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The '''Kingdom of the Netherlands''' (''Dutch: Koningrijk der Nederlanden'') is a country in [[Europe]]. It is bordered by [[Belgium]] and [[Germany]], and has a total population of approximately 16,5 million (2007). Its system of government is constitutional monarchy. 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 '''Kingdom of the Netherlands''' (''Dutch: Koningrijk der Nederlanden'') is a country in [[Europe]]. It is bordered by [[Belgium]] and [[Germany]], and has a total population of approximately 16,5 million (2007). Its system of government is [[constitutional monarchy]]. 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 major ethnic groups in the Netherlands are [[Dutch]] 94%, Suinamese 2%, Asians 2% and others 2%. 25% of the population are [[Protestants]] and just over 30% are [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholics]].

The major ethnic groups in the Netherlands are [[Dutch]] 94%, Suinamese 2%, Asians 2% and others 2%.

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".

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 [[dike]]s. 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.

==Society==

==Society==

[[Same sex marriage]] has been recognized by the Dutch government since 2001.<ref>[http://marriage.about.com/cs/samesexmarriage/a/samesex.htm About.com]</ref>

[[Same sex marriage]] has been recognized by the Dutch government since 2001.<ref>[http://marriage.about.com/cs/samesexmarriage/a/samesex.htm About.com]</ref> Furthermore, [[prostitution]], [[euthanasia]], [[abortion]] and [[marijuana]] use are all legal and frequently occurring, making The Netherlands the most liberal country in the world by most standards. Religion plays a secondary role in society, with only 25% of the population being [[Protestant]] and just over 30% are [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholics]]. There is, however, a rising [[Muslim]] population which has caused social strains.

== See also ==

== See also ==