Netherlands

Netherlands Most people problably know this country for its capital Amsterdam, or the many colourful tulip fields.

Area: 41.536 Km²
Population: 16.180.000 (October 2002 est.)
Density: 390 pop/Km²

System of government: Parliamentary monarchy
Capital: Amsterdam (735.000 pop.), The Hague (442.000 pop.) seat of government
Major cities: Rotterdam 595.000 pop., Utrecht 256.000 pop., Eindhoven 203.000 pop., Tilburg 196.000 pop.
Ethnic majority: Dutch 81,7%, Indonesian 2,5%, German 2,4%, Turkish 2%, Surinamer 1,9%, Moroccans 1,8%, others 7,7%
Border countries: Belgium SOUTH-WEST, Germany EAST

Principal mountains: Vaalserberg 321 m
Principal rivers: Mosa 350 Km (dutch tract, total 933 Km), Rhein 200 Km (dutch tract, total 1320 Km)
Principal lakes: IJsselmeer 1500 Km² (artificial)
Principal islands: Schouwen 222 Km², Overflakkee-Goeree, Wadden Islands (the major is Texel 184 Km²)
Climate: Oceanic

Language: Dutch
Religion: Catholic 31%, Protestant 21%, Muslim 4,5%, other 43,5%
Currency: Euro (€)

Dependences: Netherlands Antilles (800 Km², 212.000 pop.), Aruba (193 Km², 70.000 pop.)

Fixed public holidays: 1/1, 30/4, 5/5, 25/12, 26/12
Dialling code: 0031
GMT: +1

World Heritage List:

• Schokland and Surroundings (1995)
• Defence Line of Amsterdam (1996)
• Historic Area of Willemstad, Inner City and Harbour, Netherlands Antilles (1997)
• Mill Network at Kinderdijk-Elshout (1997)
• Ir.D.F. Woudagemaal (D.F. Wouda Steam Pumping Station) (1998)
• Droogmakerij de Beemster (Beemster Polder) (1999)
• Rietveld Schröderhuis (Rietveld Schröder House) (2000)