Difference between revisions of "Netherlands"
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| − | The Netherlands is a country in [[Europe]]. It is bordered by [[Belgium]] and [[Germany]]. | + | The Netherlands is a country in [[Europe]]. It is bordered by [[Belgium]] and [[Germany]], and has a total population of approximately 16 million (2007). |
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. | ||
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A major breach of the dikes occurred in 1953, killing 1800 people. | A major breach of the dikes occurred in 1953, killing 1800 people. | ||
| − | Amsterdam, named for the Amstel river, is the largest city, and officially the capital (although the | + | 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 traversed by an extensive system of 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). | ||
| − | The Netherlands has long been famous for its production of flowers | + | 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," tulips 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. As with all bubbles, when bidding began to lag, people tried to sell and the bubble burst. |
| − | The Netherlands is also famous for its open-mindedness reflected in its liberal legislation. Examples are organized 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 marriages and | + | The Netherlands is also famous for its open-mindedness reflected in its [[liberal]] legislation. Examples are organized 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 marriages and euthanasia. |
[[Image:Netherlands_map.gif]] | [[Image:Netherlands_map.gif]] | ||
[[Category:Countries]] | [[Category:Countries]] | ||
Revision as of 21:44, March 12, 2007
The Netherlands is a country in Europe. It is bordered by Belgium and Germany, and has a total population of approximately 16 million (2007).
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.
A major breach of the dikes occurred in 1953, killing 1800 people.
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 traversed by an extensive system of 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).
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," tulips 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. As with all bubbles, when bidding began to lag, people tried to sell and the bubble burst.
The Netherlands is also famous for its open-mindedness reflected in its liberal legislation. Examples are organized 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 marriages and euthanasia.
