2. Background Land and Climate  Netherlands is about the size of Massachusetts and Connecticut combined.  It covers 16,036 square miles.  Netherlands has many windmills to pump the water away from land and used dikes to hold back ocean.  Today there is 930 windmills out of the original 10,000  Today about 300 work for tourists.

3.  The windmills started to pollute water and sink land, so the government bought back land to return it to its natural state.  They destroyed the dikes to allow wetlands and marshes to return.  Northern Netherlands is mostly grasslands for grazing.  In 1995 the Rhine and other rivers flooded and caused the largest peacetime evacuation in countries history.  In Netherlands it rains a lot and winters are cold but mild.  Average weather in winter is 28 degrees Fahrenheit and the summer is 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Background Land and Climate continued

4.  Official name is Kingdom of the Netherland.  People call it just Netherlands or Holland.  After migrations of Saxons, Franks, and Frisians it became part of the Frankish Kingdom until A.D. 800.  In 1500 Belgium, Luxembourg, and Netherlands became known as the Low Countries.  Netherlands was ruled by the Spanish until Prince William of Orange rebelled and led 80 year war.  In 1648 with the Peace of Münster Netherlands became independent. Background History

5.  After becoming independent they grew an overseas empire and became leading maritime power.  In 1795 French forces made Netherlands a vassal state and Napoleon annexed the territory in 1810.  The United Kingdom of the Netherlands was created in 1815.  It originally included Belgium but they seceded in 1830.  They were attacked in World War 2 by Germany.  After war they were granted most overseas holdings independence including Indonesia and Suriname.  Netherland and the United States have had diplomatic relations since 1782. Background History continued

6.  Total population is 16,877,351  Dutch makes up 80.7%, other Europeans make up 5%, Indonesians make up 2.4%, and Turkish people make up 2.2%  The population grows annually at 0.57 percent.  The three largest cities are Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague.  More than 40% live in the two western provinces.  Most of Netherlands immigrants live in either Amsterdam, Rotterdam, or The Hague. People Population

7.  Netherland’s official language is Dutch.  Frisian is spoken in the northeastern province of Friesland.  English, German, and French are spoken and understood by many people.  Other languages other than Dutch are taught in secondary schools.  A form of Dutch called Flemish is spoken in Flanders, a region of Belgium. People Language

8.  A common greeting for men and women is a handshake.  Friends greet each other by three kisses on the cheek.  They say “hoe gaat het” which means how are you in Dutch.  From a distance people wave to greet but shouting is impolite.  Only friends or relatives can call people by the first name otherwise you address people by titles or family names.  When talking on the phone the caller and receiver identify themselves or it is considered rude. Customs and Courtesies Greetings

9.  The Dutch enjoy visitors.  Most guests are announced except friends and relatives.  If no time is announced it is usual to show up at 8:30 and leave before midnight.  It is polite for the guests to shake hands with everyone present.  The hosts almost always offer and serve refreshments to the guests unless it is their first time visiting.  Hosts usually serve coffee or tea and sweet biscuits and later that evening drinks are offered. Customs and Courtesies Visiting

10. Customs and Courtesies Visiting continued  Guests usually bring the host wine and the hostess flowers.  Social visiting is important on birthdays.  People are usually invited 8 p.m. to midnight.  The night begins with coffee, tea, and a birthday cake.  Later the guests are served with wine and lemonade for the kids.  The tables will be spread out with cheese, chips, or nuts.

11.  The Dutch eat 3 meals a day.  Dinner is eaten at 6 and is the main meal for most people.  Some people think the main meal is eaten at mid day.  The evening meal is bread, cold nuts, cheese, and salad.  It is important to wash hands before eating, being on time to the table, and starting to eat at the same time.  The host or parent indicates when to eat by saying Eet smakelijk which means eat deliciously. Customs and Courtesies Eating

12.  It is polite to keep hands above table but don’t put elbows on table.  The have the fork in the left hand and knife in the right.  They do not eat dessert with forks, they eat it with little spoons.  One can not leave the table until everyone has finished eating. Customs and Courtesies Eating continued

13.  Most families have one or two kids.  Southern (Catholic) families are larger.  Many parents are single.  Grandparents live on their own or in nursing homes.  39% of labor force is female.  More jobs are going to younger people partly due to better access of education.  Most people leave their home at 18 to continue work or education  Parents help children with studies but also want them in sports, music, or other activities Lifestyle Family

14.  Soccer is the most famous sport in Netherlands.  Tennis, basketball, swimming, and badminton are just a few more the Dutch enjoy.  Many people have bikes and ride in bike paths throughout the country.  Netherlands soccer clubs have over 1 million members.  Tennis clubs have about 800,000 members.  Many people also pole vault.  Netherlands has a day long ice-skating race that includes over 80,000 people. Lifestyle Recreation

15.  Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy.  The Queen is head of state but the prime minister rules the country.  The prime minister is Mark Rutte.  Queen Maxima of the Netherlands is the queen. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mark_Rutte-4.jpg Society Government