Netherlands country profile

The Netherlands, as the name indicates, is low-lying territory, with one third of the country at or below sea level. The Netherlands is a founder member state of the European Union.

Koninkrijk der Nederlanden

The Netherlands, as the name indicates, is low-lying territory, with one third of the country at or below sea level. Many areas are protected from flooding by dykes and sea walls. Much land has been reclaimed from the sea, the Flevoland polder being the most recent example.

The Dutch Parliament (or Staten Generaal) consists of two chambers. The first with 75 members is indirectly elected and has limited powers. The second chamber, or lower house, is directly elected and controls the government. Members of both houses serve a four-year term. Given the balance among Dutch political parties, all governments are coalitions.

Industrial activity is predominantly in food processing, chemicals, petroleum refining, electrical and electronic machinery. It has a dynamic agricultural sector. The port of Rotterdam is the busiest in Europe, serving a vast hinterland which stretches into Germany and central Europe.

The Netherlands has a history of great painters. The 17th century was the age of the Dutch Masters, such as Rembrandt van Rijn, Johannes Vermeer and Jan Steen. The 19th and 20th centuries are no less remarkable for their high-calibre artists like Vincent van Gogh and Piet Mondriaan.

Well-known Dutch specialities include raw herring, smoked eel and pea soup, not forgetting Dutch cheeses such as Edam or Gouda.

Official name: Kingdom of the Netherlands

Area (km²): 41,526

Population: 16.4 million (2008); 16,48 millones (forecast for 2009)

Capital: Amsterdam

National holiday: 30 April

Currency: Euro (€)

Date of joining: 23 July 1952

Head of state: Queen Beatrix I

Head of government: Jan Peter Balkenende, elected in July 2002 and re-elected in November 2006. He governs a coalition between his party, the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), the Labour Party (PvdA) and the Christian Union (CU)

GDP (millions €): 594.608,0 (2008); 583.171,9 (forecast for 2009)

GDP per capita in PPS: 33.800 (2008); 31.600 (forecast for 2009)

Real growth rate of GDP: 2,1% (2008); -3,5% (forecast for 2009)

Unemployment rate: 3,7% (October 2009)

National debt as % of GDP: 58,2% (2008)

Inflation: 0,4% (October 2009, provisional)

Public deficit/surplus as % of GDP: 1% (2008)

Source: Eurostat

Links:
Head of State: http://www.koninklijkhuis.nl
Head of Government: http://www.minaz.nl
Government: http://www.regering.nl
Foreign Minister: http://www.minbuza.nl
Parliament: http://www.parlement.nl

Map of The Netherlands

Source: European Commission, Spanish EU Presidency, CIA World Factbook