At a glance

Official Name:
Kingdom of the Netherlands

Capital:
Amsterdam

Population:
16,645,313 (July 2008 est.)

Languages:
Dutch (official), Frisian (official)

Religion:
Roman Catholic 31%, Dutch Reformed 13%, Calvinist 7%, Muslim 5.5%, other 2.5%, none 41% (2002)

Life Expectancy:
Male: 76 Female: 82

Currency:
Euro (EUR) GDP (PurchasingPower Parity): $639.5 billion (2007 est.)

National Holidays:
January 1, New Year’s Day;
April 10, Good Friday;
April 12, Easter;
April 30, Queen’s Day;
May 4, Remembrance of the Dead;
May 5, Liberation Day;
May 21, Ascension Day;
December 25, Christmas;
December 26, Boxing Day

Industries: Agro industries, metal and engineering products, electrical machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum, construction, microelectronics, fishing

Holland
Once one of the leading commercial and seafaring powers in the world, Holland is now a modern and industrialized nation.
It is a large exporter of agriculture products due largely in
fact to its flat landscape and fertile soil. The country was a founding member of NATO and the EU, and participated in
the introduction of the Euro in 1999. The Kingdom of the Netherlands was formed in 1815 and was one of the few countries to remain neutral during World War II.

Since the end of sixteenth century, the Kingdom of the Netherlands has been referred to as Holland, and its people Hollanders. Only in official documents does one find names such as United Netherlands, and the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Holland is widely known for its qualities of toughness, of endurance due to the large floods which have affected the area for hundreds of years. In response Holland has developed an elaborate system of dykes, dams and canals that have transformed the country into what it is today.