The Netherlands is a small country (36,000 km2). With a population of approximately 15 million, the population density is over 430 persons per square kilometer. The country is divided into twelve provinces. With the exception of one of the southern provinces the country is flat everywhere. A large part of the Netherlands has been reclaimed from the sea and therefore lies below sea level. Windmills, dykes and pumping stations make sure that the low-lying land does not become flooded. Those areas are called “polders” As far as the horizon a great part of the polder-landscape is intersected by dead straight dykes and canals. When you drive along the polder roads, you will often notice that the water level in the canals is higher than the road itself.

Besides the polderland you will also encounter a highly urbanised landscape in the western part of the Netherlands, known as “Randstad”. More than 40% of the people live here. In this region lies the capital Amsterdam, one of Europe’s cultural centres known for its famous museums such as “Rijksmuseum” and “Van Gogh museum”.

The History of The Netherlands

In medieval times, the area, which today is called the Netherlands, was a group of autonomous duchies and countries. They were known as the Low Countries in the 1500´s, along with Belgium and Luxembourg. During this time the countries were ruled by a Spanish monarch. In 1568, Prince William of Orange rebelled against the Spanish Crown and began an eighty year war for independence. In 1648, with the peace of Westphalia, the Netherlands became independent. In the years following, they built a vast overseas empire, becoming for a time the world’s leading maritime and commercial power.

In 1795, French forces made the Netherlands a vassal state and Napoleon completely annexed the territory in 1810. The Congress of Vienna ended French occupation, and the United Kingdom of the Netherlands was created 1815. It originally included Belgium, which seceded in 1830.

Queen Beatrix is the head of state today. The kingdom is however a constitutional monarchy. The queen is the head of state but the Prime Minister is the head of government. A Council of State serves as an advisory body that must be consulted before legislation is passed. Although the capital is Amsterdam, the government is located in The Hague.