Introduction to the Netherlands
History of the Netherlands
The lowlands of the Netherlands were first discovered by Julius Caesar, and at that time, the region was inhabited by Germanic tribes such as the Nervii, Frisians, and Batavians, who lived along the Roman border and were not fully integrated into the Roman Empire until 13 BC. Later, they became allies of Rome. Between the 4th and 8th centuries, the region was controlled by the Franks and became part of Charlemagne's empire in the 8th and 9th centuries. Afterward, it fell under the rule of the Burgundians and the Habsburg monarchy. In the 16th century, Spain took control of the region.
By the end of the 17th century, the Netherlands became one of Europe's greatest maritime and commercial powers, largely due to the establishment of the Dutch East India Company in 1602. The Netherlands achieved full independence after the Thirty Years' War (1618–1648), and Spain recognized its independence in 1648. Later, after several political events, the Netherlands and Belgium merged into one kingdom in 1814, though Belgium became independent in 1830. In 1848, the Netherlands adopted a constitutional monarchy system.
Geography of the Netherlands
The Netherlands is located in Northwestern Europe, bordered by Germany to the east, Belgium to the south, and the North Sea to the north and west. The country lies at 52°23' North latitude and 4°55' East longitude. Its total area is 41,526 square kilometers, including 33,883 square kilometers of land and 7,643 square kilometers of water. The coastline stretches for approximately 1,478 km, with 451 coastal areas.
Climate of the Netherlands
The climate in the Netherlands is moderate. Average temperatures in July reach around 17°C, while in January, they drop to 2°C. Frost can occur for about 60 days each year, and the country has approximately 25 clear days annually. Rainfall occurs throughout the year, with an annual average of 790 millimeters. The dominant wind direction is from the west and south, and the hills in the south help reduce wind speeds along the coast.
Terrain of the Netherlands
The country consists of three main topographical regions: sand dunes, the upper eastern part of the Netherlands, and reclaimed lowlands. Approximately 27% of the Netherlands lies below sea level, with the highest point being Vaalserberg (321 meters) in the southernmost part of the country. The lowest point is found in the northeast of Rotterdam, in the Prince Alexander region, which lies 7 meters below sea level.
Flora and Fauna of the Netherlands
The natural vegetation of the Netherlands mainly comes from the Atlantic region. Temperature variations and salinity differences have led to slight variations in plant species from coastal to inland areas. The country is home to mollusks in the southwest and migratory birds passing through in large numbers. However, some aquatic species, such as river crayfish and freshwater fish, are threatened due to water pollution.
Demographics of the Netherlands
Ethnic diversity in the Netherlands includes the indigenous Dutch population (79.3%), along with other ethnic minorities, including Europeans (5.7%), Turks (2.4%), Indo-Europeans (2.3%), Moroccans (2.2%), Surinamese (2.1%), Caribbean people (0.9%), and Poles (0.6%). The total population is approximately 17.1 million people, making it the 69th most populous country globally, with a population density of about 508 people per square kilometer.
Religion in the Netherlands
Christianity is the official religion in the Netherlands, with 25% of the population adhering to Roman Catholicism and 15% to Protestantism. Around 5% of the population practices Islam, and other religions like Hinduism and Buddhism are also present.
Languages in the Netherlands
Dutch is the official language spoken by the majority, while Frisian is the second official language in Friesland province. Additionally, Low Saxon and Limburgish are recognized regional languages.
Government of the Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy with a cooperative political system. The King plays a role in both the executive and legislative branches. The country has a well-defined judicial system, with the Hoge Raad serving as the highest court.
Administrative Divisions
The Netherlands is divided into 12 provinces: Drenthe, Flevoland, Friesland, Gelderland, Groningen, Limburg, North Holland, North Brabant, Overijssel, Utrecht, Zeeland, and South Holland. The country also includes water management areas governed by Dutch Water Boards.
Flag of the Netherlands
The national flag of the Netherlands consists of three colors: red, white, and blue. The emblem features a lion with a sword and arrows, symbolizing strength and authority. The flag's history dates back to the Eighty Years' War, and the red color replaced orange in 1937.
Economy of the Netherlands
The Netherlands has the 6th largest economy in the European Union, with a stable industrial base and low unemployment. The country excels in various industries, including oil refining, food processing, and chemical production. Agriculture also plays a significant role, making the Netherlands the second-largest agricultural exporter globally. One-third of its economy depends on foreign trade.
Education in the Netherlands
The Netherlands attracts many international students, with a large number from Germany and China. The education system is divided into primary, secondary, vocational, and higher education. It is home to a mix of research-oriented universities and professional higher education institutions.
References:
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- ↑ "Percentage distribution of the population of the Netherlands in 2018, by religion", www.statista.com, Retrieved 6-4-2021. Edited.
- ↑ Cecilio Lapresta-Rey, Dr. Ángel Huguet, "Multilingualism in European Language Education", books.google.jo, Retrieved 2020-3-30. Edited.
- ↑ John Misachi (2017-4-25), "What Type of Government Does The Netherlands Have?", www.worldatlas.com, Retrieved 2020-3-30. Edited.
- ↑ "Netherlands: Government", globaledge.msu.edu, Retrieved 2020-3-30. Edited.
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- ↑ "Netherlands Administrative Divisions", www.indexmundi.com, 7-12-2019, Retrieved 19-01-2020. Edited.
- ↑ "The Dutch Flag and Coat of Arms", www.netherlandsandyou.nl, Retrieved 19-01-2020. Edited.
- ↑ "Netherlands Economy - Overview", www.indexmundi.com, 7-12-2019, Retrieved 19-01-2020. Edited.
- ↑ "THE NETHERLANDS", www.fatf-gafi.org, Retrieved 20-02-2020. Edited.
- ↑ "Dutch Education", www.studyinholland.nl, 2019-9-19, Retrieved 2020-3-31. Edited.
- ↑ "Education System in the Netherlands", www.scholaro.com, Retrieved 2020-3-31. Edited.
- ↑ "Education in the Netherlands", www.nuffic.nl, Retrieved 2020-3-31. Edited.
- ^ A, B "Netherlands", www.newworldencyclopedia.org, 2018-11-16, Retrieved 2020-3-31. Edited.
- ↑ Lars Kamer (2020-3-6), "Travel and Tourism Industry in the Netherlands - Statistics and Facts", www.statista.com, Retrieved 2020-3-31. Edited.
- ↑ "Tourism Sees Fastest Growth in Over Ten Years", www.cbs.nl, 2018-4-4, Retrieved 2020-3-31. Edited.
