LocationNorthwest Europe.
Area41,528 sq km (16,034 sq miles).
Population16.4 million (UN, 2007).
Population Density394 per sq km.
CapitalAmsterdam.
Population: 751,757 (2006).
Seat of Government: The Hague.
Population: 474,254 (2007).
GovernmentConstitutional monarchy since 1848.
LanguageDutch is the official language. English, German and French are widely spoken. Fries is spoken by the majority of people in the northern province of Friesland.
Religion31% Roman Catholic,
13% Dutch Reformed Church, 7% Calvinist, 5.5% Muslim, 43.5% other religions or none.
TimeGMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).
Electricity220 volts AC, 50Hz. Two-pin European-style plugs are in use.
Head of GovernmentPrime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende since 2002.
Head of StateQueen Beatrix Van Oranje Nassau since 1980.
Recent HistoryBalkenende’s coalition collapsed in June 2006 after a row over immigration policy. Following inconclusive elections in November 2006 characterized by increased gains for the more extreme Dutch parties, Balkenende entered into lengthy negotiations with other parties to form a new coalition in February 2007. His Christian Democratic party gained 26.5% of the vote, and now governs as part of a centrist coalition with the Labor Party and the Christian Union.
TelephoneCountry code: 31 (followed by 20 for Amsterdam, 10 for Rotterdam and 70 for The Hague). Telephone information is given in French, English and German. There is a cheaper rate Mon-Fri 2000-0800. Calls can be made from public callboxes or post offices. Most callboxes only accept cards, which can be bought at post offices,
VVV offices, and shops displaying the
PTT-telephone card poster; a few still accept coins.
Mobile TelephoneRoaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. Coverage is universal.
InternetThere are many Internet cafes and some Internet access centers. Business centers also provide public access. Using the Internet is very straightforward in Amsterdam, where computers are available to use free of charge in libraries and public buildings.
MediaThe Dutch have a unique approach to public broadcasting. Programs are made by a variety of groups, some reflecting political or religious currents in society, others representing interest groups. These organizations are allocated airtime on TV and radio, in line with the number of members they have. The TV market is very competitive, with many private stations also currently flourishing. The Dutch also have one of the highest cable take-up rates in Europe. Every province has at least one local public TV channel. Freedom of press and free speech is guaranteed by the constitution. Newspaper ownership, however, is highly concentrated, and most titles are broadsheets.
PostStamps are available from all post offices as well as from tobacconists and kiosks selling postcards and souvenirs. Mail within Europe takes approximately two to five days.
Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700. Some post offices in major towns are also open on late shopping nights (Thurs or Fri) and Sat 0900-1200/1230. There are all-night post offices in Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
Press• The main newspapers are
NRC Handelsblad (an evening paper),
De Telegraaf,
Trouw and
De Volkskrant.
• Foreign newspapers are widely available.
Radio• NOS oversees public radio stations, including news and information station
Radio 1, music network
Radio 2, pop station
3FM and cultural station
Radio 4.
• Radio Netherlands is an international broadcaster.
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period.
2009
1 Jan New Year's Day.
10-13 Apr Easter.
30 Apr Queen's Day.
5 May Liberation Day.
21 May Ascension.
1 Jun Whit Monday.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec Boxing Day.
2010
1 Jan New Year's Day.
2-5 Apr Easter.
30 Apr Queen's Day.
5 May Liberation Day.
13 May Ascension.
24 May Whit Monday.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec Boxing Day.
Contact Information:Royal Netherlands Embassy in the UK38 Hyde Park Gate, London SW7 5DP, UK
Tel: (020) 7590 3200
or 0906 554 0720 (visa information line; calls cost £1 per minute).
Website:
www.netherlands-embassy.org.uk Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700; 0830-1200 (passport and visa section; by appointment only).
The passport and visa section is closed on the first and third Wednesday of every month. Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions (NBTC) in the UKPO Box 30783, 15-19 Kingsway, London WC2B 6DH, UK
Tel: (020) 7539 7950
or 0906 871 7777 (brochure line; calls cost 60p per minute).
Website:
www.holland.com/uk Royal Netherlands Embassy in the USA4200 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: 1 877 388 2443.
Website:
www.netherlands-embassy.orgNetherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions (NBTC) in the USA355 Lexington Avenue, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10017, USA
Tel: (212) 370 7360.
Website: http://
us.holland.com
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