The Netherlands
By: Dylan Denton
Netherland
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Background:
After centuries of foreign rules by the Romans, Franks, Burgunds,
Habsburgs, and Spaniards in 1648 the Dutch Republic became a free
and sovereign state. During the 17th century, also called the 'Golden
Age', the Republic became increasingly prosperous and a major colonial
power, thanks largely to the Dutch East India Company (VOC).
In 1815, the northern and southern Netherlands – today's Netherlands
and Belgium – were combined to form the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
In 1830 Belgium seceded and formed a separate kingdom. The
Netherlands remained neutral in World War I but was invaded in World
War II by Germany in May 1940 and occupied for five years.
Today the Netherlands is a modern, industrialized nation and the third
largest exporter of food. The country was a founding member of NATO
and the EU, and participated in the introduction of the Euro in 1999.
Holland has a Monarch government.
Government Structure
The country's government is based on the
principles of ministerial responsibility and
parliamentary government. The national
government comprises three main institutions:
the Monarch, the Council of Ministers, and the
States General (parliament). There also are
local governments.
Population
The population of the Netherlands in 2003 was estimated by the United Nations at
16,149,000, which placed it as number 58 in population among the 193 nations of the
world. In that year approximately 14% of the population was over 65 years of age, with
another 19% of the population under 15 years of age. There were 98 males for every 100
females in the country in 2003. According to the UN, the annual population growth rate
for 2000–2005 is 0.50%, with the projected population for the year 2015 at 16,791,000.
The population density in 2002 was 395 per sq km (1,023 per sq mi). Over 45% of the
population lives in the three most densely populated provinces: Utrecht, North Holland,
and South Holland.
Population
It was estimated by the Population Reference Bureau that 89% of the population lived in
urban areas in 2001. The capital city, Amsterdam, and its surrounding metropolitan area,
had a population of 1,137,000 in that year. The Rotterdam metropolitan area had
1,078,000 inhabitants. Other major cities include The Hague, 444,242; Utrecht, 231,231;
Eindhoven, 192,895; Groningen, 168,702; Tilburg, 158,846; and Haarlem, 149,474.
According to the United Nations, the urban population growth rate for 2000–2005 was
0.3%.
Holidays and Festivals
Queen’s Birthday - A day of national pride. Orange clothing and street
parties everywhere. Not the queen’s real birthday. April 30
WWII Remembrance Day - A solemn day for the Netherlands’s WWII
dead. A moment of silence is observed. May 4
Liberation Day - A less depressing day celebrating of the country’s
liberation from Nazi occupation with public fêtes. Controversy often
erupts over Dutch appeasement of their conquerors. May 5
National Windmill Day - Windmills throw open their doors, and many
have special (often educational) events. 2nd Tuesday in May
Amsterdam Gay Pride - 3 days of tolerance and partying with a parade
and street festivals for all sexual orientations. Early August
Holidays and Festivals
Aalsmeer Flower Parade - Flower floats, flower art, and flowery music in the
world’s flower capital. Early September
High Times Cannabis Cup - One long tokefest. At the end of the festival,
awards are given to the best hash and marijuana. November
Amsterdam Leather Pride - The premier gathering for “leather men.”
Features fetish parties and a lot of leather outfits. November
Sinterklaas Eve - Dutch Santa Claus delivers candy and gifts to nice Dutch
children. The naughty ones are kidnapped. December 5
Major Industry
Industries: agro industries, metal and engineering products, electrical machinery
and equipment, chemicals, petroleum, construction, microelectronics, fishing
Natural Resources
Petrol, fertile soil and natural gas
Natural gas, petroleum, peat, inestone, salt, sand, gravel, grable land
Major Religions
Roman Catholic 30%,
Dutch Reformed 11%,
Calvinist 6%,
other Protestant 3%,
Muslim 5.8%,
other 2.2%,
none 42%
(2004 survey)
Capital City
Amsterdam
Average Income
In 2005, the average gross income of a Dutch
household was approximately 50
thousand euro