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[[Image:Netherlands_map.gif|right]]

[[Image:Netherlands_map.gif|thumb|right|250px|A map of the Netherlands.]]

 

[[Image:Netherlandsflag.gif|thumb|right|250px|The Dutch flag.]]

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", this was originally the name of two densely populated provinces of the country (North-Holland and South-Holland), the cities of [[Amsterdam]], [[Rotterdam]] and [[The Hague]] all lie in these provinces that have always been the most influential regions in the Netherlands, leading to the point where foreigners would equate Holland with the Netherlands. The national football team is also known as Holland.

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", this was originally the name of two densely populated provinces of the country (North-Holland and South-Holland), the cities of [[Amsterdam]], [[Rotterdam]] and [[The Hague]] all lie in these provinces that have always been the most influential regions in the Netherlands, leading to the point where foreigners would equate Holland with the Netherlands. The national football team is also known as Holland.

The Netherlands has long been famous for its production of flowers, and also for a related economic event, the "tulip mania" of 1636-1637. A classic example of a "bubble," [[tulip]]s were traded on stock exchanges, and bid up to fantastic prices by people who understood that the prices were crazy but hoped to sell at a profit to even crazier investors. Many people mortgaged their homes for a single tulip bulb and in one case an entire brewery was exchanged for few bulbs. As with all bubbles, when bidding began to lag people tried to sell and the bubble burst with disastrous consequences.  Since then the Dutch have been renowned for their carefulness with money and have established a significant presence in the banking and financial sectors.

The Netherlands has long been famous for its production of flowers, and also for a related economic event, the "tulip mania" of 1636-1637. A classic example of a "bubble," [[tulip]]s were traded on stock exchanges, and bid up to fantastic prices by people who understood that the prices were crazy but hoped to sell at a profit to even crazier investors. Many people mortgaged their homes for a single tulip bulb and in one case an entire brewery was exchanged for few bulbs. As with all bubbles, when bidding began to lag people tried to sell and the bubble burst with disastrous consequences.  Since then the Dutch have been renowned for their carefulness with money and have established a significant presence in the banking and financial sectors.

The Netherlands is also famous for its low-crime rate (although comparable to other western European nations) and [[liberal]] legislation. Examples are licensed prostitution in designated areas of major cities, such as Amsterdam's Red Light District, the legal soft[[drugs]] sold in the country's many coffee shops, wide [[abortion]] rights, [[same-sex marriage]]s and [[euthanasia]].  

The Netherlands is also famous for its low-crime rate (although comparable to other western European nations) and [[libertarian]] legislation. Examples are licensed prostitution in designated areas of major cities, such as Amsterdam's Red Light District, the legal soft [[drugs]] sold in the country's many coffee shops, [[abortion]] rights, [[same-sex marriage]]s and [[euthanasia]].  

==Softdrugs==

==Netherlands drug laws==

Consuming and carrying softdrugs ([[marijuana]], [[absinth]], [[hashish]] and [[magic mushrooms]]) were made legal in the Netherlands in 1976 in a final attempt to stop drug-related crime in the 1970's, softdrugs can be legally purchased by individuals over 18 in the famed (licensed) coffee shops, that do sell coffee as well, but are prohibited from serving alcohol.

 

The Dutch policy regarding softdrugs (and previously prostitution) is called "gedoogbeleid" (condonement policy).

Consuming and carrying the "soft drugs" ([[marijuana]], [[absinth]], [[hashish]] and [[hallucinogenic  mushrooms]]) were made legal in the Netherlands in 1976 in a final attempt to stop drug-related crime in the 1970's, soft drugs can be legally purchased by individuals over 18 in the famed (licensed) coffee shops, that do sell coffee as well, but are prohibited from serving alcohol.

The Dutch policy regarding soft drugs (and previously prostitution) is called "gedoogbeleid" (condonement policy).

This means that although certain behavior is officially prohibit by law, a condonement clause prevents law enforcement agencies from persecuting this behavior, this clause is, legally speaking, not a law and can be reverted much easier than a regular law.

This means that although certain behavior is officially prohibit by law, a condonement clause prevents law enforcement agencies from persecuting this behavior, this clause is, legally speaking, not a law and can be reverted much easier than a regular law.

Interestingly growing marijuana and hashish is still officially illegal, causing coffee shop owners to rely on illegal homegrown products, only two state run companies are exempted from this rule in order to grow marijuana for medicinal purposes.

Interestingly growing marijuana and hashish is still officially illegal, causing coffee shop owners to rely on illegal homegrown products, only two state run companies are exempted from this rule in order to grow marijuana for medicinal purposes.

Leftist movements have stated that the government should make its mind up: "either make growing marijuana and hashish legal, or ban softdrugs altogether".

Leftist movements have stated that the government should make its mind up: "either make growing marijuana and hashish legal, or ban soft drugs altogether".

The legal status of softdrugs has had no significant adverse effects on Dutch society and it seems the 1976 experiment has worked out.

The legal status of soft drugs has had no significant adverse effects on Dutch society and it seems the 1976 experiment has worked out.

This is probably due to the fact that it has become a more or less socially accepted drug like alcohol and tobacco.

This is probably due to the fact that it has become a more or less socially accepted drug like alcohol and tobacco.

This removes the need for dealers and effectively terminates its status as an anti-establishment symbol as well as its popularity among thrill-seeking youths.

This removes the need for dealers and effectively terminates its status as an anti-establishment symbol as well as its popularity among thrill-seeking youths.

The Dutch government is currently (2007) considering banning magic mushrooms, after a French tourist committed suicide after eating a mushroom.

The Dutch government is currently (2007) considering banning magic mushrooms, after a French tourist committed suicide after eating a mushroom.

The Dutch policy towards softdrugs continues to be opposed by conservative Christians and Muslims.

The Dutch policy towards soft drugs continues to be opposed by conservative Christians and Muslims.

==Queen's Day==

==Queen's Day==

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 holiday 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 license.  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.

 

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 holiday 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 license.  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 parties in the cities or with fine weather, spend the free day on a terrace of a pub, or cycle in the national ''Fietsen op Dijken '' tour around the nation's dikes.

Those not involved with selling their surplus belongings celebrate the national holiday at outdoors parties in the cities or with fine weather, spend the free day on a terrace of a pub, or cycle in the national ''Fietsen op Dijken '' tour around the nation's dikes.