Netherlands : information about the country

Netherlands

Brief information about the country

Оfficial name:  Kingdom of the Netherlands

Location: is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of the Netherlands, the Netherlands Antilles, and Aruba. The Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy, located in Western Europe. It is bordered by the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east.

Total area: 41,526 sq km

Population: 16,570,613 (July 2007 est.); Ethnic groups: 80.8% Dutch, 2.4% German, 2.4% Indonesian (Indo-European, Indo-Dutch, Moluccan), 2.2% Turks.

Capital: Amsterdam
 
Principal cities: Rotterdam, the Hague

Climate: temperate; marine; cool summers and mild winters

Official language: Dutch

The political structure: constitutional monarchy; the head of state is the monarch, at present Queen Beatrix. Head of government: Prime Minister Jan Peter BALKENENDE (since 22 July 2002).

International organization participation: EU, NATO, UN, UNESCO, WTO, Shengen zone.

Currency: euro (since 2002)

Religion:  Roman Catholic 31%, Dutch Reformed 13%, Calvinist 7%, Muslim 5.5%.

National Holiday: Queen's Day (Birthday of Queen-Mother JULIANA and accession to the throne of her oldest daughter BEATRIX), 30 April.