], ], ]), chemicals (], ]), petroleum refining (]), electronical machinery (], ]), and satellite navigation (]). | |||
| Since the 16th century, shipping, fishing, agriculture, trade, and banking have been leading sectors of the Dutch economy. The Netherlands has a ]. The Netherlands is one of the top countries in the ] (2nd in 2016), and was ranked the fifth most competitive economy in the world by the Swiss ] in 2017.<ref>{{cite web |first= |date=4 June 2017 |title=The 2017 IMD World Competitiveness Ranking |url=http://www.imd.org/globalassets/wcc/docs/release-2017/2017-world_competitiveness_ranking.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170604200349/http://www.imd.org/globalassets/wcc/docs/release-2017/2017-world_competitiveness_ranking.pdf |archive-date=4 June 2017 |access-date=3 August 2017}}</ref> The country was ranked the 8th most innovative nation in the world in the 2024 ] down from 2nd in 2018.<ref>{{Cite book |author=] |year=2024 |title=Global Innovation Index 2024: Unlocking the Promise of Social Entrepreneurship |url=https://www.wipo.int/web-publications/global-innovation-index-2024/en/ |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=www.wipo.int |page=18 |publisher=World Intellectual Property Organization |language=en |doi=10.34667/tind.50062 |isbn=978-92-805-3681-2}}</ref><ref>Cornell University, INSEAD, and WIPO (2018): The Global Innovation Index 2018: Energizing the World with Innovation. Ithaca, Fontainebleau and Geneva</ref> | |||
| The Netherlands has the ], and ]. Between 1997 and 2000 annual economic growth (GDP) averaged nearly 4%, well above the European average. Growth slowed considerably from 2001 to 2005 with the global economic slowdown, but accelerated to 4.1% in the third quarter of 2007. In May 2013, inflation was at 2.8% per year.<ref>{{cite web|title=Inflation up to 2.8 percent|url=http://www.cbs.nl/en-GB/menu/themas/dossiers/conjunctuur/publicaties/artikelen/archief/2013/2013-042-pb.htm|publisher=Statistics Netherlands|accessdate=11 June 2013|date=6 June 2013}}</ref> In April 2013, unemployment was at 8.2% (or 6.7% following the ] definition) of the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbs.nl/en-GB/menu/themas/dossiers/conjunctuur/publicaties/artikelen/archief/2013/2013-035-pb.htm|title=Unemployment further up|accessdate=10 June 2013|date=15 May 2013|publisher=Statistics Netherlands}}</ref> In February 2019, this was reduced to 3.4%.<ref>{{cite web|title=More employed in February|url=https://www.cbs.nl/en-gb/news/2019/12/more-employed-in-february|accessdate=21 March 2019|date=21 February 2019}}</ref> | |||
| {{As of|2020}}, the key trading partners of the Netherlands were Germany, Belgium, the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Italy, China and Russia.<ref name="cia-worldfactbook-nl"/> The Netherlands is one of the world's 10 leading exporting countries. Foodstuffs form the largest industrial sector. Other major industries include chemicals, metallurgy, machinery, electrical goods, trade, services and tourism. Examples of international Dutch companies operating in the Netherlands include ], ], ], financial services (], ], ]), chemicals (], ]), petroleum refining (]), electronic machinery (], ]), and satellite navigation (]). | |||
| In Q3 and Q4 2011, the Dutch economy contracted by 0.4% and 0.7%, respectively, because of European Debt Crisis, while in Q4 the Eurozone economy shrunk by 0.3%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world_business/view/1183178/1/.html |title=Eurozone economy shrinks 0.3% in Q4 |date=15 February 2012|work=channelnewsasia.com}}</ref> The Netherlands also has a relatively low ] of 0.326. Despite ranking 7th in ], ] ranked the Netherlands 1st in child well-being in rich countries, both in 2007 and in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marketwatch.com/story/why-dutch-kids-are-the-happiest-in-the-world-2017-04-05|title=This is why Dutch kids are much happier than American children|first=Barbara|last=Chai|website=Marketwatch.com|accessdate=3 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unicef.org/media/files/ChildPovertyReport.pdf|title=Child Poverty Report Study by UNICEF 2007|work=unicef.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.unicef-irc.org/publications/pdf/rc11_eng.pdf|title=Child well-being in rich countries — UNICEF, 2013|website=Unicef-irc.org|accessdate=3 August 2017}}</ref> On the ] Netherlands is the 13th most ] capitalist economy out of 157 surveyed countries. | |||
| The Netherlands has the ], and ]. The Netherlands has low income inequality, but wealth inequality is relatively high.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Bavel |first1=Bas Van |last2=Frankema |first2=Ewout |date=22 June 2017 |title=Wealth Inequality in the Netherlands, c. 1950–2015. The Paradox of a Northern European Welfare State |url=https://tseg.nl/article/view/8184 |journal=TSEG – the Low Countries Journal of Social and Economic History |language=en |volume=14 |issue=2 |pages=29–62 |doi=10.18352/tseg.916 |issn=2468-9068|doi-access=free}}</ref> Despite ranking 11th in ], ] ranked the Netherlands 1st in child well-being in rich countries, both in 2007 and in 2013.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.marketwatch.com/story/why-dutch-kids-are-the-happiest-in-the-world-2017-04-05 |title=This is why Dutch kids are much happier than American children|first=Barbara |last=Chai|newspaper=Marketwatch|access-date=3 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unicef.org/media/files/ChildPovertyReport.pdf|title=Child Poverty in Perspective: An overview of child well-being in rich countries|date=2007|publisher=UNICEF |access-date=14 September 2007|archive-date=3 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190903184146/https://www.unicef.org/media/files/ChildPovertyReport.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.unicef-irc.org/publications/pdf/rc11_eng.pdf |title=Child well-being in rich countries — UNICEF |date=2013|website=Unicef-irc.org|access-date=3 August 2017}}</ref> | |||
| ] is the financial and business capital of the Netherlands.<ref name="ez">{{cite web|url=http://www.ez.amsterdam.nl/page.php?menu=24&page=6 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205161807/http://www.ez.amsterdam.nl/page.php?menu=24&page=6 |archivedate=5 December 2008 |title=Amsterdam – Economische Zaken |language=Dutch |accessdate=22 May 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The ] (AEX), part of ], is the world's oldest stock exchange and is one of Europe's largest bourses. It is situated near ] in the city's centre. As a founding member of the ], the Netherlands replaced (for accounting purposes) its former currency, the "gulden" (]), on 1 January 1999, along with 15 other adopters of the euro. Actual ] and ] followed on 1 January 2002. One euro was equivalent to 2.20371 Dutch guilders. In the ], the ] is used instead of the euro. | |||
| ] is the financial and business capital of the Netherlands.<ref name="ez">{{cite web|url=http://www.ez.amsterdam.nl/page.php?menu=24&page=6 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205161807/http://www.ez.amsterdam.nl/page.php?menu=24&page=6 |archive-date=5 December 2008 |title=Amsterdam – Economische Zaken |language=nl |access-date=22 May 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The ] (AEX), part of ], is the world's oldest stock exchange and is one of Europe's largest bourses. As a founding member of the ], the Netherlands replaced (for accounting purposes) its former currency, the "gulden" (]), on 1 January 1999. Actual ] and ] followed on 1 January 2002. One euro was equivalent to 2.20371 Dutch guilders. In the ], the United States dollar is used instead.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Memorie van toelichting – Regels met betrekking tot het geldstelsel van de openbare lichamen Bonaire, Sint Eustatius en Saba (Wet geldstelsel BES) – Parlementaire monitor |url=https://www.parlementairemonitor.nl/9353000/1/j9vvij5epmj1ey0/viahe0d72fyt |access-date=28 January 2023 |website=parlementairemonitor.nl}}</ref> The Netherlands is a "conduit country" that helps to funnel profits from high-tax countries to tax havens.<ref>{{cite web |last=Schindler |first=Dirk |date=28 January 2022 |title=Is the Netherlands Still a Tax Haven? |url=https://www.eur.nl/en/news/netherlands-still-tax-haven |access-date=2 April 2023 |publisher=Erasmus University Rotterdam |quote=}}</ref> It has been ranked as the 4th largest tax haven in the world.<ref>{{cite web |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=2021 |title=Corporate Tax Haven Index |url=https://cthi.taxjustice.net/en/cthi/cthi-2021-results |access-date=2 April 2023 |publisher=Tax Justice Network |quote=}}</ref> | |||
| ] (dark blue), and the ].]] | |||
| The Dutch location gives it prime access to markets in the UK and Germany, with the ] being the largest port in Europe. Other important parts of the economy are ] (Dutch colonialism started with co-operative private enterprises such as the ]), banking and transport. The Netherlands successfully addressed the issue of public finances and stagnating job growth long before its European partners. Amsterdam is the 5th-busiest tourist destination in Europe with more than 4.2 million international visitors.<ref name="42milvisitors">{{cite web|url=http://www.ez.amsterdam.nl/page.php?page=9&menu=27 |title=Amsterdam en de wereld: Toerisme en congreswezen |accessdate=15 February 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215160103/http://www.ez.amsterdam.nl/page.php?page=9&menu=27 |archivedate=15 February 2009 }}. ez.amsterdam.nl</ref> Since the enlargement of the EU large numbers of ]s have arrived in the Netherlands from ] and ].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/02/10/uk-dutch-immigrants-idUKTRE8191ML20120210 |title= Dutch allow Wilders' anti-Pole website, EU critical | work= Reuters | date=10 February 2012 |first=Gilbert |last=Kreijger}}</ref> | |||
| ] (dark blue), and the ].]] | |||
| The Netherlands continues to be one of the leading European nations for attracting foreign direct investment and is one of the five largest investors in the United States. The economy experienced a slowdown in 2005, but in 2006 recovered to the fastest pace in six years on the back of increased exports and strong investment. The pace of job growth reached 10-year highs in 2007. The Netherlands is the fourth-most competitive economy in the world, according to the ]'s ].<ref name="wefcomp">{{cite web|url=http://www.weforum.org/issues/global-competitiveness |title=Global Competitiveness Report 2012–2013 |publisher=World Economic Forum |date=5 September 2012 |accessdate=11 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141210040419/http://www.weforum.org/issues/global-competitiveness |archivedate=10 December 2014}}</ref> | |||
| The Dutch location gives it prime access to markets in the United Kingdom and Germany, with the ] being the largest port in Europe. Other important parts of the economy are ], banking and transport. The Netherlands successfully addressed the issue of public finances and stagnating job growth long before its European partners. Amsterdam is the 5th-busiest tourist destination in Europe, with more than 4.2 million international visitors.<ref name="42milvisitors">{{cite web|url=http://www.ez.amsterdam.nl/page.php?page=9&menu=27 |title=Amsterdam en de wereld: Toerisme en congreswezen |access-date=15 February 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215160103/http://www.ez.amsterdam.nl/page.php?page=9&menu=27 |archive-date=15 February 2009}}. ez.amsterdam.nl</ref> Since the enlargement of the EU, large numbers of ]s have arrived in the Netherlands from ] and Eastern Europe.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-dutch-immigrants-idUKTRE8191ML20120210 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101082733/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-dutch-immigrants-idUKTRE8191ML20120210 |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 January 2016 |title=Dutch allow Wilders' anti-Pole website, EU critical |publisher=Reuters |date=10 February 2012 |first=Gilbert |last=Kreijger}}</ref> | |||
| The Netherlands continues to be one of the leading European nations for attracting foreign direct investment and is one of the five largest investors in the United States. The economy experienced a slowdown in 2005, but in 2006 recovered to the fastest pace in six years on the back of increased exports and strong investment. The pace of job growth reached 10-year highs in 2007. The Netherlands is the fourth-most competitive economy in the world, according to the ]'s ].<ref name="wefcomp">{{cite web|url=http://www.weforum.org/issues/global-competitiveness |title=Global Competitiveness Report 2012–2013 |publisher=World Economic Forum |date=5 September 2012 |access-date=11 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141210040419/http://www.weforum.org/issues/global-competitiveness |archive-date=10 December 2014}}</ref> | |||
| ===Natural gas=== | |||
| ] | |||
| Beginning in the 1950s, the Netherlands discovered huge natural gas resources. The sale of natural gas generated enormous revenues for the Netherlands for decades, adding hundreds of billions of euros to the government's budget.<ref name="vorige.nrc.nl"> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221000129/http://vorige.nrc.nl//international/article2274261.ece/The_Dutch_curse_how_billions_from_natural_gas_went_up_in_smoke |date=21 December 2016 }} LEES MEER, 17 June 2009</ref> However, the unforeseen consequences of the country's huge energy wealth impacted the competitiveness of other sectors of the economy, leading to the theory of ].<ref name="vorige.nrc.nl"/> | |||
| ] whose discovery in 1959 transformed the Dutch economy, generating €159 billion in revenue since the mid-1970s.]] | |||
| ===Energy=== | |||
| Apart from coal and gas, the country has no mining resources. The last coal mine was closed in 1974. The ], one of the largest ]s in the world, is situated near ]. Exploitation of this field has resulted in €159 billion in revenue since the mid-1970s.<ref name="geo">{{cite web|url=http://www.geoexpro.com/article/The_Groningen_Gas_Field/bf349ab1.aspx|title=The Groningen Gas Field|year=2009|publisher=GEO ExPro Magazine|accessdate=11 June 2013}}</ref> The field is operated by government-owned Gasunie and output is jointly exploited by the government, Royal Dutch Shell, and Exxon Mobil through NAM (Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij). "Gas extraction has resulted in increasingly strong earth tremors, some measuring as much as 3.6 on the Richter magnitude scale. The cost of damage repairs, structural improvements to buildings, and compensation for home value decreases has been estimated at 6.5 billion euros. Around 35,000 homes are said to be affected."<ref>UPDATE 2-Dutch gas field earthquake dangers ignored for decades -Safety Board Wed 18 February 2015, By Anthony Deutsch,18 Feb (Reuters)</ref> The Netherlands have an estimated 25% of natural gas reserves in the EU.<ref name="stp" /> The energy sector accounted for almost 11% of the GDP in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iea.org/publications/freepublications/publication/Netherlands2014.pdf |title=Energy Policies of IEA Countries|publisher=International Energy Agency}}</ref> Netherlands's economy, mainly due to the large shares of natural gas reserves, is considered to have "very high" ] rating.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.energieakkoordser.nl/~/media/files/energieakkoord/publiciteit/agreement-on-energy-policy-in-practice.ashx |title=The Agreement on Energy for Sustainable Growth|publisher=SER}}</ref> | |||
| ] | |||
| ], whose discovery in 1959 transformed the Dutch economy, is one of the largest ]s in the world.]] | |||
| Beginning in the 1950s, the Netherlands discovered huge natural gas resources. The sale of natural gas generated enormous revenues for the Netherlands for decades, adding, over sixty years, hundreds of billions of euros to the government's budget.<ref name="vorige.nrc.nl">{{cite news|url=http://vorige.nrc.nl//international/article2274261.ece/The_Dutch_curse_how_billions_from_natural_gas_went_up_in_smoke|title=The Dutch curse: how billions from natural gas went up in smoke|date=17 June 2009|newspaper=]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221000129/http://vorige.nrc.nl//international/article2274261.ece/The_Dutch_curse_how_billions_from_natural_gas_went_up_in_smoke |archive-date=21 December 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, the unforeseen consequences of the country's huge energy wealth impacted the competitiveness of other sectors of the economy, leading to the theory of ].<ref name="vorige.nrc.nl"/> The field is operated by government-owned Gasunie and output is jointly exploited by the government, Royal Dutch Shell, and ExxonMobil. Gas production caused earthquakes which damaged housing. After a large public backlash, the government decided to phase out gas production from the field.<ref name=":4">{{cite report|title=The Netherlands 2020: Energy Policy Review|publisher=]|date=September 2020|url=https://iea.blob.core.windows.net/assets/93f03b36-64a9-4366-9d5f-0261d73d68b3/The_Netherlands_2020_Energy_Policy_Review.pdf|page=11}}</ref> | |||
| Netherlands is faced with future challenges as the energy supply is forecasted to fall short of the demand by the year 2025 in the gas sector. This is attributed to the depletion of Netherlands's major gas field, Groningen, and the earthquakes that have hit the Groningen region.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iea.org/publications/freepublications/publication/Netherlands2014.pdf |title=Energy Policies|publisher=IEA}}</ref> In addition, there is ambiguity surrounding the feasibility of producing unconventional gas. Netherlands relies heavily on natural gas to provide energy. Gas is the main source of heating for households in Netherlands<ref name=stp/> and represented 35% of the energy mix in 2014.<ref name=bbs>{{cite web|url=https://www.iea.org/media/countries/Netherlands.pdf|title=Netherlands Energy System Overview|publisher=IEA|access-date=23 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171227075530/https://www.iea.org/media/countries/Netherlands.pdf|archive-date=27 December 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> Furthermore, The ] (20% reduction in GHG emissions, 20% renewables in the energy mix and 20% improvement in energy efficiency) enacted in 2009 has influenced the domestic energy politics of Netherlands and pressured non-state actors to give consent to more aggressive energy reforms that would reduce reliance on natural resources as a source of income to the economy.<ref name=yea>{{cite web|url=https://www.iea.org/policiesandmeasures/pams/netherlands/name-158564-en.php?s=dHlwZT1yZSZzdGF0dXM9T2s,&return=PG5hdiBpZD0iYnJlYWRjcnVtYiI-PGEgaHJlZj0iLyI-SG9tZTwvYT4gJnJhcXVvOyA8YSBocmVmPSIvcG9saWNpZXNhbmRtZWFzdXJlcy8iPlBvbGljaWVzIGFuZCBNZWFzdXJlczwvYT4gJnJhcXVvOyA8YSBocmVmPSIvcG9saWNpZXNhbmRtZWFzdXJlcy9yZW5ld2FibGVlbmVyZ3kvIj5SZW5ld2FibGUgRW5lcmd5PC9hPjwvbmF2Pg |title=Energy Agreement for Sustainable Growth|publisher=International Energy Agency}}</ref> Therefore, a transition towards renewable energy has been a key objective by Netherlands in order to safeguard the energy security of the country from natural resources depletion, mainly gas.<ref name=stp>{{cite web|url=https://www.ebn.nl/oil-and-gas-in-the-netherlands/?lang=en|title=The hunt for gas and oil reserves that are more difficult to extract|publisher=EBN|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907041804/https://www.ebn.nl/oil-and-gas-in-the-netherlands/?lang=en|archivedate=7 September 2015}}</ref> Netherlands has set a 14% renewable energy target of the total energy mix by the year 2020.<ref name=neo>{{cite web|url=https://english.rvo.nl/sites/default/files/2017/11/National%20Energy%20Outlook%202017_Summary.pdf |title=National Energy Outlook 2017|publisher=Energy Research Center of the Netherlands}}</ref> However, the continuation of providing tax breaks to electricity generated by coal and gas, and to the exploration and extraction of gas from fields that are “insufficiently” profitable,<ref name=EuropeanEnvironmentalAgency>{{cite web|url=https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/energy-support-measures/the-netherlands-country-profile/view|title=Energy support measures and their impact on innovation|publisher=European Environmental Agency}}</ref> renders a successful transition towards renewable energy more difficult to achieve due to inconsistencies in the policy mix. In 2011, it was estimated that the renewable energy sector received 31% (EUR 743MM), while the conventional energy sector received 69% (EUR 1.6B), of the total ] by the government.<ref name=EuropeanEnvironmentalAgency/> Furthermore, the energy market in Netherlands remains to be dominated by few major corporations Nuon, RWE, E.ON, Eneco and Delta that have significant influence over the energy policy.<ref name=deloitte>{{cite web|url=https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/global/Documents/Energy-and-Resources/gx-er-market-reform-netherlands.pdf |title=European Energy Market Reform|publisher=Deloitte}}</ref> Renewable energy share in the energy mix is estimated to reach 12.4% by the year 2020, falling 1.6% short of the 14% target.<ref name=neo/> | |||
| The Netherlands has made notable progress in its ] to a ]. Thanks to increasing ], energy demand shows signs of decoupling from economic growth. The share of energy from ] doubled from 2008 to 2019, with especially strong growth in ] and ]. However, the Netherlands remains heavily reliant on fossil fuels and has a concentration of energy- and emission-intensive industries that will not be easy to decarbonise. Its ] defines policies and measures to support the achievement of Dutch climate targets and was developed through a collaborative process involving parties from across Dutch society.<ref>{{cite report |url=https://iea.blob.core.windows.net/assets/93f03b36-64a9-4366-9d5f-0261d73d68b3/The_Netherlands_2020_Energy_Policy_Review.pdf |title=The Netherlands 2020: Energy Policy Review |date=September 2020 |publisher=] |page=3}} ] Text was copied from this source, which is available under a ]</ref> As of 2018, the Netherlands had one of the highest rates of ] emissions per person in the European Union.<ref>{{cite web |date=2018 |title=Fossil CO2 emissions of all world countries – 2018 Report |url=https://ec.europa.eu/jrc/en/publication/fossil-co2-emissions-all-world-countries-2018-report |access-date=21 October 2019 |publisher=EU Science Hub}}</ref> | |||
| ===Agriculture and natural resources=== | ===Agriculture and natural resources=== | ||
| ]]] | |||
| From a biological resource perspective, The Netherlands has a low endowment: The Netherlands’ ] adds up to only 0.8 global hectares in 2016, 0.2 of which are dedicated to agriculture.<ref name=footprintdata>{{cite web|url=http://data.footprintnetwork.org/#/countryTrends?cn=150&type=BCpc,EFCpc|title=Country Trends|publisher=Global Footprint Network|access-date= 15 November 2019}}</ref> The Dutch biocapacity per person is just about half of the 1.6 global hectares of biocapacity per person available worldwide.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Lin|first=David|last2=Hanscom|first2=Laurel|last3=Murthy|first3=Adeline|last4=Galli|first4=Alessandro|last5=Evans|first5=Mikel|last6=Neill|first6=Evan|last7=Mancini|first7=Maria Serena|last8=Martindill|first8=Jon|last9=Medouar|first9=Fatime-Zahra|last10=Huang|first10=Shiyu|last11=Wackernagel|first11=Mathis|date=2018|title=Ecological Footprint Accounting for Countries: Updates and Results of the National Footprint Accounts, 2012–2018|journal=Resources|language=en|volume=7|issue=3|pages=58|doi=10.3390/resources7030058}}</ref> In contrast, in 2016, the Dutch used on average 4.8 global hectares of biocapacity - their ] of consumption. This means the Dutch required nearly six times as much biocapacity as The Netherlands contains. As a result, The Netherlands was running a biocapacity deficit of 4.0 global hectares per person in 2016.<ref name=footprintdata/> | |||
| The Netherlands' ] totals only 0.8 global hectares per person in 2016, 0.2 of which are dedicated to agriculture.<ref name=footprintdata>{{cite web |url=http://data.footprintnetwork.org/#/countryTrends?cn=150&type=BCpc,EFCpc |title=Country Trends |publisher=Global Footprint Network |access-date=15 November 2019}}</ref> The Dutch biocapacity per person is just about half of the 1.6 global hectares of biocapacity per person available worldwide.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Lin|first1=David|last2=Hanscom|first2=Laurel|last3=Murthy|first3=Adeline|last4=Galli|first4=Alessandro|last5=Evans|first5=Mikel|last6=Neill|first6=Evan|last7=Mancini|first7=Maria Serena|last8=Martindill|first8=Jon|last9=Medouar|first9=Fatime-Zahra|last10=Huang|first10=Shiyu|last11=Wackernagel|first11=Mathis|date=2018|title=Ecological Footprint Accounting for Countries: Updates and Results of the National Footprint Accounts, 2012–2018|journal=Resources|language=en|volume=7|issue=3|pages=58|doi=10.3390/resources7030058|doi-access=free|bibcode=2018Resou...7...58L }}</ref> In contrast, in 2016, the Dutch used on average 4.8 global hectares of biocapacity – their ] of consumption. As a result, the Netherlands was running a biocapacity deficit of 4.0 global hectares per person in 2016.<ref name=footprintdata/> The Dutch waste more food than any other EU citizen, at over three times the EU average.<ref>{{cite web |date=2017 |title=Food waste: the problem in the EU in numbers |url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/society/20170505STO73528/food-waste-the-problem-in-the-eu-in-numbers-infographic |access-date=18 January 2021 |publisher=EU parliament}}</ref> | |||
| The Dutch agricultural sector is highly mechanised, and has a strong focus on international exports. It employs about 4% of the Dutch labour force but produces large surpluses in the food-processing industry and accounts for 21 percent of the Dutch total export value.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollandalumni.nl/files/documents/career/factsheets-key-sectors/factsheet-agri-food|title=Factsheet Agri-food : Holland is a world-leading supplier of sustainable, healthy, agri-food products|website=Hollandalumni.nl|accessdate=3 August 2017}}</ref> The Dutch rank first in the European Union and second worldwide in value of agricultural exports, behind only the United States,<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Farming in the Netherlands: Polder and wiser |url=https://www.economist.com/news/business/21613356-dutch-farmers-add-sustainability-their-enviable-productivity-polder-and-wiser |newspaper=The Economist |location=Sevenum |publisher=The Economist Group |date=23 August 2014 |accessdate=29 August 2014}}</ref> with agricultural exports earning €80.7 billion in 2014,<ref name="government.nl">{{cite web|url=http://www.government.nl/news/2015/01/16/dutch-agricultural-exports-top-80-billion-euros.html |title=Dutch agricultural exports top 80 billion Euros |date=16 January 2015 }}</ref> up from €75.4 billion in 2012.<ref name="hollandtrade.com"/> | |||
| The Dutch agricultural sector is highly mechanised, and has a strong focus on international exports. It employs about 4% of the Dutch labour force but produces large surpluses in the food-processing industry and accounts for 21% of the Dutch total export value.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollandalumni.nl/files/documents/career/factsheets-key-sectors/factsheet-agri-food|title=Factsheet Agri-food: Holland is a world-leading supplier of sustainable, healthy, agri-food products|website=Hollandalumni.nl|access-date=3 August 2017|archive-date=10 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010141804/https://www.hollandalumni.nl/files/documents/career/factsheets-key-sectors/factsheet-agri-food|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Dutch rank first in the European Union and second worldwide in value of agricultural exports, behind only the United States,<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Farming in the Netherlands: Polder and wiser |url=https://www.economist.com/business/2014/08/23/polder-and-wiser |newspaper=The Economist |location=Sevenum |date=23 August 2014 |access-date=29 August 2014 |url-access=registration |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220820140512/https://www.economist.com/business/2014/08/23/polder-and-wiser |archive-date=2022-08-20 |url-status=live}}</ref> with agricultural exports earning €80.7 billion in 2014,<ref name="government.nl">{{cite web|url=http://www.government.nl/news/2015/01/16/dutch-agricultural-exports-top-80-billion-euros.html |title=Dutch agricultural exports top 80 billion Euros |date=16 January 2015}}</ref> up from €75.4 billion in 2012.<ref name="hollandtrade.com"/> In 2019 agricultural exports were worth €94.5 billion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.government.nl/latest/news/2020/01/17/dutch-agricultural-exports-worth-%E2%82%AC94.5-billion-in-2019|title=Dutch agricultural exports worth €94.5 billion in 2019 |first=Natuur en Voedselkwaliteit|last=Ministerie van Landbouw|date=17 January 2020|website=government.nl}}</ref> In an effort to reduce ], the Dutch government is imposing strict limits on the productivity of the farming sector, triggering ].<ref>{{cite web | |||
| The Netherlands has, at some time in recent history,{{when|date=November 2019}} supplied one quarter of all of the world's exported tomatoes, and trade of one-third of the world's exports of ], tomatoes and cucumbers goes through the country. The Netherlands also exports one-fifteenth of the world's apples.<ref name="USDA Foreign Agriculture Service"/> | |||
| |url=https://www.nujournal.com/news/agribusiness/2022/07/08/explainer-why-are-dutch-farmers-protesting-over-emissions/ | |||
| |title=Why are Dutch farmers protesting over emissions? | |||
| |last=Corder | |||
| |first=Mike | |||
| |date=8 July 2022 | |||
| |website=The Journal | |||
| |access-date=8 July 2022}}</ref> | |||
| One-third of the world's exports of ], tomatoes, and ]s go through the country. The Netherlands exports one-fifteenth of the world's apples.<ref name="USDA Foreign Agriculture Service"/> A significant portion of Dutch agricultural exports consists of fresh-cut plants, flowers, and flower bulbs, with the Netherlands exporting two-thirds of the world's total.<ref name="USDA Foreign Agriculture Service">{{cite web|url=http://www.fas.usda.gov/gainfiles/200501/146118432.pdf#search=%22netherlands%20main%20agriculture%20export%20flowers%22|title=Netherlands: Agricultural situation|access-date=20 June 2007|publisher=USDA Foreign Agriculture Service|archive-date=19 June 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070619213352/http://www.fas.usda.gov/gainfiles/200501/146118432.pdf#search=%22netherlands%20main%20agriculture%20export%20flowers%22|url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
| ===Transport=== | |||
| {{Main|Transport in the Netherlands}} | |||
| ], in ]]] | |||
| ]]] | |||
| Mobility on Dutch roads has grown continuously since the 1950s and now exceeds 200 billion km travelled per year,<ref>{{cite press release |title=SWOV Fact sheet | Mobility on Dutch roads |url=http://www.swov.nl/rapport/Factsheets/UK/FS_Mobility.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100415044922/http://www.swov.nl/rapport/Factsheets/UK/FS_Mobility.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 April 2010 |location=Leidschendam, the Netherlands |publisher=SWOV, Dutch Institute for Road Safety Research |date=July 2013 |accessdate=7 July 2014 }}</ref> three quarters of which are done by car.<ref name="OECD-ITF">{{cite report |last1=Waard |first1=Jan van der |last2=Jorritsma |first2=Peter |last3=Immers |first3=Ben |date=October 2012 |title=New Drivers in Mobility: What Moves the Dutch in 2012 and Beyond? |url=http://www.internationaltransportforum.org/jtrc/DiscussionPapers/DP201215.pdf |location=Delft, the Netherlands |publisher=] International Transport Forum |accessdate=7 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117223717/http://internationaltransportforum.org/jtrc/DiscussionPapers/DP201215.pdf |archivedate=17 January 2013 }}</ref> Around half of all trips in the Netherlands are made by car, 25% by bicycle, 20% walking, and 5% by public transport.<ref name="OECD-ITF"/> With a total ] of 139,295 km, which includes 2,758 km of expressways,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2085.html#nl |title=CIA World Factbook | Field listing: Roadways |date=2012 |website=Cia.gov |publisher=U.S. Central Intelligence Agency |accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref> the Netherlands has one of the densest road networks in the world—much denser than Germany and France, but still not as dense as Belgium.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/IS.ROD.DNST.K2?order=wbapi_data_value_2011%20wbapi_data_value%20wbapi_data_value-last&sort=desc |title=Road density (km of road per 100 sq. km of land area) | Data | Table |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=2014 |website=data.worldbank.org |publisher=The World Bank Group |accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref> | |||
| ] (NS)]] | |||
| About 13% of all distance is travelled by public transport, the majority of which by train.<ref name="OECD-ITF"/> Like in ], the Dutch rail network of 3,013 route km is also rather dense.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2121.html#nl |title=CIA World Factbook | Field listing: Railways |date=2012 |website=Cia.gov |publisher=U.S. Central Intelligence Agency |accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref> The network is mostly focused on passenger rail services and connects all major towns and cities, with over 400 stations. Trains are frequent, with two trains per hour on lesser lines,{{efn|Only 11 stations are served less than twice an hour during weekdays.}} two to four trains per hour on average, and up to eight trains an hour on the busiest lines.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2017/06/ns-to-up-frequency-of-amsterdam-to-eindhoven-trains/|title=NS to up frequency of Amsterdam to Eindhoven trains to six an hour - DutchNews.nl|date=21 June 2017|work=DutchNews.nl|access-date=8 December 2017|language=en-GB}}</ref> The Dutch national train network, which is free of charge for students, also includes the ], a high-speed line between the ] and the Belgian border for trains running from Paris and London to the Netherlands. | |||
| ] is a ubiquitous mode of transport in the Netherlands. Almost as many kilometres are covered by bicycle as by train.<ref name="OECD-ITF"/> The Dutch are estimated to have at least 18 million bicycles,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hollandtrade.com/media/features/feature-stories/?bstnum=4960|title=Holland Publications|first=Netherlands Enterprise Agency|last=(RVO)|work=hollandtrade.com|accessdate=26 August 2016|date=17 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924031010/http://www.hollandtrade.com/media/features/feature-stories/?bstnum=4960|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.iamexpat.nl/lifestyle/cycling-netherlands|title=Cycling in the Netherlands|website=www.iamexpat.nl}}</ref> which makes more than one per capita, and twice as many as the circa 9 million motor vehicles on the road.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://statline.cbs.nl/StatWeb/publication/?VW=T&DM=SLEN&PA=70071ENG&D1=0-12&D2=0&D3=a&HD=100315-1508&LA=EN&HDR=G1,G2&STB=T|title=CBS StatLine – Motor vehicles; general overview per period and technological features|publisher=}}</ref> In 2013, the ] ranked both the Netherlands and ] as the most bike-friendly countries in Europe,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ecf.com/news/the-first-eu-wide-ecf-cycling-barometer-launched/ |title=European Cyclists' Federation – The first EU wide ECF Cycling Barometer launched |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714151023/http://www.ecf.com/news/the-first-eu-wide-ecf-cycling-barometer-launched/ |archivedate=14 July 2014 }}</ref> but more of the Dutch (36%) than of the Danes (23%) list the bike as their most frequent mode of transport on a typical day.<ref>{{cite report |author= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date=December 2014 |title=Quality of Transport report |url = http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_422a_en.pdf |publisher=] |page=11 |docket= |accessdate=29 December 2016 |quote= |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908145406/http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_422a_en.pdf |archivedate=8 September 2015 }}</ref>{{efn|Up from 31% vs. 19% naming the bike their main mode of transport for daily activities in 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-23587916 |title=Why is cycling so popular in the Netherlands? |work=BBC News |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140307050642/http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-23587916 |archive-date=7 March 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite report |date=March 2011 |title=Future of Transport report |url = http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/flash/fl_312_en.pdf |publisher=] |page=8 |docket= |accessdate=11 July 2015 |quote= |url-status=live |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150205185930/http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/flash/fl_312_en.pdf |archivedate = 5 February 2015 }}</ref>}} ] is comprehensive. Busy roads have received some 35,000 km of ], physically segregated from motorised traffic.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fietsberaad.nl/index.cfm?lang=nl§ion=nieuws&mode=newsArticle&repository=The+Netherlands+boast+almost+35.000+km+of+cycling+paths|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717230921/http://www.fietsberaad.nl/index.cfm?lang=nl§ion=nieuws&mode=newsArticle&repository=The+Netherlands+boast+almost+35.000+km+of+cycling+paths|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 July 2014|title=CROW Fietsberaad|website=Fietsberaad.nl|accessdate=3 August 2017}}</ref> Busy junctions are often equipped with bicycle-specific traffic lights. There are large bicycle parking facilities, particularly in city centres and at train stations. | |||
| The ] is the largest port in Europe, with the rivers Meuse and Rhine providing excellent access to the ] upstream reaching to ], Switzerland, and into Germany and France. {{As of|2013}}, Rotterdam was the world's eighth largest ] handling 440.5 million metric tonnes of cargo annually.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.portofrotterdam.com/en/Port/port-statistics/Documents/Port-statistics-2013/index.html#8 |title=Port of Rotterdam Statistics 2013 |publisher=Port of Rotterdam |accessdate=1 June 2014}}</ref> The port's main activities are ] industries and general cargo handling and ]. The harbour functions as an important transit point for ] and between the European continent and overseas. From Rotterdam goods are transported by ship, river barge, train or road. In 2007, the ], a new fast freight railway from Rotterdam to Germany, was completed. | |||
| ], just southwest of Amsterdam, is the main ] in the Netherlands, and the ] in terms of passengers. In 2016, the ] airports handled 70 million passengers.<ref name="NOS Schiphol64">{{cite web |url=http://nos.nl/artikel/2152140-bijna-64-miljoen-zo-veel-passagiers-zag-schiphol-nog-nooit.html |title=Bijna 64 miljoen—zo veel passagiers zag Schiphol nog nooit – NOS |language=Dutch |trans-title=Almost 64 million—Schiphol never saw so many passengers – NOS |url-status=live |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20170109153121/http://nos.nl/artikel/2152140-bijna-64-miljoen-zo-veel-passagiers-zag-schiphol-nog-nooit.html |date=9 January 2017 |website=NOS.nl |publisher=] |accessdate=9 January 2017| archivedate=9 January 2017}}</ref> | |||
| As part of its commitment to environmental sustainability, the Government of the Netherlands initiated a plan to establish over 200 recharging stations for electric vehicles across the country. The rollout will be undertaken by Switzerland-based power and automation company ] and Dutch startup {{ill|Fastned|nl}}, and will aim to provide at least one station within a 50-kilometre radius (30 miles) from every home in the Netherlands.<ref>{{cite web|title=Every Dutch citizen will live within 31 miles of an electric vehicle charging station by 2015|url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/7/10/4509962/netherlands-nationwide-electric-vehicle-charging-network-abb-fastned|work=The Verge|publisher=]|accessdate=11 July 2013|last=Toor |first=Amar |date=10 July 2013 }}</ref> | |||
| ==Demographics== | ==Demographics== | ||
| {{Main|Demography of the Netherlands}} | {{Main|Demography of the Netherlands|Ageing of the Netherlands|Dutch people}} | ||
| The Netherlands had an estimated population of 17,947,406 as of 31 November 2023.<ref name="RegionalPop">{{cite web|url=https://www.cbs.nl/en-gb/figures/detail/83474ENG|title=Population dynamics; month and year|date=4 January 2024 |publisher=]|language=Dutch|accessdate=11 January 2024}}</ref> It is the ] country in Europe and the ] country in the world with a density of {{convert|424|/km2}}. Between 1900 and 1950, the country's population almost doubled from 5.1 to 10 million. From 1950 to 2000, the population further increased, to 15.9 million.<ref>. ]. Retrieved on 8 March 2009.</ref> | |||
| ] | |||
| The ] in the Netherlands is 1.78 children per woman (2018 estimate),<ref name="cia-worldfactbook-nl">{{cite web |title=The World Factbook – Netherlands |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/netherlands/ |access-date=2 February 2021 |publisher=]}}</ref> which is high compared with many other European countries, but ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/children-born-per-woman?year=1800&country=ITA|title=Total Fertility Rate around the world over the last centuries|author=Max Roser|date=2014|work=], ]|access-date=7 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807185906/https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/children-born-per-woman?year=1800&country=ITA|archive-date=7 August 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Netherlands has one of the ] in the world, with the average age of 42.7 years.<ref name="cia-worldfactbook-nl"/> ] is high in the Netherlands: 84.3 years for newborn girls and 79.7 for boys (2020 estimate).<ref name="cia-worldfactbook-nl"/> The Dutch are the ], by nationality,<ref name="Science 2015-04-07">{{cite news |last=Enserink |first=Martin |date=7 April 2015 |title=Did natural selection make the Dutch the tallest people on the planet? |newspaper=] |location=Amsterdam |url=https://www.science.org/content/article/did-natural-selection-make-dutch-tallest-people-planet |access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref> with an average ] of {{convert|1.81|m|ftin|1|abbr=out}} for men and {{convert|1.67|m|ftin|1|abbr=out}} for women in 2009.<ref>{{cite web |title=Reported health and lifestyle |url=http://statline.cbs.nl/StatWeb/publication/?VW=T&DM=SLNL&PA=03799&D1=242,254,267-270&D2=0-17&HD=081103-1603&HDR=T.&STB=G1 |access-date=12 August 2012 |publisher=Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek}}</ref> The average height of young men in the Netherlands increased from 5 feet, 4 inches to approximately 6 feet between the 1850s until the early 2000s.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Fogel |first=Robert |title=The Escape from Hunger and Premature Death, 1700—2100 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2004 |pages=41 |language=English}}</ref> | |||
| The Netherlands had an estimated population of 17,424,978 as of 1 November 2019.<ref name="auto"/> It is the ] country in ], and except for the very small ] like ], ] and ] it is the most densely populated country in Europe. And it is the ] country in the world with a density of {{convert|521|/km2}}. It is the ] in the world. Between 1900 and 1950, the country's population almost doubled from 5.1 to 10 million. From 1950 to 2000, the population further increased, to 15.9 million, though this represented a lower rate of ].<ref>. ]. Retrieved on 8 March 2009.</ref> The estimated growth rate {{As of|2013|alt=in 2013}} is 0.44%.<ref name="cia-worldfactbook-nl">{{cite web|title=The World Factbook – Netherlands|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/nl.html|publisher=]|accessdate=11 June 2013}}</ref> | |||
| The country has a ] rate of 1.9 migrants per 1,000 inhabitants per year.<ref name="cia-worldfactbook-nl" /> The majority of the population of the Netherlands is ethnically ]. In 2022, the population was 74.8% ethnically Dutch, 8.3% other European, 2.4% ], 2.4% Moroccan, 2.0% Indonesian, 2.0% ], and 8.1% others.<ref name="auto"/> Some 150,000 to 200,000 people living in the Netherlands are ]s, mostly concentrated in and around ] and ], now constituting almost 10% of the population of these cities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.verhurenaanexpats.nl/verhuren-aan-expats/expats-de-feiten/|title=Expats in Nederland|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019004614/http://www.verhurenaanexpats.nl/verhuren-aan-expats/expats-de-feiten/|archive-date=19 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onsamsterdam.nl/tijdschrift/jaargang-2011/1158-nummer-11-12-november-december-2011.html?start=4|title=Feiten en cijfers over immigratie – Pagina 5|work=Ons Amsterdam|access-date=30 June 2014|archive-date=18 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618025728/http://www.onsamsterdam.nl/tijdschrift/jaargang-2011/1158-nummer-11-12-november-december-2011.html?start=4|url-status=dead}}</ref> Significant minorities in the country include ] 700,000, ] 41,000-45,000 and the ] and the ] 40,000.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://minorityrights.org/country/netherlands/|title= Netherlands - World Directory of Minorities & Indigenous Peoples|date= 19 June 2015}}</ref> | |||
| ] of the Netherlands in 2017]] | |||
| The ] in the Netherlands is 1.78 children per woman (2018 estimate),<ref name="cia-worldfactbook-nl"/> which is high compared with many other European countries, but ], it remains considerably below the high of 5.39 children born per woman in 1879.<ref>{{citation|url=https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/children-born-per-woman?year=1800&country=ITA|title=Total Fertility Rate around the world over the last centuries|author=Max Roser|date=2014|work=], ]|access-date=7 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807185906/https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/children-born-per-woman?year=1800&country=ITA|archive-date=7 August 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> Netherlands subsequently has one of the oldest populations in the world, with the average age of 42.7 years.<ref name="cia-worldfactbook-nl"/> ] is high in the Netherlands: 83.2 years for newborn girls and 78.9 for boys (2013 estimate).<ref name="cia-worldfactbook-nl"/> The country has a ] rate of 2.0 migrants per 1,000 inhabitants per year.<ref name="cia-worldfactbook-nl"/> The majority of the population of the Netherlands is ethnically ]. According to a 2005 estimate, the population was 80.9% Dutch, 2.4% ]n, 2.4% ], 2.2% ], 2.0% ], 1.9% ], 0.8% ] and ]n, and 7.4% others.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbs.nl/NR/rdonlyres/CCD504EA-9D41-40C2-AE28-BFB0A51C2045/0/2005k3b15p096art.pdf|title=Demografie van de allochtonen in Nederland|publisher=]|author=Garssen, Joop, Han Nicolaas and Arno Sprangers|year=2005|language=Dutch|accessdate=2 July 2011}}</ref> Some 150,000 to 200,000 people living in the Netherlands are ]s, mostly concentrated in and around ] and ], now constituting almost 10% of the population of these cities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.verhurenaanexpats.nl/verhuren-aan-expats/expats-de-feiten/|title=Expats in Nederland|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019004614/http://www.verhurenaanexpats.nl/verhuren-aan-expats/expats-de-feiten/|archivedate=19 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onsamsterdam.nl/tijdschrift/jaargang-2011/1158-nummer-11-12-november-december-2011.html?start=4|title=Feiten en cijfers over immigratie – Pagina 5|work=Ons Amsterdam}}</ref> | |||
| The Dutch are the tallest people in the world, by nationality,<ref name="Science 2015-04-07">{{cite news|last=Enserink|first=Martin|date=7 April 2015|title=Did natural selection make the Dutch the tallest people on the planet?|url=http://news.sciencemag.org/biology/2015/04/did-natural-selection-make-dutch-tallest-people-planet|newspaper=]|location=Amsterdam|access-date=9 April 2015}}</ref> with an average height of {{convert|1.81|m|ftin|1|abbr=out}} for adult males and {{convert|1.67|m|ftin|1|abbr=out}} for adult females in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://statline.cbs.nl/StatWeb/publication/?VW=T&DM=SLNL&PA=03799&D1=242,254,267-270&D2=0-17&HD=081103-1603&HDR=T.&STB=G1|publisher=Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek|title=Reported health and lifestyle|accessdate=12 August 2012}}</ref> People in the south are on average about {{convert|2|cm|1|abbr=in}} shorter than those in the north. | |||
| ] almost half the population has an immigrant background.]] | ] almost half the population has an immigrant background.]] | ||
| According to ], in 2010 there were 1.8 million ] in the Netherlands, corresponding to 11.1% of the total population. Of these, 1.4 million (8.5%) were born outside the EU and 0.43 million (2.6%) were born in another EU Member State.<ref>Vasileva, Katya (2011) {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120128101046/http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_OFFPUB/KS-SF-11-034/EN/KS-SF-11-034-EN.PDF |date=28 January 2012 |
According to ], in 2010 there were 1.8 million ] in the Netherlands, corresponding to 11.1% of the total population. Of these, 1.4 million (8.5%) were born outside the EU and 0.43 million (2.6%) were born in another EU Member State.<ref>Vasileva, Katya (2011) {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120128101046/http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/cache/ITY_OFFPUB/KS-SF-11-034/EN/KS-SF-11-034-EN.PDF |date=28 January 2012}}, Eurostat, Statistics in focus vol. 34.</ref> On 21 November 2016, there were 3.8 million residents in the Netherlands with at least one foreign-born parent.<ref>"". Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (CBS). 21 November 2016.</ref> Over half the young people in Amsterdam and Rotterdam have a non-western background.<ref></ref> Dutch people, or ], are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in South Africa and the United States.<ref>{{cite web |author=American FactFinder, United States Census Bureau |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=01000US&-ds_name=ACS_2006_EST_G00_%2526amp%253B-_lang%253Den%2526amp%253B-_caller%253Dgeoselect%2526amp%253B-format%253D |title=Census 2006 ACS Ancestry estimates |publisher=Factfinder.census.gov |access-date=29 April 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110428095854/http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/ADPTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=01000US&-ds_name=ACS_2006_EST_G00_&%3B-_lang=en&%3B-_caller=geoselect&%3B-format= |archive-date=28 April 2011}}</ref><ref>. ''Library of Congress.''</ref> | ||
| The ] is the country's largest ] located in the west of the country and contains the four largest cities: ] in the province ], ] and ] in the province ], and ] in the province ]. The Randstad has a population of about 8.2 million inhabitants<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://opendata.cbs.nl/statline/#/CBS/nl/dataset/03759ned/table?dl=DA8F|title=CBS Statline|website=opendata.cbs.nl}}</ref> and is the ] in Europe. According to Dutch Central Statistics Bureau, in 2015, 28 per cent of the Dutch population had a spendable income above 45,000 euros (which does not include spending on health care or education).<ref>{{cite web|title=CBS – Income distribution – Extra|url=http://www.cbs.nl/en-GB/menu/themas/inkomen-bestedingen/cijfers/extra/inkomensverdeling.htm|website=www.cbs.nl|access-date=15 September 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930184435/http://www.cbs.nl/en-GB/menu/themas/inkomen-bestedingen/cijfers/extra/inkomensverdeling.htm|archive-date=30 September 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> | |||
| {{Largest cities of the Netherlands}} | {{Largest cities of the Netherlands}} | ||
| ===Functional urban areas=== | |||
| ] | |||
| {|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:left;" | |||
| |-style="font-size:100%; text-align:center;" | |||
| !align=center|]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://opendata.cbs.nl/statline/#/CBS/nl/dataset/70072ned/table|title=CBS Statline|website=opendata.cbs.nl}}</ref> | |||
| !align=center|Population<br />(November 2019) | |||
| |- | |||
| | ] | |||
| | align=right|2,500,000 | |||
| |- | |||
| | ] | |||
| | align=right|1,500,000 | |||
| |- | |||
| | ] | |||
| | align=right|850,000 | |||
| |- | |||
| | ] | |||
| | align=right|770,000 | |||
| |- | |||
| | ] | |||
| | align=right|695,000 | |||
| |- | |||
| | ] | |||
| | align=right|482,000 | |||
| |- | |||
| | ] | |||
| | align=right|402,000 | |||
| |- | |||
| |} | |||
| ===Language=== | ===Language=== | ||
| {{Main|Languages of the Netherlands}} | {{Main|Languages of the Netherlands}} | ||
| (europa.eu)</ref>]]<!-- the percentage for English in the report is 87% - NOT 89% --> | (europa.eu)</ref>]]<!-- the percentage for English in the report is 87% - NOT 89% --> | ||
| The official language is ], which is spoken by the vast majority of |
The official language of the Netherlands is ], which is spoken by the vast majority of inhabitants. The dialects most spoken in the Netherlands are the ]-] dialects.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.taalcanon.nl/vragen/hoeveel-dialecten-heeft-het-nederlands/ |title=Hoeveel dialecten heeft het Nederlands? | Taalcanon |publisher=Taalcanon.nl |access-date=23 April 2014}}</ref> | ||
| Besides Dutch, ] is recognised as a second official language in the northern province of ] (''Fryslân'' in West Frisian).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/erkende-talen/talen-in-nederland |title=Talen in Nederland – Erkende talen |publisher=rijksoverheid.nl |access-date=12 August 2014}}</ref> West Frisian has a formal status for government correspondence in that province. Four other languages are protected under the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Languages |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/about/archives/2021/field/languages/ |access-date=8 January 2023 |website=CIA – The World Factbook}}</ref> The first of these recognised regional languages is ] (''Nedersaksisch'' in Dutch). Low Saxon consists of several dialects of the ] language spoken in the north and east of the Netherlands, like ] in the region of ], and ] in the province of ]. | |||
| The first of these recognised regional languages is ] (''Nedersaksisch'' in Dutch). Low Saxon consists of several dialects spoken in the north and east, like ] in the region of ], and ] in the province of ]. Secondly, ] is also recognised as a regional language. It consists of Dutch varieties of ] ] and is spoken in the south-eastern province of ].<ref name="international2000"/> The dialects most spoken in the Netherlands are the ]-] dialects.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.taalcanon.nl/vragen/hoeveel-dialecten-heeft-het-nederlands/ |title=Hoeveel dialecten heeft het Nederlands? | Taalcanon |publisher=Taalcanon.nl |accessdate=23 April 2014}}</ref> | |||
| ] is recognised as a regional language. It consists of Dutch varieties of ] and is spoken in the south-eastern province of ].<ref name="international2000" /> ] and the ] were recognised in 1996 as non-territorial languages.<ref name=":3">"The Kingdom of the Netherlands further declares that the principles enumerated in Part II of the Charter will be applied to the Lower-Saxon languages used in the Netherlands, and, in accordance with Article 7, paragraph 5, to Yiddish and the Romanes languages." {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120522083136/http://conventions.coe.int/Treaty/Commun/ListeDeclarations.asp?NT=148&CM=8&DF=23%2F01%2F05&CL=ENG&VL=1 |date=22 May 2012 }}, List of declarations made with respect to treaty No. 148 – ]</ref> | |||
| ], which is spoken in ] and ] in the form of, respectively, the ] and the ]<ref>{{cite web|title=Gemeente Kerkrade {{!}} Kirchröadsj Plat|url=http://www.kerkrade.nl/de_stad_kerkrade/kerkrade_toen_en_nu/kirchroadsj_plat|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221111356/http://www.kerkrade.nl/de_stad_kerkrade/kerkrade_toen_en_nu/kirchroadsj_plat|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 February 2015|accessdate=10 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vaals.nl/voor-inwoners/cittaslow-gemeente_3683/|title=Cittaslow Vaals: verrassend, veelzijdig, veelkleurig|accessdate=9 September 2015}} The PDF file can be accessed at the bottom of the page. The relevant citation is on the page 13: "De enige taal waarin Vaals echt te beschrijven en te bezingen valt is natuurlijk het Völser dialect. Dit dialect valt onder het zogenaamde Ripuarisch."</ref> is not recognised as a regional language of the Netherlands. These dialects are however sometimes considered to be a part of or related to ]. | |||
| ] has a formal status in the special municipalities of ] and ]. It is widely spoken on these islands. ] has a formal status in the special municipality of ].<ref name=":3" /> | |||
| ] has a formal status in the special municipalities of ] and ]. It is widely spoken on these islands. ] has a formal status in the special municipality of ]. ] and the ] were recognised in 1996 as non-territorial languages.<ref>"The Kingdom of the Netherlands further declares that the principles enumerated in Part II of the Charter will be applied to the Lower-Saxon languages used in the Netherlands, and, in accordance with Article 7, paragraph 5, to Yiddish and the Romanes languages." , List of declarations made with respect to treaty No. 148 – ]</ref> The Netherlands has a tradition of learning foreign languages, formalised in Dutch education laws. Some 90% of the total population indicate ], 70% in German, and 29% in French.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_237.en.pdf|title=European Union survey|website=Ec.europa.eu|accessdate=3 August 2017|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070128095746/http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_237.en.pdf|archivedate=28 January 2007}}</ref> English is a mandatory course in all secondary schools.<ref name=xyz>{{cite web|title=Foreign languages in secondary education |work=Wat is het aanbod aan vreemde talen in de onderbouw van het voortgezet onderwijs (vo)? |publisher=Rijksoverheid |url=http://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten-en-publicaties/vragen-en-antwoorden/wat-is-het-aanbod-aan-vreemde-talen-in-de-onderbouw-van-het-voortgezet-onderwijs-vo.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429185145/http://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten-en-publicaties/vragen-en-antwoorden/wat-is-het-aanbod-aan-vreemde-talen-in-de-onderbouw-van-het-voortgezet-onderwijs-vo.html |archivedate=29 April 2011 |accessdate=3 May 2010 |url-status=dead |language=nl}}</ref> In most lower level secondary school educations ('']''), one additional modern foreign language is mandatory during the first two years.<ref name="Schedule of the Central Exams of 2009">, Examenblad</ref> | |||
| The Netherlands has a long tradition of learning foreign languages, formalised in Dutch education laws. Some 90% of the total population ], 70% in German, and 29% in French.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_237.en.pdf|title=European Union survey|website=Ec.europa.eu|access-date=3 August 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070128095746/http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_237.en.pdf|archive-date=28 January 2007}}</ref> English is a mandatory course in all secondary schools.<ref name="rijksoverheid">{{cite web|title=Foreign languages in secondary education |work=Wat is het aanbod aan vreemde talen in de onderbouw van het voortgezet onderwijs (vo)? |publisher=Rijksoverheid |url=http://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten-en-publicaties/vragen-en-antwoorden/wat-is-het-aanbod-aan-vreemde-talen-in-de-onderbouw-van-het-voortgezet-onderwijs-vo.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429185145/http://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten-en-publicaties/vragen-en-antwoorden/wat-is-het-aanbod-aan-vreemde-talen-in-de-onderbouw-van-het-voortgezet-onderwijs-vo.html |archive-date=29 April 2011 |access-date=3 May 2010 |url-status=dead |language=nl}}</ref> In most lower level secondary school educations (]), one additional modern foreign language is mandatory during the first two years.<ref name="Schedule of the Central Exams of 2009"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820060030/http://www.examenblad.nl/9336000/1/j9vvhinitagymgn_m7mvh57glpdohx6_n11vg41h1h4i9qe/vhl5jftd1sx8 |date=20 August 2016 }}, Examenblad</ref> In higher level secondary schools (] and ]), the acquisition of two additional modern foreign language skills is mandatory. Besides English, the standard modern languages are French and German, although schools can replace one of these with Chinese, Spanish, Russian, Italian, ] or ].<ref name="Examenblad talen vwo 2019"> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403211152/https://www.examenblad.nl/item/talen/2019?sectorid=vg41h1h4i9qe |date=3 April 2023 }}, Examenblad</ref> Additionally, schools in Friesland teach and have exams in ].<ref>{{Cite web |author=Ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken en Koninkrijksrelaties |date=14 July 2020 |title=De Friese taal – Erkende talen – Rijksoverheid.nl |url=https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/erkende-talen/de-friese-taal |access-date=8 January 2023 |website=rijksoverheid.nl |language=nl-NL}}</ref> | |||
| In higher level secondary schools (] and ]), the acquisition of two additional modern foreign language skills is mandatory during the first three years. Only during the last three years in VWO one foreign language is mandatory. Besides English, the standard modern languages are ] and ], although schools can replace one of these modern languages with ], ], ], ], ] or ].<ref name="Examenblad talen vwo 2019">, Examenblad</ref> Additionally, schools in Friesland teach and have exams in ], and schools across the country teach and have exams in ] and ] for secondary school (called ] or VWO+). | |||
| ===Religion=== | ===Religion=== | ||
| Line 766: | Line 550: | ||
| {{Pie chart | {{Pie chart | ||
| |thumb = right | |thumb = right | ||
| |caption = Religious identification in the Netherlands ( |
|caption = Religious identification in the Netherlands (2020)<ref name="cbs2021">{{Cite web|url=https://longreads.cbs.nl/the-netherlands-in-numbers-2021/what-are-the-major-religions/|title=What are the major religions? – The Netherlands in numbers 2021|website=CBS|language=en,nl|access-date=15 September 2022}}</ref> | ||
| |label1 = ] | |label1 = ] | ||
| |value1 = |
|value1 = 55.4 | ||
| |color1 = |
|color1 = Gray | ||
| |label2 = ] | |label2 = ] | ||
| |value2 = |
|value2 = 19.8 | ||
| |color2 = Purple | |color2 = Purple | ||
| |label3 = ] | |||
| |label3 = ]{{efn|Provided statistics show Protestants by their allegiance to congregations of two denominations that do not exist anymore. In 2004, the ] (NHK), the ] (GKN) and the ] merged to form the ] (PKN) and officially no longer exist. However, many people still tend to give their older affiliation even after the merger. People who declared themselves simply as belonging to the ] did not give an information about belonging to an older affiliation. For example, ] of the former ] happened to do so. People who identified with one of those three categories (NHK/GKN/or simply PKN) are all members of the Protestant Church in the Netherlands.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Schmeets|first1=Hans|last2=Mensvoort|first2=Carly van|title=Religieuze betrokkenheid van bevolkingsgroepen, 2010–2014|date=2011|publisher=Centraal Bureau voor der Statistiek|url=http://www.cbs.nl/NR/rdonlyres/C3344AD7-8513-45AE-BB16-D1B277FE34BA/0/2015BT11religieuzebetrokkenheidvanbevolkingsgroepen20102014.pdf|accessdate=21 February 2018}}</ref>}} | |||
| |value3 = |
|value3 = 14.4 | ||
| |color3 = |
|color3 = DarkBlue | ||
| |label4 = |
|label4 = ] | ||
| |value4 = |
|value4 = 5.2 | ||
| |color4 = |
|color4 = Darkgreen | ||
| |label5 = |
|label5 = Other | ||
| |value5 = |
|value5 = 5.1 | ||
| |color5 = |
|color5 = Gold | ||
| |label6 = Other | |||
| |value6 = 1.2 | |||
| |color6 = Red | |||
| }} | }} | ||
| Forms of Christianity have dominated religious life in what is now the Netherlands for more than 1,200 years,<ref>Milis, L.J.R., "A Long Beginning: The Low Countries Through the Tenth Century" in J.C.H. Blom & E. Lamberts ''History of the Low Countries'', pp. 6–18, Berghahn Books, 1999. {{ISBN|978-1-84545-272-8}}</ref> and by the middle of the sixteenth century the country was strongly Protestant (]).{{sfn|Israel|1995|pp=361–395}} The population was predominantly Christian until the late 20th century.<ref name=Creationism>{{cite book|last=Numbers|first=Ronald L.|year=2014|isbn=9781421415628|title=Creationism in Europe|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uSuhBQAAQBAJ&q=netherlands+protestant+country&pg=PA65|publisher=Johns Hopkins University Press}}</ref> Although significant religious diversity remains, there has been a decline of religious adherence.<ref name="cbs2021"/> | |||
| The Dutch are one of the least religious people in the world. Religion in the Netherlands was predominantly ] until late into the 20th century. Although religious diversity remains, there has been a decline of religious adherence. | |||
| In |
In 2020, ] found that 55% of the total population declared itself ]. Groups that represent the non-religious in the Netherlands include ]. ]s comprised 19.8% of the total population, ] (14.4%). ]s comprised 5.2% of the total population and followers of other Christian denominations and other religions (like Judaism, ] and ]) comprised the remaining 5.1%.<ref name="cbs2021"/> A 2015 survey from another source found that Protestants outnumbered Catholics.<ref>{{Cite journal|doi=10.1177/0021140019872340|title=The Challenge of a Church Going into Liquidation|year=2019|last1=De Groot|first1=Kees|journal=Irish Theological Quarterly|volume=84|issue=4|pages=409–423|s2cid=220161067|doi-access=free}}</ref> | ||
| The southern provinces of ] and ] have historically been strongly Catholic, and some residents consider the Catholic Church as a base for their ]. Protestantism in the Netherlands consists of a number of churches within various traditions. The largest of these is the ] (PKN), a ] church which is ] and ] in orientation.<ref name="CBS 2009">{{cite news |url=http://statline.cbs.nl/StatWeb/publication/?DM=SLNL&PA=37944&D1=0-5,10&D2=29-40&VW=T |title=Kerkelijke gezindte en kerkbezoek; vanaf 1849; 18 jaar of ouder |date=15 October 2010}}</ref> It was formed in 2004 as a merger of the ], the ] and ]. Several orthodox Calvinist and liberal churches did not merge into the PKN. Although Christianity has become a minority in the Netherlands, it contains a ] from ] to the northern parts of the province ], in which Protestant beliefs remain strong. Several Christian religious holidays are national holidays (Christmas, Easter, ], and the ]).<ref name="auto3">{{cite web|url=http://www.beleven.org/feesten/lijsten/landen.php?land=Nederland |title=Feestdagen Nederland |publisher=Beleven.org |access-date=27 January 2010}}</ref> | |||
| According to an independent in-depth interviewing by ] and ] in 2006, 34% of the Dutch population identified as Christians,<ref name="nos.nl">{{cite news|title=Hoe God (bijna) verdween uit Nederland|url=http://nos.nl/artikel/2092498-hoe-god-bijna-verdween-uit-nederland.html|accessdate=3 April 2016|publisher=NOS|date=13 March 2016}}</ref> decreasing till in 2015 almost 25% of the population adhered to one of the Christian faiths (11.7% Roman Catholic, 8.6% PKN, 4.2% other small Christian denominations), 5 percent is Muslim and 2 percent adheres to Hinduism or Buddhism, approximately 67.8% of the population in 2015 has ], up from 61% in 2006, 53% in 1996, 43% 1979 and 33% in 1966.<ref name="BerntsA"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2016/03/two-thirds-of-people-in-netherlands-have-no-religious-faith/|title=Two-thirds of people in Netherlands have no religious faith|date=14 March 2016|work=DutchNews.nl|access-date=30 July 2017|language=en-GB}}</ref> The Sociaal en Cultureel Planbureau (Social and Cultural Planning Agency, SCP) expects the number of non-affiliated Dutch to be at 72% in 2020.<ref>Sociaal en Cultureel Planbureau, God in Nederland (2006/2007)</ref> | |||
| ] is the second largest religion in the state.<ref name=CBS2>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbs.nl/nl-NL/menu/themas/vrije-tijd-cultuur/publicaties/artikelen/archief/2012/2012-3759-wm.htm|title=Een op de zes bezoekt regelmatig kerk of moskee|publisher=Central Bureau of Statistics, Netherlands|year=2012|access-date=30 March 2014}}</ref> The Muslim population increased from the 1960 as a result of large numbers of ]. This included migrant workers from ] and ], as well as migrants from former ], such as ] and ]. During the 1990s, ] arrived from countries like ], ], ], ], and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scp.nl/publicaties/boeken/9037702597/Godsdienstige_veranderingen.pdf |title=Godsdienstige veranderingen in Nederland |access-date=17 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070125142251/http://www.scp.nl/publicaties/boeken/9037702597/Godsdienstige_veranderingen.pdf |archive-date=25 January 2007}}</ref> Since 2000 there has been raised awareness of religion, mainly due to ].<ref>Knippenberg, Hans "The Changing Religious Landscape of Europe" edited by Knippenberg published by Het Spinhuis, Amsterdam 2005 {{ISBN|978-90-5589-248-8}}, pages 102–104</ref> | |||
| Another religion practised is ], with around 215,000 adherents (slightly over 1% of the population). Most of these are ]. There are sizeable populations of Hindu immigrants from India and ], and Western adherents of ] such as ]. The Netherlands has an estimated 250,000 ] or people strongly attracted to this religion, mainly ethnic Dutch people. There are about 30,000 ] in the Netherlands, though the ] estimates range from 30,000 to 63,000, depending on how the number is calculated.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How many Jews live in The Netherlands? {{!}} JPR |url=https://www.jpr.org.uk/countries/how-many-jews-in-the-netherlands |access-date=2023-11-20 |website=jpr.org.uk |date=7 April 2022 |language=en}}</ref> | |||
| The ] has been traditionally associated with ], specifically the ] and now non-existent ] (which merged into the ]). The ] has been the only major ] church in the Netherlands from the ] up until the 19th century. It encompassed the vast majority of ] in the ] until a series of splits ] and ] diversified Dutch Calvinism. In 2013, a ] became ]. | |||
| The Constitution of the Netherlands guarantees freedom of education, which means that all schools that adhere to general quality criteria receive the same government funding. This includes schools based on religious principles by religious groups (especially Catholic and Protestant). Three political parties in the Dutch parliament, (], and two small parties, ] and ]) are based upon the Christian belief. Several Christian religious holidays are national holidays (Christmas, Easter, ] and the ]).<ref name="auto3"/> | |||
| From a December 2014 survey by the VU University Amsterdam it was concluded that for the first time there are more atheists (25%) than theists (17%) in the Netherlands. The majority of the population being agnostic (31%) or ] (27%).<ref name="trouw.nl">{{cite news|last1=van Beek|first1=Marije|title=Ongelovigen halen de gelovigen in|url=http://www.trouw.nl/tr/nl/5091/Religie/article/detail/3830831/2015/01/16/Ongelovigen-halen-de-gelovigen-in.dhtml|accessdate=21 April 2015|work=Dossier Relige|publisher=der Verdieping Trouw|date=16 January 2015}}</ref> In 2015, a vast majority of the inhabitants of the Netherlands (82%) said they had never or almost never visited a church, and 59% stated that they had never been to a church of any kind. Of all the people questioned, 24% saw themselves as atheist, an increase of 11% compared to the previous study done in 2006.<ref name="BerntsA">{{cite book|last1=Bernts|first1=Tom|last2=Berghuijs|first2=Joantine|title=God in Nederland 1966-2015|date=2016|publisher=Ten Have|isbn=9789025905248}}</ref> The expected rise of spirituality (ietsism) has come to a halt according to research in 2015. In 2006, 40% of respondents considered themselves spiritual, in 2015 this has dropped to 31%. The number who believed in the existence of a higher power fell from 36% to 28% over the same period.<ref name="nos.nl"/> | |||
| A survey in December 2014 concluded that for the first time there were more atheists (25%) than theists (17%) in the Netherlands, while the remainder of the population was agnostic (31%) or ] (27%).<ref name="trouw.nl">{{cite news|last1=van Beek|first1=Marije|title=Ongelovigen halen de gelovigen in|url=http://www.trouw.nl/tr/nl/5091/Religie/article/detail/3830831/2015/01/16/Ongelovigen-halen-de-gelovigen-in.dhtml|access-date=21 April 2015|work=Dossier Relige|publisher=der Verdieping Trouw|date=16 January 2015}}</ref> In 2015, a vast majority of the inhabitants of the Netherlands (82%) said they had never or almost never visited a church, and 59% stated that they had never been to a church. Of all the people questioned, 24% saw themselves as atheist, an increase of 11% compared to the previous study done in 2006.<ref name="BerntsA">{{cite book|last1=Bernts|first1=Tom|last2=Berghuijs|first2=Joantine|title=God in Nederland 1966–2015|date=2016|publisher=Ten Have|isbn=978-90-259-0524-8}}</ref> The expected rise of spirituality has come to a halt according to research in 2015. In 2006, 40% of respondents considered themselves spiritual; in 2015 this has dropped to 31%. The number who believed in the existence of a higher power fell from 36% to 28% over the same period.<ref name="nos.nl">{{cite news|title=Hoe God (bijna) verdween uit Nederland|url=http://nos.nl/artikel/2092498-hoe-god-bijna-verdween-uit-nederland.html|access-date=3 April 2016|publisher=NOS|date=13 March 2016}}</ref> | |||
| ] is currently the largest religion in the Netherlands. The provinces of ] and ] have historically been strongly Roman Catholic, and some of their people might still consider the Catholic Church as a base for their ]. Protestantism in the Netherlands consists of a number of churches within various traditions. The largest of these is the ] (PKN), a ] church which is ] and ] in orientation.<ref name="CBS 2009">{{cite news |url=http://statline.cbs.nl/StatWeb/publication/?DM=SLNL&PA=37944&D1=0-5,10&D2=29-40&VW=T |title=Kerkelijke gezindte en kerkbezoek; vanaf 1849; 18 jaar of ouder |date=15 October 2010}}</ref> It was formed in 2004 as a merger of the ], the ] and ]. Several orthodox Reformed and liberal churches did not merge into the PKN. Although in the Netherlands as a whole Christianity has become a minority, the Netherlands contains a ] from ] to the northern parts of the province ], in which Protestant (particularly Reformed) beliefs remain strong, and even has majorities in municipal councils. | |||
| ] is the second largest religion in the state. In 2012, there were about 825,000 ] in the Netherlands (5% of the population).<ref name=CBS2>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbs.nl/nl-NL/menu/themas/vrije-tijd-cultuur/publicaties/artikelen/archief/2012/2012-3759-wm.htm|title=Een op de zes bezoekt regelmatig kerk of moskee|work=Central Bureau of Statistics, Netherlands|year=2012|accessdate=30 March 2014}}</ref> The Muslim population increased from the 1960 as a result of large numbers of ]. This included migrant workers from ] and ], as well as migrants from former ], such as ] and ]. During the 1990s, ] arrived from countries like ], ], ], ], and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scp.nl/publicaties/boeken/9037702597/Godsdienstige_veranderingen.pdf |title=Godsdienstige veranderingen in Nederland |accessdate=17 May 2010 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070125142251/http://www.scp.nl/publicaties/boeken/9037702597/Godsdienstige_veranderingen.pdf |archivedate = 25 January 2007}}</ref> | |||
| Other religions account for some 6% of the Dutch people. Hinduism is a minority religion in the Netherlands, with around 215,000 adherents (slightly over 1% of the population). Most of these are ]. There are also sizable populations of Hindu immigrants from ] and ], and some Western adherents of ] such as ]. The Netherlands has an estimated 250,000 ] or people strongly attracted to this religion, mainly ethnic Dutch people. There are about 45,000 ] in the Netherlands. | |||
| ===Education=== | ===Education=== | ||
| {{Main|Education |
{{Main|Education in the Netherlands}} | ||
| Education in the Netherlands is compulsory between the ages of 5 and 16. If a child does not have a "starting qualification" (HAVO, VWO or MBO 2+ degree) they are still forced to attend classes until they achieve such a qualification or reach the age of 18.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/leerplicht/leerplicht-en-kwalificatieplicht|title=Leerplicht en kwalificatieplicht|website=Rijksoverheid.nl|access-date=9 June 2021|date=10 July 2020}}</ref> | |||
| ] | |||
| ] building]] | |||
| ]. The building in the centre is the library.]] | |||
| Education in the Netherlands is compulsory between the ages of 5 and 16.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/leerplicht|title=Leerplicht|website=Rijksoverheid.nl|accessdate=3 August 2017|date=11 December 2009}}</ref> If a child does not have a "startqualification" (HAVO, VWO or MBO 2+ degree) they are still forced to attend classes until they achieve such a qualification.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/leerplicht/leerplicht-en-kwalificatieplicht|title=Leerplicht en kwalificatieplicht|website=Rijksoverheid.nl|accessdate=18 March 2018|date=February 2017}}</ref> | |||
| Children in the Netherlands attend elementary school from (on average) ages 4 to 12. It has eight grades and the first is facultative. Based on an aptitude test, the eighth grade teacher's recommendation and the opinion of the pupil's parents or caretakers, a choice is made for one of the three main streams of secondary education. | |||
| ]. The building in the centre is the library.]] | |||
| The ] has 4 grades and is subdivided over several levels. Successfully completing the vmbo results in a low-level vocational degree that grants access to the MBO. The MBO (middle-level applied education) is a form of education primarily focuses on teaching a practical trade, or a vocational degree. With the MBO certification, a student can apply for the HBO. The ] has 5 grades and allows for admission to the HBO. The HBO (higher professional education) are ] (applied sciences) that award professional bachelor's degrees; similar to polytechnic degrees. A HBO degree gives access to the university system. The ] (comprising ] and ]) has 6 grades and prepares for studying at a research university. Universities offer of a three-year bachelor's degree, followed by a one or two year master's degree, which in turn can be followed by a four or five-year ] program. | |||
| The ] has four grades and is subdivided over several levels. Successfully completing the VMBO results in a low-level vocational degree that grants access to the MBO. The MBO (middle-level applied education) is a form of education that primarily focuses on teaching a practical trade or a vocational degree. With the MBO certification, a student can apply for the HBO. The ] has 5 grades and allows for admission to the HBO. The HBO (higher professional education) are ] (applied sciences) that award professional bachelor's degrees; similar to polytechnic degrees. An HBO degree gives access to the university system. The ] (comprising ] and ]) has 6 grades and prepares for studying at a research university. Universities offer a three-year bachelor's degree, followed by a one or two-year master's degree, which in turn can be followed by a ] programme. | |||
| Doctoral candidates in the Netherlands are generally non-tenured employees of a university. All Dutch schools and universities are publicly funded and managed with the exception of religious schools |
Doctoral candidates in the Netherlands are generally non-tenured employees of a university. All Dutch schools and universities are publicly funded and managed with the exception of religious schools. Dutch universities have a tuition fee of about 2,000 euros a year for students from the Netherlands and the EU, and 15,000 euros for non-EU students.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/student/advice/cost-studying-university-netherlands|title=The cost of studying at a university in the Netherlands|date=26 January 2022|website=Student}}</ref> | ||
| ===Healthcare=== | ===Healthcare=== | ||
| {{Main|Healthcare in the Netherlands}} | {{Main|Healthcare in the Netherlands}} | ||
| ] (1632–1723), known as "the father of microbiology"]] | ] (1632–1723), known as "the father of microbiology"]] | ||
| ]]] | ]]] | ||
| In 2016, the Netherlands maintained its position at the top of the annual ] (EHCI), which compares healthcare systems in Europe, scoring 916 of a maximum 1,000 points. The Netherlands has been among the top three countries in each report published since 2005. On 48 indicators such as patient rights and information, accessibility, prevention and outcomes, the Netherlands secured its top position among 37 European countries for six years in a row.<ref name="healthpowerhouse.com">{{cite web|url=https://healthpowerhouse.com/|title=Health Care System's Indexes and reports|website=Health Consumer Powerhouse|access-date=26 August 2016}}</ref> | |||
| The Netherlands was ranked first in a study in 2009 comparing the ]s of the United States, Australia, Canada, Germany and New Zealand.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE65M0SU20100623 |publisher=Reuters |title=U.S. scores dead last again in healthcare study |date=23 June 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://content.healthaffairs.org/content/26/6/w717.full.pdf+html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120110040524/http://content.healthaffairs.org/content/26/6/w717.full.pdf+html|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 January 2012|title=Toward Higher-Performance Health Systems: Adults' Health Care Experiences In Seven Countries, 2007}}</ref> | |||
| According to the ] (HCP), patients have a great degree of freedom from where to buy their health insurance, to where they get their healthcare. Healthcare decisions are made in dialogue between patients and healthcare professionals.<ref name="healthpowerhouse.com"/> Healthcare in the Netherlands is split 3 ways: in somatic and mental health care and in 'cure' (short term) and 'care' (long term). Home doctors (''huisartsen'', comparable to ]s) form the largest part of the first level. Being referred by a member of the first level is mandatory for access to the second and third level.<ref name="Boot">J.M. Boot, 'De Nederlandse Gezondheidszorg', Bohn Stafleu van Loghum 2011</ref> The health care system is, in comparison to other Western countries{{Example needed|date=December 2024}}, effective but not the most cost-effective.<ref name=BCG>Boston Consulting Group, 'Zorg voor Waarde', 2011.</ref> | |||
| In 2016, the Netherlands has maintained its number one position at the top of the annual ] (EHCI), which compares healthcare systems in Europe, scoring 916 of a maximum 1,000 points. The Netherlands has been among the top three countries in each report published since 2005. On 48 indicators such as patient rights and information, accessibility, prevention and outcomes, the Netherlands secured its top position among 37 European countries for six years in a row.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.healthpowerhouse.com|title=Health Consumer Powerhouse|work=healthpowerhouse.com|accessdate=26 August 2016}}</ref> | |||
| Healthcare is financed by a dual system that came into effect in January 2006. Long-term treatments, especially those that involve semi-permanent hospitalisation, and disability costs such as wheelchairs, are covered by a state-controlled mandatory insurance. In 2009 this insurance covered 27% of all health care expenses.<ref name="statline.cbs.nl">{{cite web|url=http://statline.cbs.nl/StatWeb/publication/?DM=SLNL&PA=71914ned&D1=37-43&D2=a&HDR=G1&STB=T&VW=T|title=Zorgrekeningen; uitgaven (in lopende en constante prijzen) en financiering|date=20 May 2010|publisher=Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek: StatLine|language=nl|access-date=16 May 2011}}</ref> Other sources of health care payment are taxes (14%), out of pocket payments (9%), additional optional health insurance packages (4%) and a range of other sources (4%).<ref name="statline.cbs.nl"/> | |||
| The Netherlands was ranked first in a study in 2009 comparing the ]s of the United States, Australia, Canada, Germany and New Zealand.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE65M0SU20100623 | work=Reuters | title=U.S. scores dead last again in healthcare study | date=23 June 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://content.healthaffairs.org/content/26/6/w717.full.pdf+html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120110040524/http://content.healthaffairs.org/content/26/6/w717.full.pdf+html|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 January 2012|title=Toward Higher-Performance Health Systems: Adults' Health Care Experiences In Seven Countries, 2007}}</ref> | |||
| Ever since a major reform of the health care system in 2006, the Dutch system received more points in the Index each year. According to the HCP (]), the Netherlands has 'a chaos system', meaning patients have a great degree of freedom from where to buy their health insurance, to where they get their healthcare service. The difference between the Netherlands and other countries is that the chaos is managed. Healthcare decisions are being made in a dialogue between the patients and healthcare professionals.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://healthpowerhouse.com/|title=Health Consumer Powerhouse – Health Care System's Indexes and reports}}</ref> | |||
| Health insurance in the Netherlands is mandatory. Healthcare in the Netherlands is covered by two statutory forms of insurance: | Health insurance in the Netherlands is mandatory. Healthcare in the Netherlands is covered by two statutory forms of insurance: | ||
| * Zorgverzekeringswet (ZVW), often called "basic insurance", covers common medical care. | * Zorgverzekeringswet (ZVW), often called "basic insurance", covers common medical care. | ||
| * Algemene Wet Bijzondere Ziektekosten (AWBZ) covers long-term nursing and care. | * Algemene Wet Bijzondere Ziektekosten (AWBZ) covers long-term nursing and care. | ||
| While Dutch residents are automatically insured by the government for AWBZ, everyone has to |
While Dutch residents are automatically insured by the government for AWBZ, everyone has to buy their own basic healthcare insurance, except those under 18 who are automatically covered under their parents. Insurance companies are obliged to provide a package with a defined set of insured treatments.<ref name="minvws.nl">{{cite web|url=http://www.minvws.nl/en/themes/health-insurance-system/|title=Together healthy, fit and resilient|publisher=Ministerie van Volksgezondheid|work=minvws.nl|access-date=26 August 2016|date=18 February 2010}}</ref> This insurance covers 41% of all health care expenses.<ref name="statline.cbs.nl"/> Insurers have to offer a universal package for everyone over 18, regardless of age or state of health – it is illegal to refuse an application or impose special conditions. The funding burden for all short-term health care coverage is carried 50% by employers, 45% by the insured person and 5% by the government. Those on low incomes receive compensation to help them pay their insurance. Premiums paid by the insured are about €135 per month.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.zorgwijzer.nl/faq/expats|title=Expat health insurance|website=Zorgwijzer}}</ref> | ||
| ==Transport== | |||
| Healthcare in the Netherlands can be divided in several ways: three echelons, in somatic and mental health care and in 'cure' (short term) and 'care' (long term). Home doctors (''huisartsen'', comparable to ]s) form the largest part of the first echelon. Being referenced by a member of the first echelon is mandatory for access to the second and third echelon.<ref name="Boot">J.M. Boot, 'De Nederlandse Gezondheidszorg', Bohn Stafleu van Loghum 2011</ref> The health care system is in comparison to other Western countries quite effective but not the most cost-effective.<ref name=BCG>Boston Consulting Group, 'Zorg voor Waarde', 2011.</ref> | |||
| {{Main|Transport in the Netherlands}} | |||
| Mobility on Dutch roads has grown continuously since the 1950s and now exceeds 200 billion km travelled per year,<ref>{{cite press release |title=SWOV Fact sheet | Mobility on Dutch roads |url=http://www.swov.nl/rapport/Factsheets/UK/FS_Mobility.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100415044922/http://www.swov.nl/rapport/Factsheets/UK/FS_Mobility.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 April 2010 |location=Leidschendam, the Netherlands |publisher=SWOV – Dutch Institute for Road Safety Research |date=July 2013 |access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref> three quarters of which are done by car.<ref name="OECD-ITF">{{cite report |last1=Waard |first1=Jan van der |last2=Jorritsma |first2=Peter |last3=Immers |first3=Ben |date=October 2012 |title=New Drivers in Mobility: What Moves the Dutch in 2012 and Beyond? |url=http://www.internationaltransportforum.org/jtrc/DiscussionPapers/DP201215.pdf |location=Delft, the Netherlands |publisher=] International Transport Forum |access-date=7 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117223717/http://internationaltransportforum.org/jtrc/DiscussionPapers/DP201215.pdf |archive-date=17 January 2013}}</ref> Around half of all trips in the Netherlands are made by car, 25% by bicycle, 20% walking, and 5% by public transport.<ref name="OECD-ITF"/> | |||
| === Road transport === | |||
| Healthcare in the Netherlands is financed by a dual system that came into effect in January 2006. Long-term treatments, especially those that involve semi-permanent hospitalisation, and also disability costs such as wheelchairs, are covered by a state-controlled mandatory insurance. This is laid down in the '']'' ("General Law on Exceptional Healthcare Costs") which first came into effect in 1968. In 2009 this insurance covered 27% of all health care expenses.<ref name="statline.cbs.nl">{{cite web|url=http://statline.cbs.nl/StatWeb/publication/?DM=SLNL&PA=71914ned&D1=37-43&D2=a&HDR=G1&STB=T&VW=T|title=Zorgrekeningen; uitgaven (in lopende en constante prijzen) en financiering|date=20 May 2010|publisher=Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek: StatLine|language=Dutch|accessdate=16 May 2011}}</ref> | |||
| ], in ]]] | |||
| The Netherlands has one of the densest road networks in the world.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/IS.ROD.DNST.K2?order=wbapi_data_value_2011%20wbapi_data_value%20wbapi_data_value-last&sort=desc |title=Road density (km of road per 100 sq. km of land area) | Data | Table |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=2014 |publisher=The World Bank |access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref> The Netherlands has a relatively high uptake of ]s, as the government implemented ambitious policy on both charging infrastructure and tax benefits.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Rietmann |first1=Nele |chapter=A Comparison of Policy Measures Promoting Electric Vehicles in 20 Countries |date=2019 |chapter-url=https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-96526-0_7 |title=The Governance of Smart Transportation Systems: Towards New Organizational Structures for the Development of Shared, Automated, Electric and Integrated Mobility |pages=125–145 |editor-last=Finger |editor-first=Matthias |place=Cham |publisher=Springer International Publishing |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-3-319-96526-0_7 |isbn=978-3-319-96526-0 |access-date=26 January 2023 |last2=Lieven |first2=Theo |series=The Urban Book Series |s2cid=158767268 |editor2-last=Audouin |editor2-first=Maxime}}</ref> As of 2019, the Netherlands hosts approximately 30% of all recharging stations in the European Union.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://fd.nl/economie-politiek/1323217/kwart-laadpalen-in-eu-staat-in-nederland-fce1caCY0804|title=Een kwart van de laadpalen in de EU staat in Nederland|trans-title=A quarter of the recharging stations in the EU is in the Netherlands|language=Dutch|newspaper=Fd.nl|date=4 November 2019|access-date=3 May 2021}}</ref> Moreover, newly sold cars in the Netherlands have on average the lowest {{CO2}} emissions in the EU.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.acea.be/uploads/publications/ACEA_progress_report_2019.pdf|title=Making the transition to zero-emission mobility: 2019 progress report|website=ACEA|date=September 2019|access-date=3 May 2021}}</ref> | |||
| For all regular (short-term) medical treatment, there is a system of obligatory ], with private health insurance companies. These insurance companies are obliged to provide a package with a defined set of insured treatments.<ref name="minvws.nl">{{cite web|url=http://www.minvws.nl/en/themes/health-insurance-system/|title=Ministerie van Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Sport|first=Ministerie van Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en|last=Sport|work=minvws.nl|accessdate=26 August 2016|date=18 February 2010}}</ref> This insurance covers 41% of all health care expenses.<ref name="statline.cbs.nl"/> | |||
| === Public transport === | |||
| Other sources of health care payment are taxes (14%), out of pocket payments (9%), additional optional health insurance packages (4%) and a range of other sources (4%).<ref name="statline.cbs.nl"/> Affordability is guaranteed through a system of income-related allowances and individual and employer-paid income-related premiums. | |||
| ]|italic=no}} (NS)]] | |||
| About 13% of all distance is travelled by public transport, the majority of which is by train.<ref name="OECD-ITF"/> The Dutch rail network of 3,013 km route is also rather dense.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2121.html#nl |title=CIA World Factbook | Field listing: Railways |date=2012 |publisher=U.S. Central Intelligence Agency |access-date=7 July 2014 |archive-date=13 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090513124715/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2121.html#nl |url-status=dead}}</ref> The network is mostly focused on passenger rail services and connects all major cities, with over ]. Trains are frequent, with two trains per hour on lesser lines,{{efn|Only 11 stations are served less than twice an hour during weekdays.}} two to four trains per hour on average, and up to eight trains an hour on the busiest lines.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2017/06/ns-to-up-frequency-of-amsterdam-to-eindhoven-trains/|title=NS to up frequency of Amsterdam to Eindhoven trains to six an hour – DutchNews.nl|date=21 June 2017|work=DutchNews.nl|access-date=8 December 2017|language=en-GB}}</ref> The Dutch national train network includes the ], a high-speed line between the ] and the Belgian border for trains running from Paris and London, to the Netherlands. | |||
| A key feature of the Dutch system is that premiums may not be related to health status or age. Risk variances between private health insurance companies due to the different risks presented by individual policy holders are compensated through ] and a common ]. The funding burden for all short-term health care coverage is carried 50% by employers, 45% by the insured person and 5% by the government. Children under 18 are covered for free. Those on low incomes receive compensation to help them pay their insurance. Premiums paid by the insured are about €100 per month (about US$127 in August 2010 and €150 or US$196 in 2012), with variation of about 5% between the various competing insurers, and a yearly deductible of €220 (US$288). | |||
| === Cycling === | |||
| {{Main|Cycling in the Netherlands}} | |||
| ]]] | |||
| ] is a ubiquitous mode of transport. Almost as many kilometres are covered by bicycle as by train.<ref name="OECD-ITF"/> The Dutch are estimated to have at least 18 million bicycles,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hollandtrade.com/media/features/feature-stories/?bstnum=4960|title=Holland Publications|first=Netherlands Enterprise Agency|last=(RVO)|work=hollandtrade.com|access-date=26 August 2016|date=17 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924031010/http://www.hollandtrade.com/media/features/feature-stories/?bstnum=4960|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.iamexpat.nl/lifestyle/cycling-netherlands|title=Cycling in the Netherlands|newspaper=Iamexpat |author1=Wedia}}</ref> which makes more than one per capita, and twice as many as the circa 9 million motor vehicles on the road.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://opendata.cbs.nl/statline/|title=CBS Statline|website=opendata.cbs.nl}}</ref> In 2013, the ] ranked the Netherlands and ] as the most bike-friendly countries in Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ecf.com/news/the-first-eu-wide-ecf-cycling-barometer-launched/ |title=European Cyclists' Federation – The first EU wide ECF Cycling Barometer launched |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714151023/http://www.ecf.com/news/the-first-eu-wide-ecf-cycling-barometer-launched/ |archive-date=14 July 2014}}</ref> ] is extensive. Busy roads have received some 35,000 km of ], physically segregated from motorised traffic.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fietsberaad.nl/index.cfm?lang=nl§ion=nieuws&mode=newsArticle&repository=The+Netherlands+boast+almost+35.000+km+of+cycling+paths|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717230921/http://www.fietsberaad.nl/index.cfm?lang=nl§ion=nieuws&mode=newsArticle&repository=The+Netherlands+boast+almost+35.000+km+of+cycling+paths|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 July 2014|title=CROW Fietsberaad|website=Fietsberaad.nl|access-date=3 August 2017}}</ref> Busy junctions are often equipped with bicycle-specific traffic lights. There are large bicycle parking facilities, particularly in city centres and train stations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-04-20/how-the-dutch-investment-in-bike-parking-paid-off|title=How the Dutch Mastered Bike Parking at Train Stations|date=20 April 2023|website=Bloomberg}}</ref> | |||
| === Water transport === | |||
| The ] is the largest port in Europe and the largest port outside East Asia, with the rivers Meuse and Rhine providing excellent access to the ] upstream. {{As of|2022}}, Rotterdam was the world's tenth largest ].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022 |title=Lloyd's List One Hundred Ports 2022 |url=https://lloydslist.maritimeintelligence.informa.com/-/media/lloyds-list/images/top-100-ports-2022/top100ports2022_ebook.pdf?rev=bc3fa2a77e134864bcc7dde4518e07d9&hash=D54445A74F150E76C09174D21AB1ABA5 |access-date=23 January 2023 |website=Lloyd's List}}</ref> The port's main activities are ] industries and general cargo handling and ]. The harbour functions as an important transit point for ] and between the European continent and overseas. The Volkeraksluizen between Rotterdam and Antwerp are the biggest sluices for inland navigation in terms of tonnage. In 2007, the ], a new fast freight railway from Rotterdam to Germany, was completed. ] is Europe's 4th largest port. The ] fleet of the Netherlands is the largest in Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://seaport-magazine.nl/nederland-heeft-grootste-binnenvaartvloot-van-europa/|title=Nederland heeft grootste binnenvaartvloot van Europa|trans-title=The Netherlands has largest inland shipping fleet of Europe|language=Dutch|website=Seaport Magazine|access-date=3 May 2021}}</ref> Passenger boats in the Netherlands includes a ferry network in Amsterdam, and waterbusses and taxis in Rotterdam.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Public transport in Amsterdam |url=https://www.iamsterdam.com/en/travel-stay/getting-around/public-transport-in-amsterdam |access-date=3 August 2023 |website=I amsterdam |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=About the Waterbus – Waterbus |url=https://www.waterbus.nl/en/about-the-waterbus |access-date=3 August 2023 |website=waterbus.nl}}</ref> | |||
| === Air transport === | |||
| ], just southwest of Amsterdam, is the main ] in the Netherlands, and the ] by number of passengers. Schiphol is the main hub for ], the nation's ] and the world's oldest airline.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kirkliauskaite|first=Kristina|date=19 July 2020|title=What is the oldest airline in the world?|url=https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/worlds-oldest-airlines/index.html|access-date=22 December 2020|website=AeroTime}}</ref> In 2016, the ] airports handled 70 million passengers.<ref name="NOS Schiphol64">{{cite web |url=http://nos.nl/artikel/2152140-bijna-64-miljoen-zo-veel-passagiers-zag-schiphol-nog-nooit.html |title=Bijna 64 miljoen—zo veel passagiers zag Schiphol nog nooit |language=nl |trans-title=Almost 64 million—Schiphol never saw so many passengers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170109153121/http://nos.nl/artikel/2152140-bijna-64-miljoen-zo-veel-passagiers-zag-schiphol-nog-nooit.html |date=9 January 2017 |website=NOS |publisher=] |access-date=9 January 2017 |archive-date=9 January 2017}}</ref> All air traffic is international and Schiphol Airport is connected to over 300 destinations worldwide, more than any other European airport.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.schiphol.nl/nl/route-development/pagina/amsterdam-airport-schiphol-airport-facts/|title=What you would like to know|website=Schiphol|access-date=3 May 2021}}</ref> The airport is a major freight hub as well, processing 1.44 million tonnes of cargo in 2020.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.annualreportschiphol.com/trafficreview2020/cargo#figures-by-airport |title=71% of cargo tonnage transported by full freighters |website=Schiphol |access-date=3 May 2021 |archive-date=6 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906153751/https://www.annualreportschiphol.com/trafficreview2020/cargo#figures-by-airport |url-status=dead }}</ref> Smaller international airports are located in or near ], ], ] and ]. Air transport is of vital significance for the Caribbean part of the Netherlands, with all islands having their own airport. This includes the shortest runway in the world on ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sabaisland.net/airport/|title=Saba Island Airport|date=25 February 2018|access-date=3 May 2021}}</ref> | |||
| ==Culture== | ==Culture== | ||
| {{Main|Culture of the Netherlands}} | {{Main|Culture of the Netherlands}} | ||
| ] | |||
| ===Art, |
===Art, architecture and philosophy=== | ||
| {{Main|Dutch art|Architecture of the Netherlands|Dutch literature}} | {{Main|Dutch art|Architecture of the Netherlands|Dutch-language literature}} | ||
| {{multiple image|perrow=2/1/1|total_width=300|caption_align=center | {{multiple image | ||
| | perrow = 2/1/1 | |||
| | total_width = 300 | |||
| | caption_align = center | |||
| | image1 = Bruegel d. Ä., Pieter - Tower of Babel - Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen Rotterdam.jpg | |||
| | image1 = Meisje met de parel.jpg|caption1='']'' by ] | |||
| | caption1 = '']'' by Brabantine artist ] | |||
| | image2 = Vincent van Gogh - Self-portrait with grey felt hat - Google Art Project.jpg|caption2=Self-portrait by ] | |||
| | image2 = Van Gogh - Wassermühle in Kollen bei Nuenen.jpeg | |||
| | image3 = Rijksmuseum 2022.jpg|caption3=The ] | |||
| | caption2 = '']'' by Brabantine artist ] | |||
| | image4 = NEMO and area.jpg|caption4=The National ] and the ] in second plan, in Amsterdam | |||
| | image3 = Rijksmuseum 2022.jpg | |||
| | caption3 = The ] in Amsterdam | |||
| }} | }} | ||
| The Netherlands has had many well-known painters. |
The Netherlands has had many well-known painters. In the Middle Ages ] and ] were leading Dutch pioneers. During the ], the Dutch Republic was prosperous and witnessed a flourishing artistic movement. The "Dutch Masters", spanning this 17th century era, included ], ], ], and ]. Famous Dutch painters of the 19th and 20th century included ] and ]. | ||
| Literature flourished during the Dutch Golden Age, with ] and ] as the most famous writers. In the 19th century, ] wrote about the poor treatment of the natives in the Dutch colony. ] by ] is the most translated book from Dutch. Other important 20th century authors include ], ], ], ], ] and ]. | |||
| The Netherlands is the country of philosophers ] and ]. All of ]' major work was done in the Netherlands since he studied at ] — as did throughout the centuries geologist ], British Prime Minister ], U.S. President ], Physics Nobel Prize laureate ] and Islam critic ]. The Dutch scientist ] (1629–1695) discovered ]'s moon ], argued that light travelled as waves, invented the ] and was the first physicist to use mathematical formulae. ] was the first to observe and describe ] with a ]. | |||
| Various architectural styles can be distinguished in the Netherlands. The ] was built between 950 and 1250. ] was used from about 1230. Gothic buildings had large windows, pointed arches and were richly decorated. ] originated with the rise of the Duchy of Brabant and spread throughout the Burgundian provinces. ] (1525–1630) and classicism (1630–1700) is especially evident in the west. Other architectural styles are ], ], ], ] and ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://architecture-history.org/schools/NETHERLANDS.html|title=NETHERLANDS|website=architecture-history.org}}</ref> | |||
| In the ], literature flourished as well, with ] and ] as the two most famous writers. In the 19th century, ] wrote about the poor treatment of the natives in the Dutch colony, the current Indonesia. Important 20th century authors include ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ]. ]'s ] was published after she was murdered in the Holocaust and translated from Dutch to all major languages. | |||
| ] and ] were famous Dutch philosophers. The Dutch scientist ] (1629–95) discovered ]'s moon ], argued that light travelled as waves, invented the ], and was the first physicist to use mathematical formulae. ] was the first to observe and describe ] with a ]. | |||
| The traditional Dutch architecture is especially valued in ], ] and ], with 17 and 18th century buildings along the canals. Smaller village architecture with wooden houses is found in ] and ]. Replicas of Dutch buildings can be found in ], ], ]. A similar Holland Village is being built in ], ]. ]s, ]s, ], cheese, ] pottery, and ] are among the items associated with the Netherlands by tourists. | |||
| ]s, ]s, ]s, cheese, and ] have grown to symbolize the Netherlands, especially among tourists.<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Holland as other place and other time: alterity in projected tourist images of the Netherlands|first1=Bouke|last1=van Gorp|first2=Tine|last2=Béneker|date=1 April 2007|journal=GeoJournal|volume=68|issue=4|pages=293–305|doi=10.1007/s10708-007-9085-9|s2cid=129230373 |doi-access=free|bibcode=2007GeoJo..68..293V }}</ref> | |||
| The Netherlands has a long history of social tolerance and today is regarded as a liberal country, considering ] and its legalisation of ]. On 1 April 2001, the Netherlands became the first nation to legalise ].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0104/01/sm.10.html|title=Same-Sex Marriage Legalized in Amsterdam|date=1 April 2001|work=]|accessdate=11 March 2016|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303221411/http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0104/01/sm.10.html|archivedate=3 March 2016}}</ref> | |||
| ===Dutch value system=== | ===Dutch value system=== | ||
| {{Main|Dutch customs and etiquette}} | {{Main|Dutch customs and etiquette}} | ||
| The Dutch are proud of their ], ], and involvement in ].<ref name="Colin White 1995">Colin White & Laurie Boucke (1995). The UnDutchables: An observation of the Netherlands, its culture and its inhabitants (3rd Ed.). White-Boucke Publishing.</ref> A predominant attitude in the Netherlands is to think of the nation as being "both tolerant and cosmopolitan."<ref name=":02">{{Cite book |last=Rietbergen |first=P. J. A. N. |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/52849131 |title=A Short History of the Netherlands: From Prehistory to the Present Day |publisher=Bekking |year=2000 |isbn=90-6109-440-2 |edition=4th |location=Amersfoort |pages=155–156 |oclc=52849131}}</ref> | |||
| Dutch society is ] and ]. The Dutch have an aversion to the non-essential.<ref name="Colin White 1995"/> Ostentatious behaviour is to be avoided. The Dutch are proud of their ], ] and involvement in ].<ref name="Colin White 1995"/> | |||
| A Dutch saying indicating their sense of national pride in their reclamation of land from the sea and marshes is "God created the world, but the Dutch created the Netherlands."<ref>quoted in Fred Feddes, ''A Millennium of Amsterdam: Spatial History of a Marvelous City''. Bussum: Thoth Publishers 2012, p.9 {{ISBN|978-9068685954}}</ref> | |||
| ] in Amsterdam, 2017]] | |||
| Dutch manners are open and direct with a no-nonsense attitude; informality combined with adherence to basic behaviour. According to a humorous source on Dutch culture, "Their directness gives many the impression that they are rude and crude — attributes they prefer to call openness."<ref name="Colin White 1995">Colin White & Laurie Boucke (1995). The UnDutchables: An observation of the Netherlands, its culture and its inhabitants (3rd Ed.). White-Boucke Publishing.</ref> A well known more serious source on Dutch etiquette is "Dealing with the Dutch" from Jacob Vossestein: "Dutch egalitarianism is the idea that people are equal, especially from a moral point of view, and accordingly, causes the somewhat ambiguous stance the Dutch have towards hierarchy and status."<ref>J. Vossenstein, Dealing with the Dutch, 9789460220791.</ref> As always, manners differ between groups. Asking about basic rules will not be considered impolite. "What may strike you as being blatantly blunt topics and comments are no more embarrassing or unusual to the Dutch than discussing the weather."<ref name="Colin White 1995"/> | |||
| ] in Amsterdam, 2017]] | |||
| The Netherlands is one of the most secular countries of Europe, and religion is in the Netherlands generally considered as a personal matter which is not supposed to be propagated in public, although it often remains a discussion subject. For only 17% of the population religion is important and 14% goes to church weekly.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Becker, De Hart|first1=Jos, Joep|title=Godsdienstige veranderingen in Nederland, Verschuivingen in de binding met de kerken en de christelijke traditie|url=http://www.scp.nl/dsresource?objectid=6e36ffc5-45eb-4b33-bc88-eb7b99083527|website=SCP|publisher=Sociaal en Cultureel Planbureau Den Haag|accessdate=7 July 2017}}</ref> | |||
| Dutch manners are open and direct with a no-nonsense attitude—informality combined with adherence to basic behaviour. "Dealing with the Dutch" by Jacob Vossestein states: "Dutch egalitarianism is the idea that people are equal, especially from a moral point of view, and accordingly, causes the somewhat ambiguous stance the Dutch have towards hierarchy and status."<ref>J. Vossenstein, Dealing with the Dutch, 9789460220791.</ref> | |||
| The Netherlands is one of the most secular countries of Europe,<ref name=":02" /> and religion in the Netherlands is generally considered as a personal matter which is not supposed to be propagated in public, although it often remains a discussion subject.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Becker|last2=De Hart|first1=Jos|first2=Joep|title=Godsdienstige veranderingen in Nederland, Verschuivingen in de binding met de kerken en de christelijke traditie|url=http://www.scp.nl/dsresource?objectid=6e36ffc5-45eb-4b33-bc88-eb7b99083527|website=SCP|publisher=Sociaal en Cultureel Planbureau Den Haag|access-date=7 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010141120/https://www.scp.nl/dsresource?objectid=6e36ffc5-45eb-4b33-bc88-eb7b99083527|archive-date=10 October 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
| ===Dutch people and ecology=== | |||
| As a whole, and as of 2018, the Netherlands has one of the highest rates of CO2 emission per capita in the EU, above Germany, France or Belgium.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/jrc/en/publication/fossil-co2-emissions-all-world-countries-2018-report |date=2018 |title=Fossil CO2 emissions of all world countries - 2018 Report |work=EU Science Hub |accessdate=October 21, 2019}}</ref> The Netherlands has nonetheless the ] of the ] ] in ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iamexpat.nl/read-and-discuss/expat-page/news/amsterdam-and-rotterdam-among-worlds-most-sustainable-cities-2015|title=IAMEXPAT News|last=|first=|date=|website=Iamexpat.nl|access-date=3 August 2017}}</ref> In 2015, Amsterdam and Rotterdam were, respectively, at the 4th and the 5th position on the ].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://s3.amazonaws.com/arcadis-whitepaper/arcadis-sustainable-cities-index-report.pdf|title=Arcadis Sustainable Cities Index Report|last=|first=|date=2015|work=|access-date=15 June 2016|via=https://s3.amazonaws.com/arcadis-whitepaper/arcadis-sustainable-cities-index-report.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sustainablecitiesindex.com/|title=Arcadis Sustainable Cities Index|website=Sustainablecitiesindex.com|access-date=15 June 2016}}</ref> | |||
| ] is a concept important for the ]. The goal of the Dutch Government is to have a ], reliable and affordable energy system, by 2050, in which ] have been halved and 40 percent of ] is derived from ].<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://english.rvo.nl/topics/sustainability|title=Sustainable enterprise {{!}} RVO.nl|website=english.rvo.nl|access-date=15 June 2016}}</ref> | |||
| The ] is investing billions of euros in ], ] and ]. The Kingdom also encourage Dutch ] to build ]/]s/], with ] from the state to the companies or ]s who are active in making the ] more ].<ref name=":0" /> | |||
| ===Music=== | ===Music=== | ||
| {{Main|Music of the Netherlands||Music of the former Netherlands Antilles}} | {{Main|Music of the Netherlands||Music of the former Netherlands Antilles}} | ||
| The Netherlands has multiple music traditions. Traditional Dutch music is a genre known as "]", meaning ''Song of life''. These songs typically have a simple melody and rhythm, and a straightforward structure of verses and choruses. Themes can be light, but are often sentimental and include love, death and ]. Traditional musical instruments such as the ] and the ] are a staple of levenslied music, though in recent years many artists use synthesisers and guitars. | |||
| ] from the 19th century]] | |||
| The Netherlands has multiple ] traditions. Traditional Dutch music is a genre known as "]", meaning ''Song of life'', to an extent comparable to a French ] or a German ]. These songs typically have a simple melody and rhythm, and a straightforward structure of couplets and choruses. Themes can be light, but are often sentimental and include ], ] and ]. Traditional musical instruments such as the ] and the ] are a staple of levenslied music, though in recent years many artists also use synthesisers and guitars. Artists in this genre include ], ] and ]. | |||
| Contemporary Dutch rock and pop music (]) originated in the 1960s, heavily influenced by popular music from the United States and Britain. Bands such as ], ], ], ] and ] enjoyed international success. From the 1980s, more and more pop musicians started working in the Dutch language, partly inspired by the huge success of the band ]. | |||
| ] in 2013]] | |||
| ], the largest Dutch concert venue]] | |||
| Contemporary Dutch ] and ] (]) originated in the 1960s, heavily influenced by popular music from the ] and ]. In the 1960s and 1970s the lyrics were mostly in English, and some tracks were instrumental. Bands such as ], ], ], ] and ] enjoyed international success. As of the 1980s, more and more pop musicians started working in the Dutch language, partly inspired by the huge success of the band ]. Today Dutch rock and pop music thrives in both languages, with some artists recording in both. | |||
| ], the largest Dutch concert venue]] | |||
| Current ] bands ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ] as well as ] and pop singer ] are having international success. Also, metal bands like ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ] are popular guests at the biggest ]s in Europe. Contemporary local stars include pop singer ], country pop singer ], ] and ] dialect singing folk band ], rock band ] and duo ]. ], one of the country's most well known and versatile singers, has made multiple albums with famous American composers ] and ]. | |||
| Current ] bands ], ], ], ], ], Autumn, ] and ] as well as ] and pop singer ] are having international success. Metal bands like ], ], ], ], ], ], and ] are popular guests at the biggest ]s in Europe. Contemporary local stars include pop singer ], country pop singer ], ] dialect singing folk band ], rock band ] and duo ]. | |||
| Early 1990s Dutch and |
Early 1990s Dutch and Belgian ] came together in ] project ]. Selling 18 million records,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/2-unlimited-mn0000431439/biography |title=2 Unlimited | Biography | AllMusic |website=] |access-date=30 June 2014}}</ref> the two singers in the band are the most successful Dutch music artists to this day. Tracks like "]" are still popular themes of U.S. sports events. In the mid-1990s Dutch language ] ('']'') came to fruition and has become popular in the Netherlands and Belgium. | ||
| Since the 1990s, Dutch ] (EDM) gained widespread popularity in the world in many forms |
Since the 1990s, Dutch ] (EDM) gained widespread popularity in the world in many forms. Some of the world's best known dance music DJs hail from the Netherlands, including ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]; the first four of which have been ranked as best in the world by ]. The ] (ADE) is the world's leading electronic music conference and the biggest club festival for the many electronic subgenres on the planet.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.local-life.com/amsterdam/articles/amsterdam-dance-event|title=Amsterdam Dance Event|work=local-life.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dutchdailynews.com/the-international-dance-industry-assembles-in-amsterdam-next-week/|title=The international Dance industry assembles in Amsterdam next week|work=Dutch Daily News|date=12 October 2012}}</ref> The Netherlands has ] in the ] since its first edition in 1956, and has won five times. | ||
| In classical music, ] is a famous Dutch composer, with ] among the best known contemporary Dutch classical composers. ] is a Dutch conductor, organist and harpsichordist. Notable violinists are ] and ]. | |||
| The Netherlands have ] in the ] since its first edition in 1956, and have won five times. Their most recent win was in ]. | |||
| In ], ] ranks as the Dutch most famous composer, with ] amongst the best known living Dutch classical composers. ] is a Dutch conductor, organist and harpsichordist. He is also professor at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague. Notable violinists are ] and ]. The latter, together with his ], has taken classical and ] on worldwide concert tours, the size and revenue of which are otherwise only seen from the world's biggest rock and pop music acts. The most famous Dutch classical composition is "]" by ], a minimalistic composition for multiple instruments.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.canto-ostinato.com/canto/index.html|title=Canto Ostinato by Simeon ten Holt|website=www.canto-ostinato.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://press.andrerieu.com/tag/international/page/2/|title=international Archives » Page 2 of 3 » Andre Rieu}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/266418/top-25-tours-of-2009|title=Top 25 Tours of 2009|date=11 December 2009|work=Billboard}}</ref> Acclaimed harpist ] in 2012 released an album with works from ] that she transcribed for harp, with approval of Glass himself.<ref>, Allmusic.com</ref> The ] (completed in 1888) in Amsterdam is home to the ], considered one of the world's finest orchestras.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=97291390|title=Chicago Symphony Tops U.S. Orchestras|date=21 November 2008|work=NPR.org}}</ref> | |||
| ===Film and television=== | ===Film and television=== | ||
| {{Main|Cinema of the Netherlands|Television in the Netherlands}} | {{Main|Cinema of the Netherlands|Television in the Netherlands}} | ||
| <!-- Deleted image removed: ] originated in the Netherlands.]] --> | |||
| Some Dutch films – mainly by director ] – have received international distribution and recognition, such as '']'' ("''Turks Fruit''", 1973), '']'' ("''Soldaat van Oranje''", 1977), '']'' (1980) and '']'' ("''De Vierde Man''", 1983). Verhoeven then went on to direct big ] movies like '']'' (1987), '']'' (1990) and '']'' (1992), and returned with Dutch film '']'' ("''Zwartboek''", 2006). | Some Dutch films – mainly by director ] – have received international distribution and recognition, such as '']'' ("''Turks Fruit''", 1973), '']'' ("''Soldaat van Oranje''", 1977), '']'' (1980), and '']'' ("''De Vierde Man''", 1983). Verhoeven then went on to direct big ] movies like '']'' (1987), '']'' (1990), and '']'' (1992), and returned with Dutch film '']'' ("''Zwartboek''", 2006).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/the-weird-and-challenging-career-of-paul-verhoeven/|title=God of shock: the weird and challenging career of Paul Verhoeven|first=Richard|last=Luck|date=6 April 2022|website=The New European}}</ref> | ||
| Other well-known Dutch film directors are ] |
Other well-known Dutch film directors are ], ], ], ], and documentary makers ] and ]. Film director ] achieved international notoriety in 2004 when he was murdered by ] in the streets of Amsterdam after directing the short film '']''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3974179.stm|title=Gunman kills Dutch film director|date=2 November 2004|via=news.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> | ||
| Directors of photography from the Netherlands include ] and ]. Internationally successful Dutch actors include ], ],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/euro-star-carice-van-houten-6757545.html|title=Euro star: Carice van Houten|first=Lydia|last= Slater|date=10 April 2012|website=Evening Standard}}</ref> ],<ref name="elsevier">{{cite web|url =https://www.elsevierweekblad.nl/cultuur/article/2015/10/1973-monique-van-de-ven-voor-altijd-olga-2698674W/|title =1973 – Monique van de Ven: Voor altijd Olga|first =Bram|last =Hahn|website =Elsevier Weekblad|date =7 October 2015|language =nl|access-date =26 July 2019|archive-date =26 July 2019|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20190726013056/https://www.elsevierweekblad.nl/cultuur/article/2015/10/1973-monique-van-de-ven-voor-altijd-olga-2698674W/|url-status =dead}}</ref> and ].<ref name= "NYTimesArticle1">{{cite news | first = Justine | last = Elias | title = Famke Janssen; Transformations As a Way of Life, Not Just on Screen | newspaper = The New York Times | date = 15 November 1998 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1998/11/15/movies/holiday-films-up-coming-famke-janssen-transformations-way-life-not-just-screen.html | access-date = 16 October 2011}}</ref> | |||
| Internationally, successful directors of photography from the Netherlands are ] ('']'', '']'', '']'') and ] ('']'' and '']''). Van Hoytema went to the ] (]) and Van de Sande went to the ]. Internationally successful Dutch actors include ] (]), ] ('']''), ] ('']''), ] ('']''), ] ('']'') and ] ('']''). | |||
| The Netherlands has a well developed television market, with both multiple commercial and public broadcasters. Imported TV programmes, as well as interviews with responses in a foreign language, are virtually always shown with the original sound and subtitled. Only foreign shows for children are dubbed.<ref name="HaGanahl2013">''''. Routledge; 2013. {{ISBN|978-1-135-24977-9}}. p. 101–103.</ref> | The Netherlands has a well developed television market, with both multiple commercial and public broadcasters. Imported TV programmes, as well as interviews with responses in a foreign language, are virtually always shown with the original sound and subtitled. Only foreign shows for children are dubbed.<ref name="HaGanahl2013">''''. Routledge; 2013. {{ISBN|978-1-135-24977-9}}. p. 101–103.</ref> | ||
| TV exports from the Netherlands mostly take the form of specific formats and franchises, most notably |
TV exports from the Netherlands mostly take the form of specific formats and franchises, most notably was the internationally active TV production conglomerate ], founded by Dutch media ] ] and ]. Endemol and its subsidiaries created and ran reality, talent, and game show franchises worldwide, including '']'' and '']''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/john-de-mol/|title=John de Mol|website=Forbes}}</ref> Endemol merged with ] in 2015, and again with ] in 2020.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kanter |first1=Jake |date=July 1, 2020 |title=Banijay Group's $2.2BN Endemol Shine Group Takeover Approved By European Commission |url=https://deadline.com/2020/07/banijay-group-endemol-shine-group-takeover-approved-by-european-commission-1202974883/}}</ref> | ||
| === Sports === | === Sports === | ||
| {{Main| |
{{Main|Sport in the Netherlands}} | ||
| ] and ] during a game with the ] against ] at ]]] | ] and ] during a game with the ] against ] at ]]] | ||
| Approximately 4.5 million of the 16.8 million people in the Netherlands are registered |
Approximately 4.5 million of the 16.8 million people in the Netherlands are registered in one of the 35,000 sports clubs in the country. About two-thirds of the population between 15 and 75 participate in sports weekly.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://s2.ned.univie.ac.at/NoN/landeskunde/nl/h11/index.htm |title=Sport in Nederland |access-date=21 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080925042514/http://s2.ned.univie.ac.at/NoN/landeskunde/nl/h11/index.htm |archive-date=25 September 2008 |language=nl}}</ref> ] is the most popular team sport, followed by ] and volleyball. Tennis, gymnastics and golf are the three most widely engaged in individual sports.<ref name="sport">{{cite web |url=http://www.sport.nl/content/nieuwsartikelen/nocnsf/223198?channel=nocnsf |title=Ledental sportbonden opnieuw gestegen |date=24 July 2006 |website=sport.nl |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070812034648/http://www.sport.nl/content/nieuwsartikelen/nocnsf/223198?channel=nocnsf |archive-date=12 August 2007 |access-date=1 June 2016 |url-status=dead |language=nl}}</ref> Organisation of sports began at the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century. Federations for sports were established, rules were unified and sports clubs came into existence. A ] was established in 1912. | ||
| The ] was runner-up in the ] of 1974, 1978, and 2010, and won the ] of 1988. Of ]'s 50 greatest footballers of all time, ] (#5), ] (#19), ] (#25), and ] (#36) are Dutch.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=The 50 Greatest Footballers of All Time|date=21 May 2019|url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2019/05/21/50-greatest-footballers-all-time|magazine=]}}</ref> The ] was runner-up in ] and won the European Championship of 2017. The ] won 9 out of 15 ]s. The ] have won the ] 24 times out of 33 events.<!--updated to 2021--> The ] won the ] and the ]. | |||
| The Netherlands has won 266 medals at the ] and 110 at the ]. ] won the ], the ], and the 1985 UCI World Championship. ] won the ], ] the ]. ], the youngest ] driver to make his debut and to win a race, was the ] and a ]. Dutch ] kickboxers have won the ] 15 times out of 19 tournaments. | |||
| The Dutch ] performance at the ], where they won 8 out of 12 events, 23 out of 36 medals, including 4 clean sweeps, is the most dominant performance in a single sport in Olympic history. Motorcycle racing at the ] has a long history. Assen is the only venue to have held a round of the Motorcycle World Championship every year since its creation in 1949. The circuit was purpose-built for the Dutch TT in 1954, with previous events having been held on public roads. | |||
| The Dutch have also had success in all three of cyclings Grand Tours with ] winning the ], more recently with ] winning the ] and legendary rider ] was the 1985 UCI World Champion, the winner of the ], the ] and still holds or shares numerous ] records including most Tours finished and most kilometers ridden. | |||
| Limburger ] currently races in ], and ]. The coastal resort of ] hosted the ] from 1958 to 1985, and has been announced to return in 2020.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/zandvoort-secures-return-dutch-gp/4388156/|title=Zandvoort secures F1 return as Dutch GP venue|date=14 May 2019|website=motorsports.com|accessdate=19 May 2019 }}</ref> The ] has also been successful, winning the silver medal at the ] and the gold medal ] in ]. The biggest success of the ] was winning the ] and the ]. | |||
| ===Cuisine=== | ===Cuisine=== | ||
| {{Main|Dutch cuisine}} | {{Main|Dutch cuisine}} | ||
| ] with beef stew on plate]] | |||
| {{multiple image|perrow=2|total_width=300|caption_align=center | |||
| Dutch cuisine is simple and straightforward, and contains many dairy products. Breakfast and lunch are typically bread with toppings, with cereal for breakfast as an alternative. Traditionally, dinner consists of potatoes, meat, and vegetables. The Dutch diet was high in carbohydrates and fat, reflecting the dietary needs of the labourers whose culture moulded the country. During the twentieth century this diet changed and became more ], with most ]s being represented in the major cities. In early 2014, ] ranked the Netherlands as the country with the most nutritious, plentiful and healthy food.<ref>{{cite news |last=Reaney |first=Patricia |date=14 January 2014 |title=Netherlands is country with most plentiful, healthy food: Oxfam |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-food-countries-idUSBREA0E01S20140115 |location=New York |publisher=Reuters U.S. |access-date=1 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |author=|title=Good Enough to Eat – Media Briefing |url=http://www.oxfamamerica.org/static/media/files/Good_Enough_To_Eat_Media_brief_FINAL.pdf |location=Boston, MA |publisher=] America |date=14 January 2013 |access-date=1 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808001149/http://www.oxfamamerica.org/static/media/files/Good_Enough_To_Eat_Media_brief_FINAL.pdf |archive-date=8 August 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Modern culinary writers distinguish between three regional forms of Dutch cuisine: northeast, west and south: | |||
| | image1 = Stroopwafels 01.jpg|caption1='']s'' (syrup waffles) are a treat consisting of waffles with caramel-like syrup filling in the middle. | |||
| | image2 = Oliebollen.jpg|caption2='']'', a Dutch pastry eaten on New Year's Eve | |||
| | image3 = Poffertjes-Melkhuis_(cropped).jpg|caption3='']'' are made in a special, so-called, '']''. | |||
| | image4 = 13-06-27-gouda-by-RalfR-125.jpg|caption4=The ] cheese market in ] | |||
| | image5 = Hutspot met stooflap op bord.JPG|caption5='']'' with klapstuk (beef) | |||
| | image6 = Bitterballen mosterd mayo.jpg|caption6='']'' are usually served with ]. | |||
| }} | |||
| Originally, the country's cuisine was shaped by the practices of ] and ], including the cultivation of the soil for growing crops and raising domesticated animals. Dutch cuisine is simple and straightforward, and contains many dairy products. Breakfast and lunch are typically bread with toppings, with cereal for breakfast as an alternative. Traditionally, dinner consists of potatoes, a portion of meat, and (seasonal) vegetables. The Dutch diet was relatively high in carbohydrates and fat, reflecting the dietary needs of the labourers whose culture moulded the country. Without many refinements, it is best described as rustic, though many holidays are still celebrated with special foods. In the course of the twentieth century this diet changed and became much more ], with most ]s being represented in the major cities. | |||
| Modern culinary writers distinguish between three general regional forms of Dutch cuisine. The regions in the northeast of the Netherlands, roughly the provinces of ], ], ], ] and ] north of the ] are the least populated areas of the Netherlands. The late (18th century) introduction of large scale agriculture means that the cuisine is generally known for its many kinds of meats. The relative lack of farms allowed for an abundance of ] and ], though dishes near the coastal regions of Friesland, Groningen and the parts of Overijssel bordering the ] also include a large amount of fish. The various dried sausages, belonging to the ]-family of Dutch sausages are found throughout this region and are highly prized for their often very strong taste. Also smoked sausages are common, of which (''Gelderse'') '']'' is the most renowned. The sausage contains a lot of fat and is very juicy. Larger sausages are often eaten alongside '']'', '']'' or ''zuurkool'' (]); whereas smaller ones are often eaten as a ]. The provinces are also home to hard textured ], pastries and cookies, the latter heavily spiced with ] or ] or contain small bits of meat. Various kinds of ''Kruidkoek'' (such as ]), '']'' and '']'' (small savory pancakes cooked in a waffle iron) are considered typical. Notable characteristics of ''Fries roggebrood'' (Frisian rye bread) is its long baking time (up to 20 hours), resulting in a sweet taste and a deep dark colour.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.warenkennis.nl/graan/soorten.htm|title=Graansoorten|website=Warenkennis.nl|accessdate=3 August 2017}}</ref> In terms of alcoholic beverages, the region is renowned for its many ] (such as '']'') and other high-proof liquors rather than beer, which is, apart from '']'', typical for the rest of the country. As a coastal region, Friesland is home to low-lying grasslands, and thus has a cheese production in common with the Western cuisine. ''Friese Nagelkaas'' (]) is a notable example. | |||
| The provinces of ], ], ], and ] and the Gelderlandic area of ] make up the region in which western Dutch cuisine is found. Because of the abundance of water and flat grasslands that are found here, the area is known for its many dairy products, which include prominent cheeses such as ], ] (spiced cheese with cumin), and ] (traditionally in small spheres) as well as ] and ], while the adjacent ] in ] has since the 16th century beem known for its ], typical whole-grain ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smulweb.nl/blog/tonia/718/de-geschiedenis-van-de-mosterd|title=De geschiedenis van de mosterd - Smulweb Blog|date=5 May 2000}}</ref> and ] industry. Zeeland and South Holland produce a lot of butter, which contains a larger amount of ] than most other European butter varieties. A by-product of the butter-making process, ''karnemelk'' (]), is also considered typical for this region. ] such as ], ] (called ''Zeeuwse Mossels'', since all Dutch mussels for consumption are cleaned in Zeeland's ]), ], ]s and ]s are widely available and typical for the region. '']'', once a local delicacy consisting of small chunks of battered ], has become a national ], just as ]. Pastries in this area tend to be quite doughy, and often contain large amounts of sugar; either caramelised, powdered or crystallised. The '']'' (in its modern form) and '']'' are good examples. Cookies are also produced in great number and tend to contain a lot of butter and sugar, like '']'', as well as a filling of some kind, mostly almond, like '']''. The traditional alcoholic beverages of this region are ] (strong pale lager) and '']'', a high proof ]-flavored spirit, that came to be known in England as ]. A noted exception within the traditional Dutch alcoholic landscape, '']'', a rich and creamy liqueur made from eggs, sugar and brandy, is also native to this region. | |||
| The Southern Dutch cuisine consists of the cuisines of the Dutch provinces of ] and ] and the ] in ]. It is renowned for its many rich pastries, soups, stews and vegetable dishes and is often called Burgundian which is a Dutch idiom invoking the rich Burgundian court which ruled the Low Countries in the Middle Ages, renowned for its splendor and great feasts. It is the only Dutch culinary region that developed an ]. Pastries are abundant, often with rich fillings of cream, custard or fruits. Cakes, such as the '']'' from Limburg and the ''Moorkop'' and '']'' from Brabant, are typical pastries. Savoury pastries also occur, with the {{lang|nl|worstenbroodje}} (a roll with a sausage of ], literally translates into sausage bread) being the most popular. The traditional alcoholic beverage of the region is beer. There are many local brands, ranging from '']'' to '']''. 5 of the 10 ''International Trappist Association'' recognised breweries in the world, are located in the Southern Dutch cultural area. Beer, like wine in French cuisine, is also used in cooking; often in stews. | |||
| In early 2014, ] ranked the Netherlands as the country with the most nutritious, plentiful and healthy food, in a comparison of 125 countries.<ref>{{cite news |last=Reaney |first=Patricia |date=14 January 2014 |title=Netherlands is country with most plentiful, healthy food: Oxfam |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2014/01/15/us-food-countries-idUSBREA0E01S20140115 |newspaper= |location=New York |publisher=Reuters U.S. |accessdate=1 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Good Enough to Eat – Media Briefing|url=http://www.oxfamamerica.org/static/media/files/Good_Enough_To_Eat_Media_brief_FINAL.pdf |location=Boston, MA |publisher=] America |agency= |date=14 January 2013 |accessdate=1 September 2014}}</ref> | |||
| ===Colonial heritage=== | |||
| {{Main|Dutch Empire}} | |||
| {{further|Dutch East Indies|Indos in the Dutch East Indies}} | |||
| ] as it appeared in 1664. Under British rule it became known as ].]] | |||
| From the exploitations in the ] in the 17th century, to the ] in the 19th century, ] continued to expand, reaching their greatest extent by establishing a hegemony of the ] in the early 20th century. The Dutch East Indies, which later formed modern-day Indonesia, was one of the most valuable European colonies in the world and the most important one for the Netherlands.<ref>{{cite book |author=Hart, Jonathan |title=Empires and Colonies |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=LnevC1FYdnEC&pg=PA201 |accessdate=21 August 2012 |year=2008|publisher=Polity |isbn=978-0-7456-2614-7 |pages=201–}}</ref> Over 350 years of mutual heritage has left a significant cultural mark on the Netherlands. | |||
| In the ] of the 17th century, the Netherlands urbanised considerably, mostly financed by corporate revenue from the Asian trade monopolies. Social status was based on merchants' income, which reduced ] and considerably changed the dynamics of Dutch society. When the ] was established in 1815, much of its wealth came from Colonial trade.<ref>To this day the Dutch Royal family is in fact the wealthiest family of the Netherlands. One of the foundations of its wealth was the colonial trade.{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/2007/08/30/worlds-richest-royals-biz-royals07-cx_lk_0830royalintro_slide_15.html?thisSpeed=30000 |title=In Pictures: The World's Richest Royals |work=Forbes |date=30 August 2007 |accessdate=5 March 2010 |first1=Devon |last1=Pendleton |first2=Tatiana |last2=Serafin}}</ref> | |||
| ] of the ] surrenders to Maharaja ] of the ]n ] after the ]. (Depiction at ])]] | |||
| By the 17th century, the Dutch East India Company established their base in parts of ] (modern-day ]). Afterward, they established ports in ], leading to ]. However, their expansion into ] was halted, after their defeat in the ] by the ], during the ]. The Dutch never recovered from the defeat and no longer posed a large colonial threat to ].<ref>{{cite book|first1=M. O.|last1=Koshy|title=The Dutch Power in Kerala, 1729–1758|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ro8SLhyAc9AC|year=1989|publisher=Mittal Publications|isbn=978-81-7099-136-6|page=61}}</ref><ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312081154/http://mod.nic.in/samachar/april15-04/body.html |date=12 March 2016 }} 9th Madras Regiment</ref> | |||
| Universities such as the ], founded in the 16th century, have developed into leading knowledge centres for ]n and Indonesian studies.{{efn|Some of the university faculties still include: Indonesian Languages and Cultures; South-east Asia and Oceania Languages and Cultures; Cultural Anthropology.}} Leiden University has produced leading academics such as ], and still has academics who specialise in Indonesian languages and cultures. Leiden University and in particular ] are educational and scientific institutions that to this day share both an intellectual and historical interest in Indonesian studies. Other scientific institutions in the Netherlands include the Amsterdam ], an anthropological museum with massive collections of Indonesian art, culture, ethnography and anthropology. | |||
| ] patients]] | |||
| The traditions of the ] (KNIL) are maintained by the ] of the modern ]. A dedicated ''] Museum'', a former home for retired KNIL soldiers, exists in ] to this day. | |||
| A specific segment of Dutch literature called ] still exists and includes established authors, such as ], the writer of "The Hidden Force", taking the colonial era as an important source of inspiration.<ref>Nieuwenhuys, Rob ''Mirror of the Indies: A History of Dutch Colonial Literature'' translated from Dutch by E. M. Beekman (Publisher: Periplus, 1999) </ref> One of the great masterpieces of ] is the book "]", written by ] in 1860.<ref>Etty, Elsbeth (July 1998). NRC Handelsblad</ref> | |||
| The regions in the northeast are the least populated areas of the Netherlands. The late 18th century introduction of large scale agriculture means the cuisine is known for its meats. The relative lack of farms allowed for an abundance of ] and ], though dishes near the coastal regions include a large amount of fish. The various dried sausages, belonging to the ]-family of Dutch sausages are found throughout this region. Smoked sausages are common, of which (''Gelderse'') '']'' is the most renowned. Larger sausages are eaten alongside '']'', ''],'' or ''zuurkool'' (]); whereas smaller ones are eaten as a ]. The provinces are home to hard textured ], pastries and cookies. As a coastal region, Friesland is home to low-lying grasslands, and thus has a cheese production in common with the Western cuisine. Cookies are produced in great number and contain a lot of butter and sugar. The traditional alcoholic beverages are beer (strong pale lager) and '']'', a high proof ]-flavoured spirit, that came to be known in England as ]. An exception within the traditional Dutch alcoholic landscape, '']'', a rich and creamy liqueur made from eggs, sugar and brandy, is native to this region.<ref>{{cite book |first=Laura Halpin |last=Rinsky |author2=Glenn Rinsky |title=The Pastry Chef's Companion: A Comprehensive Resource Guide for the Baking and Pastry Professional |url=https://archive.org/details/pastrychefscompa00rins |url-access=limited |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |location=Hoboken, N.J. |year=2009 |page= |isbn=978-0-470-00955-0 |oclc=173182689}}</ref> | |||
| The majority of Dutchmen that repatriated to the Netherlands after and during the Indonesian revolution are ] (Eurasian), native to the islands of the Dutch East Indies. This relatively large Eurasian population had developed over a period of 400 years and were classified by colonial law as belonging to the European legal community.<ref>Bosma U., Raben R. (2008). , University of Michigan, NUS Press, {{ISBN|9971-69-373-9}}</ref> In Dutch they are referred to as ''Indische Nederlanders'' or as Indo (short for Indo-European).<ref>Note: Of the 296,200 so-called Dutch 'repatriants' only 92,200 were expatriate Dutchmen born in the Netherlands. Willems, Wim (2001). ''De uittocht uit Indie 1945–1995''. Bert Bakker, Amsterdam, pp. 12–13. {{ISBN|90-351-2361-1}}.</ref> | |||
| In the West, the abundance of water and flat grasslands, mean the area is known for its dairy products, which include prominent cheeses such as ], ] (spiced cheese with cumin), and ] (traditionally in small spheres) as well as ] and ], while the adjacent ] in ] has since the 16th century been known for its ] and typical whole-grain ]. A by-product of the butter-making process, ''karnemelk'' (]), is considered typical for this region. Seafood such as ], ], ], ]s and ]s are widely available and typical for the region. | |||
| Including their second generation descendants, Indos are currently the largest foreign-born group in the Netherlands. In 2008, the Dutch Central Bureau for Statistics (CBS)<ref>. Cbs.nl. Retrieved on 21 August 2012.</ref> registered 387,000 first- and second-generation Indos living in the Netherlands.<ref>De Vries, Marlene (2009). Amsterdam University Press, {{ISBN|978-90-8964-125-0}}, p. 369</ref> Although considered fully assimilated into Dutch society, as the main ethnic minority in the Netherlands, these 'repatriants' have played a pivotal role in introducing elements of Indonesian culture into Dutch mainstream culture. | |||
| The Southern Dutch cuisine consists of the cuisines of the Dutch provinces of ] and ] and the ] in Belgium. It is renowned for its rich pastries, soups, stews and vegetable dishes. It is the only Dutch culinary region that developed an ]. Pastries are abundant, often with rich fillings of cream, custard or fruits. Cakes, such as the '']'' from Limburg and the ''Moorkop'' and '']'' from Brabant, are typical pastries. Savoury pastries abound, with the {{lang|nl|worstenbroodje}} (a roll with a sausage of ], literally translates into sausage bread) being the most popular. The alcoholic beverage of the region is beer, there are many local brands, ranging from '']'' to '']''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.trappist.be/en/products/beers/westvleteren/|title=Internationale Vereniging Trappist – Westvleteren|website=trappist.be}}</ref> | |||
| Many Indonesian dishes and foodstuffs have become commonplace in the Netherlands. ], a colonial culinary concept, and dishes such as ] and ] are very popular in the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dutchfood.about.com/od/mainmeals/Main_Meals.htm |title=Dutch Food – Main Meals |publisher=about.com |accessdate=19 May 2012}}</ref> Practically any town of any size in the Netherlands has a "toko" (a Dutch Indonesian Shop) or a Chinese-Indonesian restaurant,<ref>. Indisch-eten.startpagina.nl. Retrieved on 21 August 2012.</ref> and many ']' (Night market in Malay/Indonesian) fairs are organised throughout the year. | |||
| {{-}} | |||
| ==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| Line 985: | Line 731: | ||
| {{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||
| ===Sources=== | |||
| == Further reading == | |||
| {{refbegin}} | |||
| ; Geography and environment | |||
| * {{cite book |last=Elliott |first=John |title=The Road to Utrecht in Britain, Spain and the Treaty of Utrecht 1713–2013 |year=2014 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-909662-22-3 |editor-last=Dadson |editor-first=Trevor}} | |||
| {{Refbegin}} | |||
| * {{cite book|first=Jonathan |last=Israel |author-link=Jonathan Israel |title=The Dutch Republic: Its Rise, Greatness and Fall, 1477–1806|series=]|year=1995|isbn=0-19-873072-1}} | |||
| * Burke, Gerald L. ''The making of Dutch towns: A study in urban development from the 10th–17th centuries'' (1960) | |||
| * {{cite book |last=Van Nimwegen |first=Olaf |title=De Veertigjarige Oorlog 1672–1712: de strijd van de Nederlanders tegen de Zonnekoning |trans-title=The 40 Years' War 1672–1712: the Dutch struggle against the Sun King|publisher=Prometheus |year=2020 |isbn=978-90-446-3871-4|language=nl}} | |||
| * Lambert, Audrey M. ''The Making of the Dutch Landscape: An Historical Geography of the Netherlands'' (1985); focus on the history of land reclamation | |||
| {{refend}} | |||
| * Meijer, Henk. ''Compact geography of the Netherlands'' (1985) | |||
| * Riley, R. C., and G. J. Ashworth. ''Benelux: An Economic Geography of Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg'' (1975) | |||
| {{Refend}} | |||
| ; History | |||
| {{Refbegin}} | |||
| * Paul Arblaster. ''A History of the Low Countries''. Palgrave Essential Histories Series New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2006. 298 pp. {{ISBN|1-4039-4828-3}}. | |||
| * J. C. H. Blom and E. Lamberts, eds. ''History of the Low Countries'' (1998) | |||
| * Jonathan Israel. ''The Dutch Republic: Its Rise, Greatness, and Fall 1477–1806'' (1995) | |||
| * J. A. Kossmann-Putto and E. H. Kossmann. ''The Low Countries: History of the Northern and Southern Netherlands'' (1987) | |||
| {{Refend}} | |||
| ; Economic indicators | |||
| {{Refbegin}} | |||
| * – 95 page booklet by Holland's commercial website, with facts and figures about the Netherlands, comparing the country's economic indicators with those of other countries. | |||
| {{Refend}} | |||
| ==External links== | ==External links== | ||
| {{Sister project links|Netherlands|voy=Netherlands}} | {{Sister project links|Netherlands|voy=Netherlands}} | ||
| ; Articles | |||
| * {{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/country_profiles/1043423.stm|title=Netherlands profiles – Overview|accessdate=4 February 2018 |work=BBC News |date=3 March 2010 }} | |||
| * {{cite web. |url = https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3204.htm |title = U.S. Relations With the Netherlands |accessdate=4 February 2018 |publisher=] }} | |||
| ; General information | |||
| * {{CIA World Factbook link|nl|Netherlands}} | |||
| * from UCB Libraries GovPubs | * from UCB Libraries GovPubs | ||
| * {{curlie|Regional/Europe/Netherlands}} | |||
| * | * | ||
| * | |||
| * from the ] | * from the ] | ||
| * {{Wikiatlas|Netherlands}} | * {{Wikiatlas|Netherlands}} | ||
| Line 1,022: | Line 747: | ||
| * from ] | * from ] | ||
| '''Government''' | |||
| * – official Dutch government portal | |||
| * – official Dutch government web site | * – official Dutch government web site | ||
| * (CBS) – Key figures from the Dutch bureau of statistics | * (CBS) – Key figures from the Dutch bureau of statistics | ||
| * {{Statoids|id=unl|title=Provinces of Netherlands}} | * {{Statoids|id=unl|title=Provinces of Netherlands}} | ||
| '''Travel''' | |||
| * – English website of the Netherlands tourist office | * – English website of the Netherlands tourist office | ||
| * – Organisation responsible for promoting the Netherlands nationally and internationally | |||
| * - Online travel guide for the Netherlands | |||
| * – Organisation responsible for promoting the Netherlands nationally and internationally | |||
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Latest revision as of 02:25, 2 January 2025
Country in Northwestern Europe "Nederland" redirects here. For other uses, see Nederland (disambiguation). This article is about the constituent country. For the sovereign state, see Kingdom of the Netherlands. For other uses, see Netherlands (disambiguation).Constituent country in the Kingdom of the Netherlands
NetherlandsNederland (Dutch)
In 2 regional languages
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constituent country in the Kingdom of the Netherlands | |||||
 Flag  Coat of arms | |||||
| Motto: Je maintiendrai (French) ("I will maintain") | |||||
| Anthem: Wilhelmus (Dutch) ("William of Nassau") | |||||
.png) Netherlands on the globe Metropolitan Netherlands in Europe Municipalities in the CaribbeanLocation of Netherlands (dark green)– in Europe (light green & dark grey) | |||||
| Sovereign state | Kingdom of the Netherlands | ||||
| Before independence | Spanish Netherlands | ||||
| Act of Abjuration | 26 July 1581 | ||||
| Peace of Münster | 30 January 1648 | ||||
| United Kingdom of the Netherlands | 16 March 1815 | ||||
| Liberation Day | 5 May 1945 | ||||
| Kingdom Charter | 15 December 1954 | ||||
| Caribbean reorganisation | 10 October 2010 | ||||
| Capitaland largest city | Amsterdam 52°22′N 4°53′E / 52.367°N 4.883°E / 52.367; 4.883 | ||||
| Government seat | The Hague | ||||
| Official languages | Dutch | ||||
| Regional languages | |||||
| Recognised languages | |||||
| Ethnic groups (2022) |
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| Religion (2023) |
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| Demonym(s) | Dutch | ||||
| Government | Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy | ||||
| • Monarch | Willem-Alexander | ||||
| • Prime Minister | Dick Schoof | ||||
| Legislature | States General | ||||
| • Upper house | Senate | ||||
| • Lower house | House of Representatives | ||||
| European Parliament | |||||
| • Netherlands constituency | 31 seats | ||||
| Area | |||||
| • Total | 41,865 km (16,164 sq mi) (134th) | ||||
| • Water (%) | 18.41 | ||||
| Highest elevation (Mount Scenery) | 887 m (2,910 ft) | ||||
| Population | |||||
| • 6 January 2025 estimate |  18,252,800 (69th) | ||||
| • 2011 census | 16,655,799 | ||||
| • Density | 520/km (1,346.8/sq mi) (33rd) | ||||
| GDP (PPP) | 2024 estimate | ||||
| • Total |  $1.460 trillion (28th) | ||||
| • Per capita | $81,494 (11th) | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | 2024 estimate | ||||
| • Total | $1.218 trillion (17th) | ||||
| • Per capita | $67,984 (11th) | ||||
| Gini (2021) |  26.4low | ||||
| HDI (2022) |  0.946very high · 10th | ||||
| Currency | |||||
| Time zone | |||||
| • Summer (DST) | |||||
| Driving side | Right | ||||
| Calling code | +31, +599 | ||||
| Internet TLD | .nl, .bq | ||||
The Netherlands, informally Holland, is a country in Northwestern Europe, with overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is the largest of the four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Netherlands consists of twelve provinces; it borders Germany to the east and Belgium to the south, with a North Sea coastline to the north and west. It shares maritime borders with the United Kingdom, Germany, and Belgium. The official language is Dutch, with West Frisian as a secondary official language in the province of Friesland. Dutch, English, and Papiamento are official in the Caribbean territories.
Netherlands literally means "lower countries" in reference to its low elevation and flat topography, with 26% below sea level. Most of the areas below sea level, known as polders, are the result of land reclamation that began in the 14th century. In the Republican period, which began in 1588, the Netherlands entered a unique era of political, economic, and cultural greatness, ranked among the most powerful and influential in Europe and the world; this period is known as the Dutch Golden Age. During this time, its trading companies, the Dutch East India Company and the Dutch West India Company, established colonies and trading posts all over the world.
With a population of over 18 million people, all living within a total area of 41,850 km (16,160 sq mi)—of which the land area is 33,500 km (12,900 sq mi)—the Netherlands is the 33rd most densely populated country, with a density of 535 people per square kilometre (1,390 people/sq mi). Nevertheless, it is the world's second-largest exporter of food and agricultural products by value, owing to its fertile soil, mild climate, intensive agriculture, and inventiveness. The four largest cities in the Netherlands are Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht. Amsterdam is the country's most populous city and the nominal capital, though the primary national political institutions are located in the Hague.
The Netherlands has been a parliamentary constitutional monarchy with a unitary structure since 1848. The country has a tradition of pillarisation (separation of citizens into groups by religion and political beliefs) and a long record of social tolerance, having legalised prostitution and euthanasia, along with maintaining a liberal drug policy. The Netherlands allowed women's suffrage in 1919 and was the first country to legalise same-sex marriage in 2001. Its mixed-market advanced economy has the eleventh-highest per capita income globally. The Hague holds the seat of the States General, Cabinet, and Supreme Court. The Port of Rotterdam is the busiest in Europe. Schiphol is the busiest airport in the Netherlands, and the fourth busiest in Europe. Being a developed country, the Netherlands is a founding member of the European Union, eurozone, G10, NATO, OECD, and WTO, as well as a part of the Schengen Area and the trilateral Benelux Union. It hosts intergovernmental organisations and international courts, many of which are in The Hague.
Etymology
Main article: Terminology of the Low CountriesNetherlands and the Low Countries
The countries that comprise the region called the Low Countries (Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg) all have comparatively the same toponymy. Place names with Neder, Nieder, Nedre, Nether, Lage(r) or Low(er) (in Germanic languages) and Bas or Inferior (in Romance languages) are in use in low-lying places all over Europe. The Romans made a distinction between the Roman provinces of downstream Germania Inferior (nowadays part of Belgium and the Netherlands) and upstream Germania Superior. Thus, in the case of the Low Countries and the Netherlands, the geographical location of this lower region is more or less downstream and near the sea, compared to that of the upper region of Germania Superior. The designation 'Low' returned in the 10th-century Duchy of Lower Lorraine, which covered much of the Low Countries.
The Dukes of Burgundy used the term les pays de par deçà ("the lands over here") for the Low Countries. Under Habsburg rule, this became pays d'embas ("lands down-here"). This was translated as Neder-landen in contemporary Dutch official documents. From a regional point of view, Niderlant was also the area between the Meuse and the lower Rhine in the late Middle Ages. From the mid-sixteenth century, the "Low Countries" and the "Netherlands" lost their original deictic meaning.
In most Romance languages, the term "Low Countries" is officially used as the name for the Netherlands.
Holland
The term Holland has frequently been used informally to refer to the whole of the modern country of the Netherlands in various languages, including Dutch and English. In some languages, Holland is used as the formal name for the Netherlands. However, Holland is a region within the Netherlands that consists of the two provinces of North and South Holland. Formerly these were a single province, and earlier the County of Holland, which included parts of present-day Utrecht. The emphasis on Holland during the formation of the Dutch Republic, the Eighty Years' War, and the Anglo-Dutch Wars in the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries, made Holland a pars pro toto for the entire country.
Many Dutch people object to the country being referred to as Holland instead of the Netherlands, on much the same grounds as many Welsh or Scottish people object to the United Kingdom being referred to as England. In particular, those from regions other than Holland find it undesirable or misrepresentative to use the term Holland for the whole country, as the Holland region only comprises two of the twelve provinces, and 38% of Dutch citizens. As of 2019, the Dutch government officially has preferred the Netherlands instead of Holland when talking about the country.
Often Holland or Hollanders is used by the Flemish to refer to the Dutch in the Netherlands, and by the Southern Dutch (Dutch living "below the great rivers", a natural cultural, social and religious boundary formed by the rivers Rhine and Meuse) to refer to the Northern Dutch (Dutch living North of these rivers). In the Southern province of Limburg, the term is used for the Dutch from the other 11 provinces. The use of the term in this context by the Southern Dutch is in a derogatory fashion.
Dutch
Dutch is used as the adjective for the Netherlands, as well as the demonym. The origins of the word go back to Proto-Germanic *þiudiskaz, Latinised into Theodiscus, meaning "popular" or "of the people", akin to Old Dutch Dietsch or Old English þeodisc, meaning "(of) the common (Germanic) people". At first, the English language used Dutch to refer to any or all speakers of West Germanic languages. Gradually its meaning shifted to the West Germanic people they had the most contact with.
History
Main article: History of the NetherlandsPrehistory (before 800 BC)
Main article: Prehistory of the Netherlands
The Netherlands in 5500 BC
Bronze Age cultures in the Netherlands
The oldest human (Neanderthal) traces in the Netherlands, believed to be about 250,000 years old, were found near Maastricht. At the end of the Ice Age, the nomadic late Upper Palaeolithic Hamburg culture (13,000–10,000 BC) hunted reindeer in the area, using spears. The later Ahrensburg culture (11,200–9,500 BC) used bow and arrow. From Mesolithic Maglemosian-like tribes (c. 8000 BC), the world's oldest canoe was found in Drenthe.
Indigenous late Mesolithic hunter-gatherers from the Swifterbant culture (c. 5600 BC), related to the southern Scandinavian Ertebølle culture, were strongly linked to rivers and open water. Between 4800 and 4500 BC, the Swifterbant people started to adopt from the neighbouring Linear Pottery culture the practice of animal husbandry, and between 4300 and 4000 BC agriculture. The Funnelbeaker culture (4300–2800 BC) erected the dolmens, large stone grave monuments found in Drenthe. There was a quick transition from the Funnelbeaker farming culture to the pan-European Corded Ware pastoralist culture (c. 2950 BC). In the southwest, the Seine-Oise-Marne culture—related to the Vlaardingen culture (c. 2600 BC)—survived well into the Neolithic period, until it too was succeeded by the Corded Ware culture.
The subsequent Bell Beaker culture (2700–2100 BC) introduced metalwork in copper, gold and later bronze and opened new international trade routes, reflected in copper artefacts. Finds of rare bronze objects suggest that Drenthe was a trading centre in the Bronze Age (2000–800 BC). The Bell Beaker culture developed locally into the Barbed-Wire Beaker culture (2100–1800 BC) and later the Elp culture (1800–800 BC), a Middle Bronze Age culture marked by earthenware pottery. The southern region became dominated by the related Hilversum culture (1800–800 BC).
Celts, Germanic tribes and Romans (800 BC–410 AD)
Main articles: Iron Age Europe, Celts, Germanic peoples, and Netherlands in the Roman eraFrom 800 BC onwards, the Iron Age Celtic Hallstatt culture became influential, replacing the Hilversum culture. Iron ore brought a measure of prosperity and was available throughout the country. Smiths travelled from settlement to settlement with bronze and iron, fabricating tools on demand. The King's grave of Oss (700 BC) was found in a burial mound, the largest of its kind in Western Europe.
The deteriorating climate in Scandinavia from 850 BC and 650 BC might have triggered the migration of Germanic tribes from the North. By the time this migration was complete, around 250 BC, a few general cultural and linguistic groups had emerged. The North Sea Germanic Ingaevones inhabited the northern part of the Low Countries. They would later develop into the Frisii and the early Saxons. The Weser–Rhine Germanic (or Istvaeones) extended along the middle Rhine and Weser and inhabited the Low Countries south of the great rivers. These tribes would eventually develop into the Salian Franks. The Celtic La Tène culture (c. 450 BC to the Roman conquest) expanded over a wide range, including the southern area of the Low Countries. Some scholars have speculated that even a third ethnic identity and language, neither Germanic nor Celtic, survived in the Netherlands until the Roman period, the Nordwestblock culture.
The first author to describe the coast of Holland and Flanders was the geographer Pytheas, who noted in c. 325 BC that in these regions, "more people died in the struggle against water than in the struggle against men." During the Gallic Wars, the area south and west of the Rhine was conquered by Roman forces under Julius Caesar from 57 BC to 53 BC. Caesar describes two main Celtic tribes living in what is now the southern Netherlands: the Menapii and the Eburones. Under Augustus, the Roman Empire would conquer the entirety of the modern day Netherlands, incorporating it into the province of Germania Antiqua in 7 BC, but would be repelled back across the Rhine after the Battle of Teutoburg Forest in 9 AD, with the Rhine becoming fixed as Rome's permanent northern frontier around 12 AD. Notable towns would arise along the Limes Germanicus: Nijmegen and Voorburg. In the first part of Gallia Belgica, the area south of the Limes became part of the Roman province of Germania Inferior. The area to the north of the Rhine, inhabited by the Frisii, remained outside Roman rule, while the Germanic border tribes of the Batavi and Cananefates served in the Roman cavalry. The Batavi rose against the Romans in the Batavian rebellion of 69 AD but were eventually defeated. The Batavi later merged with other tribes into the confederation of the Salian Franks, whose identity emerged in the first half of the third century. Salian Franks appear in Roman texts as both allies and enemies. They were forced by the confederation of the Saxons from the east to move over the Rhine into Roman territory in the fourth century. From their new base in West Flanders and the Southwest Netherlands, they were raiding the English Channel. Roman forces pacified the region but did not expel the Franks, who continued to be feared at least until the time of Julian the Apostate (358) when Salian Franks were allowed to settle as foederati in Texandria.
Early Middle Ages (411–1000)
Main articles: Frankish Kingdom and Frisian Kingdom
After the Roman government in the area collapsed in roughly the year 406, the Franks expanded their territories into numerous kingdoms. By the 490s, Clovis I had conquered and united all these territories in the southern Netherlands in one Frankish kingdom, and from there continued his conquests into Gaul. During this expansion, Franks migrating to the south (modern territory of France and Walloon part of Belgium) eventually adopted the Vulgar Latin of the local population. A widening cultural divide grew with the Franks remaining in their original homeland in the north (i.e. the southern Netherlands and Flanders), who kept on speaking Old Frankish, which by the ninth century had evolved into Old Low Franconian or Old Dutch. A Dutch-French language boundary hence came into existence.
To the north of the Franks, climatic conditions improved, and during the Migration Period Saxons, the closely related Angles, Jutes, and Frisii settled the coast. Many moved on to England and came to be known as Anglo-Saxons, but those who stayed would be referred to as Frisians and their language as Frisian. Frisian was spoken along the entire southern North Sea coast. By the seventh century, a Frisian Kingdom (650–734) under King Aldegisel and King Redbad emerged with Traiectum (Utrecht) as its centre of power, while Dorestad was a flourishing trading place. Between 600 and around 719 the cities were often fought over between the Frisians and the Franks. In 734, at the Battle of the Boarn, the Frisians were defeated after a series of wars. With the approval of the Franks, the Anglo-Saxon missionary Willibrord converted the Frisian people to Christianity and established the Archdiocese of Utrecht. However, his successor Boniface was murdered by the Frisians in 754.
The Frankish Carolingian empire controlled much of Western Europe. In 843, it was divided into three parts—East, Middle, and West Francia. Most of present-day Netherlands became part of Middle Francia, which was a weak kingdom and subject to numerous partitions and annexation attempts by its stronger neighbours. It comprised territories from Frisia in the north to the Kingdom of Italy in the south. Around 850, Lothair I of Middle Francia acknowledged the Viking Rorik of Dorestad as ruler of most of Frisia. When the kingdom of Middle Francia was partitioned in 855, the lands north of the Alps passed to Lothair II and subsequently were named Lotharingia. After he died in 869, Lotharingia was partitioned, into Upper and Lower Lotharingia, the latter comprising the Low Countries that became part of East Francia in 870. Around 879, another Viking expedition led by Godfrid, Duke of Frisia, raided the Frisian lands. Resistance to the Vikings, if any, came from local nobles, who gained in stature as a result, and that laid the basis for the disintegration of Lower Lotharingia into semi-independent states. One of these local nobles was Gerolf of Holland, who assumed lordship in Frisia, and Viking rule came to an end.
High Middle Ages (1000–1384)
Main article: History of urban centres in the Low Countries
The Holy Roman Empire ruled much of the Low Countries in the 10th and 11th century but was not able to maintain political unity. Powerful local nobles turned their cities, counties and duchies into private kingdoms that felt little sense of obligation to the emperor. Holland, Hainaut, Flanders, Gelre, Brabant, and Utrecht were in a state of almost continual war or paradoxically formed personal unions. As Frankish settlement progressed from Flanders and Brabant, the area quickly became Old Low Franconian (or Old Dutch).
Around 1000 AD, due to several agricultural developments, the economy started to develop at a fast pace, and the higher productivity allowed workers to farm more land or become tradesmen. Towns grew around monasteries and castles, and a mercantile middle class began to develop in these urban areas, especially in Flanders, and later Brabant. Wealthy cities started to buy certain privileges for themselves from the sovereign.
Around 1100 AD, farmers from Flanders and Utrecht began draining and cultivating uninhabited swampy land in the western Netherlands, making the emergence of the County of Holland as the centre of power possible. The title of Count of Holland was fought over in the Hook and Cod Wars between 1350 and 1490. The Cod faction consisted of the more progressive cities, while the Hook faction consisted of the conservative noblemen. These noblemen invited Duke Philip the Good of Burgundy to conquer Holland.
Burgundian, Habsburg and Spanish Habsburg Netherlands (1384–1581)
Main articles: Burgundian Netherlands, Habsburg Netherlands, and Spanish Netherlands Habsburg Netherlands
Charles V, Lord of the Netherlands at the Battle of Mühlberg (1547), by Titian-NL.svg)
The Low Countries in the late 14th century
Prince William I of Orange, leader of the Dutch Revolt, by Adriaen Thomasz. Key
Most of the Imperial and French fiefs in what is now the Netherlands and Belgium were united in a personal union by Philip the Good in 1433. The House of Valois-Burgundy and their Habsburg heirs would rule the Low Countries from 1384 to 1581. The new rulers defended Dutch trading interests. The fleets of the County of Holland defeated the fleets of the Hanseatic League several times. Amsterdam grew and in the 15th century became the primary trading port in Europe for grain from the Baltic region. Amsterdam distributed grain to the major cities of Belgium, Northern France and England. This trade was vital because Holland could no longer produce enough grain to feed itself. Land drainage had caused the peat of the former wetlands to reduce to a level that was too low for drainage to be maintained.
Under Habsburg Charles V, all fiefs in the current Netherlands region were united into the Seventeen Provinces, which included most of present-day Belgium, Luxembourg, and parts of France and Germany. In 1568, under Phillip II, the Eighty Years' War between the Provinces and their Spanish ruler began. The level of ferocity exhibited by both sides can be gleaned from a Dutch chronicler's report:
On more than one occasion men were seen hanging their own brothers, who had been taken prisoners in the enemy's ranks... A Spaniard had ceased to be human in their eyes. On one occasion, a surgeon at Veer cut the heart from a Spanish prisoner, nailed it on a vessel's prow, and invited the townsmen to come and fasten their teeth in it, which many did with savage satisfaction.
The Duke of Alba attempted to suppress the Protestant movement in the Netherlands. Netherlanders were "burned, strangled, beheaded, or buried alive" by his "Blood Council" and Spanish soldiers. Bodies were displayed along roads to terrorise the population into submission. Alba boasted of having executed 18,600; this figure does not include those who perished by war and famine.
The first great siege was Alba's effort to capture Haarlem and thereby cut Holland in half. It dragged on from December 1572 to the next summer, when Haarlemers finally surrendered on 13 July upon the promise that the city would be spared from being sacked. It was a stipulation Don Fadrique was unable to honour, when his soldiers mutinied, angered over pay owed and the miserable conditions of the campaign. On 4 November 1576, Spanish tercios seized Antwerp and subjected it to the worst pillage in the Netherlands' history. The citizens resisted but were overcome; seven thousand were killed and a thousand buildings were torched.
Following the sack of Antwerp, delegates from Catholic Brabant, Protestant Holland and Zeeland agreed to join Utrecht and William the Silent in driving out Spanish troops and forming a new government for the Netherlands. Don Juan of Austria, the new Spanish governor, was forced to concede initially, but within months returned to active hostilities. The Dutch looked for help from the Protestant Elizabeth I of England, but she initially stood by her commitments to the Spanish in the Treaty of Bristol of 1574. When the next large-scale battle occurred at Gembloux in 1578, the Spanish forces won easily. In light of the defeat at Gembloux, the southern states of the Seventeen Provinces distanced themselves from the rebels in the north with the 1579 Union of Arras. Opposing them, the northern half of the Seventeen Provinces forged the Union of Utrecht in which they committed to support each other against the Spanish. The Union of Utrecht is seen as the foundation of the modern Netherlands.
,_Johann_Jakob_Wick_(cropped).jpg)
Spanish troops sacked Maastricht in 1579, killing over 10,000 civilians. In 1581, the northern provinces adopted the Act of Abjuration, the declaration of independence in which the provinces officially deposed Philip II. Against the rebels Philip could draw on the resources of the Spanish Empire. Elizabeth I sympathised with the Dutch struggle and sent an army of 7,600 soldiers to aid them. English forces faced the Spanish in the Netherlands under the Duke of Parma in a series of largely indecisive actions that tied down significant numbers of Spanish troops and bought time for the Dutch to reorganise their defences. The war continued until 1648, when Spain under King Philip IV recognised the independence of the seven north-western provinces in the Peace of Münster. Parts of the southern provinces became de facto colonies of the new republican-mercantile empire.
Dutch Republic (1581–1795)
Main articles: Dutch Republic and Evolution of the Dutch Empire
Following the declaration of independence, the provinces of Holland, Zeeland, Groningen, Friesland, Utrecht, Overijssel, and Gelderland entered into a confederation. All these duchies, lordships and counties enjoyed a significant degree of autonomy and was governed by its own administrative body known as the States-Provincial. The confederal government, known as the States General, was headquartered in The Hague and comprised representatives from each of the seven provinces. The sparsely populated region of Drenthe was part of the republic, albeit not considered a province in its own right. Moreover, during the Eighty Years' War, the Republic came to occupy a number of Generality Lands located in Flanders, Brabant and Limburg. These areas were primarily inhabited by Roman Catholics and lacked a distinct governmental structure of their own. They were utilized as a buffer zone between the Republic and the Spanish-controlled Southern Netherlands.
In the Dutch Golden Age, spanning much of the 17th century, the Dutch Empire grew to become one of the major seafaring and economic powers. Science, military and art (especially painting) were among the most acclaimed in the world. By 1650, the Dutch owned 16,000 merchant ships. The Dutch East India Company and the Dutch West India Company established colonies and trading posts all over the world. The Dutch settlement in North America began with the founding of New Amsterdam in 1614. In South Africa, the Dutch settled the Cape Colony in 1652. Dutch colonies in South America were established along the many rivers in the fertile Guyana plains, among them Colony of Surinam (now Suriname). In Asia, the Dutch established a presence in India, the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia), Formosa (now Taiwan), and the only western trading post in Japan, Dejima. During the period of Proto-industrialisation, the empire received 50% of textiles and 80% of silks import from the India's Mughal Empire.
Many economic historians regard the Netherlands as the first thoroughly capitalist country. In early modern Europe, it had the wealthiest trading city in Amsterdam, and the first full-time stock exchange. The inventiveness of the traders led to insurance and retirement funds as well as phenomena such as the boom-bust cycle, the world's first asset-inflation bubble, the tulip mania of 1636–1637, and the world's first bear raider, Isaac le Maire. In 1672 – known in Dutch history as the Rampjaar (Disaster Year) – the Dutch Republic was attacked by France, England and three German Bishoprics simultaneously, in what would become known as the Franco-Dutch War. At sea, it could successfully prevent the English and French navies from blockading the western shores. On land, however, it was almost taken over by the advancing French and German armies from the east. It managed to turn the tide by inundating parts of Holland.
From 1672 to 1712, the Republic, led by William III of Orange and Anthonie Heinsius would regularly clash with France in what some historians have come to call the Forty Years' War. In the Nine Years' War and the War of the Spanish Succession, the Republic was at the centre of anti-French coalitions. The Dutch ultimately successfully defended the Spanish Netherlands, established a barrier there, and their troops proved central to the alliance which halted French territorial expansion in Europe until a new cycle began in 1792 with the French Revolutionary Wars. However, the wars left them effectively bankrupt, and inflicted permanent damage on the Dutch merchant navy; while they remained the dominant economic power in the Far East, Britain took over as the pre-eminent global commercial and maritime power. Between 1590 and 1713, the United Provinces consistently possessed one of Europe's largest and most capable armies. However, following the conclusion of the War of the Spanish Succession, other major powers such as Prussia, Austria, Britain, and Russia significantly expanded their military forces. The Republic struggled to match these developments, and gradually assumed the status of a mid-tier power. However, historians have sometimes overstated the extent of this decline, especially when considering the period up to the 1750s.
Batavian Republic and Kingdom (1795–1890)
Main articles: Batavian Republic, Kingdom of Holland, Sovereign Principality of the United Netherlands, United Kingdom of the Netherlands, and Kingdom of the NetherlandsIn the 18th century the Dutch Republic had seen a state of a general decline, with economic competition from England and long-standing rivalries between the two main factions in Dutch society, the republican Staatsgezinden and the supporters of the stadtholder the Prinsgezinden as main political factions. With the armed support of revolutionary France, Dutch republicans proclaimed the Batavian Republic, modelled after the French Republic and rendering the Netherlands a unitary state on 19 January 1795. The stadtholder William V of Orange had fled to England. From 1806 to 1810, the Kingdom of Holland was set up by Napoleon Bonaparte as a puppet kingdom governed by his brother Louis Bonaparte. However, King Louis Bonaparte tried to serve Dutch interests instead of his brother's, and he was forced to abdicate on 1 July 1810. The Emperor sent in an army and the Netherlands became part of the French Empire until November 1813, when Napoleon was defeated in the Battle of Leipzig.
William Frederick, son of the last stadtholder, returned to the Netherlands in 1813 and proclaimed himself Sovereign Prince. Two years later, the Congress of Vienna added the southern Netherlands to the north to create a strong country on the northern border of France. William Frederick raised this United Netherlands to the status of a kingdom and proclaimed himself as King William I in 1815. William became hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg in exchange for his German possessions. However, the Southern Netherlands had been culturally separate from the north since 1581, and rebelled. The south gained independence in 1830 as Belgium (recognised by the Northern Netherlands in 1839 as the Kingdom of the Netherlands was created by decree), while the personal union between Luxembourg and the Netherlands was severed in 1890, when William III died with no surviving male heirs. Ascendancy laws prevented his daughter Queen Wilhelmina from becoming the next Grand Duchess.
The Belgian Revolution and the Java War in the Dutch East Indies brought the Netherlands to the brink of bankruptcy. However, the Cultivation System was introduced in 1830; in the Dutch East Indies, 20% of village land had to be devoted to government crops for export. The policy brought the Dutch enormous wealth and made the colony self-sufficient. The Netherlands abolished slavery in its colonies in 1863. Enslaved people in Suriname would be fully free only in 1873.
World wars and beyond (1890–present)
Main articles: History of the Netherlands (1900–present), Netherlands in World War I, and Netherlands in World War II
The Netherlands remained neutral during World War I, in part because the import of goods through the Netherlands proved essential to German survival until the blockade by the British Royal Navy in 1916. That changed in World War II, when Germany invaded the Netherlands on 10 May 1940. The Rotterdam Blitz forced most of the Dutch army to surrender. During the occupation, over 100,000 Dutch Jews were transported to Nazi extermination camps; only a few survived. Dutch workers were conscripted for forced labour in Germany, civilians who resisted were killed in reprisal for attacks on German soldiers, and the countryside was plundered for food. Although there were thousands of Dutch who risked their lives by hiding Jews from the Germans, over 20,000 Dutch fascists joined the Waffen SS. Political collaborators were members of the fascist NSB, the only legal political party in the occupied Netherlands. On 8 December 1941, the Dutch government-in-exile in London declared war on Japan, but could not prevent the Japanese occupation of the Dutch East Indies. In 1944–45, the First Canadian Army liberated much of the Netherlands. Soon after VE Day, the Dutch fought a colonial war against the new Republic of Indonesia.
Decolonisation
In 1954, the Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands reformed the political structure as a result of international pressure to carry out decolonisation. The Dutch colonies of Surinam and Curaçao and Dependencies and the European country all became countries within the Kingdom, on a basis of equality. Indonesia had declared its independence in August 1945. Suriname followed in 1975. The Netherlands was one of the founding members of Benelux and NATO. In the 1950s, the Netherlands became one of the six founding countries of the European Communities, following the 1952 establishment of the European Coal and Steel Community, and subsequent 1958 creations of the European Economic Community and European Atomic Energy Community. In 1993, the former two were incorporated into the European Union.
Government-encouraged emigration efforts to reduce population density prompted some 500,000 Dutch to leave the country after the war. The 1960s and 1970s were a time of great social and cultural change, such as rapid de-pillarisation. Students and other youth rejected traditional mores and pushed for change in matters such as women's rights, sexuality, disarmament and environmental issues. In 2002 the euro was introduced as fiat money, and in 2010 the Netherlands Antilles was dissolved. Referendums were held on each island. As a result, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba (the BES islands) were incorporated as special municipalities upon the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles. The special municipalities are collectively known as the Caribbean Netherlands.
Geography
Further information: Geography of the Netherlands
The European Netherlands has a total area of 41,543 km (16,040 sq mi), including water bodies, and a land area of 33,481 km (12,927 sq mi). The Caribbean Netherlands has a total area of 328 km (127 sq mi) It lies between latitudes 50° and 54° N, and longitudes 3° and 8° E.
The Netherlands is geographically very low relative to sea level and is considered a flat country, with about 26% of its area and 21% of its population below sea level. The European part of the country is for the most part flat, with the exception of foothills in the far southeast, up to a height of no more than 322 m (1,056 ft) at the Vaalserberg, and some low hill ranges in the central parts. Most of the areas below sea level are caused by peat extraction or achieved through land reclamation. Since the late 16th century, large polder areas are preserved through elaborate drainage systems that include dikes, canals and pumping stations.
Much of the country was originally formed by the estuaries of three large European rivers: the Rhine (Rijn), the Meuse (Maas) and the Scheldt (Schelde), as well as their tributaries. The south-western part of the Netherlands is a river delta of these rivers, the Rhine–Meuse–Scheldt delta.
The European Netherlands is divided into north and south parts by the Rhine, the Waal, its main tributary branch, and the Meuse. These rivers functioned as a natural barrier between fiefdoms and hence historically created a cultural divide, as is evident in some phonetic traits that are recognisable on either side of what the Dutch call their "Great Rivers" (de Grote Rivieren). Another significant branch of the Rhine, the IJssel river, discharges into Lake IJssel, the former Zuiderzee ('southern sea'). Just like the previous, this river forms a linguistic divide: people to the northeast of this river speak Dutch Low Saxon dialects (except for the province of Friesland, which has its own language).
Geology
Main article: Geology of the NetherlandsThe Netherlands is mostly composed of deltaic, coastal and aeolian derived sediments during the Pleistocene glacial and interglacial periods.
Almost the entire west Netherlands is composed of the Rhine-Meuse river estuary. In the east of the Netherlands, remains are found of the last ice age, which ended approximately ten thousand years ago. As the continental ice sheet moved in from the north, it pushed moraine forward. The ice sheet halted as it covered the eastern half of the Netherlands. After the ice age ended, the moraine remained in the form of a long hill-line. The cities of Arnhem and Nijmegen are built on these hills.
Floods
Main articles: Flood control in the Netherlands, List of floods in the Netherlands, and Storm tides of the North Sea
Over the centuries, the Dutch coastline has changed considerably as a result of natural disasters and human intervention.
On 14 December 1287, St. Lucia's flood affected the Netherlands and Germany, killing more than 50,000 people in one of the most destructive floods in recorded history. The St. Elizabeth flood of 1421 and the mismanagement in its aftermath destroyed a newly reclaimed polder, replacing it with the 72 km (28 sq mi) Biesbosch tidal floodplains. The huge North Sea flood of February 1953 caused the collapse of several dikes in the southwest Netherlands; more than 1,800 people drowned. The Dutch government subsequently instituted a large-scale programme, the "Delta Works", to protect the country against future flooding, which was completed over a period of more than 40 years.
The impact of disasters was, to an extent, increased through human activity. Relatively high-lying swampland was drained to be used as farmland. The drainage caused the fertile peat to contract and ground levels to drop; groundwater levels were lowered to compensate, causing the underlying peat to contract further. Additionally, until the 19th century peat was mined, dried, and used for fuel, further exacerbating the problem. Even in flooded areas, peat extraction continued through turf dredging.
To guard against floods, a series of defences against the water were contrived. In the first millennium AD, villages and farmhouses were built on hills called terps. Later, these terps were connected by dikes. In the 12th century, local government agencies called "waterschappen" ("water boards") or "hoogheemraadschappen" ("high home councils") started to appear, whose job it was to maintain the water level and to protect a region from floods; these agencies continue to exist. As the ground level dropped, the dikes by necessity grew and merged into an integrated system. By the 13th century windmills had come into use to pump water. The windmills were later used to drain lakes, creating the famous polders. In 1932 the Afsluitdijk ("Closure Dike") was completed, blocking the former Zuiderzee (Southern Sea) from the North Sea and thus creating the IJsselmeer (IJssel Lake). It became part of the larger Zuiderzee Works in which four polders totalling 2,500 square kilometres (965 sq mi) were reclaimed from the sea.
The Netherlands is one of the countries that may suffer most from climate change. Not only is the rising sea a problem, but erratic weather patterns may cause the rivers to overflow.
Delta Works
Main articles: Delta Works and Flood control in the Netherlands
After the 1953 disaster, the Delta Works was constructed, which is a comprehensive set of civil works throughout the Dutch coast. The project started in 1958 and was largely completed in 1997 with the completion of the Maeslantkering. Since then, new projects have been periodically started to renovate and renew the Delta Works. The main goal of the Delta project was to reduce the risk of flooding in South Holland and Zeeland. This was achieved by raising 3,000 km (1,900 mi) of outer sea-dikes and 10,000 km (6,200 mi) of the inner, canal, and river dikes, and by closing off the sea estuaries of Zeeland. New risk assessments occasionally show problems requiring additional Delta project dike reinforcements. The Delta project is considered by the American Society of Civil Engineers as one of the seven wonders of the modern world.
It is anticipated that global warming will result in a rise in sea level. The Netherlands is actively preparing for a sea-level rise. A politically neutral Delta Commission has formulated an action plan to cope with a sea-level rise of 1.10 m (4 ft) and a simultaneous land height decline of 10 cm (4 in). The plan encompasses the reinforcement of existing coastal defences like dikes and dunes with 1.30 m (4.3 ft) of additional flood protection. Climate change will not only threaten the Netherlands from the coast, but could also alter rainfall patterns and river run-off. To protect the country from river flooding, another programme is already being executed. The Room for the River plan grants more flow space to rivers, protects the major populated areas and allows for periodic flooding of indefensible lands. The few residents who lived in these so-called "overflow areas" have been moved to higher ground, with some of that ground having been raised above anticipated flood levels.
Climate change
Main article: Climate change in the NetherlandsThe Netherlands is already affected by climate change. The average temperature in the Netherlands rose by more than 2 °C from 1901 to 2020. Climate change has resulted in increased frequency of droughts and heatwaves. Because significant portions of the Netherlands have been reclaimed from the sea or otherwise are very near sea level, the Netherlands is very vulnerable to sea level rise.
The Netherlands has the fourth largest greenhouse gas emissions per capita of the European Union, in part due to the large number of cows. The Dutch government has set goals to lower emissions in the next few decades. The Dutch response to climate change is driven by a number of unique factors, including larger green recovery plans by the European Union in the face of the COVID-19 and a climate change litigation case, State of the Netherlands v. Urgenda Foundation, which created mandatory climate change mitigation through emissions reductions 25% below 1990 levels. In 2021 CO2 emissions were down 14% compared to 1990 levels. The goal of the Dutch government is to reduce emissions in 2030 by 49%.
Nature
Further information: List of national parks of the Netherlands
The Netherlands has 21 national parks and hundreds of other nature reserves. Most of these are owned by Staatsbosbeheer, the national department for forestry and nature conservation and Natuurmonumenten, a private organisation that buys, protects and manages nature reserves. The Wadden Sea in the north, with its tidal flats and wetlands, is rich in biological diversity, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Nature Site. The Eastern Scheldt, formerly the northeast estuary of the river Scheldt was designated a national park in 2002, making it the largest national park in the Netherlands at an area of 370 km (140 sq mi).
Phytogeographically, the European Netherlands is shared between the Atlantic European and Central European provinces of the Circumboreal Region within the Boreal Kingdom. According to the World Wide Fund for Nature, the European territory of the Netherlands belongs to the ecoregion of Atlantic mixed forests. In 1871, the last old original natural woods were cut down. These woods were planted on anthropogenic heaths and sand-drifts (overgrazed heaths) (Veluwe). The Netherlands had a 2019 Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 0.6/10, ranking it 169th globally out of 172 countries.
Nitrogen pollution is a problem. The number of flying insects in the Netherlands has dropped by 75% since the 1990s.
Caribbean islands
Main articles: Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, Saba (island), and Caribbean NetherlandsIn the Lesser Antilles islands of the Caribbean, the territories of Curaçao, Aruba and Sint Maarten have a constituent country status within the wider Kingdom of the Netherlands. Another three territories which make up the Caribbean Netherlands are designated as special municipalities. The Caribbean Netherlands have maritime borders with Anguilla, Curaçao, France (Saint Barthélemy), Saint Kitts and Nevis, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Venezuela. The islands of the Caribbean Netherlands enjoy a tropical climate with warm weather all year round.
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Within this island group:
- Bonaire is part of the ABC islands within the Leeward Antilles island chain off the Venezuelan coast. The Leeward Antilles have a mixed volcanic and coral origin.
- Saba and Sint Eustatius are part of the SSS islands within the Leeward Islands. They are located east of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The locals (French, Spanish, Dutch and the locally spoken English) consider them part of the Windward Islands, although in the international English language, the Windward Islands refer to other islands further south. These two islands are of volcanic origin and hilly, leaving little ground suitable for agriculture. The highest point is Mount Scenery, 887 m (2,910 ft), on Saba. This is the highest point in the country and in the entire Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Government and politics
Main article: Politics of the Netherlands
The Netherlands has been a constitutional monarchy since 1815 and a parliamentary democracy since 1848. The Netherlands is described as a consociational state. Dutch politics and governance are characterised by an effort to achieve broad consensus on important issues. The Netherlands was ranked as the 17th best electoral democracy in the world by V-Dem Democracy indices in 2023 and 9th most democratic country in the world by the Democracy Index (The Economist) in 2022.
The monarch is the head of state, at present King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands. Constitutionally, the position is equipped with limited powers due to ministerial responsibility.
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Willem-AlexanderKing of the Netherlands
since 30 April 2013
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Dick SchoofPrime Minister of the Netherlands
since 2 July 2024
The executive power is formed by the government that includes the monarch and the Council of Ministers, the deliberative organ of the Dutch cabinet. The cabinet usually consists of 13 to 16 ministers and a varying number of state secretaries. One to three ministers are ministers without portfolio. The council of ministers is presided over by the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, who often is the leader of the largest party of the coalition. The Prime Minister is a primus inter pares, with no explicit powers beyond those of the other ministers. Dick Schoof has been Prime Minister since July 2024, succeeding the longest-serving Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
The cabinet is responsible to the bicameral parliament, the States General, which also has legislative powers. The 150 members of the House of Representatives, the lower house, are elected in direct elections on the basis of party-list proportional representation. These are held every four years, or sooner in case the cabinet falls. The provincial assemblies, the States Provincial, are directly elected every four years as well. The members of the provincial assemblies elect the 75 members of the Senate, the upper house, which has the power to reject laws, but not amend them.
Political culture
Main articles: Political parties of the Netherlands and Politics of the Netherlands
Both trade unions and employers organisations are consulted in policymaking in the financial, economic and social areas. They meet regularly with the government in the Social-Economic Council.
The Netherlands has a tradition of social tolerance. In the late 19th century this Dutch tradition of religious tolerance transformed into a system of pillarisation, in which religious groups coexisted separately and only interacted at the level of government. Protection for LGBT and abortion rights are enshrined within the Netherlands' foreign aid policy.
No single party has held a majority in parliament since the 19th century, and as a result, coalition cabinets had to be formed. Since suffrage became universal in 1917, the Dutch political system has been dominated by three families of political parties: Christian Democrats (currently the CDA), Social Democrats (currently the PvdA), and Liberals (currently the VVD). In November 2023, the right-wing populist Party for Freedom of Geert Wilders was the winner of a general election, securing 37 out of 150 seats. A cabinet was inaugurated in July 2024, and Dick Schoof succeeded Mark Rutte as prime minister.
Administrative divisions
The Netherlands is divided into twelve provinces, each under a King's Commissioner. All provinces are divided into municipalities (gemeenten), of which there are 342 (2023).
The country is subdivided into 21 water districts, governed by a water board (waterschap or hoogheemraadschap), each having authority in matters concerning water management. The creation of water boards pre-dates that of the nation itself, the first appearing in 1196. The Dutch water boards are among the oldest democratic entities in the world still in existence. Direct elections of the water boards take place every four years.
Within the Dutch town of Baarle-Nassau, are 22 Belgian exclaves and within those are 8 Dutch enclaves.
| Province | Capital | Largest city | Total area (km) |
Land area (km) |
Population (2023) |
Density (/km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Drenthe |
Assen | 2,680 | 2,633 | 502,051 | 191 | |
 Flevoland |
Lelystad | Almere | 2,412 | 1,410 | 444,701 | 315 |
 Friesland |
Leeuwarden | 5,753 | 3,340 | 659,551 | 197 | |
 Gelderland |
Arnhem | Nijmegen | 5,136 | 4,960 | 2,133,708 | 430 |
 Groningen |
Groningen | 2,955 | 2,316 | 596,075 | 257 | |
 Limburg |
Maastricht | 2,210 | 2,145 | 1,128,367 | 526 | |
 North Brabant |
's-Hertogenbosch | Eindhoven | 5,082 | 4,902 | 2,626,210 | 536 |
 North Holland |
Haarlem | Amsterdam | 4,092 | 2,663 | 2,952,622 | 1,109 |
 Overijssel |
Zwolle | Enschede | 3,421 | 3,317 | 1,184,333 | 357 |
 South Holland |
The Hague | Rotterdam | 3,308 | 2,698 | 3,804,906 | 1,410 |
 Utrecht |
Utrecht | 1,560 | 1,484 | 1,387,643 | 935 | |
 Zeeland |
Middelburg | 2,933 | 1,780 | 391,124 | 220 | |
| Mainland | 41,543 | 33,647 | 17,811,291 | 529 | ||
The administrative structure on the three BES islands, collectively known as the Caribbean Netherlands, is outside the twelve provinces. These islands have the status of openbare lichamen (public bodies). In the Netherlands these administrative units are often referred to as special municipalities.
| Island | Capital | Area (km) |
Population (2023) |
Density (/km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Bonaire |
Kralendijk | 288 | 24,090 | 84 |
 Saba |
The Bottom | 13 | 2,035 | 157 |
 Sint Eustatius |
Oranjestad | 21 | 3,293 | 157 |
| Caribbean Netherlands | 322 | 29,418 | 91 | |
Foreign relations
Main articles: Foreign relations of the Netherlands and List of diplomatic missions of the Netherlands
The history of Dutch foreign policy has been characterized by its neutrality. According to the 2024 Global Peace Index, Netherlands is the 18th most peaceful country in the world. Since World War II, the Netherlands has become a member of a large number of international organisations, most prominently the UN, NATO and the EU.
The foreign policy of the Netherlands is based on four basic commitments: to Atlantic co-operation, to European integration, to international development and to international law. One of the more controversial international issues surrounding the Netherlands is its liberal policy towards soft drugs.
The historical ties inherited from its colonial past in Indonesia and Suriname still influence the foreign relations of the Netherlands. Many with heritage from these countries now live permanently in the Netherlands.
Military
Main article: Armed forces of the Netherlands
Holland-class offshore patrol vessel of the Royal Netherlands Navy
F-35 Lightning II of the Royal Netherlands Air Force
The Netherlands has one of the oldest standing armies in Europe; it was first established in the late 1500s. After the defeat of Napoleon, the Dutch army was transformed into a conscription army. The Netherlands abandoned its neutrality in 1948 when it signed the Treaty of Brussels, and became a founding member of NATO in 1949. The Dutch military was therefore part of the NATO strength in Cold War Europe. In 1983 the (ceremonial) function of commander of chief of the monarch was transferred to the government, which means the monarch (nominal head of state) has no formal military function. In 1996 conscription was suspended, and the Dutch army was once again transformed into a professional army. Since the 1990s the Dutch army has been involved in the Bosnian War and the Kosovo War, it held a province in Iraq after the defeat of Saddam Hussein, and it was engaged in Afghanistan. The Netherlands has ratified many international conventions concerning war law. The Netherlands decided not to sign the UN treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
The military is composed of four branches, all of which carry the prefix Koninklijke (Royal):
- Koninklijke Marine (KM), the Royal Netherlands Navy, including the Naval Air Service and Marine Corps;
- Koninklijke Landmacht (KL), the Royal Netherlands Army;
- Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu), the Royal Netherlands Air Force;
- Koninklijke Marechaussee (KMar), the Royal Marechaussee (Military Police), tasks include military police and border control.
The submarine service opened to women on 1 January 2017. The Korps Commandotroepen, the Special Operations Force of the Netherlands Army, is open to women, but because of the extremely high physical demands for initial training, it is almost impossible for a woman to become a commando. The Dutch Ministry of Defence employs more than 70,000 personnel, including over 20,000 civilians and over 50,000 military personnel.
Economy
Main article: Economy of the Netherlands
Since the 16th century, shipping, fishing, agriculture, trade, and banking have been leading sectors of the Dutch economy. The Netherlands has a high level of economic freedom. The Netherlands is one of the top countries in the Global Enabling Trade Report (2nd in 2016), and was ranked the fifth most competitive economy in the world by the Swiss International Institute for Management Development in 2017. The country was ranked the 8th most innovative nation in the world in the 2024 Global Innovation Index down from 2nd in 2018.
As of 2020, the key trading partners of the Netherlands were Germany, Belgium, the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Italy, China and Russia. The Netherlands is one of the world's 10 leading exporting countries. Foodstuffs form the largest industrial sector. Other major industries include chemicals, metallurgy, machinery, electrical goods, trade, services and tourism. Examples of international Dutch companies operating in the Netherlands include Randstad NV, Heineken, KLM, financial services (ING, ABN AMRO, Rabobank), chemicals (DSM, AKZO), petroleum refining (Shell plc), electronic machinery (Philips, ASML), and satellite navigation (TomTom).
The Netherlands has the 17th-largest economy in the world, and ranks 11th in GDP (nominal) per capita. The Netherlands has low income inequality, but wealth inequality is relatively high. Despite ranking 11th in GDP per capita, UNICEF ranked the Netherlands 1st in child well-being in rich countries, both in 2007 and in 2013.
Amsterdam is the financial and business capital of the Netherlands. The Amsterdam Stock Exchange (AEX), part of Euronext, is the world's oldest stock exchange and is one of Europe's largest bourses. As a founding member of the euro, the Netherlands replaced (for accounting purposes) its former currency, the "gulden" (guilder), on 1 January 1999. Actual euro coins and banknotes followed on 1 January 2002. One euro was equivalent to 2.20371 Dutch guilders. In the Caribbean Netherlands, the United States dollar is used instead. The Netherlands is a "conduit country" that helps to funnel profits from high-tax countries to tax havens. It has been ranked as the 4th largest tax haven in the world.
The Dutch location gives it prime access to markets in the United Kingdom and Germany, with the Port of Rotterdam being the largest port in Europe. Other important parts of the economy are international trade, banking and transport. The Netherlands successfully addressed the issue of public finances and stagnating job growth long before its European partners. Amsterdam is the 5th-busiest tourist destination in Europe, with more than 4.2 million international visitors. Since the enlargement of the EU, large numbers of migrant workers have arrived in the Netherlands from Central and Eastern Europe.
The Netherlands continues to be one of the leading European nations for attracting foreign direct investment and is one of the five largest investors in the United States. The economy experienced a slowdown in 2005, but in 2006 recovered to the fastest pace in six years on the back of increased exports and strong investment. The pace of job growth reached 10-year highs in 2007. The Netherlands is the fourth-most competitive economy in the world, according to the World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Report.
Energy
Beginning in the 1950s, the Netherlands discovered huge natural gas resources. The sale of natural gas generated enormous revenues for the Netherlands for decades, adding, over sixty years, hundreds of billions of euros to the government's budget. However, the unforeseen consequences of the country's huge energy wealth impacted the competitiveness of other sectors of the economy, leading to the theory of Dutch disease. The field is operated by government-owned Gasunie and output is jointly exploited by the government, Royal Dutch Shell, and ExxonMobil. Gas production caused earthquakes which damaged housing. After a large public backlash, the government decided to phase out gas production from the field.
The Netherlands has made notable progress in its transition to a carbon-neutral economy. Thanks to increasing energy efficiency, energy demand shows signs of decoupling from economic growth. The share of energy from renewable sources doubled from 2008 to 2019, with especially strong growth in offshore wind and rooftop solar. However, the Netherlands remains heavily reliant on fossil fuels and has a concentration of energy- and emission-intensive industries that will not be easy to decarbonise. Its 2019 Climate Agreement defines policies and measures to support the achievement of Dutch climate targets and was developed through a collaborative process involving parties from across Dutch society. As of 2018, the Netherlands had one of the highest rates of carbon dioxide emissions per person in the European Union.
Agriculture and natural resources
The Netherlands' biocapacity totals only 0.8 global hectares per person in 2016, 0.2 of which are dedicated to agriculture. The Dutch biocapacity per person is just about half of the 1.6 global hectares of biocapacity per person available worldwide. In contrast, in 2016, the Dutch used on average 4.8 global hectares of biocapacity – their ecological footprint of consumption. As a result, the Netherlands was running a biocapacity deficit of 4.0 global hectares per person in 2016. The Dutch waste more food than any other EU citizen, at over three times the EU average.
The Dutch agricultural sector is highly mechanised, and has a strong focus on international exports. It employs about 4% of the Dutch labour force but produces large surpluses in the food-processing industry and accounts for 21% of the Dutch total export value. The Dutch rank first in the European Union and second worldwide in value of agricultural exports, behind only the United States, with agricultural exports earning €80.7 billion in 2014, up from €75.4 billion in 2012. In 2019 agricultural exports were worth €94.5 billion. In an effort to reduce agricultural pollution, the Dutch government is imposing strict limits on the productivity of the farming sector, triggering Dutch farmers' protests.
One-third of the world's exports of chilis, tomatoes, and cucumbers go through the country. The Netherlands exports one-fifteenth of the world's apples. A significant portion of Dutch agricultural exports consists of fresh-cut plants, flowers, and flower bulbs, with the Netherlands exporting two-thirds of the world's total.
Demographics
Main articles: Demography of the Netherlands, Ageing of the Netherlands, and Dutch peopleThe Netherlands had an estimated population of 17,947,406 as of 31 November 2023. It is the 6th most densely populated country in Europe and the 33rd most densely populated country in the world with a density of 424 per square kilometre (1,100/sq mi). Between 1900 and 1950, the country's population almost doubled from 5.1 to 10 million. From 1950 to 2000, the population further increased, to 15.9 million.
The fertility rate in the Netherlands is 1.78 children per woman (2018 estimate), which is high compared with many other European countries, but below the rate of 2.1 children per woman required for natural population replacement. The Netherlands has one of the oldest populations in the world, with the average age of 42.7 years. Life expectancy is high in the Netherlands: 84.3 years for newborn girls and 79.7 for boys (2020 estimate). The Dutch are the tallest people in the world, by nationality, with an average height of 1.81 metres (5 ft 11.3 in) for men and 1.67 metres (5 ft 5.7 in) for women in 2009. The average height of young men in the Netherlands increased from 5 feet, 4 inches to approximately 6 feet between the 1850s until the early 2000s.
The country has a migration rate of 1.9 migrants per 1,000 inhabitants per year. The majority of the population of the Netherlands is ethnically Dutch. In 2022, the population was 74.8% ethnically Dutch, 8.3% other European, 2.4% Turkish, 2.4% Moroccan, 2.0% Indonesian, 2.0% Surinamese, and 8.1% others. Some 150,000 to 200,000 people living in the Netherlands are expatriates, mostly concentrated in and around Amsterdam and The Hague, now constituting almost 10% of the population of these cities. Significant minorities in the country include Frisians 700,000, Jews 41,000-45,000 and the Roma and the Sinti 40,000.
According to Eurostat, in 2010 there were 1.8 million foreign-born residents in the Netherlands, corresponding to 11.1% of the total population. Of these, 1.4 million (8.5%) were born outside the EU and 0.43 million (2.6%) were born in another EU Member State. On 21 November 2016, there were 3.8 million residents in the Netherlands with at least one foreign-born parent. Over half the young people in Amsterdam and Rotterdam have a non-western background. Dutch people, or descendants of Dutch people, are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in South Africa and the United States.
The Randstad is the country's largest conurbation located in the west of the country and contains the four largest cities: Amsterdam in the province North Holland, Rotterdam and The Hague in the province South Holland, and Utrecht in the province Utrecht. The Randstad has a population of about 8.2 million inhabitants and is the 5th largest metropolitan area in Europe. According to Dutch Central Statistics Bureau, in 2015, 28 per cent of the Dutch population had a spendable income above 45,000 euros (which does not include spending on health care or education).
| Largest municipalities in the Netherlands Statistics Netherlands | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | Name | Province | Pop. | Rank | Name | Province | Pop. | ||
 Amsterdam .jpg) Rotterdam |
1 | Amsterdam | North Holland | 931,298 | 11 | Apeldoorn | Gelderland | 168,211 |  The Hague  Utrecht |
| 2 | Rotterdam | South Holland | 670,610 | 12 | Haarlem | North Holland | 167,636 | ||
| 3 | The Hague | South Holland | 566,221 | 13 | Arnhem | Gelderland | 167,632 | ||
| 4 | Utrecht | Utrecht | 374,238 | 14 | Haarlemmermeer | North Holland | 163,128 | ||
| 5 | Eindhoven | North Brabant | 246,417 | 15 | Amersfoort | Utrecht | 161,852 | ||
| 6 | Groningen | Groningen | 243,768 | 16 | Enschede | Overijssel | 161,738 | ||
| 7 | Tilburg | North Brabant | 229,836 | 17 | Zaanstad | North Holland | 161,389 | ||
| 8 | Almere | Flevoland | 226,500 | 18 | 's-Hertogenbosch | North Brabant | 160,757 | ||
| 9 | Breda | North Brabant | 188,078 | 19 | Zwolle | Overijssel | 133,141 | ||
| 10 | Nijmegen | Gelderland | 187,049 | 20 | Leeuwarden | Friesland | 128,810 | ||
Language
Main article: Languages of the Netherlands
The official language of the Netherlands is Dutch, which is spoken by the vast majority of inhabitants. The dialects most spoken in the Netherlands are the Brabantian-Hollandic dialects.
Besides Dutch, West Frisian is recognised as a second official language in the northern province of Friesland (Fryslân in West Frisian). West Frisian has a formal status for government correspondence in that province. Four other languages are protected under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. The first of these recognised regional languages is Low Saxon (Nedersaksisch in Dutch). Low Saxon consists of several dialects of the Low German language spoken in the north and east of the Netherlands, like Tweants in the region of Twente, and Drents in the province of Drenthe.
Limburgish is recognised as a regional language. It consists of Dutch varieties of Meuse-Rhenish and is spoken in the south-eastern province of Limburg. Yiddish and the Romani language were recognised in 1996 as non-territorial languages.
English has a formal status in the special municipalities of Saba and Sint Eustatius. It is widely spoken on these islands. Papiamento has a formal status in the special municipality of Bonaire.
The Netherlands has a long tradition of learning foreign languages, formalised in Dutch education laws. Some 90% of the total population are able to converse in English, 70% in German, and 29% in French. English is a mandatory course in all secondary schools. In most lower level secondary school educations (vmbo), one additional modern foreign language is mandatory during the first two years. In higher level secondary schools (havo and vwo), the acquisition of two additional modern foreign language skills is mandatory. Besides English, the standard modern languages are French and German, although schools can replace one of these with Chinese, Spanish, Russian, Italian, Turkish or Arabic. Additionally, schools in Friesland teach and have exams in West Frisian.
Religion
Main article: Religion in the NetherlandsReligious identification in the Netherlands (2020)
Irreligious (55.4%) Catholic (19.8%) Protestant (14.4%) Muslim (5.2%) Other (5.1%)Forms of Christianity have dominated religious life in what is now the Netherlands for more than 1,200 years, and by the middle of the sixteenth century the country was strongly Protestant (Calvinist). The population was predominantly Christian until the late 20th century. Although significant religious diversity remains, there has been a decline of religious adherence.
In 2020, Statistics Netherlands found that 55% of the total population declared itself non-religious. Groups that represent the non-religious in the Netherlands include Humanistisch Verbond. Catholics comprised 19.8% of the total population, Protestants (14.4%). Muslims comprised 5.2% of the total population and followers of other Christian denominations and other religions (like Judaism, Buddhism and Hinduism) comprised the remaining 5.1%. A 2015 survey from another source found that Protestants outnumbered Catholics.
The southern provinces of North Brabant and Limburg have historically been strongly Catholic, and some residents consider the Catholic Church as a base for their cultural identity. Protestantism in the Netherlands consists of a number of churches within various traditions. The largest of these is the Protestant Church in the Netherlands (PKN), a united church which is Calvinist and Lutheran in orientation. It was formed in 2004 as a merger of the Dutch Reformed Church, the Reformed Churches in the Netherlands and a smaller Lutheran Church. Several orthodox Calvinist and liberal churches did not merge into the PKN. Although Christianity has become a minority in the Netherlands, it contains a Bible Belt from Zeeland to the northern parts of the province Overijssel, in which Protestant beliefs remain strong. Several Christian religious holidays are national holidays (Christmas, Easter, Pentecost, and the Ascension of Jesus).
Islam is the second largest religion in the state. The Muslim population increased from the 1960 as a result of large numbers of migrant workers. This included migrant workers from Turkey and Morocco, as well as migrants from former Dutch colonies, such as Surinam and Indonesia. During the 1990s, Muslim refugees arrived from countries like Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iran, Iraq, Somalia, and Afghanistan. Since 2000 there has been raised awareness of religion, mainly due to Islamic extremism.
Another religion practised is Hinduism, with around 215,000 adherents (slightly over 1% of the population). Most of these are Indo-Surinamese. There are sizeable populations of Hindu immigrants from India and Sri Lanka, and Western adherents of Hinduism-orientated new religious movements such as Hare Krishnas. The Netherlands has an estimated 250,000 Buddhists or people strongly attracted to this religion, mainly ethnic Dutch people. There are about 30,000 Jews in the Netherlands, though the Institute for Jewish Policy Research estimates range from 30,000 to 63,000, depending on how the number is calculated.
The Constitution of the Netherlands guarantees freedom of education, which means that all schools that adhere to general quality criteria receive the same government funding. This includes schools based on religious principles by religious groups (especially Catholic and Protestant). Three political parties in the Dutch parliament, (CDA, and two small parties, ChristianUnion and SGP) are based upon the Christian belief. Several Christian religious holidays are national holidays (Christmas, Easter, Pentecost and the Ascension of Jesus).
A survey in December 2014 concluded that for the first time there were more atheists (25%) than theists (17%) in the Netherlands, while the remainder of the population was agnostic (31%) or ietsistic (27%). In 2015, a vast majority of the inhabitants of the Netherlands (82%) said they had never or almost never visited a church, and 59% stated that they had never been to a church. Of all the people questioned, 24% saw themselves as atheist, an increase of 11% compared to the previous study done in 2006. The expected rise of spirituality has come to a halt according to research in 2015. In 2006, 40% of respondents considered themselves spiritual; in 2015 this has dropped to 31%. The number who believed in the existence of a higher power fell from 36% to 28% over the same period.
Education
Main article: Education in the NetherlandsEducation in the Netherlands is compulsory between the ages of 5 and 16. If a child does not have a "starting qualification" (HAVO, VWO or MBO 2+ degree) they are still forced to attend classes until they achieve such a qualification or reach the age of 18.
Children in the Netherlands attend elementary school from (on average) ages 4 to 12. It has eight grades and the first is facultative. Based on an aptitude test, the eighth grade teacher's recommendation and the opinion of the pupil's parents or caretakers, a choice is made for one of the three main streams of secondary education.
The VMBO has four grades and is subdivided over several levels. Successfully completing the VMBO results in a low-level vocational degree that grants access to the MBO. The MBO (middle-level applied education) is a form of education that primarily focuses on teaching a practical trade or a vocational degree. With the MBO certification, a student can apply for the HBO. The HAVO has 5 grades and allows for admission to the HBO. The HBO (higher professional education) are universities of professional education (applied sciences) that award professional bachelor's degrees; similar to polytechnic degrees. An HBO degree gives access to the university system. The VWO (comprising atheneum and gymnasium) has 6 grades and prepares for studying at a research university. Universities offer a three-year bachelor's degree, followed by a one or two-year master's degree, which in turn can be followed by a doctoral degree programme.
Doctoral candidates in the Netherlands are generally non-tenured employees of a university. All Dutch schools and universities are publicly funded and managed with the exception of religious schools. Dutch universities have a tuition fee of about 2,000 euros a year for students from the Netherlands and the EU, and 15,000 euros for non-EU students.
Healthcare
Main article: Healthcare in the Netherlands._Natuurkundige_te_Delft_Rijksmuseum_SK-A-957.jpeg)
In 2016, the Netherlands maintained its position at the top of the annual Euro Health Consumer Index (EHCI), which compares healthcare systems in Europe, scoring 916 of a maximum 1,000 points. The Netherlands has been among the top three countries in each report published since 2005. On 48 indicators such as patient rights and information, accessibility, prevention and outcomes, the Netherlands secured its top position among 37 European countries for six years in a row. The Netherlands was ranked first in a study in 2009 comparing the health care systems of the United States, Australia, Canada, Germany and New Zealand.
According to the Health Consumer Powerhouse (HCP), patients have a great degree of freedom from where to buy their health insurance, to where they get their healthcare. Healthcare decisions are made in dialogue between patients and healthcare professionals. Healthcare in the Netherlands is split 3 ways: in somatic and mental health care and in 'cure' (short term) and 'care' (long term). Home doctors (huisartsen, comparable to general practitioners) form the largest part of the first level. Being referred by a member of the first level is mandatory for access to the second and third level. The health care system is, in comparison to other Western countries, effective but not the most cost-effective. Healthcare is financed by a dual system that came into effect in January 2006. Long-term treatments, especially those that involve semi-permanent hospitalisation, and disability costs such as wheelchairs, are covered by a state-controlled mandatory insurance. In 2009 this insurance covered 27% of all health care expenses. Other sources of health care payment are taxes (14%), out of pocket payments (9%), additional optional health insurance packages (4%) and a range of other sources (4%). Health insurance in the Netherlands is mandatory. Healthcare in the Netherlands is covered by two statutory forms of insurance:
- Zorgverzekeringswet (ZVW), often called "basic insurance", covers common medical care.
- Algemene Wet Bijzondere Ziektekosten (AWBZ) covers long-term nursing and care.
While Dutch residents are automatically insured by the government for AWBZ, everyone has to buy their own basic healthcare insurance, except those under 18 who are automatically covered under their parents. Insurance companies are obliged to provide a package with a defined set of insured treatments. This insurance covers 41% of all health care expenses. Insurers have to offer a universal package for everyone over 18, regardless of age or state of health – it is illegal to refuse an application or impose special conditions. The funding burden for all short-term health care coverage is carried 50% by employers, 45% by the insured person and 5% by the government. Those on low incomes receive compensation to help them pay their insurance. Premiums paid by the insured are about €135 per month.
Transport
Main article: Transport in the NetherlandsMobility on Dutch roads has grown continuously since the 1950s and now exceeds 200 billion km travelled per year, three quarters of which are done by car. Around half of all trips in the Netherlands are made by car, 25% by bicycle, 20% walking, and 5% by public transport.
Road transport
The Netherlands has one of the densest road networks in the world. The Netherlands has a relatively high uptake of electric vehicles, as the government implemented ambitious policy on both charging infrastructure and tax benefits. As of 2019, the Netherlands hosts approximately 30% of all recharging stations in the European Union. Moreover, newly sold cars in the Netherlands have on average the lowest CO2 emissions in the EU.
Public transport
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About 13% of all distance is travelled by public transport, the majority of which is by train. The Dutch rail network of 3,013 km route is also rather dense. The network is mostly focused on passenger rail services and connects all major cities, with over 400 stations. Trains are frequent, with two trains per hour on lesser lines, two to four trains per hour on average, and up to eight trains an hour on the busiest lines. The Dutch national train network includes the HSL-Zuid, a high-speed line between the Amsterdam metropolitan area and the Belgian border for trains running from Paris and London, to the Netherlands.
Cycling
Main article: Cycling in the Netherlands
Cycling is a ubiquitous mode of transport. Almost as many kilometres are covered by bicycle as by train. The Dutch are estimated to have at least 18 million bicycles, which makes more than one per capita, and twice as many as the circa 9 million motor vehicles on the road. In 2013, the European Cyclists' Federation ranked the Netherlands and Denmark as the most bike-friendly countries in Europe. Cycling infrastructure is extensive. Busy roads have received some 35,000 km of dedicated cycle tracks, physically segregated from motorised traffic. Busy junctions are often equipped with bicycle-specific traffic lights. There are large bicycle parking facilities, particularly in city centres and train stations.
Water transport
The Port of Rotterdam is the largest port in Europe and the largest port outside East Asia, with the rivers Meuse and Rhine providing excellent access to the hinterland upstream. As of 2022, Rotterdam was the world's tenth largest container port. The port's main activities are petrochemical industries and general cargo handling and transshipment. The harbour functions as an important transit point for bulk materials and between the European continent and overseas. The Volkeraksluizen between Rotterdam and Antwerp are the biggest sluices for inland navigation in terms of tonnage. In 2007, the Betuweroute, a new fast freight railway from Rotterdam to Germany, was completed. Amsterdam is Europe's 4th largest port. The inland shipping fleet of the Netherlands is the largest in Europe. Passenger boats in the Netherlands includes a ferry network in Amsterdam, and waterbusses and taxis in Rotterdam.
Air transport
Schiphol Airport, just southwest of Amsterdam, is the main international airport in the Netherlands, and the third busiest airport in Europe by number of passengers. Schiphol is the main hub for KLM, the nation's flag carrier and the world's oldest airline. In 2016, the Royal Schiphol Group airports handled 70 million passengers. All air traffic is international and Schiphol Airport is connected to over 300 destinations worldwide, more than any other European airport. The airport is a major freight hub as well, processing 1.44 million tonnes of cargo in 2020. Smaller international airports are located in or near Eindhoven, Rotterdam, Maastricht and Groningen. Air transport is of vital significance for the Caribbean part of the Netherlands, with all islands having their own airport. This includes the shortest runway in the world on Saba.
Culture
Main article: Culture of the NetherlandsArt, architecture and philosophy
Main articles: Dutch art, Architecture of the Netherlands, and Dutch-language literature
The Tower of Babel by Brabantine artist Pieter Bruegel the Elder
Water Mill at Kollen Near Nuenen by Brabantine artist Vincent van Gogh
The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam
The Netherlands has had many well-known painters. In the Middle Ages Hieronymus Bosch and Pieter Bruegel the Elder were leading Dutch pioneers. During the Dutch Golden Age, the Dutch Republic was prosperous and witnessed a flourishing artistic movement. The "Dutch Masters", spanning this 17th century era, included Rembrandt, Johannes Vermeer, Jan Steen, and Jacob van Ruisdael. Famous Dutch painters of the 19th and 20th century included Vincent van Gogh and Piet Mondrian.
Literature flourished during the Dutch Golden Age, with Joost van den Vondel and P. C. Hooft as the most famous writers. In the 19th century, Multatuli wrote about the poor treatment of the natives in the Dutch colony. Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank is the most translated book from Dutch. Other important 20th century authors include Harry Mulisch, Jan Wolkers, Hella Haasse, Willem Frederik Hermans, Cees Nooteboom and Gerard Reve.
Various architectural styles can be distinguished in the Netherlands. The Romanesque architecture was built between 950 and 1250. Gothic architecture was used from about 1230. Gothic buildings had large windows, pointed arches and were richly decorated. Brabantine Gothic originated with the rise of the Duchy of Brabant and spread throughout the Burgundian provinces. Dutch Baroque architecture (1525–1630) and classicism (1630–1700) is especially evident in the west. Other architectural styles are Art Nouveau, Expressionism, De Stijl, Traditionalism and Brutalism.
Erasmus and Spinoza were famous Dutch philosophers. The Dutch scientist Christiaan Huygens (1629–95) discovered Saturn's moon Titan, argued that light travelled as waves, invented the pendulum clock, and was the first physicist to use mathematical formulae. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek was the first to observe and describe single-celled organisms with a microscope.
Windmills, tulips, clogs, cheese, and cannabis have grown to symbolize the Netherlands, especially among tourists.
Dutch value system
Main article: Dutch customs and etiquetteThe Dutch are proud of their cultural heritage, rich history in art, and involvement in international affairs. A predominant attitude in the Netherlands is to think of the nation as being "both tolerant and cosmopolitan."
A Dutch saying indicating their sense of national pride in their reclamation of land from the sea and marshes is "God created the world, but the Dutch created the Netherlands."
Dutch manners are open and direct with a no-nonsense attitude—informality combined with adherence to basic behaviour. "Dealing with the Dutch" by Jacob Vossestein states: "Dutch egalitarianism is the idea that people are equal, especially from a moral point of view, and accordingly, causes the somewhat ambiguous stance the Dutch have towards hierarchy and status."
The Netherlands is one of the most secular countries of Europe, and religion in the Netherlands is generally considered as a personal matter which is not supposed to be propagated in public, although it often remains a discussion subject.
Music
Main articles: Music of the Netherlands and Music of the former Netherlands AntillesThe Netherlands has multiple music traditions. Traditional Dutch music is a genre known as "Levenslied", meaning Song of life. These songs typically have a simple melody and rhythm, and a straightforward structure of verses and choruses. Themes can be light, but are often sentimental and include love, death and loneliness. Traditional musical instruments such as the accordion and the barrel organ are a staple of levenslied music, though in recent years many artists use synthesisers and guitars.
Contemporary Dutch rock and pop music (Nederpop) originated in the 1960s, heavily influenced by popular music from the United States and Britain. Bands such as Shocking Blue, Golden Earring, Tee Set, George Baker Selection and Focus enjoyed international success. From the 1980s, more and more pop musicians started working in the Dutch language, partly inspired by the huge success of the band Doe Maar.
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Current symphonic metal bands Epica, Delain, ReVamp, The Gathering, Asrai, Autumn, Ayreon and Within Temptation as well as jazz and pop singer Caro Emerald are having international success. Metal bands like Hail of Bullets, God Dethroned, Izegrim, Asphyx, Textures, Heidevolk, and Slechtvalk are popular guests at the biggest metal festivals in Europe. Contemporary local stars include pop singer Anouk, country pop singer Ilse DeLange, Limburgish dialect singing folk band Rowwen Hèze, rock band BLØF and duo Nick & Simon.
Early 1990s Dutch and Belgian house music came together in Eurodance project 2 Unlimited. Selling 18 million records, the two singers in the band are the most successful Dutch music artists to this day. Tracks like "Get Ready for This" are still popular themes of U.S. sports events. In the mid-1990s Dutch language rap and hip hop (Nederhop) came to fruition and has become popular in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Since the 1990s, Dutch electronic dance music (EDM) gained widespread popularity in the world in many forms. Some of the world's best known dance music DJs hail from the Netherlands, including Armin van Buuren, Tiësto, Hardwell, Martin Garrix, Dash Berlin, Julian Jordan, Nicky Romero, W&W, Don Diablo, Ummet Ozcan, Headhunterz, Sander van Doorn, and Afrojack; the first four of which have been ranked as best in the world by DJ Mag Top 100 DJs. The Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) is the world's leading electronic music conference and the biggest club festival for the many electronic subgenres on the planet. The Netherlands has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest since its first edition in 1956, and has won five times.
In classical music, Jan Sweelinck is a famous Dutch composer, with Louis Andriessen among the best known contemporary Dutch classical composers. Ton Koopman is a Dutch conductor, organist and harpsichordist. Notable violinists are Janine Jansen and André Rieu.
Film and television
Main articles: Cinema of the Netherlands and Television in the NetherlandsSome Dutch films – mainly by director Paul Verhoeven – have received international distribution and recognition, such as Turkish Delight ("Turks Fruit", 1973), Soldier of Orange ("Soldaat van Oranje", 1977), Spetters (1980), and The Fourth Man ("De Vierde Man", 1983). Verhoeven then went on to direct big Hollywood movies like RoboCop (1987), Total Recall (1990), and Basic Instinct (1992), and returned with Dutch film Black Book ("Zwartboek", 2006).
Other well-known Dutch film directors are Jan de Bont, Anton Corbijn, Dick Maas, Fons Rademakers, and documentary makers Bert Haanstra and Joris Ivens. Film director Theo van Gogh achieved international notoriety in 2004 when he was murdered by Mohammed Bouyeri in the streets of Amsterdam after directing the short film Submission.
Directors of photography from the Netherlands include Hoyte van Hoytema and Theo van de Sande. Internationally successful Dutch actors include Famke Janssen, Carice van Houten, Rutger Hauer, and Jeroen Krabbé.
The Netherlands has a well developed television market, with both multiple commercial and public broadcasters. Imported TV programmes, as well as interviews with responses in a foreign language, are virtually always shown with the original sound and subtitled. Only foreign shows for children are dubbed.
TV exports from the Netherlands mostly take the form of specific formats and franchises, most notably was the internationally active TV production conglomerate Endemol, founded by Dutch media tycoons John de Mol and Joop van den Ende. Endemol and its subsidiaries created and ran reality, talent, and game show franchises worldwide, including Big Brother and Deal or No Deal. Endemol merged with Shine Group in 2015, and again with Banijay in 2020.
Sports
Main article: Sport in the Netherlands.jpg)
Approximately 4.5 million of the 16.8 million people in the Netherlands are registered in one of the 35,000 sports clubs in the country. About two-thirds of the population between 15 and 75 participate in sports weekly. Football is the most popular team sport, followed by field hockey and volleyball. Tennis, gymnastics and golf are the three most widely engaged in individual sports. Organisation of sports began at the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century. Federations for sports were established, rules were unified and sports clubs came into existence. A Dutch National Olympic Committee was established in 1912.
The national football team was runner-up in the World Cup of 1974, 1978, and 2010, and won the European Championship of 1988. Of SI's 50 greatest footballers of all time, Johan Cruyff (#5), Marco van Basten (#19), Ruud Gullit (#25), and Johan Neeskens (#36) are Dutch. The women's national team was runner-up in 2019 World Cup and won the European Championship of 2017. The Netherlands women's field hockey team won 9 out of 15 World Cups. The Netherlands baseball team have won the European championship 24 times out of 33 events. The volleyball national women's team won the European Championship in 1995 and the World Grand Prix in 2007.
The Netherlands has won 266 medals at the Summer Olympic Games and 110 at the Winter Olympic Games. Joop Zoetemelk won the 1979 Vuelta a Espana, the 1980 Tour de France, and the 1985 UCI World Championship. Jan Janssen won the 1968 Tour de France, Tom Dumoulin the 2017 Giro d'Italia. Max Verstappen, the youngest Formula 1 driver to make his debut and to win a race, was the first Dutchman to win a Grand Prix and a Formula One World Drivers Championship. Dutch K-1 kickboxers have won the K-1 World Grand Prix 15 times out of 19 tournaments.
Cuisine
Main article: Dutch cuisine
Dutch cuisine is simple and straightforward, and contains many dairy products. Breakfast and lunch are typically bread with toppings, with cereal for breakfast as an alternative. Traditionally, dinner consists of potatoes, meat, and vegetables. The Dutch diet was high in carbohydrates and fat, reflecting the dietary needs of the labourers whose culture moulded the country. During the twentieth century this diet changed and became more cosmopolitan, with most global cuisines being represented in the major cities. In early 2014, Oxfam ranked the Netherlands as the country with the most nutritious, plentiful and healthy food. Modern culinary writers distinguish between three regional forms of Dutch cuisine: northeast, west and south:
The regions in the northeast are the least populated areas of the Netherlands. The late 18th century introduction of large scale agriculture means the cuisine is known for its meats. The relative lack of farms allowed for an abundance of game and husbandry, though dishes near the coastal regions include a large amount of fish. The various dried sausages, belonging to the metworst-family of Dutch sausages are found throughout this region. Smoked sausages are common, of which (Gelderse) rookworst is the most renowned. Larger sausages are eaten alongside stamppot, hutspot, or zuurkool (sauerkraut); whereas smaller ones are eaten as a street food. The provinces are home to hard textured rye bread, pastries and cookies. As a coastal region, Friesland is home to low-lying grasslands, and thus has a cheese production in common with the Western cuisine. Cookies are produced in great number and contain a lot of butter and sugar. The traditional alcoholic beverages are beer (strong pale lager) and Jenever, a high proof juniper-flavoured spirit, that came to be known in England as gin. An exception within the traditional Dutch alcoholic landscape, Advocaat, a rich and creamy liqueur made from eggs, sugar and brandy, is native to this region.
In the West, the abundance of water and flat grasslands, mean the area is known for its dairy products, which include prominent cheeses such as Gouda, Leyden (spiced cheese with cumin), and Edam (traditionally in small spheres) as well as Leerdammer and Beemster, while the adjacent Zaanstreek in North Holland has since the 16th century been known for its mayonnaise and typical whole-grain mustards. A by-product of the butter-making process, karnemelk (buttermilk), is considered typical for this region. Seafood such as soused herring, mussels, eels, oysters and shrimps are widely available and typical for the region.
The Southern Dutch cuisine consists of the cuisines of the Dutch provinces of North Brabant and Limburg and the Flemish Region in Belgium. It is renowned for its rich pastries, soups, stews and vegetable dishes. It is the only Dutch culinary region that developed an haute cuisine. Pastries are abundant, often with rich fillings of cream, custard or fruits. Cakes, such as the Vlaai from Limburg and the Moorkop and Bossche Bol from Brabant, are typical pastries. Savoury pastries abound, with the worstenbroodje (a roll with a sausage of ground beef, literally translates into sausage bread) being the most popular. The alcoholic beverage of the region is beer, there are many local brands, ranging from Trappist to Kriek.
See also
Notes
- ^ Apart from Dutch, English is an official language in the special municipalities of Saba and Sint Eustatius, Papiamentu is an official language in the special municipality of Bonaire, and West Frisian is an official language in the province of Friesland. Cite error: The named reference "co-official_languages" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ Amsterdam is the constitutional capital, while the government and the royal family are seated in The Hague.
- Having ratified the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages in 1996, the Dutch government recognises Dutch Low Saxon, Limburgish, Sinte Romani and Yiddish as regional or non-territorial minority languages. On 1 July 2021, Dutch Sign Language received the status of recognised language.
- Includes residents who were born in the Netherlands and whose parents were born in the Netherlands.
- The area of the Netherlands with overseas territories. Metropolitan Netherlands is 41,543 square kilometers
- The euro is used in the European part of the Netherlands and replaced the Dutch guilder in 2002. The United States dollar is used in the Caribbean Netherlands and replaced the Netherlands Antillean guilder in 2011.
- CET and CEST are used in the European Netherlands, and AST is used in the Caribbean Netherlands.
- +599 was the country code designated for the now dissolved Netherlands Antilles. The Caribbean Netherlands still use +599 7 (for Bonaire), +599 3 (for Sint Eustatius), and +599 4 (for Saba).
- .nl is the common internet top-level domain name for the Netherlands. The .eu domain is also used, as it is shared with other European Union member states. .bq is designated, but not in use, for the Caribbean Netherlands.
- Dutch: Nederland [ˈneːdərlɑnt]
- Only 11 stations are served less than twice an hour during weekdays.
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External links
- Netherlands from UCB Libraries GovPubs
- I am Expat – General information about the Netherlands
- Netherlands profile from the BBC News
Wikimedia Atlas of Netherlands
Geographic data related to Netherlands at OpenStreetMap- Key Development Forecasts for the Netherlands from International Futures
Government
- Government.nl – official Dutch government web site
- Statistics Netherlands (CBS) – Key figures from the Dutch bureau of statistics
- "Provinces of Netherlands". Statoids.
Travel
- Holland.com – English website of the Netherlands tourist office
- Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions – Organisation responsible for promoting the Netherlands nationally and internationally
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Categories:- Netherlands
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