Introducing The Netherlands
There aren't many countries with so much land below sea level. There aren't many - if any - countries this flat. There aren't many countries with so much reclaimed land. There aren't many countries this densely populated, and yet so liberal. There aren't many countries with so much water and wind, or so many boats, sails, bikes, birds, dykes, polders, windmills, flowers, fish, bridges, cafés, cheese - and tall people. And there certainly aren't many countries who can claim such a vibrant colour (vivid orange in this case) as their own. Simply put, there is no place like the Netherlands.
Advertisement
Start with the Dutch cities. Who hasn't heard of Amsterdam, the capital of culture, coffeeshops and canals? Its mesmerising beauty is hard to overestimate, and yet a surfeit of stunning metropoles are only hours, or even minutes, away by train. Haarlem, Groningen City, Rotterdam, Utrecht City, Den Haag, Leiden, Delft, Maastricht - the list seems endless, a mind-boggling concept considering the size of this small nation.
Outside the cities, the Netherlands once again borders on over-achievement. Its bucolic splendour of national parks and sheep-patrolled polders is perfectly complimented by shimmering lakes, sandy coastlines, and a chain of windswept islands. Best of all, it can all be seen from the comfort of a bicycle seat.
As we've already said, there's no place like the Netherlands. But don't take our word for it; come join the Dutch in their gezellig ways - you won't be disappointed.
Last updated: Jul 16, 2010
Tips & articles
-
The Netherlands: travel books to read before you go
31 August 2010
This excerpt from Lonely Planet’s Netherlands guide provides a selection of travel literature to get you in the mood for...
-
A holiday less ordinary: 10 obscure vacations
20 August 2010
Why settle for the ordinary? In an excerpt from Lonely Planet’s 1000 Ultimate Experiences, we’ve found destinations that are so...
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
-
Laos comes towards top of World Giving Index
by callippo 0 replies, last post 08 September 2010
http://www.cafonline.org/Default.aspx?page=19428 interestingly, Laos comes near the top of Gallup's World Giving Index Australia New…
-
Home shit home
by hesterr 0 replies, last post 05 September 2010
+´What do you miss most from home?´+ Being abroad, often for several months at a time, makes you aware of the things in life that are…
-
Trip Report - East Java/Flores/Lombok
by Chesterbloke 10 replies, last post 09 September 2010
Me and my 16 year old son have just returned from 3 and bit weeks in Eastern Indonesia. This was my third trip to this fascinating country,…
Advertisement
The Netherlands
Our Top Picks For The Netherlands
-
1 Amsterdam
The Dutch capital: an achingly beautiful hedonistic playground, complete with world-class museums and galleries
-
2 Haarlem
Pint-sized city with oodles of charm, excellent museums, and historical significance
-
3 Hoge Veluwe National Park
Astounding parkland with an art museum of epic proportions smack bang in the middle of it all
-
4 Maastricht
Unique Dutch city with a medieval heart, vibrant nightlife and hills
-
5 Delft
Delightful town, home to Vermeer and distinctive blue-and-white pottery
Fast Facts about The Netherlands
- Number of windmills
1180
- Religion
Catholic 31%, Protestant 21%, Muslim 5.5%, other 1.5%, not religious 41%
- Inflation
1.7% (2005 average)
- Unemployment rate
6.5% (2005)
- Height of the average male
185.5cm (6ft 1 in)
- Waterways
5046km (navigable for ships over 50 tons)
- Per capita GDP
€26,500
- Number of mobile phones
14.8 million
