The Netherlands are famous for its canals, cyclists and friendly people. Bordered by Germany to the east, Belgium to the south and sea to the north and west, it measures just over 100 miles from east to west, and around 200 miles from north to south but its 15 million inhabitants make it the most densely populated country in Europe.

Over the centuries, significant areas of land have been reclaimed from the sea and lakes. The draining of the former Zuiderzee (now IJsselmeer), begun after the First World War, has alone yielded millions of acres and led to the creation of a whole new province, known as Flevoland, in 1986. Today the small country is one of the biggest exporters for agricultural products to Europeans.

Today the Netherlands are very strong in financial services (ABN, ING), consumer goods (Unilever, Mars) and electronics (Philips).

Facts and Figures

National Name	The Netherlands or Holland
Size	37,330 km2
Population	15.7 million
Capital	Amsterdam
Largest cities	Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht
Language	Dutch
Main Religions	Roman Catholic (34%) and Protestant (25%) Muslim (3%)
Monetary Unit	Euro
Unemployment	3.0%
Inflation	2.5%
Climate	Temperate, maritime; cool summers and mild winters

Economy

The Netherlands has a prosperous and open economy, which depends heavily on foreign trade. The economy is noted for stable industrial relations, moderate unemployment and inflation, a sizable current account surplus, and an important role as a European transportation hub. Industrial activity is predominantly in food processing, chemicals, petroleum refining, and electrical machinery. A highly mechanized agricultural sector employs no more than 4% of the labor force but provides large surpluses for the food-processing industry and for exports. The country continues to be one of the leading European nations for attracting foreign direct investment. Economic growth slowed considerably in 2001-03, as part of the global economic slowdown, but for the four years before that, annual growth averaged nearly 4%, well above the EU average. The government is wrestling with a deteriorating budget position, and is moving toward the EU 3% of GDP budget deficit limit.

Telecommunications Infrastructure

The Dutchcommunications infrastructure is highly developed. The domestic links consist of extensive fixed-line fiber-optic networks. The cellular telephone system is one of the largest in Europe with five major network operators utilizing the third generation of the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). The international lines are operated with 9 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Atlantic Ocean), 1 Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions).

Amsterdam

Holland has more museums per square kilometer than any country on Earth, and Amsterdam boasts 42 of the finest. Around Museumplein, all within walking distance of one another, stand the so-called Big Three – the Rijksmuseum, home of the famous Night Watch and other Rembrandts; the Van Gogh Museum, where a collection of Vincent’s tormented writings and drawings complement 200 striking canvases; and the Stedelijk Museum, with its collection of modern art exhibits, from 1850 to the present day. Amsterdam offers nightlife in abundance: from bars with live music to stylish casinos; from trendy nightspots to dynamic discos; and from theater productions to eye-opening entertainment in the red-light district. Amsterdam is one of the touristic hot spots in Europe.

Since the diamond trade began in Amsterdam in the 16^th century, the city remains one of the world’s most important diamond centres. Today Amsterdam has one of the biggest airports in Europe – just in contrast to the small size of the city. Today Amsterdam has attracted very successfully man international companies for their European headquarters because of the international environment.

Rotterdam

Rotterdam is the Dutch city with a difference; situated on the river Maas, it is the largest port in the world.