Country's Full Name: Kingdom of Netherlands; Koninkrijk der Nederlanden

Brief History: Romans invaded the present Netherlands area in 1st century BC. About 300 AD German tribes invaded bringing Christianity. Fortified towns were made in 9th and 10th century due to frequent raid by Scandinavians. In 1579, the Kingdom of Netherlands was formed under the union of Utrecht, seceding from Spain. People of Netherlands were seafaring making settlements and colonies in far off places. Netherlands still owns two self-dependent overseas territories - Netherlands Antilles and Aruba in the Caribbean Sea. By mid-17th century Netherlands became a commercial power of Europe. However, Britain and France led to shortening of marine trade. Napoleon Bonaparte the French emperor occupied Netherlands territories briefly from 1795-1813. William I became King in 1813 after Napoleon was defeated by the European coalition. Belgium seceded from the Netherlands union in 1830 due to differences. Netherlands remained neutral in First World War but was invaded by Germany in the Second World War. Netherlands is the founding member of European Union and NATO.

What is the country known for:
Country is known for its wind mills and lighthouses. It is also famous because of cheese, clogs (wooden shoes), delftware and gouda pottery, dikes, tulips, bicycles.
The Dutch laws are liberal having social tolerance towards gay rights, prostitution, drugs and abortion.
Most of the country is reclaimed from sea.
The people of the Netherlands are amongst the tallest in the world, with an average height of about 1.81 m for adult males and 1.68 m for adult females.

Main Industries: Agro-industries, metal and engineering products, electrical machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum, construction, microelectronics, fishing.
Agriculture - products: grains, potatoes, sugar beets, fruits, vegetables; livestock

Main Trading Partners:
Exports partners (2006): Germany, Belgium, UK, France, Italy, US; Exports:
$413.8 billion f.o.b.; Exports - commodities: machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels; foodstuffs.

Imports partners (2006): Germany, Belgium, China, US, UK, Russia, France; Imports: $373.8 billion f.o.b.; Imports - commodities: machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, fuels, foodstuffs, clothing

Major Cities: Amsterdam (official capital), population - 737,900; The Hague (administrative capital), population - 465,900; Rotterdam, 600,700; Utrecht, 263,900; Eindhoven, 206,900

Location: Netherlands is in the western part of Europe. Germany is in the west, Belgium in the South and North Sea in the East of Netherlands.
Geographic coordinates:
52 30 N, 5 45 E

Size: 41,526 km² (land: 33,883 km² /water: 7,643 km²)
Slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey

Time Zone: Standard time zone: UTC/GMT 1 hour
Daylight saving time: 1 hour
Current time zone offset (CEST): UTC/GMT 2 hours
CEST - Central European Summer Time (begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October)

Type of Government: Kingdom of Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy, the monarch remains the ceremonial head. The country has bicameral legislature called as States General or Staten Generaal. There are two chambers - the First Chamber or Eerste Kamer (75 seats; members indirectly elected by the country's 12 provincial councils to serve four-year terms) and the Second Chamber or Tweede Kamer (150 seats; members directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms).

Queen - Beatrix (since 30 April 1980)
Prime Minister - Jan Peter Balkenende (since 22 July 2002)

National Holidays:

2010
1 Jan New Year's Day.
2 Apr - 5 Apr Easter.
30 Apr Queen's Day.
5 May Liberation Day.
13 May Ascension.
24 May Whit Monday.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec Boxing Day.

2011
1 Jan New Year's Day.
22 Apr - 25 Apr Easter.
30 Apr Queen's Day.
5 May Liberation Day.
2 Jun Ascension.
13 Jun Whit Monday.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec Boxing Day.

Population:
July 2007 estimate - 16,570,613
0-14 years: 17.8% (male 1,505,931/female 1,436,532)
15-64 years: 67.8% (male 5,683,877/female 5,557,745)
65 years and over: 14.4% (male 1,015,731/female 1,370,797)
Life expectancy: 79.11 years (male: 76.52 years/female: 81.82 years)

Religion: Roman Catholic 31%, Dutch Reformed 13%, Calvinist 7%, Muslim 5.5%, other 2.5%, none 41%

Language: Dutch (official), Frisian (official)

Local Customs:
Dutch people are disciplined, conservative and pay attention to minute details. Appearance is important, as they like cleanliness and neatness.

Handshake is the common form of greeting. Very close friends may greet each other by air kissing near the cheek three times, starting with the left cheek.
Most Dutch only use first names with family and close friends.

It is the women who sit first when dining. The table manners are continental where fork is held in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating.

If invited to a Dutch home bring a box of good quality chocolates, a potted plant, a book, or flowers to the hostess. Flowers should be given in odd numbers, but not 13, which is unlucky. .Avoid giving white lilies or chrysanthemums, as these are associated with funerals. Do not gift pointed items such as knives or scissors as they are considered unlucky.

Best time to go: Summer months from May to August are pleasant to visit. However, make advance reservations as June to August is the vacation period. If you like tulips and daffodils, spring will be the good time.


Currency:
Netherlands is the part of European Union recognizing 'Euro'.
1 Euro = 0.69434 British Pound
1 British Pound (GBP) = 1.44022 Euro (EUR)

1 US Dollar = 0.70629 Euro
1 Euro (EUR) = 1.41585 US Dollar (USD)

Customs Regulations:
European Union - Visitors entering from EU countries can bring 200 cigars, 3200 cigarettes, 400 cigarillos, 10 liters of spirit, 110 liters of beer, 20 liters of fortified wine/and or 90 liters of wine. Visitors can purchase VAT free articles at the airport while traveling between EU countries.

Non EU countries - Visitors above the age 15 and above may enter duty free with up to 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, a liter of alcohol and 2 liters of wine.

Tipping:
Tipping is not customary in Netherlands. Service charges of 10-15% are normally included in the bill. If you do tipping for exceptional service, it should be 5-10% of the bill. Taxi drivers can be rounded of to the nearest fare.