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Country information - The Netherlands The Netherlands was part of the Seventeen Provinces of the Netherlands under Charles V, Holy Roma Emperor, leader of the Burgundy empire and King of Spain. In 1579, the northern half of the Seventeen Provinces declared itself independent and formed the Union of Utrecht, which is seen as the foundation of the modern Netherlands. Philip II, the son of Charles V, was not prepared to let them go that easily. It would not be until 1648 that Spain would recognize Dutch independence. Many economic historians regard the Netherlands as the first thoroughly capitalist country in the world. In early modern Europe it featured the wealthiest trading city (Amsterdam) and the first full-time stock exchange. The Netherlands remained neutral in World War I, but suffered invasion and occupation by Germany in World War II. After the war, the Dutch economy prospered again, being a member of the Benelux (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg) and European Economic Community unions. The Netherlands was among the twelve founding members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and among the six founding members of the European Coal and Steel Community, which would later evolve into the European Union. The Netherlands is one of the most densely populated and geographically low-lying countries in the world (its name literally means "low country") and is popularly known for its windmills, wooden shoes, dykes, tulips, bicycles and social tolerance. Its liberal policies receive international attention, such as those concerning drugs, prostitution and euthanasia. Geography The Netherlands Location Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between Belgium and Germany Area total: 41,526 sq km Land 33,883 sq km Water 7,643 sq km Land boundaries total: 1,027 km Border countries Belgium 450 km, Germany 577 km Coastline 451 km Climate temperate; marine; cool summers and mild winters Terrain mostly coastal lowland and reclaimed land (polders); some hills in southeast Elevation extremes lowest point: Zuidplaspolder -7 m highest point Vaalserberg 322 m Natural resources natural gas, petroleum, peat, limestone, salt, sand and gravel, arable land Natural hazards flooding People The Netherlands Population 16,407,491 Nationality noun: Dutchman(men), Dutchwoman(women) adjective Dutch Ethnic groups Dutch 83%, other 17% (of which 9% are non-Western origin mainly Turks, Moroccans, Antilleans, Surinamese, and Indonesians) Religions Roman Catholic 31%, Dutch Reformed 13%, Calvinist 7%, Muslim 5.5%, other 2.5%, none 41% Languages (official) Dutch, Frisian Government The Netherlands Country name conventional long form: Kingdom of the Netherlands Conventional short form Netherlands Local long form Koninkrijk der Nederlanden Local short form Nederland Government type constitutional monarchy Capital Amsterdam; The Hague is the seat of government Administrative divisions 12 provinces (provincies, singular - provincie); Drenthe, Flevoland, Friesland (Fryslan), Gelderland, Groningen, Limburg, Noord-Brabant, Noord-Holland, Overijssel, Utrecht, Zeeland, Zuid-Holland Dependent areas Aruba, Netherlands Antilles Independence 23 January 1579 (the northern provinces of the Low Countries conclude the Union of Utrecht breaking with Spain; it was not until 1648 that Spain recognized their independence) National holiday Queen's Day (Birthday of Queen-Mother Juliana in 1909 and accession to the throne of her oldest daughter Beatrix in 1980), 30 April Constitution adopted 1815; amended many times, last time 2002 Legal system civil law system incorporating French penal theory; constitution does not permit judicial review of acts of the States General; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations Suffrage 18 years of age; universal Executive branch chief of state: Queen Beatrix (since 30 April 1980); Heir Apparent Willem-Alexander (born 27 April 1967), son of the monarch Head of government Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende (since 22 July 2002) and Deputy Prime Ministers Gerrit Zalm (since 27 May 2003) and Laurens Jan BRINKHORST (since 31 March 2005) Cabinet Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch Elections none; the monarchy is hereditary; following Second Chamber elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch; vice prime ministers appointed by the monarch. note: there is also a Council of State composed of the monarch, heir apparent, and councilors that provides consultations to the cabinet on legislative and administrative policy Legislative branch bicameral States General or Staten Generaal consists of the First Chamber or Eerste Kamer (75 seats; members indirectly elected by the country's 12 provincial councils for four-year terms) and the Second Chamber or Tweede Kamer (150 seats; members directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections First Chamber - last held 25 May 2003 (next to be held May 2007); Second Chamber - last held 22 January 2003 (next to be held May 2007) Judicial branch Supreme Court or Hoge Raad (justices are nominated for life by the monarch) Flag description three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue; similar to the flag of Luxembourg, which uses a lighter blue and is longer; one of the oldest flags in constant use, originating with WILLIAM I, Prince of Orange, in the latter half of the 16th century Economy The Netherlands The Netherlands has a prosperous and open economy, which depends heavily on foreign trade. The economy is noted for stable industrial relations, moderate unemployment and inflation, a sizable current account surplus, and an important role as a European transportation hub. Industrial activity is predominantly in food processing, chemicals, petroleum refining, and electrical machinery. A highly mechanized agricultural sector employs no more than 4% of the labor force but provides large surpluses for the food-processing industry and for exports. The Dutch rank third worldwide in value of agricultural exports, behind the US and France. The Netherlands, along with 11 of its EU partners, began circulating the euro currency on 1 January 2002. The country continues to be one of the leading European nations for attracting foreign direct investment. Economic growth slowed considerably in 2001-05, as part of the global economic slowdown, but for the four years before that, annual growth averaged nearly 4%, well above the EU average. Labor force 7.53 million Labor force - by occupation agriculture 4%, industry 23%, services 73% Unemployment rate 6.7% Population below poverty line NA Household income by percentage share lowest 10%: 2.8%, highest 10%: 25.1% Currency (code) euro (EUR) Transportation The Netherlands Airports 27 Airports - with paved runways total: 20 Airports - with unpaved runways total: 7 Heliports 1 Railways total: 2,808 km Roadways total: 116,500 km paved 104,850 km (including 2,235 km of expressways) unpaved 11,650 km Waterways 5,046 km) Ports and terminals Amsterdam, Groningen, Ijmuiden, Rotterdam, Terneuzen, Vlissingen, Zaanstad

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