Netherlands — map and facts

The Netherlands is a low-lying country in north-western Europe known for its water management, flat landscape and open, trade-oriented society. Its capital is Amsterdam, while the government sits in The Hague, and the country covers about 41,500 square kilometres with a population of roughly 18 million. The Netherlands uses the euro as its currency.

About the Netherlands

The Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy and one of the most densely populated countries in Europe. Much of its land lies at or below sea level, protected by an extensive system of dikes and barriers. It is a founding member of the European Union and a major centre for trade, agriculture and logistics. The country is known for its tolerant, internationally minded outlook.

Geography and landscape

The Netherlands borders Germany to the east and Belgium to the south, with a long North Sea coastline to the west. The land is famously flat, and roughly a quarter of it lies below sea level, reclaimed through centuries of engineering. The Rhine, Meuse and Scheldt rivers form a large delta where they meet the sea. The climate is temperate maritime, with mild winters, cool summers and frequent rain. Polders, canals and windmills are characteristic features of the landscape.

History

The region rose to prominence as part of the Low Countries and gained independence from Spain after a long revolt in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The Dutch Golden Age of the seventeenth century made the Netherlands a leading naval, trading and artistic power with a global colonial empire. The country was occupied during the Second World War before being liberated in 1945. After the war it helped found the European Economic Community and rebuilt as a prosperous, modern state. The Delta Works, built after the catastrophic 1953 floods, became a landmark of Dutch water engineering. Today it is a stable parliamentary democracy at the heart of European trade.

Economy and currency

The Netherlands has a highly developed, open economy driven by trade, agriculture, logistics, technology and finance. The port of Rotterdam is one of the largest in the world, and Schiphol is a major European airport hub. The currency is the euro, which replaced the Dutch guilder in 2002. The country is one of the world's leading agricultural exporters despite its small size.

Culture and language

The official language is Dutch, with Frisian recognised as a second official language in the province of Friesland. The Netherlands has a celebrated artistic heritage, home to painters such as Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Gogh. Cycling is central to daily life, and the country has one of the densest cycle networks in the world. Dutch society is known for its directness, tolerance and strong tradition of international engagement.

Frequently asked questions

What is the capital of the Netherlands? The capital of the Netherlands is Amsterdam, although the national government and parliament are based in The Hague. Amsterdam is also the country's largest city.

What currency is used in the Netherlands? The Netherlands uses the euro. It replaced the Dutch guilder in 2002, when euro notes and coins entered circulation.

Why is so much of the Netherlands below sea level? Much of the Netherlands consists of land reclaimed from the sea and lakes over many centuries. This reclaimed land, known as polders, is protected by an extensive system of dikes, pumps and barriers.