Netherlands Facts

Netherlands Facts Infographics

The Netherlands Is Part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

The Netherlands Was the First Country to Legalize Same-sex Marriage

Netherlands facts tell us that in 2001, the Netherlands broke new ground by being the first country to legalize same sex marriage. This may be due to the fact that the Netherlands is a progressive, secular country. The Netherlands also has a strong social system and lenient drug laws.

The Netherlands Helped Found Seven International Groups

The Netherlands has been a great neighbor in the international community. It is a founding member of the European Union (EU), Group of 10 (G-10), Eurozone, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the World Trade Organization (WTO), and Benelux.

Amsterdam Is the Capital of the Netherlands

Netherlands facts tell us that while Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands, it is not the seat of the Dutch government. The Hague is considered the seat of the Dutch government. Amsterdam citizens can’t feel too bad about this since their amazing city is an alpha world city, as well as the commercial and cultural capital of the country.

Philips and ING, two of the world’s 500 largest companies, call Amsterdam home. The world’s oldest stock exchange is also located in Amsterdam.

The Hague Is the World’s Legal Capital

The Hague is located in the Holland region of the Netherlands. It is home to four international courts, which has led to its reputation as the world’s legal capital. The four courts are the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, and the International Criminal Court. The Hague, along with New York City, Nairobi, Geneva and Vienna, also hosts the United Nations.

In addition to its international duties, Netherlands facts show the Hague is also home to the King and Queen of the Netherlands, and over 150 international embassies. The parliament of the Netherlands and the Supreme Court are also located in The Hague.

The Netherlands Is Considered the First Capitalist Country

The Netherlands’ rich history includes a unique claim to fame: it is regarded as the first capitalist country in the world. Amsterdam was the richest trading city in early modern Europe. It was also home to the world’s first full-time stock exchange. We can thank the Netherlands for insurance and retirement funds, as well as asset-inflation bubbles and the boom-bust cycles of the stock market.

The Netherlands Features a Maritime Climate

Thanks to its location, the Netherlands features a temperate maritime climate. Netherlands facts indicate the average highs through the year vary between 42.1°F (5.6 °C) and 73°F (22.8°C), with lows between 32.4°F (0.2°C) and 55°F (12.8°C).

Social Policy Is Strong in the Netherlands

The Netherlands are frequently used as an example in social policy textbooks because of their far-reaching policies and high taxes. The Netherlands requires employers to offer maternity and paternity leave and also offers social security benefits. Many countries have based their own reforms on the progressive policies of this small nation.

Model United Nations Conference Held in the Netherlands

The Model United Nations is a high school simulation of the international group. Netherlands facts indicate The Hague International Model United Nations is a five-day conference held in January with over 4,000 student ambassadors traveling from over 200 schools across the world. The Hague’s Model UN is the largest model UN, as well as the oldest.

The Dutch Have Cornered the Tulip Market

Not surprisingly, the Netherlands is the world’s main seller of tulip plants. Most of the three-billion bulbs produced in the country are exported. No wonder the country has become synonymous with the iconic flower!

Dutch Talent Fills Art Museum Walls

The beautiful landscape of the Netherlands inspired many well-known painters. The 17th century was known as the age of the “Dutch Masters”, thanks to Rembrandt van Rijn and Johannes Vermeer. The 19th and 20th centuries followed suit with work from Vincent van Gogh and Piet Mondriaan. MC Escher, with his mind-twisting prints, is also a Dutch native.

Dutch Scientist Was First Physicist to Use Math Formulas

The Netherlands can lay claim to some interesting scientific discoveries. Christiaan Huygens, a Dutch scientist, was the first physicist to utilize math formulas in his representations. He invented the pendulum clock and discovered Titan, Saturn’s moon. He also argued that light was a wave. Another Dutch scientist, Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, is credited with being the first person to see and describe single-celled organisms through the use of a microscope.

The Dutch also have a tradition of being great thinkers. Netherlands facts tell us Erasmus of Rotterdam and Spinoza both hail from the Netherlands, and the French philosopher Descartes did much of his major work in the Netherlands.

Stolen van Gogh Paintings Worth 30 Million Dollars

Two publicized art crimes were perpetrated at the van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. The first art crime ended with the arrest of the criminals, which included two museum guards, and the recovery of the stolen artwork. Unfortunately, the second crime did not end so well.

The second art heist occurred in 2002. Two pieces were stolen and, while two Dutchmen were arrested and sentenced for the crime, the artwork was never found. Because of the value of the pieces, the robbery landed on the Top 10 Art Crimes list. The missing paintings are valued at 30 million dollars.

Anne Frank’s House Is in Amsterdam

The canal house in which Anne Frank took refuge during World War II is located in Amsterdam. In 1960, 13 years after her diary was published, the house was turned into a museum to memorialize the young Jewish girl and the harsh persecution and discrimination endured by others throughout time.

The Rijksmuseum Is the Netherlands Most Visited Museum

The Rijksmuseum is a national museum in Amsterdam and is the country’s most visited. The Rijksmuseum has a collection of one million objects, but only displays about 8,000 of them. There are items from the collection that are not displayed but can be viewed online. Included in the large collection are paintings by Vermeer and Rembrandt.

Holland Is Not a Country

Holland is one of the Netherlands regions and contains its three most populous cities: Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague. Holland is sometimes used to refer to the country of the Netherlands, but be careful: this offends some Dutch citizens.

Not Enough Space for Graves in the Netherlands

The Netherlands is a densely populated country. This has led to a shortage of graves. The solution? Rent a grave! In the Netherlands, a grave site can be rented for 20-30 years, after which time the body will be moved to a mass grave and the site can be rented to a new grieving family.

Heineken Hails from Amsterdam

Heineken, the popular beer brewer, hails from Amsterdam. Heineken brews about 50% of the beer consumed in the Netherlands. According to Netherlands facts, Heineken is also the world’s third largest brewery.

The Dutch Excel at Cheese

The Netherlands is the largest exporter of cheese in the world. From Gouda to Edam to the tiny Baby Cow wheels in the dairy section, the Dutch excel at cheese and share their delicious bounty with the world.

Another popular Netherlands food that hasn’t caught on quite as much is haring. Haring is a Dutch dish made with raw herring and served with chopped raw onions and gherkins.

1,000 Antique Windmills Still Spin in the Netherlands

Windmills are closely tied to the Netherlands in the imagination of many people. Unfortunately, of the 10,000 windmills that were operated in the Netherlands in the 1850s, only about 1,000 still stand. Netherlands facts tell us most are no longer in use and depend on volunteers to keep spinning.

Netherlands Facts – Facts about the Netherlands Summary