The Netherlands

Table of Contents

BASICS –THE NAME

‘Netherlands’ literally means ‘lower countries’, referring to its low land and flat geography, with only about 50% of its land exceeding 1 metre (3 ft 3 in) above sea level.

NETHERLANDS OR HOLLAND

LANGUAGES OF THE NETHERLANDS

The official language of the Netherlands is Dutch, spoken by almost all people in the Netherlands.

LOW COUNTRIES

Low Countries, also called Benelux Countries, coastal region of North -Western Europe, consisting of Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. Benelux countries – Initial letters of their names

BENELUX COUNTRIES

The Benelux Union A politico-economic union The Benelux General Secretariat is located in Brussels. The Benelux Union involves an intergovernmental co-operation. GLOBAL GLOBAL FIREPOWER INDEX

POPULATION

1.71 crores (2017) • In terms of health, life expectancy at birth in the Netherlands is 82 years [80 years (men), 84 years (women)] • GDP (PPP) – $966.742 billion • Per capita – $56,435

ORGANISATIONS

The Netherlands is a founding member of the EU, Eurozone, G10, NATO, OECD, and WTO, as well as a part of the Schengen Area and the trilateral Benelux Union. Schengen Area – an area comprising 26 European states that have officially abolished passport and all other types of border control at their mutual borders. The area mostly functions as a single jurisdiction for international travel purposes, with a common visa policy.

SCHENGEN AREA

MONARCHY OF THE NETHERLANDS

The monarchy of the Netherlands is constitutional and, as such, the role and position of the monarch are defined and limited by the Constitution of the Netherlands.

NETHERLANDS

A SHORT TIMELINE 1914-1918 – The Netherlands maintains its neutrality during World War I. 1940 – Nazi Germany invades. The Dutch Royal Family flees to England, accompanied by the Dutch cabinet. The Dutch army is overwhelmed and the Netherlands surrenders. NETHERLANDS – A SHORT TIMELINE 1944 – As Allied forces advance towards Germany, the Netherlands becomes the site of bitter fighting. 1945 – The occupation ends with the surrender of German forces in the Netherlands. The Netherlands goes on to become a charter member of the United Nations.

NETHERLANDS – A SHORT TIMELINE

1949 – The Netherlands abandons its policy of neutrality and joins Nato. 2002 – Euro replaces the Dutch guilder.

RIVERS OF THE NETHERLANDS

Rhine – The Rhine River is the longest river in Netherlands covering a distance of 764 miles. • The river passes through six countries including the Netherlands, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Liechtenstein. • Meuse – Meuse River is the second longest river in Netherlands and one of the largest European river covering a distance of 575