This site contains information about The Netherlands - also known as Holland. Whether you're a visitor, an expat or a local, there's something for everyone.

We're constantly updating, improving and adding information. Comments, corrections and suggestions always appreciated. If you'd like to suggest a link, an event or advertise on this site, please email us.

The Dutch friendliness, politeness and kindness makes this a wonderful place to live and visit. This small, liberal, fascinating country is oozing with history and culture.

Did you know:

• One quarter of the Netherlands is below sea level
• On average, the Dutch are the tallest people in Europe
• With only 0.008% of the world's area, the Netherlands is the world's third largest agricultural exporter after the USA and France
• There are twice as many bikes as cars in the Netherlands
• The Netherlands has one of the highest population densities in the world with approximately 480 people per sq km
• Rotterdam is the world's largest port
• Amsterdam has 1,281 bridges

• The Netherlands has at least 15,000 km of cycle tracks
• Dutch is also spoken in Belgium, northern France, Suriname, the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba
• The Netherlands still has about 1,000 traditional working windmills
• Amsterdam is entirely built on piles
• The Netherlands has nearly 1,000 museums, with 42 in Amsterdam alone
• About 30% of all Dutch babies are born at home
• The Netherlands is the world's eighth largest exporter
• After Scandinavians, the Dutch are the world's biggest coffee drinkers
• The Netherlands has the highest number of part-time workers in the EU (four in ten people)
• People of 200 nationalities live in Amsterdam
• The Netherlands has one of the youngest populations in the EU
• When your plane arrives at Schiphol, it lands 4.5 metres below sea level
• 60% of the country consists of land reclaimed from the sea