The Netherlands is twice the size of New Jersey. Part of the great plain of north and west Europe, the Netherlands has maximum dimensions of 190 by 160 mi (360 by 257 km) and is low and flat except in Limburg in the southeast, where some hills rise up to 322 m (1056 ft). About half the country's area is below sea level, making the famous Dutch dikes a requisite for the use of much of the land. Reclamation of land from the sea through dikes has continued through recent times. All drainage reaches the North Sea, and the principal rivers—Rhine, Maas (Meuse), and Schelde—have their sources outside the country,
Climate and Weather
The Netherlands has a maritime climate, with cool summers and mild winters. The average temperature is 2°C (36°F) in January and 19°C (66°F) in July, with an annual average of about 10°C (50°F). Clouds generally appear every day, and in the winter months fog often abounds, while rainfall occurs frequently. Average annual rainfall is about 76.5 cm (30 in). The mild, damp climate is ideal for dairying and livestock raising, but the limited sunshine restricts the growing of food crops.
Population
With a population of 16.5 million, the Netherlands is the most populated country in the world with 477 people per square kilometer of the land (393 people including the internal waters). Netherlands is populated in 81% by Caucasian Dutch population of Germanic or Gallo Celtic descent. Contrary to the popular ideas, more Dutch are catholic 31% than protestant 21%.
Transportation
The Netherlands has an extensive and much-used railway network, which connects virtually all cities and many towns with each other. The Netherlands has one of the most dense highway networks in the world. There are 135,470 km of public roads, of which 5,012 km are national roads, 7,899 km are provincial roads, and 122,559 km are local and other roads. Schiphol, the Amsterdam airport, is the main airport in the Netherlands, and the fourth largest in Europe. There are also a number of regional airports, the most popular being Eindhoven Airport, Maastricht Aachen Airport, Rotterdam Airport and Groningen Airport Eelde.
Top Attractions
1. Anne Frank House.
2. Sugar Loaf.
3. Van Gogh Museum.
4. The Rijksmuseum.
5. Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art.
6. Rembrandt House.
7. Amsterdam Historisch Museum.
8. Red Light District (De Wallen).
9. Our Dear Lord in the Attic (Museum Amstelkring).
10. The Dutch Resistance Museum (Verzetsmuseum).
Best Travel Time
"In season" in Holland means from mid-April to mid-October. The peak of the tourist season is July and August, when the weather is at its finest. Weather, however, is never really extreme at any time of year; and if you're one of the growing numbers who favor shoulder- or off-season travel, you'll find Holland every bit as attractive during those months. Not only are airlines, hotels, and restaurants cheaper and less crowded during this time (with more relaxed and personalized service), but some very appealing events are going on. Holland's bulb fields burst with color from mid-April to mid-May; September usually has a few weeks of late summery weather; and there are even sunny spells in winter, when brilliant and crisp weather often alternates with dramatic clouded skies.
Food and Drink
National specialties:
• A Dutch breakfast usually consists of fresh bread, cheese, cooked meats and sausage, butter and hagelslag (chocolate sprinkles), jam or honey and often a boiled egg. Lunch is generally similar.
• Broodjes (sandwiches) are a common daytime snack, served in the ubiquitous sandwich bars - broodjeswinkels.
• Poffertjes (pancakes) served with butter and sugar are a teatime favorite.
• Matjes (salted herring) is widely available from street stalls, and smoked eel is another seafood specialty.
• Bitterballen (deep fried meatballs) are a favorite snack with the first drink of the evening, the 5pm borrel.
• Holland is famous for its cheeses, among them the Goudse, Edammer and Leidse varieties, also obtainable with flavorings such as caraway seed and cumin.
National drinks: • Coffee, tea, chocolate and fruit juice are drunk at breakfast.
• The local spirit is jenever (Dutch gin), normally taken straight and chilled as a chaser with a glass of beer, but it is sometimes drunk with mixers. It is available in numerous flavors.
• The most popular beer brands in Amsterdam are Amstel and the ubiquitous Heineken, which is also produced in the city. There are also a number of smaller breweries producing specialist beers and ales for the connoisseur, including the Trappist Brouwerij De Koeningshoeven.
• Dutch liqueurs are excellent and include Curaçao, Parfait d’Amour, Triple Sec (similar to Cointreau) and Dutch-made versions of crème de menthe, apricot brandy and anisette.
Local Products/Shopping
Special purchases include Delft (an area between The Hague and Rotterdam) blue pottery and pottery from Makkum and Workum, costume dolls, silverware from Schoonhoven, glass and crystal from Leerdam and diamonds from Amsterdam.
Travel Resource
Amsterdam Hotels - amsterdam hotel reservations and information guide.
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1. Anne Frank House.
"In season" in Holland means from mid-April to mid-October. The peak of the tourist season is July and August, when the weather is at its finest. Weather, however, is never really extreme at any time of year; and if you're one of the growing numbers who favor shoulder- or off-season travel, you'll find Holland every bit as attractive during those months. Not only are airlines, hotels, and restaurants cheaper and less crowded during this time (with more relaxed and personalized service), but some very appealing events are going on. Holland's bulb fields burst with color from mid-April to mid-May; September usually has a few weeks of late summery weather; and there are even sunny spells in winter, when brilliant and crisp weather often alternates with dramatic clouded skies.