"The Netherlands at ~ and Holland under the sea" Netherlands by Pavlik_NL
Netherlands Travel Guide: 39,848 reviews and 83,235 photos
Denkend aan Holland
Zie ik brede rivieren
Traag door oneindig laagland gaan
Thinking of Holland
I see wide rivers
slowly go through an endless lowland
The Netherlands, my country. Colour: green from the grass, blue from the water and sky (on one of the few good days). Holland, say many, not knowing that this actually is only the Western part of the country, in name the two provinces North and South Holland. However from here the (in)famous VOC-ships sailed all over the world and together with Portugal our tiny country settled a worldempire (only later England and Spain followed). Amsterdam was for a whole century a world-centre in trade, finance and science. Now Rotterdam is stil the largest harbour in the world as being the port (gateway) to Europes mainland. The Hague ("Den Haag", the third town) is the governemental capitol and the old governement there can be named the oldest democratic. Saying in Holland is that now-a-days the money is made in Rotterdam, devided in Den Haag and spent in Amsterdam. If your focussed on only these three towns you will see a lot, but ... you will miss a whole lot more.
A country with one of the most dense populations on earth, yet no city has over a million citizens. However you will notice, while driving through the country by car (be carefull: terrifying traffic!) that as soon as you leave one town, you enter the next. Especially in the West the towns are built together and it's known as "Randstad Holland" ("rand" = circle and "stad" = town/city). In this Randstad Holland, seven million people live. In The Netherlands 16 million people are packed together. Distance East-West is 150 kilometres and North-South appr. 300 kilometres.
As largest flowerbulb-growers in the world we provide export over all continents. Despite the dense population, in Holland the agricuktural production is - per head - higher then anywhere else in the world. Reason to the success is greenhouses and a top-of-the-bill technology in growing crops. Besides that the Dutch (Hollands-Fries) black-and-white cows are the best for milk-production. And what is cheese made from?
The Netherlands are the low lands. Half of the country is below sealevel (lowest point is appr. minus 8 metres). If the pumps that keep the land dry would all be switched of at once, half of the country would submerge under the North Sea within 48 hours! Don't be alarmed, the country is perfectly safe, otherwise we wouldn't have so many inhabitants that actually most choose to live in the West (that is almost totally under sealevel). The Netherlands have a long history of fighting against and having as best friend: the sea. A love and hate-relation that took many lives from the land, but also brought us the rich history and current economical wealth. Especially in South Holland and the new province Flevoland (taken from the sea) have many spots where a Dutch typical saying is shown:
Land where the river runs high, above the rooftops.
Reviews (45)
Top 20 of largest town
Favorites
(4)
Town (manucipality) and number of inhabitants: Amsterdam (Province of Noord-Holland) 739.104 Rotterdam (Province of... more travel advice
Puppet plays, an old folk tradition
Local Customs
(15)
Still popular among young children is the puppet plays that are however a dying out tradition. In some places one... more travel advice
Our proud banner is still often seen...
Local Customs
(15)
The Dutch flag symbolises the unity within the Kingdom of The Netherlands and holds a special place in the heart of all... more travel advice
NAP = Normaal Amsterdams Peil
Local Customs
(15)
Within the Netherlands the waterlevel is of crucial importance. Every area, region, yes even every river, canal, even... more travel advice
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What to Pack (1)
Cloths for every type of weather (even... -
Things to Do (7)
See All Old "Southern sea" fishermen's villages -
Restaurants (3)
See All Well, in fact they are tiny fluffy... -
Shopping (1)
Royal shopping -
Transportation (5)
See All Dense freeway system in two ways -
Tourist Traps (2)
See All Flowerbulbs as a souvenir ... beware...
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Sports & Outdoors (3)
See All Watersport 3: Waterskiing -
Warnings Or Dangers (1)
Tolerance and suddenly everything is... -
Off The Beaten Path (1)
The Netherlands (so not Holland) = off... -
Nightlife (1)
About cafes and terraces -
Hotels (1)
Good hotelstandard, yet expensive! -
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Travelogues (5)
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Written May 27, 2003
8 photos
Wild flowers in The Netherlands (so, no tulips)
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Written May 27, 2003
7 photos
"Tamed" Dutch flowers (no, again no tulips)
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Written Aug 15, 2003
8 photos
Biking The Netherlands, best way of getting around
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Written Nov 25, 2003
6 photos
"Sinterklaas", most important Dutch (holy)day
Netherlands Travel Guide
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Friends
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Comments (13)
Zalig Kerstfeest en Gelukkig Nieuwjaar!!!! i just learned :))
Who needs and encyclopedia when you can turn to your pages.
Amazing place...the Netherlands. I enjoyed your commentary.
It is an amazing page Paul absolutely amazing that you covered almost everything ,at least everything I could think of I felt I was back in school learning about Nederland , Would you give Irina & Ilja a BIG hug from Lori & Hans please Paul
God bless Ilja in this new unrestfull century, may he always be happy and appreciate his precious parents.
Erg leuke Netherlands page met prachtige travelogues !
great colored Travelouge
Good info! Nice photos! Where the tulips are? Beside the windmills? :)
nice psge!"Holland"is a beautifyl country!
Lovely Holand!!!Had a great time here too;-)
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