"The Netherlands at ~ and Holland under the sea" Netherlands by Pavlik_NL

Netherlands Travel Guide: 39,848 reviews and 83,235 photos

Variety of The Netherlands - Netherlands

Multicultural society on ground level (flat land)

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.

The Netherlands are famous for their flowers.

Colours until the horizon, the flowerbulb-fields

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?

Back to the water, where it all began.

The mighty rivers finding the path to sea

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.

Intro Updated Mar 20, 2004
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Reviews (45)

Randstad Holland and the other towns - Netherlands

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

Jan Klaassen and Katrijn in their adventures - Netherlands

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 Red - White - Blue goes back to 15th century - Netherlands

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

In Gorinchem the level is 90 cm above NAP - Netherlands

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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Comments (13)

Helenbb Dec 21, 2007 at 5:56 AM Report Abuse

Zalig Kerstfeest en Gelukkig Nieuwjaar!!!! i just learned :))
iandsmith Nov 2, 2006 at 1:23 PM Report Abuse

Who needs and encyclopedia when you can turn to your pages.
VeronicaG Dec 20, 2005 at 1:29 PM Report Abuse

Amazing place...the Netherlands. I enjoyed your commentary.
Waalewiener Sep 22, 2004 at 1:53 PM Report Abuse

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
MissyWQ Feb 13, 2004 at 6:30 PM Report Abuse

God bless Ilja in this new unrestfull century, may he always be happy and appreciate his precious parents.
patrikske Aug 5, 2003 at 1:23 PM Report Abuse

Erg leuke Netherlands page met prachtige travelogues !
aka123 Jun 10, 2003 at 8:05 PM Report Abuse

great colored Travelouge
marka13 Mar 4, 2003 at 2:12 PM Report Abuse

Good info! Nice photos! Where the tulips are? Beside the windmills? :)
jaw-yueh Jul 16, 2002 at 10:36 PM Report Abuse

nice psge!"Holland"is a beautifyl country!
yen_2 Apr 2, 2002 at 5:53 AM Report Abuse

Lovely Holand!!!Had a great time here too;-)