The Netherlands, also known as Holland, is a country located in Western Europe. The country is known for its tulips, windmills, canals, cheese, and rich cultural heritage. It is a popular travel destination because of its charming cities, beautiful countryside, and rich history.

The capital city of the Netherlands is Amsterdam, a vibrant and lively city with a world-famous canal system, museums, galleries, and nightlife. Other popular cities in the Netherlands include Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, and Groningen.

The Netherlands has a mild maritime climate, with cool summers and mild winters. The best time to visit is during the spring and summer months (April to September), when the weather is warm and the flowers are in bloom.

The country has a highly developed transport system, making it easy to travel around by train, bus, or car. Cycling is also a popular mode of transportation in the Netherlands, and there are many bike paths and rentals available.

The Netherlands is famous for its art and culture, and visitors can explore museums such as the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, and Anne Frank House. The country is also home to many historic landmarks, such as the windmills of Kinderdijk, the canals of Amsterdam, and the medieval city of Utrecht.

The Netherlands is also known for its cuisine, including traditional dishes such as stamppot (mashed potatoes and vegetables), herring, and stroopwafels (syrup waffles). The country is also famous for its cheese, with Gouda and Edam being the most well-known varieties.

Overall, the Netherlands is a beautiful and fascinating country that offers a wealth of cultural, historical, and scenic attractions for visitors to explore.

Telephone Code
31

Local Emergency Phone
112

Vaccinations
See WHO recommendations

Climate
Temperate; marine; cool summers and mild winters

Currency (Code)
Euros (EUR)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, F

Major Languages
Dutch

Major Religions
Roman Catholic 23.6%, Protestant 14.9%, Muslim 5.1%, other 5.6% (includes Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish), none 50.7%

Potable Water
Yes

International Driving Permit
Suggested

Road Driving Side
Right

Tourist Destinations
Amsterdam (includes Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Westerkerk, Anne Frank House, Floating Tulip Museum, Sloten Windmill); Windmills of Kinderdijk; Hoge Veluwe National Park; Towns of the Ijsselmeer (Zuiderzee); Zeeland's Delta Works

Major Sports
Soccer, field hockey, speed skating, cycling

Cultural Practices
It is polite to introduce yourself in a group; the lack of an introduction can be seen as standoffish or rude.

Tipping Guidelines
Tipping is expected in restaurants for good or exceptional service. Tip 10% of the bill. At hotels, tipping is not expected since service charges are generally factored into the bill, but you may leave a few euros for good service. Round up taxi fares.

Souvenirs
Tulips/tulip bulbs, wooden clogs, blue Delft-ware, chocolate, cheese, glass/crystal, windmill themed items

Traditional Cuisine
Stamppot — potatoes mashed with sauerkraut, endive, kale, turnips, or other vegetable and cooked in a pot; usually served with smoked sausage on the side

Geography
Area
total: 41,543 sq km
land: 33,893 sq km
water: 7,650 sq km

Climate
temperate; marine; cool summers and mild winters

Natural resources
natural gas, petroleum, peat, limestone, salt, sand and gravel, arable land

People and Society
Population
17,463,930 (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups
Dutch 75.4%, EU (excluding Dutch) 6.4%, Turkish 2.4%, Moroccan 2.4%, Surinamese 2.1%, Indonesian 2%, other 9.3% (2021 est.)

Languages
Dutch (official); note - Frisian is an official language in Fryslan province; Frisian, Low Saxon, Limburgish, Romani, and Yiddish have protected status under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages; Dutch is the official language of the three special municipalities of the Caribbean Netherlands; English is a recognized regional language on Sint Eustatius and Saba; Papiamento is a recognized regional language on Bonaire

Religions
Roman Catholic 20.1%, Protestant 14.8% (includes Dutch Reformed, Protestant Church of The Netherlands, Calvinist), Muslim 5%, other 5.9% (includes Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish), none 54.1% (2019 est.)

Population growth rate
0.36% (2023 est.)

Government
Government type
parliamentary constitutional monarchy; part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

Capital
name: Amsterdam; note - The Hague is the seat of government

Economy
Economic overview
high-income European economy; core EU member; chemical, oil, and machinery exporter; some age-based income inequality; substantial amount of independent contractor employees; manageable public debt; key international aid funder.

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$992.675 billion (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$56,600 (2021 est.)

Agricultural products
milk, potatoes, sugar beets, pork, onions, wheat, poultry, tomatoes, carrots/turnips, beef

Industries
agroindustries, metal and engineering products, electrical machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum, construction, microelectronics, fishing

Exports
$839.6 billion (2021 est.)

Exports - partners
Germany 20%, Belgium 12%, United Kingdom 9%, France 7%, United States 5% (2019)

Exports - commodities
refined petroleum, packaged medicines, broadcasting equipment, photography equipment, computers (2019)

Imports
$735.7 billion (2021 est.)

Imports - partners
Germany 15%, China 11%, Belgium 9%, United States 8%, Russia 7%, United Kingdom 5% (2019)

Imports - commodities
crude petroleum, refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, computers, cars (2019)