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The Netherlands is a unique country with about 30% of its land reclaimed from the sea. Pumps and old windmills work around the clock to keep the country from being overrun by the North Sea. Part of the charm of the Netherlands, of course are its polders - the long vast, flat stretches of land that serve agriculture well including the thousands of fields of colorful tulips, daffodils and bulb flowers witnessed every spring. Amsterdam's canals, museums and trams provide pleasant surroundings for the visitor and invite the visitor to explore the rest of the country.
Covering an area of 33,426 km² (12,906 miles²), the Netherlands is one of Europe's smallest countries, but also the most densely populated country in Europe. It is bordered by Belgium, Germany and the North Sea. A country famous for its cheese, tulips, windmills and cycling, it was indelibly influenced by the Spanish occupation of 1519 to 1581. This influence is still reflected in its culture and cuisine.
A low, flat country with little geographical relief, nearly half of the country lies below sea level. In the northern region the weather is warmer and more moderate, while in the south, rain and wind are more commonly experienced. The official language is Dutch, but English is fast becoming a second language and is spoken, or understood, by most Dutch people.
With its beautiful cities, art museums, theatres and tolerant cosmopolitan culture, the Netherlands has something to offer every traveller.
Time
The Netherlands is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), and is precisely on Central European Time (CET). The GMT gap widens to two hours in the winter.
Tourist Offices
The Netherlands has an excellent network of tourist information centres. The official title for these centres is Vereniging Voor Vreemdelingenverkeer (Association for Tourist Traffic), which is abbreviated to VVV. The centres provide information and advice as well as bureaux de change and booking services for accommodation, travel, entertainment and excursions. Offices can be found near the main square or station in every town or city.
Visas & Passports
All visitors to the Netherlands require a valid passport for a stay of up to three months. For visits of longer than three months, a visa is required.
A number of countries have embassies in the Netherlands which can be contacted for further details.
The Dutch Embassy in the United States of America can be found at:
4200 Linnean Avenue NW
Washington DC
20008
Tel. 1-202-244-5300
Customs
People over the age of 21, entering the country from a non EU country are allowed to bring in goods to the value of USD 400.00, 100 cigars and 200 cigarettes, one litre of alcohol, one bottle of perfume, and gifts valued at under USD 50.00.
People over the age of 21, entering the country from an EU country are allowed to bring in 300 cigarettes and 150 cigarillos (or 75 cigars and 400 g of tobacco), one and a half litres of alcoholic drinks over 22% vol.(or three litres of alcoholic drinks not over 22% vol.), five litres of nonsparkling table wine, 90 ml of perfume, 375 ml toilet water, and other goods to the value of USD 250.00.
Money
The unit of currency is the gulden (guilder), made up of 100 cents. Notes are divided into denominations of NLG 10.00, NLG 25.00, NLG 50.00, NLG 100.00, NLG 250.00 and NLG 1000.00. Coins are divided into 5c, 10c, 25c, NLG 1.00, NLG 2.50 and NLG 5.00 units.
Credit cards are welcome everywhere, especially MasterCard and Visa. Travellers cheques are also handy, but some Dutch shops refuse to accept them, and prefer that you change them at the nearest bank or bureau de change.
VAT of 18.5% is included in the price of goods. If you are not a citizen of an EU country, you may be able to make use of the scheme which allows for tax free shopping for tourists.
Service charges are usually included in the bill.
You can get a good meal for as little as NLG 10.00, but a threecourse meal will usually be in the order of NLG 40.00.
Public Holidays
The Netherlands has nine public holidays, on which businesses and shops are generally closed. Many shops stay open on Good Friday, and museums open on all except Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
Peak Seasons
The peak tourist season in the Netherlands is from the middle of April to the middle of October. Easter is an especially busy time, and between June and August, the Dutch themselves take their holidays.
Post & Telecommunications
The postal service is fast and reliable. Letters sometimes reach their overseas destinations within a week. Within Europe, airmail costs about 75c, and outside Europe, NLG 1.50.
Telecom is the main telephone service provider in the Netherlands. Public telephones are readily available, and take 25c, NLG 1.00 and NLG 2.50 coins. Most phones work with telephone cards. These are sold at Telecom offices as well as most retailers. For international directory enquiries, phone 06-0428, and for national enquiries, phone 008. Fax services are available at Telecom offices.
Electricity
The electrical current is 220 volts AC (50Mhz). Twopin continental plugs are used, and although most hotels provide them, it is advisable to bring an adapter.
Disabled Travellers
The Netherlands is one of the bestequipped countries in the world as far as handicapped travellers are concerned. All public transport vehicles and buildings have facilities for the handicapped. Contact the Netherlands Board of Tourism, or De Gehandicaptenraad for more information. Mobility International Nederland can also be contacted by dialling 08891-71744.
Budget Travel
There are youth hostels in all the major cities in the Netherlands. A Youth Hostelling International Guide is available at all these hostels. A Cultural Youth Passport is available at the VVV (Netherlands Tourism Bureau), which entitles people under the age of 26 to reduced rates at museums and cultural events.
History
In 69 AD, Tacitus (the Roman historian) referred to the 'Batavi' revolts in his writings. During this period the Netherlands, as well as Belgium and Luxembourg, were under Roman occupation. The 'Batavi', led by Civilis, lived on what is now Dutch territory, and tried to regain their freedom by attacking the Roman forces. They were no match for the Roman legions, and were suppressed.
During the 3rd century AD the Germanic tribes started to overrun the Roman outposts. As Roman control weakened, the Franks occupied the southern region of the Low Countries (the Netherlands). In the 5th century it became part of Burgundy. The French emperor, Charlemagne, ruled this region until his death in 814, when French rule was effectively ended by the Viking invasion and a series of devastating floods. The area was divided among Charlemagne's heirs, which led to the creation of local principalities such as Limburg, Holland, Zeeland and Friesland.
During the middle ages the growth of trade and greater mobility of the people led to major changes in the Netherlands. A new middle class came into being, and cities started to grow around the dams built in the Netherlands during the 12th and 13th centuries. Towards the middle of the 14th century, Holland and Friesland started building ships for trade and travel. This laid the foundation for the future naval strength of the Netherlands.
The Netherlands, as we know it, came into existence in the 15th century when a number of small estates belonging to the Royal House of Burgundy were combined. By that stage Amsterdam (capital of the Netherlands) was already known as a trading centre. The Habsburg family inherited the region from the House of Burgundy. In 1519 Charles V of Spain inherited it as part of the Habsburg Empire. He established a central government by setting up a council of state, largely made up of nobles, and by appointing a governor to each of the provinces. In 1555, Charles V abdicated and gave control of the Netherlands over to his son, Philip II of Spain. Philip did not support the freedom that had developed in the Netherlands, and reduced the rights of the Dutch people. Conflict also erupted between the Catholic (supported by Philip II) and Protestant religious groups. The Dutch nobles started a revolt against Spanish rule, which led to the death and exile of many Protestant aristocrats. In 1566 the Eighty Years War started, with William the Silent leading French, German and Dutch forces against the Spanish occupying the Netherlands. In 1609 Spain, weakened by the hostilities, agreed to a truce.
Although not officially recognised until 1648, the Netherlands had now found its independence. In the peaceful era that followed, the Netherlands prospered, and by 1650 the Dutch navy was twice the size of the combined British and French fleets. The 17th century was a golden era for the Netherlands, during which the works of Dutch painters such as Rembrandt van Rijn and Jan Vermeer were created. Because of its naval power the Netherlands also became one of the strongest colonial empires in Europe. After the French revolution in 1789 the Netherlands again lost its independence when Napoleon occupied the country, and put his brother Louis on the throne. This occupation only lasted until Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo, after which the Netherlands regained its independence.
In 1825 the Vienna Congress led to the unification of Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands into one kingdom under the rule of William I. This caused so much conflict between the three states that it was decided to separate them again. In 1848 the Netherlands became a constitutional monarchy. The Dutch people avidly supported the idea of a democratic vote, which resulted in all Dutch citizens (both male and female) getting a vote in 1922. It could rightly be said that the Netherlands became a parliamentary democracy in this year, with a king (or queen) at its head.
In World War I the Netherlands remained neutral, but suffered because of the food blockades directed at Germany. The Olympic games were held in Amsterdam in 1928. On 10 May 1940 Germany invaded, and occupied the Netherlands. Queen Wilhelmina and her government fled to England. Although the Netherlands did not have a strong army, the Dutch underground movement was of great help to the Allies. In 1945 the country was liberated from German occupation. In 1948 Queen Wilhelmina retired from the throne, in favour of her daughter Juliana. Queen Juliana's daughter, Beatrix followed her mother on the throne, and was invested on 30 April 1980.
Population
The Netherlands has a population of approximately 15,452 million people, with a growth rate of 0.52% per annum. About 96% of the people are Dutch, and the other 4%, Turkish and Moroccan.
Government
The Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy with Queen Beatrix as the chief of state. Amsterdam is the capital, and Den Haag (The Hague), the seat of the government. The government is made up of three branches, namely the Executive, the Legislative and the Judicial.
The Executive branch has Queen Beatrix as the chief of state and WillemAlexander (Prince of Orange) as the Heir Apparent. The head of the government is Prime Minister Willem Kok, who was elected on 22 August 1994, and is leader of the Labor party. The Vice Prime Ministers are Hans Dijkstal and Hans van Mierlo, also elected on 22 August 1994. All cabinet members are appointed by the Prime Minister.
The Legislative branch is a bicameral legislature. The First Chamber consists of members indirectly elected by the 12 provincial councils for a fouryear term. The last election was held on 9 June 1995. The Second Chamber consists of members directly elected by the provincial councils for a fouryear term.
The Judicial branch is the Supreme Court.
The Netherlands has 12 administrative divisions (or provinces). They are Drenthe , Flevoland, Friesland, Gelderland, Groningen, Limburg, NoordBrabant, North Holland, Overijssel, Utrecht, Zeeland and South Holland. The 12 provincial councils are responsible for the management of local infrastructure. Large municipalities are run by city councils.
The main political parties are the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), led by Hans Helgers, the Labor Party, led by Willem Kok, the Liberal VVD (People's Party for Freedom and Democracy), led by Frits Bolkenstein, and the Democrats'66 (D'66), led by Hans van Mierlo.
The Netherlands claims sovereignty over Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles.
Language
Dutch is the official language, but most Dutch people also speak English. Signs and menus are usually written in both languages. Although English is the most popular second language, French and German are also commonly used.
Religion
The main religious denominations are Roman Catholic (34%), Protestant (25%) and Muslim (3%).
Art & Culture
Museums
The rich history and culture of the Netherlands is reflected in its numerous excellent museums. The most famous are the Rijksmuseum and the Vincent van Gogh museum in Amsterdam, as well as the Mauritzhaus in Den Haag, which has one of the best collections in Europe.
Local Art
The Netherlands has had, and still has, many famous artists. The works of Vincent van Gogh, Rembrandt van Rijn, Vermeer, Mondriaan, Hieronymus Bosch and many more can be seen in galleries and museums around the country. The country has also produced several great artists in the architecture, sculpting and stained glass mediums.
Theatres
Even though the country has no big shows touring the world, it does have a very active local theatre scene. Every city in the Netherlands has its theatre (stadsschouwburg). Two of the bestknown ones are the Theatre Carré and De Stalhouderij.
Food & Drink
Traditional Dutch food is simple and wholesome. Dishes such as Hutspot, a beef and vegetable stew, and Herring are quite common. The Netherlands is famous for its cheeses and bread, which form an important part of the daily diet. A wide variety of different cuisine, from Indonesian to Chinese, is available in this country.
Entertainment
The Netherlands boasts an active nightlife, which lasts until morning. There are numerous clubs and pubs in all the major cities. Cinemas show both Dutch and international movies, with original soundtracks, and subtitles where appropriate.
Shopping
All the major cities, especially Amsterdam and Den Haag, are a shopper's paradise. Although there are malls, the Dutch tend to go for smaller, more specialised shops. Near Centraal Station in Amsterdam, there are streets where you can spend a whole day window shopping. The Netherlands is famous for its diamonds, silver, Delft and antiques.
Supermarkets in the Netherlands do not give shopping bags to customers so you should remember to bring your own along, or you will have to buy one at the supermarket.
Shows & Festivals
The Dutch are always ready to take to the streets and join in the spontaneous fun that surrounds their numerous shows and festivals.
Sports
Watersports, especially sailing, canoeing, diving and windsurfing, are very popular in the Netherlands, as is swimming. There are a number of indoor and outdoor pools, some of which are situated in centres which have water slides, whirlpools and saunas.
The Netherlands has numerous excellent hiking trails, especially in the national parks. Angling conditions are very good, from deep sea to inland.
The one sport that almost everyone takes part in is cycling. The country has excellent cycle paths, which are clearly marked on maps, and well signposted. Bicycles can be hired at almost any railway station, and VVV tourist information centres supply maps of local cycle routes.
Parks & Reserves
Most parks and reserves are situated in the green heart of the Netherlands.
Climate
Because of its size and proximity to the sea, the Netherlands has a temperate, marine climate, with cool summers and mild winters. As the country has no mountains to block the winds, there are only slight differences in climate from region to region. Winter and summer temperatures in the southeastern and eastern provinces are more extreme than in the north, along the North Sea coast. February, April and May are the driest months. Sunny weather can usually be expected from June until August. Temperatures average from 16° to 18° C (60° to 65° F) in summer and a little above -1° C (30° F) in winter.
Geography
The Netherlands is a low, flat country with little geographical relief. Nearly half of the country lies below sea level, and permanent habitation did not become possible over much of the Low Netherlands until dikes had been built and land reclaimed. The Netherlands is now the most densely populated country in Europe. The largest cities are Den Haag, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Amsterdam and Eindhoven.
Health
The standard of medical care in the Netherlands is very good. Should visitors require medical assistance while in the Netherlands, the Tourist Medical Service can be contacted at 673-7567 for referral to the nearest doctor, dentist, pharmacy or hospital.
You will be expected to pay for medical treatment, thus it is wise to take out travel insurance which includes medical cover. European citizens are entitled to a partial refund on medical costs incurred. To qualify for this, you must fill in a E111 form before leaving your home country. It is advisable for nationals of nonEU countries to take out insurance before leaving home.
Safety
The crime rate is low in the Netherlands. In the large cities such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Den Haag there is a problem with pickpockets in the summer months, but this can be prevented by being careful. Never try to take photographs in the red light district of Amsterdam as this could result in your camera ending up in a canal.
Should you lose your passport, inform the authorities immediately, and report it to your consulate or embassy.
Tipping: Restaurants and hotels always include a 15% service charge in the bill. Leaving small change for the waiter is appropriate. Porters and other service personnel should get 1 or 2 guilders depending on the circumstances.
Shopping: Shopping hours are 9:00 am to 6:00 pm weekdays and until 5 pm on Saturdays. Thursdays usually have later hours closing around 9 pm. Diamonds are popular here and Amsterdam specializes in diamond factories. Delft porcelain and crystal are best buys here.
Food and Drink: The most "Dutch" food that you can find are probably are broodjes which are sandwiches which are available at lunch time. Seafood is very much part of the Dutch diet and can be found everywhere. Since the Netherlands once had colonial control over other lands, you will find many restaurants specializing in those foods especially Indonesian.
Social: Dutch beer is always quite good and is usually served chilled - never warm. Wines are always imports from Germany and France.
Business: Dutch business people speak very good English. Business meetings require business suits and business cards are always exchanged.
Climate
This is a country where mild weather is the rule. It is very seldom very hot in the summer or very cold in the winters. With its proximity to the sea, the weather can be very changeable. Rainfall can occur at any time. Winters can be windy and so conditions can make it feel colder than it really is. |
