Netherlands
Geography - People - Economy - Government - Communications - Transportation - Military - Transnational IssuesCountry name - conventional long form : Kingdom of the Netherlands
Country name - conventional short form : Netherlands
Country name - local long form : Koninkrijk der Nederlanden
Country name - local short form : Nederland
Government type : constitutional monarchy
Capital - name : Amsterdam
Capital - time difference : UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
National holiday : Queen's Day (Birthday of Queen-Mother JULIANA and accession to the throne of her oldest daughter BEATRIX), 30 April (1909 and 1980)
Population : 16,645,313 (July 2008 est.)
Nationality - noun : Dutchman(men), Dutchwoman(women)
Nationality - adjective : Dutch
Languages : Dutch (official), Frisian (official)
Currency (code) : euro (EUR)
Currency code : EUR
Netherlands is located Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between Belgium and Germany. The climate is temperate; marine; cool summers and mild winters. The terrain is mostly coastal lowland and reclaimed land (polders); some hills in southeast.
Background
This entry usually highlights major historic events and current issues and may include a statement about one or two key future trends.Background : The Dutch United Provinces declared their independence from Spain in 1579; during the 17th century, they became a leading seafaring and commercial power, with settlements and colonies around the world. After a 20-year French occupation, a Kingdom of the Netherlands was formed in 1815. In 1830 Belgium seceded and formed a separate kingdom. The Netherlands remained neutral in World War I, but suffered invasion and occupation by Germany in World War II. A modern, industrialized nation, the Netherlands is also a large exporter of agricultural products. The country was a founding member of NATO and the EEC (now the EU), and participated in the introduction of the euro in 1999.
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