Official Name

Kingdom of the Netherlands

Geography

Area: 41,526 sq. km. (16,485 sq. mi.).
Cities: Capital--Amsterdam (pop. 739,104). Other cities--The Hague, seat of government (469,059); Rotterdam (598,923); Utrecht (270,244).
Terrain: Coastal lowland.
Climate: Northern maritime.

People

Population: 16.3 million.
Nationality: Noun--Dutchmen and Dutchwomen. Adjective--Dutch.
Ethnic groups: Predominantly Dutch; largest minority communities are Moroccans, Turks, Surinamese.
Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, other.
Language: Dutch.
Education: Years compulsory--10. Attendance--nearly 100%. Literacy--99%.
Health: Infant mortality rate--5.0/1,000. Life expectancy--78 yrs.
Work force (2003: 7.4 million): commercial services—46.3%; non-commercial services—32.4%; industry—19.6%; agriculture—1.7%.

For more facts about the Netherlands, please visit the website of the
U.S. Department of State.