The Kingdom of the Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy with a democratic parliamentary system. The current constitution was adopted by parliament on February 17, 1983, and replaced the constitution of 1814.

The Netherlands is divided into 12 provinces (Drenthe, Flevoland, Friesland, Gelderland, Groningen, Limburg, North Brabant, North Holland, Over IJssel, Utrecht, Zeeland, South Holland). The provinces have an elected body of self-government - the Provincial States, elected for four years (elections were held in March 1999). The Provincial States are headed by a Royal Commissioner. Community residents elect a Council for four years. Its executive body is the board of burgomaster and municipal councilors, headed by the burgomaster, who is appointed by the queen.

The head of state is Queen Beatrix (Oran - Nassau dynasty), who ascended the throne on April 30, 1980. The royal title is inherited. The eldest son is considered the heir of the King. If it turns out that there are no direct heirs, the head of state can be appointed by an act of parliament. Such a decision is made at a joint session of both chambers.

Although the monarch's power is limited and he must consult with the government, his opinion still plays a decisive role in the appointment of the prime minister. In addition, the monarch approves bills, manages foreign relations, and has the right to pardon. All political acts are carried out in the name of the Queen.

The highest deliberative body of the country for whose consideration bills are proposed is the State Council. The Chairman of the Council is the Head of State. The Council also includes a deputy chairman and 28 members appointed for life.

Control over the correctness of receipts and expenditures of public funds is carried out by the Accounts Chamber.

Civil servants must be politically neutral and have a high professional level. When there are changes in the composition of the government, even the highest administrative ranks remain in their places.

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS OF THE NETHERLANDS

In terms of the form of state-territorial structure, the Netherlands is a decentralized unitary state. Power is distributed across three administrative levels: state, provinces and municipalities. The state does the work at the national level. Provinces and municipalities are decentralized units of government. In addition, there are water management boards with functional competence. Provinces and municipalities can independently make decisions on matters within their jurisdiction. These regulations must not conflict with existing legislation at the central level, or, in the case of municipalities, they must not contradict regulations in force in the relevant province. Provinces and municipalities are required to cooperate in implementing regulations of national government authorities.

The sources of income for provinces and municipalities are their own income and payments from the state. Typically, funds come from central authorities in the form of special payments, which are accompanied by instructions on how they should be spent. In addition, provinces and municipalities receive common funds from the provincial and, respectively, municipal funds. Municipalities receive their own revenues, in particular from property taxes, (clerical) fees and duties. They also have the right to impose taxes themselves, such as tourist tax and dog tax.

The Netherlands is divided into 12 provinces: Drenthe, Flevoland, Friesland, Gelderland, Groningen, Limburg, North Brabant, North Holland, Over IJssel, Utrecht, Zeeland, South Holland. The functions of the provincial authorities include environmental protection, spatial planning, energy supply, social security, sports and culture.

Leadership in each province is carried out by the provincial states, the college of deputies of the provincial states and the royal commissioner. Deputies of provincial states are elected by direct vote of citizens-residents of the province who have the right to vote. The term of office of deputies is four years. Provincial states appoint from among their members a provincial board, the so-called college of deputies, whose term of office is also four years. The Royal Commissioner, appointed by the government for a term of six years, is simultaneously the chairman of both the college of deputies and the provincial states. On the issue of appointing Royal Commissioners to the Netherlands, there are many complaints from international organizations, in particular the Council of Europe, which considers this procedure undemocratic and calls on the Dutch to switch to an electoral system.

There are 478 municipalities in the Netherlands. Their number is decreasing as the state seeks to increase the efficiency of administrative management through the reorganization of municipalities, most often a simple merger. Municipalities are entrusted with responsibilities in the field of water management and transport, housing, management of educational institutions, in the field of public welfare and health care, culture, sports and recreation.

The municipality is governed by the municipal council, the magistrate (a panel of burgomaster and councilors) and the burgomaster. The municipal council is elected for four years by direct vote, in which all eligible residents of the municipality can participate. Foreigners who have legally resided in the Netherlands for at least five years are also eligible to participate in these elections.

Persons who have the citizenship of one of the member states of the European Union can vote in municipal elections immediately after moving to live in the Netherlands.

The municipal council appoints several members from among its members as councilors (members of the magistrate). The Burgomaster is appointed for a term of six years by the Government on the proposal of the Royal Commissioner. The burgomaster and councilors jointly form the board of the municipality. The magistrate implements the decisions of central and provincial authorities that are relevant to the municipality.

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Kingdom of the Netherlands
Netherlands Koninkrijk der Nederlanden
Motto: "Je maintiendrai" "I will stand"
Hymn: "Het Wilhelmus"
Location Netherlands(dark green): - in (light green and dark gray) - in the European Union (light green)
Base (detail)
1581	Beginning of statehood of the Republic of the United Provinces
1815	United Kingdom of the Netherlands
Official language	Dutch, West Frisian (regional)
Capital	¹
Largest cities	,
Form of government	a constitutional monarchy
King	Willem-Alexander
Prime Minister	Mark Rutte
Territory	131st in the world
Total	41,543 km²
Population
Score (2017)	17 208 088 ▲ people (66th)
Density	405 people/km²
GDP
Total (2015)	$752.547 billion (17th)
Per capita	$48,458.9
HDI (2015)	▲ 0.924 (very high; 7th place)
Currency	Euro ² (EUR code 978)
Internet domain	.nl, .eu
ISO code	NL
IOC code	NED
Telephone code	+31
Time Zones	CET (UTC+1, summer UTC+2)
(1 ) - seat of government (2 ) Before 2002: guilder

Netherlands(Dutch Nederland [ˈneːdərlɑnt], Dutch pronunciation listen)) is a state consisting of the main territory of Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba in the Caribbean Sea (also called the Caribbean Netherlands). In Western Europe, the territory is washed by the North Sea (the length of the coastline is 451 km) and borders on (577 km) and (450 km). Together with the islands, and Sint Maarten, which have a special status (self-governing state entity), the Netherlands is included in Kingdom of the Netherlands(Dutch. Koninkrijk der Nederlanden). Relations between members of the kingdom are regulated by the Charter of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, adopted in 1954.

The national flag is tricolor (red, white, blue horizontally). The coat of arms is a blue shield crowned with a golden crown, supported on the sides by two heraldic lions. On the shield is a rearing crowned lion with a sword in its paw; below the shield is the royal motto: Je maintiendrai ("I will stand"). The anthem is "Wilhelmus" ("Song of Wilhelm"). National holiday - April 27 (King's Day).

The official capital of the state, according to the Dutch constitution, is where the monarch takes the oath of allegiance to the Constitution. Moreover, the actual capital is where the royal residence, parliament and government are located, as well as most foreign embassies. Other important cities are: - the country's largest port and one of the world's largest ports, - the center of the country's railway system, and - the center of electronics and high technology. The Hague, Amsterdam, Utrecht and Rotterdam make up the Randstad metropolitan area, home to approximately 7.5 million people. The area of ​​the territory in the European part is 41,543 km² (land - 33,888 km², water - 7,650 km²), population - 17,016,967 people (July 2016, estimate). The area of ​​the territory in the Caribbean Sea is 978.91 km² (Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba - 322 km², - 178.91 km², - 444 km², Sint Maarten - 34 km²), population - 313,968 people (Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba - 18,012 people, - 103,889 people, - 154,843 people, Sint Maarten - 37,224 people).

Etymology

The Netherlands is often called " Holland", which is incorrect, since and are only two of the twelve provinces of the present Netherlands, which throughout history were the most developed and therefore the most famous outside the Netherlands. For this reason, in many other countries by Holland (“ Holland") was often called the entire country. In Russian, this name became widespread after the Great Embassy of Peter I. Since the circle of interests of the Russian Tsar included places that were most developed from a technical point of view, and they in the Netherlands were mostly located in the province of Holland, it was the Great Embassy that visited it; When talking at home about their visit to the Netherlands, members of the embassy often referred to the country as Holland, without mentioning the name of the state as a whole.

The name "Netherlands" in translation means "lower lands", but it is incorrect to translate it literally, since for historical reasons this term is usually used to refer to the territory approximately corresponding to the modern Netherlands and (Benelux). At the end of the Middle Ages, the region located in the lower reaches of the rivers Rhine, Meuse, Scheldt, along the coast of the North Sea, began to be called the “Maritime Lowlands” or “Lower Lands” ( de Lage Landen bij de zee, de Nederlanden). The first official mention of the use of the name “Netherlands” dates back to the 14th-15th centuries.

Story

The first archaeological evidence of the presence of ancient man on the territory of what is now the Netherlands dates back to the Lower Paleolithic (about 250 thousand years ago). They were hunters and gatherers. At the end of the Ice Age, the area was inhabited by various Paleolithic groups. Around 8000 BC e. a Mesolithic tribe lived in this territory, and in the next few millennia the Iron Age came with a relatively high standard of living.

“Portrait of William I of Orange” by Adrian Thomas Kay

At the time of the Romans' arrival, the area of ​​what is now the Netherlands was inhabited by Germanic tribes such as the Tubantians, Caninefates and Frisians, who settled there around 600 BC. Celtic tribes such as the Eburones and Menapians inhabited the south of the country. The Germanic Frisian tribes are one of the branches of the Teutons who came to the Netherlands around the middle of the 1st millennium BC. e. At the beginning of Roman colonization, the Germanic tribes of the Batavians and Toxandrans also arrived in the country. During the Roman Empire, the southern part of what is now the Netherlands was occupied by the Romans and became part of the province of Belgica (Latin: Gallia Belgica), and later the province of Germania Inferior (Latin: Germania Inferior).

During the Middle Ages, the Low Countries (roughly consisting of what is now the Netherlands) included the various counties, duchies and dioceses that formed part of the Holy Roman Empire. They were united into one state under Habsburg rule in the 16th century. After the spread of Calvinism, the Counter-Reformation followed, causing a split in the country. Attempts by the Spanish king Philip II to centralize the state led to a rebellion against Spanish rule led by William I of Orange. On July 26, 1581, the country's independence was proclaimed, officially recognized by other states only after the Eighty Years' War (1568-1648). During the War of Independence, the Dutch Golden Age began, a period of economic and cultural prosperity that lasted throughout the 17th century.

Second Anglo-Dutch War

After the end of French occupation at the beginning of the 19th century, the Netherlands became a monarchy under the rule of the House of Orange. In 1830 it finally separated from the Netherlands and became an independent kingdom; gained independence in 1890. Under pressure from liberal politicians, the country was transformed into a parliamentary constitutional monarchy in 1848. This political structure has survived to this day, with a brief interruption during the Nazi occupation.

The Netherlands remained neutral during the First World War, but was occupied by Germany for five years during the Second World War. During the German invasion it was bombed, during which the city center was almost completely destroyed. About fifty thousand Dutch Jews became victims of the Holocaust during the occupation.

Liberation of the Netherlands in September 1944

After the war, the country began to rebuild rapidly, facilitated by the Marshall Plan, organized by. Thanks to this, the Netherlands quickly managed to restore the national economy and achieve economic growth. The former colonies and. As a result of mass immigration from Indonesia, Suriname and the Antilles, the Netherlands became a multicultural country with a large Muslim population.

The sixties and seventies saw great social and cultural changes. Catholics and Protestants began to communicate more with each other, and differences between segments of the population also became less noticeable due to rising standards of living and development of education. Women's economic rights have greatly expanded, and they are increasingly occupying high positions in businesses and government. They were also granted passive suffrage, that is, the right to be elected. The government began to care not only about economic growth, but also about protecting the environment. The population received broad social rights; pensions, unemployment and disability benefits are among the highest in the world.

On March 25, 1957, the Netherlands became one of the founders of the European Union and subsequently did a lot for European integration. However, in the referendum on the European Constitution in June 2005, more than half of the Dutch voted against its adoption. Not the least negative role was played by the ban on holding a referendum on the country's transition from the guilder to the euro. Thus, the Netherlands became the second country, after, to reject the draft of a single EU constitution.

The Prime Minister from July 22, 2002 to October 14, 2010 was the leader of the Christian Democratic Appeal, Jan-Peter Balkenende. On February 22, 2007, he formed his fourth cabinet - a coalition of the Christian Democratic Appeal, the Labor Party and the small Christian Union party (6 seats in parliament). Balkenende's deputies in the government were the leader of the Labor Party, Wouter Bos, and the leader of the Christian Union, Andre Rauwut.

On February 20, 2010, the fourth cabinet of Jan-Peter Balkenende collapsed due to disagreements among coalition members over the participation of Dutch troops in the anti-terrorist operation in Afghanistan. Labor Party leader Wouter Bos advocated for the speedy withdrawal of all Dutch troops from the country, while coalition leader Jan-Peter Balkenende insists on extending the mandate in Afghanistan for another year (the mandate expired in August 2010). In February 2010, there were 1,900 Dutch soldiers in Afghanistan. New elections were called.

In the parliamentary elections on June 9, 2010, the ruling Christian Democratic Appeal party lost 20 of 41 parliamentary seats, and the best results in the elections were achieved by the liberal People's Party for Freedom and Democracy, the center-left Labor Party and the Freedom Party, known for its anti-Muslim views. On October 14, 2010, Mark Rutte, leader of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy, became the new Prime Minister of the Netherlands. The Freedom Party entered into the ruling coalition with the PPSD and the Christian Democratic Party without the right to ministerial posts. The parties of the ruling coalition (NPSD, HDP and PS) had 76 deputy mandates out of 150 seats in the Second Chamber and 37 out of 75 in the First.

On 23 April 2012, Rutte submitted his resignation to Queen Beatrix. The reason for such actions on the part of Rutte was unsuccessful negotiations with the opposition on the topic of the 2013 budget and possible measures to overcome the financial crisis. In particular, one of these measures is the reduction of government spending by 16 billion euros. After early parliamentary elections held in September 2012, Rutte formed a coalition government of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy and the Labor Party.

State structure

The first Dutch constitution of 1815 vested primary powers in the king, but gave legislative powers to a bicameral parliament (the States General). The country's modern constitution was adopted in 1848 on the initiative of King Willem II and the famous liberal Johan Rudolf Thorbecke. This constitution can be considered a "peaceful revolution" because it sharply limited the power of the king and transferred executive power to the cabinet. Parliament was now directly elected and gained great influence over government decisions. Thus, the Netherlands became one of the first countries in Europe to make the transition from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy.

King Willem-Alexander is officially the head of state

In 1917, a change in the constitution gave voting rights to all men over 23 years of age; in 1919 all women received the right to vote. Since 1971, all citizens over 18 years of age have the right to vote. The largest revision of the constitution took place in 1983. From now on, the population was guaranteed not only political, but also social rights: protection from discrimination (based on religion, political beliefs, race, gender and other reasons), a ban on the death penalty and the right to a living wage. The government received the responsibility to protect the population from unemployment and protect the environment. Several constitutional changes after 1983 abolished military conscription and allowed the military to be used for peacekeeping operations abroad.

The monarch of the Netherlands is officially the head of state, but delegates power to the cabinet. Among the King's many functions as head of state is the annual Speech from the Throne, which he delivers on Princes' Day at the beginning of the parliamentary year (Prince's Day falls on the third Tuesday in September). The Speech from the Throne presents the government's plans for the coming year. The monarch also plays an important role in forming the government. After the elections, the head of state holds consultations with faction leaders, chairmen of the First and Second Chambers of Parliament and with the vice-chairman of the State Council. On their recommendation, the King can appoint an “informant” who finds out which parties are ready to work together in the government. Until now, there has never been a single case where one party had an absolute majority. There is no need to appoint an informant if it is known in advance which parties want to jointly form a cabinet. The result of negotiations between these parties is an agreement on the conditions for forming a government. The agreement outlines the coalition's plans for the upcoming four-year governing period. After reaching this agreement, the King appoints a “formator” whose task is to form a cabinet. For the most part, the formator becomes the prime minister of the new government. New ministers are appointed by Royal Decree and sworn in by the King.

Since 2013, the king is Willem-Alexander from the Orange dynasty, the heir to the throne is his eldest daughter, Princess Katharina-Amalia of Orange. From 1890 to 2013, only women were on the throne. It is not uncommon for a monarch to abdicate the throne in favor of an heir upon reaching old age (all three successive queens in the 20th century did this: Wilhelmina, Juliana and Beatrix). In practice, the monarch almost does not interfere in political life, limiting himself to official ceremonies, but at the same time has a certain influence on the formation of a new government after parliamentary elections and on the appointment of royal commissioners in the provinces.

Legislative power is vested in the monarch (nominally), the Estates General (parliament) and, to a lesser extent, the government. Parliament consists of two chambers: the first (75 seats) and the second (150 seats). The second chamber, which has the main power, is elected by direct universal suffrage for a term of 4 years.

The first chamber is elected indirectly by the provincial parliaments. The next provincial elections were held on March 18, 2015; The composition of the First Chamber was elected on May 26, 2015. The functions of the First Chamber are limited to the ratification of bills already developed and adopted by the Second Chamber.

Executive power is concentrated in the hands of the cabinet of ministers (government). The government is obliged to coordinate major decisions with parliament, and is therefore formed on the basis of a parliamentary majority. No party in recent Dutch history has had an absolute majority in parliament, so governments have always been coalitions.

Political parties

The political life of the Netherlands is quite rich and represented by numerous parties. Traditionally, during elections, voters cast their votes for the same parties, occasionally choosing newly formed ones. Among the most popular parties in the Netherlands are: the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy, the Freedom Party and the Christian Democratic Appeal. So far, following the House of Representatives elections held on March 15, 2017, the following parties have won seats:

Number of seats held by parties based on the 2017 election results

color	Name	Col. places
	People's Party for Freedom and Democracy	33
	Freedom Party	20
	Christian Democratic Appeal	19
	Democrats 66	19
	Green Left	14
	Socialist Party	14
	Labor Party	9
	Christian Union	5
	Animal Welfare Party	5
	Party 50+	4
	Reformed Party	3
	Denk (political party)	3
	Forum for Democracy	2

Legal system

The highest court is the Supreme Council ( Hoge Raad), appellate courts - 4 judicial chambers ( Gerechtshof), courts of first instance - 11 tribunals ( Rechtbank), the lowest level of the judicial system is the cantonal courts ( Kantongerecht), prosecutorial supervision bodies - the Prosecutor General's Office ( Parquet-general), headed by the Advocate General ( Advocaat-generaal), district attorney's offices ( ressortsparket) led by the Chief Advocate General ( Hoofdadvocaat-Generalaal), one per judicial chamber, district prosecutor's offices ( arrondissementsparketten), headed by the Chief Justice Officer ( hoofdofficier van justitie) one per tribunal.

Administrative division

The Netherlands and its overseas territories

The Netherlands is divided into 12 provinces ( province) (the last province was created in 1986 on drained territories), the provinces are divided into communities ( gemeente), some communities are divided into communal areas ( deelgemeente). The Netherlands also includes three special communities in the Caribbean: , and . Representative bodies of the provinces - provincial states ( Provinciale Staten), provincial executive bodies - state deputies ( Gedeputeerde Staten), consisting of the king's commissioner ( Commissaris van de Koning) and deputies ( gedeputeerde), representative bodies of communities - community councils ( Gemeenteraad), the executive body is the collegium of the burgomaster and legislators ( College van burgemeester en wethouders), consisting of a burgomaster ( Burgemeester) and legislators ( Wethouder), representative bodies of community areas - district councils ( deelraad), executive bodies - boards ( dagelijks bestuur), led by city district chairmen ( stadsdeelvoorzitter).

The main units of local administration are municipalities, of which there are 647.

Population

Population of the Netherlands (thousands of people) in 1961-2003

The population as of July 2017 is 17,084,719 people. In the list of countries by the number of inhabitants, the Netherlands ranks 66th. Compared to other European countries, the population of the Netherlands has grown very quickly over the past century and a half: 3 million inhabitants in 1850, 5 million in 1900 and 16 million in 2000. For comparison, the population in the same period only approximately doubled: from 4.5 million inhabitants in 1850 to 10 million in 2000.

With an area of ​​41,543 km², according to 2016 data, the Netherlands has a population density of 405 people per square kilometer. Thus, the Netherlands is the 15th most densely populated country in the world. In terms of territory size and population, the kingdom can be compared with, including. Largely due to this, the Netherlands is one of the countries with the most developed transport and information infrastructure. 15.778 million people or 93.1% of the country's population use the Internet - 34th in the world. In the Netherlands in 2002-2003 there were over 10 million landline phones and 12.5 million mobile phones. There are more than 250 radio stations and 21 television stations (as well as 26 repeaters) operating in the country.

Queen's Day Celebration (2011)

The Netherlands is home to two indigenous groups, the Dutch and the Frisians, as well as a large number of immigrants. Ethnic composition of the population: 80.7% - Dutch, 2.4% - Germans, 2.4% - Indonesians, 2.2% - Turks, 2% - Surinamese, 2% - Moroccans, 1.5% - Indians, 0 .8% are Antilians and Arubans, and 6.0% are other ethnic groups. Population composition by religion: 33% - Protestants (the largest Protestant religious organization is the Protestant Church of the Netherlands ( Protestantse Kerk in Nederland)), 31.27% are Catholics, 6% are Muslims, 0.6% are Hindus, 0.5% are Buddhists, 2.2% profess other religions. The population of the Netherlands is the highest in the world: the average height of adult men is 1.83 meters, adult women - 1.70 meters.

The number of educated people aged 15 to 65 years is 10,994,000 in 2011. In the Netherlands, compulsory free education is required for children and adolescents up to the age of 16. Children from 5 (and at the request of parents from 4) to 12 years old attend primary school. It is distinguished by a wide variety of educational programs. In secondary school, where attendance is compulsory for every child between the ages of 12 and 16, there is more uniformity in the educational process. Higher education can be obtained at a college (hogescholen), university or Open University (evening or distance learning). There are 13 universities in the country (the oldest university in the Netherlands is Leiden, founded in 1575) and the Open University for adults. Higher education usually covers a six-year course of study.

Physiographic characteristics

Netherlands, satellite image (May 2000)

The Netherlands is the most populous country (if you exclude several dwarf countries). The country has a very dense river network, the converging estuaries of the Rhine, Meuse and Scheldt rivers forming an extensive common navigable delta. The rivers are full-flowing and bring masses of sediment, but often their beds carry the risk of flooding. From the soils deposited by these rivers, a delta and a vast flat lowland were formed. The relief of the Netherlands is mainly composed of coastal lowlands, in the southeast there are small hills, and quite large areas are expanding due to marine territories. Half of the territory lies below sea level, and only in the south of the Netherlands does the terrain rise to 30 meters or more. Most of the lowlands are located in the provinces of, and. The coastline is formed by alluvial dunes. Behind them come lands that were once reclaimed from the sea, called polders and protected by dunes and dams from sea waters. In general, most soils are podzolic, but there are also fertile silty soils near the North Sea, and alluvial-meadow soils along the river valleys. The polders, almost entirely used for agricultural purposes, are composed mainly of clay and peat. In the southern and eastern regions of the country, sandy soils are common, largely occupied by arable land. In some places, heathland (low grass with shrubs) and pine-oak-beech forests have been preserved here. The plateaus of southern Limburg are covered with loess of aeolian origin. Fertile loamy soils are developed here, which form the basis of agriculture. Most of the wild animals in the Netherlands have been driven out of their habitats by humans. Nevertheless, there are many birds found in the country, especially waterfowl. Many rare animal species are protected in national parks and reserves. 21.96% of the land is used for arable land. The country's highest point is Walserberg (322 m), located in the southeast, and the lowest is Zaudplastpolder (−6.74 m below sea level).

Climate

In general, the climate is temperate, maritime, characterized by cool summers and fairly warm winters. The average temperature in July is +16…+17 °C, in January - about +2 °C on the coast and a little colder inland. The absolute maximum air temperature (+38.6 °C) was recorded on August 23, 1944 in Varnsveld, the absolute minimum (−27.4 °C) was recorded on January 27, 1942 in Winterswijk. In winter, when anticyclones invade, temperatures drop below 0 °C, snow falls, and canals and lakes become covered with ice. Although the average annual rainfall ranges from 650 to 750 mm, rarely does a day go by without rain. There is often fog, and snow sometimes falls in winter.

Land reclamation

Friesland

The history of the country for the Dutch lies in the statement that God created the Earth, and the Netherlands were created by the Dutch themselves. This is very close to the truth, since a quarter of the country’s territory lies 5-7 m below sea level. A seventh of the land is located at an altitude of only 1 m above sea level, and only ⁄ 50 part of the country's territory is above the 50 m mark. Since Roman times, the Dutch have been reclaiming land from the sea. The first polders appeared in the 13th century, and since then significant areas along the coast have been drained. But at the same time, the history of the Netherlands is the history of the ongoing struggle of people with the sea. True, nature itself came to the aid of man here, protecting part of the coast with a rather wide belt of sand dunes. But this belt was not continuous, and besides, the sand was blown away by the winds. Then people began to strengthen the dunes with various plantings, and in places of ruptures to build earthen dams and dams. They began to build similar dams and dams on rivers. This, by the way, is where numerous geographical names with the ending “dam” (dam, dam) come from, for example (“dam on the Amstel River”) or Rotterdam (“dam on the Rotte River”).

Today, the total length of the continuous chain of dams and fortified dunes exceeds 3000 km. And they are no longer built from sand and stone, but from reinforced concrete and steel structures. The primary importance of this problem was the reason for organizing the department for flood protection - Waterschap (Dutch). Waterschap). Large reclamation projects were carried out in 1930-1950. It was then that the artificial lake IJsselmeer was created, which became the largest in Western Europe (the 12th Dutch province was formed on the site of the drained bay). After the severe flood of 1953, when the sea broke through many coastal dams, it was decided to implement the Delta project, which provided for the separation of river mouths from the sea, while maintaining navigation through numerous canals. Fencing off from the sea, the Dutch began to create polders. This is also a Dutch term, denoting a piece of land reclaimed from the sea, protected on all sides by dams and used for the settlement of people and various forms of economic activity. Even more polders began to appear on the site of drained lakes and peat bogs, which were turned into fertile fields. Already in the 1960s, on the site of one of the drained lakes to the south, the country's main international airport arose - one of the largest in Europe. In the Middle Ages, windmills were used to pump water; in the 19th century, steam pumps began to be used, and in the 20th century, electric pumps. In total, by the beginning of the 21st century, 2.8 thousand large and small polders with a total area of ​​20 thousand km² had already been created in the country, which corresponds to approximately half of the country’s territory.

Time Zones

The territory of the Netherlands is located in a time zone called Central European Time (CET) (UTC+1) with the clockwise moving annually on the last Sunday in March at 2:00 1 hour forward and on the last Sunday in October at 3:00 1 hour back (Central European summer time (UTC+2)). The special municipalities of the Netherlands (Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba), as well as the constituent parts of the Kingdom (Aruba, Curacao, Sint Maarten) are in the UTC-4 time zone.

Economy

Advantages: highly qualified and multilingual workforce. Excellent infrastructure. Equal relations between employees and employers. An expensive social system with high taxes and social insurance payments. A third of government revenue goes to social benefits. High salary costs. Low inflation - as of August 2017, this figure was 1.3%. The unemployment rate as of August 2017 is 4.7%.

Weak sides: Aging population.

Rotterdam

The Netherlands has a modern, highly developed post-industrial economy. The most important sectors:

• Mechanical engineering
• Electronics
• Petrochemistry
• Aircraft industry
• Shipbuilding
• Ferrous metallurgy
• industry
• Furniture industry
• Pulp and paper industry
• Beer production
• Manufacture of wearing apparel.

The Netherlands is a highly developed country economically. The service sector accounts for 73% of GDP, industry and construction - 24.5%, agriculture and fishing - 2.5%. The most important sectors of service provision are dominated by: transport and communications, the credit and financial system, research and development (R&D), education, international tourism, and a range of business services.

Heavy industry - oil refining, chemical production, ferrous metallurgy and mechanical engineering - are concentrated in coastal areas, especially in, as well as in IJmuiden, Arnhem and. All these cities are located on navigable rivers or canals. Wind energy farms are located on the sea coast. The production of chocolate, cigars, gin, and beer is also developed. A well-known industry, despite its modest scale, is diamond processing.

Amsterdam canal streets

The headquarters and production facilities of such transnational and European companies as Royal Dutch/Shell, Unilever, Royal Philips Electronics are located in the Netherlands.

The Dutch banking system is represented by banks such as ABN AMRO, ING Groep N.V. and Rabobank. In 2002, the Netherlands introduced the euro as a common European currency, replacing the guilder with it.

Zones with special economic regime are located in the Antilles, in particular on the island, which is a significant economic zone of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Main import items: oil, automobiles, iron and steel, clothing, non-ferrous metals, food products, various transport equipment, rubber.

Main export items: chemical industry products, meat, greenhouse vegetables, floriculture products, natural gas, metal products.

The country's main trading partners: Germany, Belgium, Great Britain, France.

Mining industry

Natural gas plays an important role in the mining industry in the Netherlands. Pipelines distribute gas from Groningen throughout the country and for export. In terms of reserves of this mineral, the Netherlands ranks first in Western Europe and, with a production rate of 3.1%, ranks sixth in the world. Until 1975, coal was mined in the province of Limburg. In the cities, mines operated with a production volume of 4 million tons per year. Natural gas reserves are estimated at 1,615 billion m³ as of 2017. Oil production is carried out on the Dutch part of the continental shelf. Clays are also present.

Transport

Flat terrain creates favorable conditions for the development of a road network, but a large number of rivers and canals creates certain difficulties and risks in road construction. The small area of ​​the state is evidenced by the fact that you can get from one border to another in 3-4 hours.

The total length of the railway network is 2,753 km (of which more than 2,000 km are electrified).

The total length of roads is 138,641 km, of which 2,756 km are highways.

The length of navigable rivers and canals accessible to ships with a displacement of up to 50 tons is 6237 km.

Ocean shipping also plays an important role in the country's economy. is one of the largest seaports in the world in terms of cargo turnover. The Netherlands handles a significant portion of European cargo flows. KLM airline serves many international routes.

The Dutch government is continuously fighting traffic jams in order to improve the traffic situation on the road and the environmental situation in general. In many large cities, traffic congestion is a cause of environmental pollution, where such environmental damage accounts for 50% of the total.

Agriculture

Despite its size, the Netherlands is the world's second largest food exporter measured by value, behind only the United States, and first in the European Union. In 2016, agricultural exports exceeded 94 billion euros compared to 90 billion in 2015. Currently, the agri-food sector accounts for 22% of the country's total exports. The country exports mainly vegetables, fruits, dairy products, meat and processed products, and flowers. It is worth noting the growing demand for Dutch agricultural materials and technologies (energy-efficient greenhouses, precision farming systems via GPS and drones, new discoveries that make crops more resilient to the effects of climate change and disease).

Land. As of 2015, about 31% of agricultural land is arable, 24% is pasture, and 11% is covered. The soil in the Netherlands is carefully looked after; in addition, in 2005 the country ranked first in the world in terms of the amount of mineral fertilizers applied per hectare. The area of ​​land irrigated for agricultural needs is 5650 km² (as of 2003).

Plant growing. In some areas of the country (around Amsterdam) floriculture predominates. Potatoes, sugar beets and grain crops, etc. are also grown. An important export item is high-quality greenhouse and canned vegetables.

Animal husbandry. Fifth place in Europe in butter production and fourth in cheese production. Pasture farming is the most widespread, with more than 4.5 million head of cattle grazing on the polders (about 3.5% of EU livestock). The dairy herd in 2005 numbered about 1.4 million heads (in the mid-1980s there were about 2.5 million heads), the productivity of the herd is very high - the average milk yield is more than 9 thousand liters of milk per year. In recent years, the Dutch government has taken measures to reduce the number of dairy cattle to minimize phosphate production and its impact on the environment. According to the Minister of Agriculture of the Netherlands, Martin van Damme, in the plans of the state program to reduce the number of livestock, 60 thousand heads will be eliminated, of which 31,500 have already been slaughtered. These measures were taken after the Netherlands exhausted the limits on phosphates that were sanctioned by the European Union.

Greenhouse farming. The Netherlands ranks first in the world in terms of area allocated for greenhouse farming. From 1994 to 2005, the area of ​​greenhouses increased from 13 to 15 thousand hectares; greenhouses are usually heated using local natural gas. 60% of the protected soil is allocated for floriculture.

Armed forces and intelligence services

The Armed Forces of the Netherlands (Dutch: Nederlandse krijgsmacht) consists of four branches of the military:

• Royal Land Forces (Dutch. Koninklijke Landmacht, KL).
• The Royal Navy (Dutch Koninklijke Marine, KM), which includes the Naval Air Service (Marine-Luchtvaartdienst) and the Marine Corps (Korps Mariniers).
• Royal Air Force (Dutch. Koninklijke Luchtmacht, KLu)
• Royal Military Police (Dutch: Koninklijke Marechaussee).

The commander-in-chief of all branches of the army is the King of the Netherlands, Willem-Alexander. The Commander of the Royal Netherlands Navy and Admiral of the Benelux is Lieutenant General Rob Verkerk. The current Minister of Defense is Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert.

Culture and science

Rembrandt van Rijn is one of the most famous artists in the world

Many famous artists lived and worked in the Netherlands. Hieronymus Bosch created his works in the 16th century. In the 17th century there lived such masters as Rembrandt van Rijn, Jan Vermeer, Jan Stein and many others. In the 19th and 20th centuries, Vincent Van Gogh and Piet Mondrian were famous. Maurice Cornelis Escher is known as a graphic artist. Willem de Koning was educated in Rotterdam, and subsequently became a famous American artist. Han van Meegeren became famous for his forgeries of classical paintings.

The philosophers Erasmus of Rotterdam and Spinoza lived in the Netherlands, and all of Descartes' major works were carried out there. Scientist Christiaan Huygens discovered Saturn's moon Titan and invented the pendulum clock.

The Dutch Golden Age also led to a flourishing of literature, with Joost van den Vondel and Pieter Corneliszoon Hooft being famous writers. In the 19th century, Multatuli (Eduard Douwes Dekker) wrote about the mistreatment of Aborigines in the Dutch colonies. Important writers of the 20th century were Harri Mühlisch, Jan Volkers, Simon Westdijk, Gerard Reve, Willem Frederik Hermans and Seis Noteboom. Anne Frank wrote the famous "Diary of Anne Frank", which was published after her death in a Nazi concentration camp and translated from Dutch into all major languages.

Dutch art of the 20th century. acquired a more experimental character, while at the same time not completely abandoning traditional realism. In the 1950s, interest in poetry revived. In the works of such writers as Willem Frederik Hermans, Gerard Reve, Harri Mülish, the description of the disharmonious aspects of life is intertwined with realistic traditions. All modern trends are represented in painting and sculpture, among which in the 1950s the group “Cobra”, led by such a master as Karel Appel, stood out most. In music, composer Willem Peyper has won international recognition. All major cities have wonderful symphony orchestras, the most famous of which are the Amsterdam and The Hague Royal Orchestras. The Dutch ballet is one of the best in Europe.

Ice scene. 1620. Hendrik Averkamp

Famous Dutch film directors include Jos Stelling and Paul Verhoeven. Among the actors, the most famous is Rutger Hauer, and among the actresses are Sylvia Kristel and Famke Janssen. Also world famous are such metal bands as Focus, Pestilence, The Gathering, Ayreon, Within Temptation, Delain, Exivious and Epica, as well as the rock band Shocking Blue. In addition, the Netherlands is famous for its world-famous sound producers and DJs - Tiësto, Hardwell, Armin van Buuren, Dannic, Ferry Corsten, Afrojack, Sander van Doorn, Laidback Luke, Mitch Crown, Sidney Samson, Martin Garrix.

The Netherlands has many wonderful museums. Outstanding paintings by Dutch artists are presented in the Rijksmuseum and Rembrandt House Museum in Amsterdam, the Boijmans-van Beuningen Museum in Rotterdam and the Mauritshuis Museum in The Hague, as well as in some large provincial museums, such as the Frans Hals Museum in Haarlem and the Central Museum Utrecht. The Amsterdam City Museum has a large collection of art from the 19th and 20th centuries. The Vincent van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam houses more than 700 paintings and sketches by the master. The Kröller-Müller Museum in Otterlo also displays a large collection of works by Van Gogh; In addition, there is a collection of works of contemporary art.

Sport

Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie

One of the most popular sports in the Netherlands is undoubtedly football. The first information about it dates back to 1865. At the same time, the oldest football club in the Netherlands is the Koninkleike HFC club, which was founded in 1879. This was followed by the organization of the “Netherlands Football and Athletic Union” in The Hague in 1889. The Netherlands national football team is among the top ten in the world (ranking 9th). The Dutch women's national football team performs at a fairly strong level on the international stage. Under the leadership of head coach Sarina Wigman, the team won the 2017 European Women's Football Championship. The country has hosted such significant football tournaments as the 2000 European Football Championship and the 2017 European Women's Football Championship. Among the most famous football players in the country it is worth noting: Philip John William Cocu, Phillem Kieft, Michels Rinus, Johan Cruyff and many others. etc.

Speed ​​skating occupies a special place among winter sports for residents of the Netherlands. The history of this sport goes back a long way. According to “Notes on the stay of Peter I in the Netherlands 1697-1698 and 1716-1717” by J. K. Nomen, the Dutch have traditionally been skating for a long time and taught the Mokvitians who arrived to them. Dutch speed skaters have won many of the most prestigious tournaments and are considered among the strongest in the world. The most famous are: Ard Schenk, Kees Verkerk, Rintje Ritsma, Irene Wüst, Marianne Timmer, Bob de Jong, Sven Kramer and many others.

Combat sports are also extremely popular in the country. Kickboxing, savate, Thai boxing, karate, and judo are especially well developed. The Netherlands' Muay Thai and Kickboxing school is often referred to as "the second home of Muay Thai." Famous sports invented in the Netherlands are Korfball and Polsstockfersprinken. At the Olympics and World Championships, Dutch athletes win a very large number of medals relative to the country's population. Thousands of Dutch fans attend competitions in foreign countries wearing the orange colors always worn by the national football team. Also popular among the population are: baseball, tennis, cycling, field hockey, volleyball, handball and golf.

Architecture

Rotterdam is the modern "architectural capital" of the Netherlands. In the foreground is the Erasmus Bridge

Dutch architecture had a significant influence on the development of world architecture. In the 16th century, it was significantly different from all known styles in Europe at that time. A special style was developed on the basis of the “stinginess and moderation” inherent in Calvinism, which ran counter to the pomp and decoration in the French and Spanish courts. Representatives of Dutch architecture of the 17th century were Lieven de Kay and Hendrik de Keyser. The Late Renaissance (Renaissance) left its mark on the development of Dutch architecture. The influence, which dawned at the end of the 17th century, was so significant that the expression “Dutch Baroque” (Dutch classicism) was introduced into use. The facades of many government buildings, banks and factories were decorated in this style. The most famous architects of this period were Jacob van Kampen and Peter Post.

The style of Dutch architecture of the 19th century was dominated by classicism, as well as various movements (for example, neo-Gothic). This period saw the construction of such famous buildings as the Rijksmuseum, Utrecht University, and Amsterdam Central Station. Prominent architects of this time were Eugene Hugel and Petrus Kuipers. The end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries saw the transition of Dutch architecture from classicism to modernity and constructivism. Petrus Barlach, a student of Petrus Kuipers, is rightfully considered the founder of modern Dutch architecture.

Notes

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5. International Monetary Fund (April 2015) Archived February 1, 2017.
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8. Austria Archived June 10, 2009.
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Literature

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• Jonathan Israel. The Dutch Republic: Its Rise, Greatness, and Fall 1477-1806 (1995).
• J. A. Kossmann-Putto and E. H. Kossmann. The Low Countries: History of the Northern and Southern Netherlands (1987).
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• G. A. Shatokhina-Mordvintseva HISTORY OF THE NETHERLANDS. - M.: Bustard, 2007. ISBN 978-5-358-01308-3

Having visited almost all the provinces of the Netherlands, I can safely say that each of them is worthy of the attention of not only local residents, but also, of course, tourists. Each of them has its own characteristics: outstanding cities or attractions, nature reserves or future buildings, vibrant nightlife or absolute silence in harmony with nature.

Holland or the Netherlands? Provinces or regions? In order not to be confused with names anymore, let me remind you: the country is called the Netherlands, and only two of the dozen provinces (South and North) are called Holland. But, of course, it’s easier for everyone to pronounce “Holland” than “Netherlands.” The Dutch are not at all offended that the name of their country is not always accurate. However, when describing the provinces of the Netherlands, this article cannot be called anything else.

Territorial division

So, although the country is small, the Netherlands is geographically divided into as many as 12 provinces. Internally, each is divided into communities and communal areas. After the abolition of the autonomy of the Antilles, special communities located on the islands of Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius also came under the guardianship of the Netherlands.

In addition, the kingdom includes the self-governing states of Aruba, and. Each province has its own leadership in the form of a provincial staff, a royal commissioner and a college of deputies of provincial states, which resolves issues of social security of citizens, environmental protection, sports and culture.

Northern Netherlands

In the north of the Netherlands there are the following provinces:

• Friesland,
• Drenthe.

These territories are distinguished by unity with nature, cultural diversity and a certain isolation from the rest of the country. So Friesland has its own dialect, people here speak West Frisian (you can read more about the language), which is also the second official language for this province.

The northernmost point of the Netherlands is an ancient university town and the capital of the province of the same name. They say that this province, on the one hand, is the most traditional and filled with history, and on the other, the most party-loving due to the large number of students. The largest zoo in the Netherlands is located in the province of Drenthe.

West Holland

The country's main port is also located here, the main airport is Schiphol and a major railway interchange point in Utrecht.

North Holland

The capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam, is located in the province of North Holland. But at the same time, it is not even the capital of the province; this role is played by the city of Haarlem, which is the end point of the spring Flower Parade. In North Holland there is also the world-famous Keukenhof flower park, which is open only 2 months a year (read more about events).

In my travels, I like to combine cities to see if they are not very large, so I often choose and recommend to others the following routes:

• flower park Keukenhof + Leiden/Haarlem/Amsterdam;
• Amsterdam + the village of Zaanse Schans (a 16-minute drive from Amsterdam near the Koog-Zaandijk railway station, where on the river bank there are various Dutch craft shops and 8 mills);
• a very interesting open-air museum in the city of Enkhuizen (Zuiderzee Museum) + Hoorn.

***

The Netherlands seems like a very small country for residents of Russia, but that doesn’t make it any less interesting for its diversity of traditions, architecture, people’s attitudes, nature and the different features of each province. And thanks to its compact location and good railway system, you can see several cities or even visit several provinces in one day.

Netherlands(unofficial name Holland) is a state in northwestern Europe. In the north and west it faces the North Sea, the length of the sea borders is about 1 thousand km. In the north, the Dutch border runs along the coastline of the five West Frisian North Sea islands (Vlieland, Terscheling, Texel, Schiermonnikoog and Amyland). The Netherlands borders Germany in the east and Belgium in the south.

The name of the country comes from the Dutch Nederland - “low country”.

Official name: Kingdom of the Netherlands (Holland).

Capital: Amsterdam

The area of ​​the land: 41.5 thousand sq. km

Total Population: 16.4 million people

Administrative division: The Netherlands consists of 12 provinces: North Holland, South Holland, Utrecht, Fleevoland, Gelderland, Drenthe, Groningen, Friesland, Overijssel, Zeeland, North Brabant, Limburg. Provinces are divided into communities.

Form of government: A constitutional monarchy.

Head of State: King (queen).

Population composition: 80.8% - Dutch, 2.4% - Germans, 2.4% - Indonesians, 2.2% - Turks, 2.0% - Surinamese, 1.9% - Moroccans, 1.5% - Indians, 0 .8% are Antilians and Arubans, and 6.0% are other ethnic groups.

Official language: Dutch (Dutch). The Frisian language is spoken in Friesland, and there is also a local dialect in the province of Limburg. Almost everyone in the Netherlands speaks English quite well. Many residents of the Netherlands also speak German and French.

Religion: 31% - Catholics, 21% - Protestants, 4.4% - Muslims, 3.6% - others.

Internet domain: .nl

Mains voltage: ~230 V, 50 Hz

Country dialing code: +31

Country barcode: 870-879

Climate

The climate of the Netherlands is typical of the maritime temperate zone, which includes the entire territory of the country. This type of climate primarily implies pleasant, cool summers and mild winters. The small size of the Netherlands by geographical standards implies homogeneity of climatic characteristics for all its regions, except that the frequency of sunny days in different provinces differs slightly from each other, and even then more in the opinion of the Dutch themselves. They claim that the sun shines more often in the provinces of Zealand and Limburg than in the rest of the territory.

Typical summer weather is partly cloudy, when the rain stops before it starts, five to six times a day and the air temperature is about +17....+22 degrees. In winter, snow cover is very rarely established here - the snow that falls usually melts quickly, because the air temperature rarely drops below zero for a long period of time.

During the cold period of the year, sub-zero air temperatures here are the exception rather than the rule, because as soon as the wind blows from the sea, you can forget about frost, since the air above the sea always has a temperature above zero. The temperature of ocean water off the coast is around +4...+6 degrees, which allows the world-famous Dutch ports to receive ships all year round. Occasional drizzle, sometimes accompanied by sleet or snow pellets, is as much a part of the Dutch winter as fog in the British Isles.

In the coldest month of the year - January - the average air temperature is around +1...+4 degrees, which, combined with high humidity and wind, creates not particularly comfortable weather.

However, there are also severe winters when the flow of cold air from the continent chills the Dutch canals so much that they freeze. However, for local residents this is most likely a pleasant surprise - after all, it is in such winters that a huge number of speed skating competitions are held, the love for which lives in the soul of every native of the Lower Lands.

Geography

The Netherlands is a fairly small country located on the North Sea coast, and the population density here is one of the highest in Europe. The Netherlands should not be confused with Holland - these are not synonyms at all. Holland is only one of the Dutch provinces, albeit one of the largest. The word "Holland" itself means "wooded country", from the Old Frisian holt ("tree") and land ("country, land"). The Kingdom of the Netherlands is smaller in area than the Moscow region - it occupies an area of ​​41.5 thousand square meters. km, 40% of which is located below sea level.

In the east the kingdom borders on Germany, in the south on Belgium. The country is mainly located on coastal lowlands and areas of reclaimed land - polders, known for their fertility. The highest point in the Netherlands, Mount Waalserberg, rises barely above 300 meters above sea level. The main rivers of the country are the majestic Rhine - the Netherlands are located in its lower reaches, as well as the Maas and Scheldt, widely known from the paintings of local artists.

Administratively, the Netherlands is divided into 12 provinces (the last province, Flevoland, was created in 1986 on drained territories), the provinces into urban and rural communities. Overseas territories - the Netherlands Antilles - also remain a reminder of the former maritime greatness of the Netherlands.

Flora and fauna

Vegetable world

About 70% of the territory of the Netherlands is occupied by cultural landscapes (seed meadows, arable lands, settlements and others). Forests (oak, beech, hornbeam, ash with an admixture of yew) are represented by separate groves and cover (together with planted forests and roadside shelterbelts) 8% of the territory. In sandy areas, heathlands with shrubs (gorse, broom, juniper) are common. On the dunes there are pine forests and thickets of sea buckthorn. Along the banks of branches of large rivers there are willow forests.

Animal world

The fauna is greatly depleted. There are wild rabbits on the dunes, squirrels, hare, martens, ferrets and roe deer in the forests. There are about 180 species of birds in the Netherlands. In the delta of the Rhine, Meuse and Scheldt there are protected areas for mass wintering of waterfowl (geese, geese, gulls, waders). The North Sea is rich in fish (herring, cod, mackerel).

Attractions

Holland itself, 40% of whose territory is located below sea level, and its land literally “created” by people, can already be considered a self-sufficient cultural monument. The entire coastline of the country is surrounded by a system of protective dams and other hydraulic structures, the total length of which exceeds 3 thousand km.

The cities of Holland are masterpieces of medieval architecture, combining majestic cathedrals, picturesque canals, ancient houses, churches, town halls and modern buildings. Flower plantations are the “calling card” of Holland; in spring, almost the entire country is covered with a multi-colored carpet of flowering plants, which, in contrast with the constantly gray sky of the sea coast, creates an indescribable flavor of this land. Another integral part of the Dutch landscape are mills, many of which still perform their functions.

Amsterdam (“dam on the Amstel River”) is a city of hundreds of canals, over which more than 600 bridges are thrown. The most beautiful of them: Blauburg and Mahere-brug ("Skinny Bridge"). Canals are an indispensable attribute of all excursions around the city. From the water you can see most of the sights of Amsterdam, hundreds of picturesque bridges, and feel the spirit of the city and its indescribable atmosphere.

Banks and currency

Since January 1, 2002, the currency of the Netherlands is the Euro (EURO). Euro (EURO), 1 EURO = 100 EURO cent. Banknotes: 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 euros. Coins: 2 and 1 euro; 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.

Banks are open on weekdays from 9.00 to 16.00. Some banks close one hour earlier on Fridays. The organization GWK also handles currency exchange in Amsterdam. Most GWK exchange offices are located near railway stations. They are open from 8.00 to 20.00 all days except Sunday; on Sunday the points are open from 10.00 to 16.00. You can also exchange currency at post offices.

The most favorable exchange rate is at bank branches and post offices (exchange is made at the official rate and the lowest commissions are charged). Currency exchange, as well as cashing of traveler's checks and credit cards, can be done at the offices of GWK (Central System of Exchange Offices), the country's main financial institution specializing in currency transactions.

Credit cards from the world's major systems are accepted almost everywhere and can be cashed out at most bank branches and at all GWK branches (including at border checkpoints). For student ISIC cards or youth FIYTO cards, currency exchange is carried out without deducting commissions.

VAT refund (BTW, 17.5%) is possible on purchases over 150 euros, subject to personal removal of the goods from the country no later than 30 days from the date of purchase. In most stores, for this you need to fill out a special form (a passport is required), which is presented at customs when leaving. Some stores issue a special check that is cashed at the airport, while others mail the check. VAT for hotels is 6% (included in the price), and in some localities a “tourist tax” (1-2 euros) has been introduced.

Useful information for tourists

In this country, exceptional timing must be observed in every meeting or invitation. Handshakes should be avoided and compliments should not be given. The Dutch are very reserved and tolerant of other people's opinions, and their politeness has even become a topic for sayings. When entering a premises, local residents always greet everyone present, and this applies not only to business offices, but also to public places, shops and railway compartments. There are a lot of animal defenders in the country, so it is recommended not to wear a fur coat or clothes made of genuine leather.

It is not customary to dance in restaurants; there are many discos and dance halls for this purpose. Also, one of the “restaurant traditions” is that each person sitting at the same table, even if they are friends, pays only their share of the common feast. At festivals, official receptions and parties, a large table with drinks and snacks is also not accepted. The concept of “lunch” usually means the period between 18.00 and 20.00; being late is considered a sign of bad taste.

In hotels and restaurants, a 15% service charge is usually included in the bill; otherwise, it is customary to leave a tip for the waiter in the amount of up to 10% of the bill, for the taxi driver - in the amount of about 10-15% of the meter, for the porter, maid or guide - 0.5-1 euro.

Netherlands - general information about the country

The name of the country: Netherlands (Kingdom of the Netherlands, Holland).

Geographical position: The state of the Netherlands is located on the continent of Eurasia, in northwestern Europe. From the west and north it is washed by the North Sea (the length of the coastline is 451 km), borders on Germany (577 km) and Belgium (450 km).

The area of ​​the land: 41.5 thousand km².

Capital: Amsterdam (743.4 thousand inhabitants).

Political structure: The Kingdom of the Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy with a democratic parliamentary system. The head of state is Queen Beatrix, the prime minister is Mark Rutte. The party-political system of the Netherlands is characterized by a high degree of stability and consensus. There are 16 large parties; 7 of them have been represented in parliament at least once in the last 20 years.

Main parties of the Netherlands:

• Christian Democratic Appeal
• Labor Party
• Socialist Party
• People's Party for Freedom and Democracy
• Freedom Party
• Green Left
• Christian Union
• Democrats 66
• Animal Welfare Party
• Reformist Party
• Pride of the Netherlands

Administrative division: In terms of the form of state-territorial structure, the Netherlands is a decentralized unitary state. Power is distributed across three administrative levels: state, provinces and municipalities. The state does the work at the national level. Provinces and municipalities are decentralized units of government.

The Netherlands is divided into 12 provinces: Drenthe, Flevoland, Friesland, Gelderland, Groningen, Limburg, North Brabant, North Holland, Over IJssel, Utrecht, Zeeland, South Holland. The functions of the provincial authorities include environmental protection, spatial planning, energy supply, social security, sports and culture.

Leadership in each province is carried out by the provincial states, the college of deputies of the provincial states and the royal commissioner. electoral system.

There are 478 municipalities in the Netherlands. Their number is decreasing as the state seeks to increase the efficiency of administrative management through the reorganization of municipalities, most often a simple merger.

In the Caribbean Sea, north of Venezuela, the Netherlands Antilles are located, which includes the islands of Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, St. Eustatius and parts of the island of Saint Martin. the total territory is 800 km², the population is 194 thousand people. The official language is Dutch. The administrative center is Willemstad.

General characteristics of the country

Physiographic characteristics

Climate: The climate is temperate, maritime, characterized by cool summers and fairly warm winters. The average temperature in July is 16-17°C in January - about 2°C on the coast and a little colder inland. In winter, when anticyclones invade from Eastern Europe, temperatures drop below 0°C, snow falls, and canals and lakes become covered with ice. Average annual precipitation is 80 centimeters, but in the interior provinces it is slightly less.

Vegetation: Forests cover 7.6% of the country's territory. On the slopes of the valleys there are beech, hornbeam, oak, mixed with ash, white poplar, and elm. In the humid climate and flat, low-lying terrain in the Netherlands, favorable conditions existed for the formation of swamps. Characterized by an abundance of berry bushes and flowering plants. Oak and birch forests grow on sandy hills, alternating with heather heaths and swamps. On the heathland there are thickets of shrubs (gorse, broom, juniper).

Animal world: In the process of human development of the territory of the Netherlands, many species of wild animals were forced out of their habitats. However, the country is home to many birds, especially waterfowl. Many rare animal species are protected in national parks and reserves. Mainly those species of wild animals that live in damp meadows, reservoirs and canals have been preserved. There are about 180 bird species in the Netherlands. In the north of the country, on the shallows of the Wadden Sea, separating the West Frisian Islands from the mainland, white-fronted geese, short-billed bean gooses, barnacle geese, a lot of gulls and waders spend the winter. It is also home to the southernmost population of eiders. An abundance of lapwings and godwits is characteristic of the marches. On the coast itself, large curlews, herbals, and turukhtans are common. The national bird of the Netherlands is the spoonbill. The Rhine, Meuse and Scheldt delta is known as a wintering and resting place for migratory birds. Thickets of reeds along the channels attract greylag geese, as well as teal, pintails, curlews, and snipe for wintering. Breeding species include Reed Harrier, Short-eared Owl, Rail, Crake, Whiskered Tit and Bittern. Also in the delta region, muskrats have widely settled along the overgrown shores of small bays. The northern coast of the Netherlands is home to seals, the fishing of which is limited, and in some areas completely prohibited. In large forests there are wood mice, squirrels, rabbits, roe deer, as well as representatives of the mustelid family. The heathlands are characterized by grouse and large corbels, and the coastal dunes are characterized by wild crumbs. The North Sea is rich in fish - cod, herring.

The soil: In the north and east, derk-pale podzolic soils developed on sandy deposits are common. These soils are characterized by a humus horizon up to 20 cm thick with a humus content of more than 5%.

Natural resources: The main resources of the Netherlands are natural gas, oil, salt, sand, gravel, and agricultural land.

Rotterdam has the largest port in Europe, with the rivers Meuse and Rhine providing excellent access to the hinterland, reaching upstream to Basel, Switzerland, and into France. The port's main activities are petrochemical industries and general cargo handling and transhipment. The harbor functions as an important transit point for bulk materials and between the European continent and abroad. From Rotterdam, goods are transported by ship, river barge, train or road.

The highly mechanized agricultural sector employs 4% of the workforce but provides large surpluses for the food processing industry and for export. The Dutch rank third worldwide in the value of agricultural exports, behind the United States and France, with exports earning $55 billion annually. A significant portion of Dutch agricultural exports are obtained from new cut plants, flowers, and bulbs, with the Netherlands exporting two-thirds of the world's total. The Netherlands also exports a quarter of the world's tomatoes, and one third of the world's exports of chilli peppers and cucumbers.

The Dutch economy is aimed at foreign markets. The share of exports in the Dutch economy is 51% and is the largest among European countries. Most exporters operate in wholesale trade, industry and transport. The main specialization of Dutch exporters is raw materials and high-intensity products (chemistry, food industry, agriculture and petroleum products).

History of the country's development: The Netherlands has been inhabited since the last Ice Age (when the country had tundra with sparse vegetation), and the oldest traces of human activity are about one hundred thousand years old. The first inhabitants were hunters and gatherers. At the end of the Ice Age, the area was inhabited by various Paleolithic groups. Around 8000 BC, the country was inhabited by a Mesolithic tribe, followed by the Iron Age with a relatively high standard of living over the next few millennia.

At the time of the arrival of the Romans, the Netherlands was inhabited by Germanic tribes such as the Tubantians, Caninefates and Frisians, who settled there around 600 BC. Celtic tribes such as the Eburones and Menapians inhabited the south of the country. At the beginning of Roman colonization, the German tribes of the Batavians and Toxandrans also arrived in the country. During the Roman Empire, the southern part of what is now the Netherlands was occupied by the Romans and became part of the province of Belgica and later the province of Germania Inferior.

During the Middle Ages, the Low Countries (roughly consisting of what is now Belgium and the Netherlands) included the various counties, duchies and dioceses that formed part of the Holy Roman Empire. They were united into one state under Habsburg rule in the 16th century. After the spread of Calvinism, the Counter-Reformation followed, causing a split in the country. Attempts by the Spanish king Philip II to centralize the state led to a rebellion against Spanish rule led by William I of Orange. On July 26, 1581, the country's independence was proclaimed, officially recognized by other states only after the Eighty Years' War (1568-1648). During the War of Independence, the Dutch Golden Age began, a period of economic and cultural prosperity that spanned the entire 17th century. William I of Orange is considered the founder of the independent Netherlands.

After the end of French occupation at the beginning of the 19th century, the Netherlands became a monarchy under the rule of the House of Orange. In 1830, Belgium finally separated from the Netherlands and became an independent kingdom; Luxembourg gained independence in 1890. Under pressure from liberal politicians, the country was transformed into a parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarch in 1848. This political system has survived to this day, with a short break during the fascist occupation.

The Netherlands remained neutral during the First World War, but was occupied by Germany for five years during the Second World War. During the German invasion, Rotterdam was bombed, during which the city center was almost completely destroyed. During the occupation, about fifty thousand Dutch Jews became victims of the Holocaust.

After the war, the country began to rebuild rapidly, aided by the Marshall Plan organized by the United States of America. Thanks to this, the Netherlands quickly managed to become a modern industrial country. The former colonies of Indonesia and Suriname acquired state independence. As a result of massive immigration from Indonesia, Turkey, Morocco, Suriname and the Antilles, the Netherlands has become a multicultural country with a large Muslim population.

The sixties and seventies saw great social and cultural changes. Catholics and Protestants began to interact more with each other, and differences between classes also became less noticeable due to rising standards of living and development of education. Women's economic rights have greatly expanded, and they are increasingly occupying high positions in businesses and government. The government began to care not only about economic growth, but also about protecting the environment. The population received broad social rights; pensions, unemployment and disability benefits are among the highest in the world.

On March 25, 1957, the Netherlands became one of the founders of the European Union and subsequently did a lot for European integration. However, in the referendum on the European Constitution in June 2005, more than half of the Dutch voted against its adoption. Thus, the Netherlands became the second country to reject the draft unified EU constitution (after France).

Cultural Features

Floriculture: Tulips have a special place in Holland. From the end of March to the end of May, the most fantastic flower exhibition takes place in Koenenhof Park. Plantations of bulbous flowers stretch along the entire Dutch coast from Katwijk to Den Helder. In April and May, this entire area is covered with a multi-colored carpet of more than 17,500 hectares.

Cheeses: The Netherlands is the world's largest exporter of cheese, and is primarily famous for its Gouda and Edam cheeses. Both varieties are made from cow's milk. The only difference is in the recipe. For Edam cheese, the milk must be skimmed by half. For Goudsky, whole milk is used. You will recognize Edam cheese by its round shape, while Gouda cheese has a flatter shape and looks like a wheel. The cheese market in Alkmaar is one of the most famous. It takes place every Friday morning from April to October.

Klompen: Klompen were originally the traditional footwear of commoners in the Netherlands. Only the rich could afford boots. To this day, more than 3.7 million pairs of klompen are produced in the country per year. They are no longer worn in cities, but people working on the land still use them. Klompen are warmer and drier than rubber boots. Previously, klompen were part of the traditional folk costume.

Mills: Entire collections of windmills can be seen in Dutch villages and cities. The windmill was invented in the mid-16th century, which could pump water to a higher level. This event was a breakthrough in man's struggle with the elements.

Population size: 15.8 million people.

National composition: Dutch - 94%, Moroccans, Turks and others.

Confessional composition: Catholics (34%), Protestants (25%), Muslims (3%) and others. 40% of the population do not consider themselves followers of any religion.

Average life expectancy: 79.25 years
Men: 76.66 years
Women: 81.98 years

The male to female ratio, which has remained virtually unchanged since 1980, is 49.5:51.5. 82% of the population lives in cities, the majority live in the industrial, trade and transport agglomeration of Randstad, which includes Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Delft and Utrecht.

The level of education: The Dutch education system, unlike the British or American ones, is not based on two degrees of diplomas. Each student receives a doctoral degree, which is awarded after 4 years of full-time study in some disciplines and after 5 years in engineering, science and agriculture. Higher education is considered incomplete if the academic program is interrupted before the student has completed all course requirements. The peculiarity of the Dutch education system is the interconnection and continuity of all its links, which allows you to move from one level to another and, following different educational routes, obtain a diploma of the desired degree. This circumstance is especially important for foreign students: in the case when the learning process in the first years is slow and difficult, you can move from level to level and go through the program again.

Main occupation: trade, industry, agriculture and services.

Economic characteristics

GDP: The GDP of the Netherlands in 2008 was 862.9 billion US dollars. GDP per capita amounted to -51,657 billion US dollars

Currency: Euro (Before 2002 - Dutch guilder).

Volume of annual budget and external debt: income -356 billion dollars, expenditure 399.3 billion dollars for 2010.3,733 trillion. dollars external debt as of December 31, 2009.

Characteristics of the main industries, agriculture. and world economic relations: Dutch industry can be divided into large industries focused on exports and smaller industries focused on producing products for the domestic market. Export industries are: metallurgical, mechanical engineering, electrical, chemical and food industries. In terms of production volume, all industries stand out: petrochemicals - 27% of turnover, food industry - 27%, mechanical engineering - 12.4%. The Netherlands cooperates and exports to Belgium, France, Italy, Sweden and the UK.

Characteristics of the country's regions

Questions	South Holland	North Holland
Availability of natural resources	brown and hard coal	natural gas
Sectors of the world economy developed in this region	fishing, agriculture, fuel and energy industry	sheep farming, fishing
The development of which industries is potentially possible due to favorable economic and geographical conditions?	production of electricity, production of machines, instruments, equipment, production of ferrous and non-ferrous metals	production of fabrics, wool and wool products, meat products, dairy products, leather, electricity production
Assessment of tourism resources	favorable conditions in almost all areas for the development of tourism	a large number of potential and progressive resources that will allow us to further successfully develop the tourism market
What types of tourism are developed	recreational, beach, excursion, water	excursion, recreational, sports (bicycle tourism), water tourism (diving, surfing)
Tourism market assessment	promising market due to cultural, natural and entertainment resources	a promising market, since there are many options for its development in different directions and areas
What types of tourism are potentially possible to develop in this region, due to the favorable resource and infrastructure base?	water, beach, ecotourism, gastronomic, cultural, business tourism	business tourism, ecotourism, shopping tourism, gastronomic, educational, cultural

I highlighted these two regions because they are one of the most densely populated and largest regions of the Netherlands, with a large amount of natural and industrial resources. Due to the mild climate and location along the seashore, both tourism and agriculture are successfully developing in these two regions.