Netherlands: Overview

The Netherlands manages to be radical, sensible and quaintly staid.

The Dutch aren't bogged in their clichés, even though bikes, dykes, windmills and blazing flower fields are pretty much the norm outside the major cities. Do as the locals do - grab a bike and explore. It's a very big small country, and full of salutary surprises.

One of the chief pleasures of the place is its lively contrast between pragmatic liberalism and the buttoned-up just-so primness of a culture founded on Calvinist principles. In Dutch society, ostentation is anathema and fuss of any kind is regarded as undignified.

Fast Facts

Country Full Name

Kingdom of the Netherlands

Population

16,254,900

Currency

Name: Euro
Code: EUR
Symbol: €

Electrical Plugs

European plug with two circular metal pins
220-240V 50Hz

Languages Spoken

Official: Dutch, Frisian

Time Zones

GMT/UTC + 1 

Country Dialing Code

+31

Weights & Measures

Metric

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