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[[Image:Netherlands_map.gif|right]]

[[Image:Netherlands_map.gif|right]]

The '''Netherlands''' is a country in [[Europe]]. It is bordered by [[Belgium]] and [[Germany]], and has a total population of approximately 16 million (2007). The country is often referred to as "Holland", but this incorrect, as Holland is actually just one region of the Netherlands.

The '''Netherlands''' (''Dutch: Nederland'') is a country in [[Europe]]. It is bordered by [[Belgium]] and [[Germany]], and has a total population of approximately 16 million (2007). The country is often referred to as "Holland", but this incorrect, as Holland is actually just one region of the Netherlands. Paradoxically, the national football team is known as Holland.

As its name implies, it is a very low-lying country. About a quarter of the land area, containing more than half of the population, is actually below sea level, and would flood if the sea were not held back by a system of dikes.  

As its name implies, it is a very low-lying country. About a quarter of the land area, containing more than half of the population, is actually below sea level, and would flood if the sea were not held back by a system of dikes. The Dutch have a saying  that "God created the earth, but the Dutch made Holland".

A major breach of the dikes occurred in 1953, killing 1800 people.

A major breach of the dikes occurred in 1953, killing 1800 people.

To prevent thins disaster in the future the dutch began with the construction of the delta work after its completion its consider one of the modern world wonders. After the disaster of  Catrina a US delegation of engineers was invited by the dutch government to see the works and how the technology can be just in the states, for low level cities like new Orleans.  

To avoid a repeat of the disaster the Dutch began construction of the "Delta Project" to protect the country from future inundations. Begun in 1953 and completed in 2002 the Delta Project  is considered a modern wonder of civil engineering. After the Katrina disaster a delegation of American engineers was invited by the Dutch government to see the works and how the technology can be applied in the USA, for low-lying cities like New Orleans.  

[[Amsterdam]], named for the Amstel river, is the largest city, and officially the capital (although the seat of government is actually in The Hague). It is ringed by an extensive system of concentric canals.  

[[Amsterdam]], named for the Amstel river, is the largest city, and officially the capital (although the seat of government is actually in The Hague ). It is ringed by an extensive system of concentric canals.  

[[Eindhoven]] is the location of the giant electronics corporation, Philips (full name: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.), with annual revenue equivalent to about $40 billion. (The U.S. corporation [[General Electric]] has revenues of about $150 billion, but much of it is from non-electronics businesses).

[[Eindhoven]] is the location of the giant electronics corporation, Philips (full name: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.), with annual revenue equivalent to about $40 billion. (The U.S. corporation [[General Electric]] has revenues of about $150 billion, but much of it is from non-electronics businesses).

==Queen's Day==

==Queen's Day==

April 30th is known as Queen's day - the national holiday to mark the official birthday of the late queen-mom Juliana and its keep on thad date for the nise weather. This is the one day of the year when ordinary Netherlanders are permitted to sell goods on the streets without a licence.  Consequently the whole country is turned into a gigantic flea market (garage sale).  The primary effect of this is that people buy goods they do not want or need, solely in order to sell them the following year.  In an act of patriotism most of the populace wear orange colored clothing (the national color) to identify with the Royal House Of '''Orange'''-Nasau.

April 30th is known as Queen's Day (''Koninginnedag'') - the national holiday to mark the official birthday of the monarch. This is actually the birthday of former Queen Juliana (Queen Beatrix's mother) but has been kept as the official birthday because of the better weather (Queen Beatrix's actual birthday is 31 January). Queen's Day is the one day of the year when ordinary Netherlanders are permitted to sell goods on the streets without a licence.  Consequently the whole country is turned into a gigantic flea market (garage sale).  The primary effect of this is that people buy goods they do not want or need, solely in order to sell them the following year.  In an act of patriotism most of the populace wear orange colored clothing (the national color) to identify with the Royal House Of '''Orange'''-Nassau.

Those not involved with selling their surplus belongings celebrate the national holiday at outdoors party’s in the city’s ore with fine weather bicycling throw the country and spend the free day on a terrace of a pub.   

Those not involved with selling their surplus belongings celebrate the national holiday at outdoors party’s in the city’s ore with fine weather bicycling throw the country and spend the free day on a terrace of a pub.