The Netherlands is renowned for being unremittingly flat, with
traditional images of canals, windmills and tulips complementing
its new face as a modern European nation, so impressively demonstrated
when The Netherlands co-hosted Euro 2000 with Belgium. Its eclectic
past reads like a ‘who’s who’ of European nations
as everyone from the Romans and the Gauls, right through to the
Hapsburgs and the Spanish influenced its destiny before the country
finally emerged with its current borders in 1830.
It is easy to imagine The Netherlands as just Amsterdam; the nation’s
capital city is one of the most visually stunning in the world,
where you can also delve through centuries of history aboard a
canal boat or explore the array of excellent museums. The Netherlands
is far more than just its capital, though, with a string of impressive
cities including Arnhem, The Hague and Rotterdam. Rotterdam has
picked itself up from almost total devastation in World War II
to emerge as Europe’s (and indeed one of the world’s)
biggest port and a leader in urban regeneration.
Out in the countryside any sense of monotony you may have is soon
broken by stunning medieval towns like Utrecht and Delft. Holland’s
main natural attraction is its wide swathe of coastline, much
of it peppered with artificial sea walls and inland seas, as The
Netherlands fights its never-ending battle with the North Sea.
General Information
Geography: The Netherlands shares borders to the south with Belgium
and to the east with Germany, while the North Sea lies to the
north and west. Large areas of The Netherlands have been reclaimed
from the sea and consequently one fifth of the country lies below
sea level. The country is flat and level and is criss-crossed
by rivers and canals. Areas reclaimed from the sea, known as polders,
are extremely fertile. The landscape is broken by the forest of
Arnhem, the bulb fields in the west, the lakes of the central
and northern areas, and coastal dunes that are among the most
impressive in Europe.
Language: Dutch is the official language. English, German and
French are widely spoken.
Religion: 38 per cent Roman Catholic, 30 per cent Protestant;
26 per cent do not profess any religion.
Time: GMT + 1 (GMT from last Sunday in March to Saturday before
last Sunday in October).
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Two-pin European-style plugs
are in use.
When to Go
Hordes of tourists snap their way around the Netherlands in summer,
but there's no denying that this is the best time of year to sit
by the canals for a sip and a toke. Spring is a good time to visit
as the bulbs are in bloom - April for daffodils, tulips in May.
If you can be in Amsterdam for Koninginnedag (April 30), do it!
Rain is spread pretty evenly over the year, so there's not much
point trying to avoid Dutch drizzle. Winter can get bitingly cold,
but the museums are quiet, and if everything freezes over, there's
great ice skating on the canals and flood plains.
Events
Events
A cold January invites endless speculation about the nation-stopping
Elfstedentocht (Eleven Cities Journey), a gruelling skating marathon
though the countryside of Friesland. The last one was held in
1997, but it could be decades before it all freezes over again.
Carnival in February is an excuse for silly costumes and revelling
celebrated mostly in the Catholic south. Koninginnedag (Queen's
Day) is on April 30 and is a huge party day in Amsterdam. The
whole central city becomes a huge street market/party where anyone
can sell whatever they like - it's a madhouse. The Holland Festival
in June is celebrated mostly in Amsterdam and The Hague. It's
often highbrow and pretentious but there are many fringe events.
The Hague's North Sea Jazz Festival each July is the world's biggest
jazz junket.
Sinterklaas (Santa Claus) is the white-bearded patron saint of
children who arrives 'from Spain' in mid-November. He is accompanied
by a host of mischievous servants called Zwarte Pieten (Black
Peters) - there are lots of PC Blue and Green Peters these days.
On the evening of 5 December, people give one another anonymous
and creatively wrapped gifts accompanied by poems about the recipient
written by Sinterklaas. The Dutch sensibly have two Christmas
Days (on 25 and 26 December), which is handy for step-families.
Fireworks are only allowed to be sold in the days preceding New
Year's Eve - there are hundreds of injuries each drunken, crackin
'n' bangin' 31 December.
Health care
The standard of health care (and other social services) is very
high, with an unusually high proportion of the national income
devoted to public health. There is a reciprocal health agreement
with all other EU countries. On presentation of form E111 by UK
residents (available from post offices or the Department of Health)
medical treatment, including hospital treatment, is free; prescribed
medicines and dental treatment must, however, be paid for. Further
information can be obtained from The Netherlands General Sickness
Insurance Fund (Algemeen Nederlands Onderling Ziekenfonds –
ANOZ), at Kaap Hoorndreef 24-28, Utrecht, or the local sickness
insurance office. Certain strong medicines can be taken to The
Netherlands if they are accompanied by a doctor’s prescription.
Outside of the EU, The Netherlands has reciprocal health agreements
with Cape Verde, Morocco, Tunisia, Turkey and Yugoslavia (Serbia
and Montenegro). All other travellers are advised to take out
full medical insurance. For police, fire or ambulance emergencies,
dial 112 anywhere in the country. |
