The Netherlands: Introduction | Topography | Facts and Figures |
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The Dutch | Transportation in the Netherlands

The Netherlands is a small country located in Western Europe. It borders the North Sea, between Belgium and Germany.

Political

Country Name

• Official name: Koninkrijk der Nederlanden (Kingdom of the Netherlands)
• Short name: Nederland (The Netherlands)

Government Type

Constitutional monarchy, parliamentary democracy.

Capital

Amsterdam; The Hague is the seat of government.

Chief of State

Queen Beatrix Wilhelmina Armgard.

Head of Government

Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

Geography

Area

• Total area: 37,330km²
• Land area: 33,920km²

Boundaries

• Total 1,027km
• Belgium 450km
• Germany 577km
• Coastline: 451km

Climate

Temperate: marine. Cool summers and mild winters.

Terrain

Mostly coastal lowland and reclaimed land (polders); some hills in the southeast.

Elevation

• Lowest point - Prins Alexanderpolder: minus 7m (below sealevel)
• Highest point - Vaalserberg (Drielandenpunt): 321m

Natural Resources

Natural gas, petroleum, fertile soil.

People

Population

16 million.

Age Structure

• 0-14 years: 18% (male 1.5 million; female 1.4 million)
• 15-64 years: 68% (male 5.5 million; female 5.3 million)
• 65 years and over: 14% (male 0.9 million; female 1.3 million)

Population Growth Rate

0.5%.

Life Expectancy at Birth

• Total population: 78 years
• Male: 76 years
• Female: 81 years

Ethnic Groups

Dutch: 91%. Moroccans, Turks, and other: 9%

Religions

• Roman Catholic: 34%
• Protestant: 25%
• Muslim: 3%
• other: 2%
• unaffiliated: 36%

Languages

Dutch.

Majority of facts and figures based on 2001 statistics.