Netherlands Travel Guide

Netherlands — Country and Tourist Information

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Country Facts

Location: Northwest Europe.
Language: Dutch 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.
Area: 41,528 sq km (16,034 sq miles).
Time Zone: GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Two-pin European-style plugs are in use.
Population: 16.4 million (UN, 2007).
Population Density: 394 per sq km.
Capital City: Amsterdam. Population: 751,757 (2006). Seat of Government: The Hague. Population: 474,254 (2007).
Government: Constitutional monarchy since 1848.
Head of Government: Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende since 2002.
Head of State: Queen Beatrix Van Oranje Nassau since 1980.
Religion: 31% Roman Catholic, 13% Dutch Reformed Church, 7% Calvinist, 5.5% Muslim, 43.5% other religions or none.

Recent History

Balkenende’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.

Communications

Telephone

Country Code: +31. Calls can be made from public callboxes, though they're increasingly difficult to find. Phones accept the KPN telefoonkaart, a prepaid card which can be bought from tobacconists in denominations of €5, €10 and €20. Coins or credit cards are also accepted. The cost is €0.10 per pulse for local calls. Telephone information is given in French, English and German.

Mobile Telephone

Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. Coverage is universal.

Internet

There 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.

Media

The 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. Among the leading daily newspapers are Het Parool, De Telegraaf and the left-of-center NRC Handelsblad. For Dutch news in English, see www.dutchnews.nl.

Post

Stamps 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.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.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2011-December 2012 period.
2010
25 Dec Christmas Day
26 Dec Boxing Day

2011
1 Jan New Year’s Day
21 Apr Good Friday
25 Apr Easter Monday
30 Apr Queen’s Day
5 May Liberation Day
2 Jun Ascension Day
13 Jun Whit Monday
25 Dec Christmas Day
26 Dec Boxing Day

2012
1 Jan New Year’s Day
5 Apr Good Friday
9 Apr Easter Monday
30 Apr Queen’s Day
5 May Liberation Day
17 May Ascension Day
28 May Whit Monday
25 Dec Christmas Day
26 Dec Boxing Day

Contact Information

Royal Netherlands Embassy in the UK

38 Hyde Park Gate, London SW7 5DP, UK
Tel: (020) 7590 3200 or 0906 554 0720 (visa information line; calls cost £1 per minute).
Website: http://www.netherlands-embassy.org.uk/home
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 UK

PO 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