Netherlands

Many of you might be more familiar with the name Holland rather than Netherlands but North Holland and south Holland are just two of its 12 provinces. Situated in the Northwestern Europe, Netherlands covers an area of nearly 41,526 sq km and is among the smallest in Europe area wise. But it is among the most densely populated countries and only a very few parts remain away from civilization. Netherlands is one of the flattest countries in the world and has a huge area below the sea level. It is known that a lot of area on the coastal region is lost to the sea every year. Netherlands is known for being one of the most open countries when it comes to human rights that are otherwise considered to be taboo.

Netherlands is a wonderful country to tour in. The people of the country are known to be the most tolerant and also among the tallest ones. They represent a culture that has remained unchanged for many a centuries and still is fascinating enough to attract many tourists from around the world. A large part of the country is bordered by North Sea and the coastlines are filled with beautiful beaches. It is the cleanliness that is maintained here on the beaches that add an extra edge to tourism. Most of the beaches have splendid facilities for adventure sports like surfing, sailing and scuba diving.

Apart from water sports, one can indulge in a lot other activities like cycling and walking. Being in a flat country, you are not required to overexert yourself while cycling or walking and you can cover much more distances. Arts too have always found a decent role in the culture of Netherlands which is evident from the number of famous artists who were born here and the number of art galleries. Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam is counted among the best exhibition of arts in the world.

Netherlands is divided into 12 provinces. The difference of cultures one finds between these provinces is surprisingly prominent. North Holland, which has the capital city Amsterdam, is the important most of all. Amsterdam is also the largest city of Netherlands. It is situated western side of Netherlands. Other Important cities of Netherlands are the historic city of Delft, politically critical The Hague, Rotterdam and Utrecht.

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Fast Facts

Location – Northwestern Europe
Capital – Amsterdam
Population – 16,492,230
Language – Dutch, Frisian
Religion- Protestants, Roman Catholic

Calling Code - +31
Time Zone – UTC +1, Day Light Saving – UTC +2

Climate – Moderate Maritime climate
Currency – Euro
Best time visit – May To October

 

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Highlights

Van Gogh Museum - Amsterdam

Named after the legendary Dutch artist Van Gogh, the museum displays his famous art works. There are nearly 200 paintings, 500 drawings and 700 letters of Van Gogh that are put on exhibition here. The building where the museum is housed is itself very attractive and strikes you at the very first sight. The oddly shaped structure was designed by Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa in the year 1999. Called the new annex, it is a covered with grey stones and titanium steel and is particularly magnificent in the evenings. Once you enter the museum, the huge light filled space seems very practical and pleasant. The vibrantly colored paintings will surely leave an everlasting effect on your mind. The most famous of his works are The Potato Eaters, Sunflowers and Wheatfield with crows.

Anne Frank House - Amsterdam

It was here that Anne Frank, the teenager who wrote a diary about her hiding from the Nazi persecution during the second world, hid with her family and the family of a friend. It is converted into a museum and is one of the most visited attraction of the country. It was inaugurated in the year 1960. Visitors can see the swinging book shelf that concealed the door to the hidden rooms, the black and white pictures that were pasted by Anne Frank on the walls. One can visit the Museum from Monday to Saturday, from 9AM to 9PM. On Saturdays the museum is open till 10 PM. September to mid March, the museum is open on all days from 9 AM till 7 PM.

The Rijksmuseum - Amsterdam

The museum is considered to be the greatest exhibition of Netherlands's art and history. It has collection of Asian arts and the biggest collection of paintings from the period that is called the 'Dutch Golden Age'. There are nearly 150 rooms in which the huge exhibition is organized and it is really tough to cover all of them in single day. But if you are short on time, then head straight to Room 224 which houses the World famous The Night Watch. Made by Rembrandt, the King-size canvas in the best work on display and is considered among the best paintings of all times. Such is the magnificence of the painting that an entire room is dedicated to it in the museum.

Hoge Veluwe National Park – Ede

Covering an area of nearly 5500 hectares, Hoge Veluwe National Park is one of the largest continuous national park in Netherlands. Some parts of the park are covered in forests and heath moors whereas some are covered with sand dunes and shifting sands. Most regions of the park are inaccessible by cars but you can hire a cycle for free and roam around exploring the unique wildlife. The fauna of Hoge Veluwe National Park includes wild boar, red deer and mouflon. Also visit the famous Kröller-Müller Museum which is situated on the edge of the park and is renowned for art exhibitions.

Kinderdijk - South Holland

Declared a world heritage site by UNESCO, Kinderdijk is a small village in South Holland which is famous for its old windmills. There are in all 19 windmills in the village which were built in the year 1740. They were built to drain the polders of excessive water as the area is below sea level. They rank among the best attractions that tourists like to visit.

Madurodam – The Hague

Built in the year 1952, Madurodam is a model of a Dutch town on a 1 : 25 scale. Named after George Maduro, a law student who faught against Nazi occupation forces, it has become one of the major tourist destinations in the Hague and has been visited by millions of visitors since its opening. Madurodam also had a mayor when teenager Princess Beatrix was given the honor of heading the miniature town. She relinquished the position when she became the queen of Netherlands. Presently, the mayor of Madurodam is elected by a youth municipal council of 25 students.

 

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Things To Do

Canal Cruises – See Them Differently

Amsterdam is also called the City of Canals for its small yet wonderful waterways that crisscross the capital city. Take a look at them and you will know that this the way Amsterdam is meant to be explored. On the sides these canals are heritage houses and warehouses, some of which were build in the 17^th century. There are in all 1,281 bridges that cross these canals. The best time of the day to take a cruise is just after dusk, when the illuminated houses on the side with the dark grayish sky in background provide a romantic setting.

Enjoy Music In North Sea Jazz Festival

If you are a music lover, then you just cannot miss this festival. Well, you cannot miss it the other way either. North Sea Jazz Festival is the largest annual gathering of Jazz in entire Europe. Spanning three days, more than 1200 musicians from all over the world perform in 16 designated venues during the festival. The festival proves to be a splendid platform for upcoming artists to show their talent to the world as it attracts hundreds of thousands of audiences in three days. World renowned artists too perform in this Jazz festival.

Explore European Fine Art Fair

The annual European Fine Art Fair is the confluence of arts and antiques from more than a dozen countries. There are nearly 150 dealers who come here to display there collections . Many of the famous museums of the world are also represented here among the buyers. The choice of location for the fair too has to be acknowledged, The quaint town of Maastricht which lies on the southernmost point of Netherlands and nestling between Belgium and Germany is a potpourri of cultures and languages.

Cycling – Traverse The Calm Lands

Netherlands is one of the flattest countries in the world which makes cycling a sport that that does not require much exertion. Looking at the popularity of cycling in Netherlands, it is rightly called the land of bicycles. There are estimated 15 million Dutch people who use cycles on a regular basis for commuting. There are nearly 17,000 km of dedicated cycling tracks constructed in the country for which detailed maps are published and can be obtained from tourism offices. One cannot pin point the best destination for cycling in the country as every part of Netherlands is suited for the purpose.

Feel Thrills and Tranquility of Watersports

Netherlands has excellent coastline and beaches to support scores of watersports. Windsurfing and swimming are the most popular sports on coasts whereas fishing and sailing are enjoyed in the inland water bodies like lakes and rivers. Although fishing is allowed in lakes, few important lakes require permits before you indulge in angling. It is advised that you collect information from the authorities. Permits are generally available in local post offices.