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COUNTRY OVERVIEW
Friesland
The Netherlands The Netherlands (Nederland) is a small country which has one of the highest population densities in the world.

Situated on low-lying land at the deltas of the rivers Rhine and Maas, the Netherlands is in constant danger from flooding, and enormous effort has been invested in the construction of sea dykes and canals to protect the country.

The Dutch landscape is one of the first features to strike the visitor, with its tree-lined canals, windmills and fertile green fields. Much of the most fertile country is reclaimed land known as polder. It forms the basis for a huge agriculture business, which exports vegetables, tulips and cheese throughout the world.

The Dutch have also been one of the world's great seafaring nations since the 17th century, when Dutch mariners set off on voyages of discovery to the East Indies.

The Netherlands coastline is dotted with attractive old harbour towns such as Hoorn and Enkhuizen, as well as the ultra-modern port of Rotterdam which handles much of Europe's shipping.

Most of the Dutch population lives on the western edge of the country, in historic cities such as Amsterdam, Utrecht and The Hague. The compact cities have carefully preserved historical buildings, well-designed museums and art galleries filled with the works of the Dutch Masters. Beyond the cities and towns, the visitor can escape easily to the countryside, take a bicycle ride along a quiet canal or explore the windswept islands off the northern coast.

EVENTS AND FESTIVALS OVERVIEW Events in the Netherlands The Netherlands is a rather sober country when it comes to festivals. The Catholics in the southern provinces tend to be more vivacious, particularly during the Carnival celebrations that precede Lent. Maastricht has one of the most riotous Carnivals in Europe, featuring noisy parades and late-night revelry.

Keukenhof
The beginning of the tulip season in late April and early May is celebrated by a floral parade through the bulb fields from Noordwijk to Haarlem.

The main national festival is the Queen's Birthday on 30 April, when the royal family tours the country, and various towns hold markets and music festivals.

It's worth renting a bicycle on National Windmill Day, in May, when many of the country's traditional windmills turn in the breeze. Several cities stage summer arts festivals, including the Holland Festival in Amsterdam and the North Sea Jazz Festival in the Hague.

Dutch children are given presents on 5 December, when the bearded figure of Saint Nicholas and his black-faced companion Zwarte Piet parade through the streets handing out speculaas (gingerbread biscuits) to children. FOOD AND DRINK OVERVIEW Food and Drink in the Netherlands The Dutch tend to be fond of simple food served in gezellig (cosy) restaurants. Their love of bread, meat, fish, and cheese is reflected in the countless still-life paintings, banqueting scenes, and domestic interiors painted in the Golden Age. The local fish is often excellent, particularly the young maatjes herring sold at street stalls. The most common Dutch dishes tend to be warming winter recipes, such as hutspot (stew) and erwtensoep (green-pea soup). The Dutch consume huge quantities of local cheese, particularly Gouda, which Dutch families will eat for breakfast, lunch, and sometimes even dinner. As the feast of Saint Nicholas (5 December) approaches, traditional gingerbread biscuits called speculaas appear in the shops, along with chocolate capital letters, which are given to children. To avoid sibling jealousy, the manufacturers ensure that each of the letters weighs exactly the same. It is also worth looking out for poffertjes-tiny pancakes served piping hot with melted butter and a dusting of icing sugar. Some smaller Dutch towns have a traditional fairground-style poffertjeskraam on the main square, where poffertjes are served in a gaudy interior decorated with mirrors and painted wood. TRAVEL PREPARATION Travel Preparation ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Citizens of the European Union (EU) can enter the Netherlands with a valid national identity card and stay for a period of 90 days. However, citizens of the United Kingdom and Ireland, where there is no identity card system, must carry a valid passport. Other nationals should consult the Netherlands' embassy or consulate in their country of residence before departure for details of any visa requirements. Before you leave Minor medications can be obtained in pharmacies (drogist), while prescription drugs are supplied at dispensary chemists (apotheek). For serious accidents or emergencies, go to a local hospital or call the ambulance service or fire brigade. Although you can safely drink ordinary mains water, bottled water is generally available. If you are exposed to strong sunlight, always use a suitable sunblock and wear sunglasses especially when driving. On arrival All travellers are advised to take out comprehensive travel insurance. Make sure it covers all the countries you will be visiting and any sports in which you intend to participate. Citizens of the European Union (EU) can obtain Form E111 at social security offices (or at post offices in the United Kingdom) before departure. This entitles holders to free emergency treatment in the Netherlands. EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS Emergency services: 06 11

TIME ZONES Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) plus one hour; GMT plus two hours from the last Sunday in March to the Saturday before the last Sunday in September.

BORDER CROSSINGS The Netherlands can be reached by road from Belgium and Germany. Car ferries regularly cross from Britain; from Newcastle to IJmuiden, and from Hull and Harwich to the Hook of Holland. Vehicle documents Check with your motor vehicle insurance company regarding any insurance documents you will need and whether any additional insurance is required. Make sure you have a warning triangle in the car in case of an accident or breakdown. The international registration letters of your country of residence must be displayed at the rear of your car. Road regulations Always carry your full valid driving licence or International Driving Permit, vehicle registration documents, and insurance documents with you in the car. Seat belts must be worn by both front- and back-seat passengers. Children under 12 are not allowed to travel in the front seat. The limit of alcohol permissible in the blood while driving is 0.05 percent. Road classification, tolls, and speed limits Most roads in the Netherlands are toll free, although there are a few toll bridges and tunnels. The Netherlands has international motorways (marked with a green "E" symbol), national roads (indicated by a red "A") and other main roads (marked by a yellow "N"). Motorways which extend beyond the Netherlands' borders have an international European number (marked on signs with a green "E" symbol) and a national number (marked on adjoining signs with a red "A" symbol). Motorways which begin and end within the Netherlands have only a national number. The yellow "N" symbol stands for national roads. Speed limits are 120 kilometres (75 miles) per hour on motorways, 80 kilometres (50 miles) per hour on other roads, and 50 kilometres (30 miles) per hour in towns and cities. You are expected to reduce your speed significantly on wet roads. Driving tips Motorways or dual carriageways tend to be crowded at peak periods. Note that cyclists have their own network of special lanes. Assistance In the event of a breakdown, contact the ANWB, The Royal Dutch Touring Club, tel: (070) 314 71 47. If an accident occurs, call the police, tel: 06 11. Fuel Petrol stations open at irregular hours but they are plentiful. Payment can be made by credit card. Five types of petrol are available: super leaded, super leadfree, diesel, Euro leadfree, and liquified petroleum gas. Parking Parking is difficult in Amsterdam. Meters, pay-and-display ticket machines, and municipal car parks can be found. In most cities, blue zones apply, in which you can park if you have a disc; these are available free from police stations. In Amsterdam, you can purchase a three-day parking card in your hotel for use in the city. Car hire Prices are often more attractive when you arrange car hire with an international rental company in your own country before departure. Fly/drive packages may offer significant savings and travel agents can advise. Be aware that the price quoted often does not include VAT at 17.5 percent. You may need to pay extra for a collision damage waiver. Bicycles can be hired at main train stations. Proof of identity and a deposit are required.

CLIMATE The Netherlands has a temperate climate, known for being changeable and often wet. The winters are typically cold, with occasional snow, but summers are usually mild rather than hot. Average temperatures in the Netherlands range from 2 C (34 F) in January, to 17 C (64 F) in July and August.

Electrical appliances The electrical current in the Netherlands is 220 volts AC. Round, two-pin plugs are used. An adapter is essential for UK and Ireland appliances.

Useful items Take rainwear, even if travelling in mid-summer. Warm clothing is recommended in the spring, autumn, and winter, and a pullover is needed for summer evenings. Insect repellent and antihistamine cream are useful for preventing and treating mosquito bites.

Notes and coins The official monetary unit in the Netherlands is the Dutch guilder (NLG). There are 100 cents in a guilder. Notes come in denominations of NLG1,000, 250, 100, 50, 25, and 10. Coins are in denominations of NLG5, 2.5, and 1, as well as 25c, 10, and 5.

How to pay Travellers cheques are the safest way to carry money and you should buy these in your country of residence before departure. The credit cards accepted in the Netherlands include Visa, Access/Mastercard, American Express, and Diners Club. Most hotels, restaurants, and shops accept the major cards, but it's worth checking in advance.

Currency exchange You will find the current foreign exchange rate in most newspapers or advertised in banks and bureaux de change. Banks are open weekdays from 09.00 to 16.00. In larger towns, they may also open on Thursday or Friday (late-night shopping) from 19.00 to 21.00, as well as on Saturday mornings.

TOURIST OFFICES It is worthwhile contacting the Netherlands Board of Tourism (NBT) in your own country before you leave, as they can supply a range of useful literature. Once in the Netherlands, you will also find their offices in cities and the main towns. Tourist information offices are labelled "VVV". The NBT address in the Netherlands is PO Box 458, 2260 MG Leidschendam, Netherlands, tel: (070) 370 5705, fax: (070) 320 1654. Business and Opening Hours Basic hours of business are 09.00 to 18.00. Most shops close one morning, afternoon, or entire day per week. Some close during the lunch hour. There is late night shopping on a Thursday or Friday evening. Museums and galleries are closed on Mondays. PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 1 January: New Year's Day Good Friday Easter Monday 30 April: The Queen's Birthday 5 May: National Liberation Day Ascension Day Whit Monday 25 and 26 December: Christmas Language Dutch is the official language, but English, German, and French are also widely spoken. Greetings and gestures Shaking hands is usual when meeting people. Often, close friends greet each other with a kiss on both cheeks. Tipping A service charge of 15 percent is usually included in hotel and restaurant bills and further tips are not expected. However, if the service is particularly good in a restaurant, you should leave an additional tip of up to 10 percent. Leave some small change in cafés and bars. POST AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS Post offices in Holland are generally open 8.30 to 17.00 Monday to Friday and 8.30 to 12.00 on Saturday. However, opening times vary between large towns and small villages. You can only buy stamps from post offices. TRAVELLERS WITH DISABILITIES Many hotels, restaurants, and tourist sites are equipped with lifts, ramps, and special toilets for visitors with disabilities. Public transport is not always convenient for wheelchairs, although trains do have some railway carriages designed for travellers with disabilities. Organisations which can provide further information include Stichting Informatieroorziening Gehandicapten NedeRland, tel: (030) 231 64 16, and the Netherlands Board of Tourism in your own country of residence. ACCOMMODATION It is advisable to book accommodation in advance, especially if you are visiting the Netherlands during the summer months and at Easter. All hotels are graded in a star system ranging from one to five. Cheaper rooms can be rented on a bed-and-breakfast basis in private homes. Information on rooms in the area, and on renting a farmhouse or holiday chalet, is available from the local tourist office. Campsites are very popular in the Netherlands. The local tourist offices have details of sites. Campsites may sometimes offer very basic accommodation for up to four people in cabins known as trekkershutten. EATING OUT You will find a wide variety of places to eat in the Netherlands, ranging from expensive restaurants to the more relaxed atmosphere of the bistros, eetcafés, brasseries, traditional "brown cafés", tearooms, and snackbars. Restaurants tend to open only in the evening. The word menu is used to describe a three-course meal or a special dish-of-the-day. Ask for the kaart if you want to see the entire list of dishes. Special "Tourist Menus" are sometimes offered. Buses and trams Most people use buses when leaving or entering a town or city, rather than for urban transport. Tickets for trams and the metro can also be used on buses. The easiest means of travelling within cities is the tram. Tram drivers sell one-day travelcards. Passes and books of tickets can be bought at Transport Authority offices. Metro The Amsterdam metro is mainly used for travel to and from the city, rather than within it. There are only two lines and four stations in the centre. The strippenkaart, a strip card with 15 tickets, which are also valid on buses and trams, can be bought at post offices and railway stations. Rotterdam also has a metro. Taxis Taxis are expensive but rates include service. You should wait for a taxi at a stand or telephone for one rather than hailing one on the street. Ferries A 20-minute car ferry runs twice an hour between Breskens and Vlissingen across the Westerschelde estuary. Ferries also run to Texel and the other islands in the Wadden Sea. SAFETY The usual safety precautions should be adhered to in the Netherlands, especially when visiting the large towns and cities. It is best to leave passports and large sums of money in your hotel safe. Deposit your luggage at the hotel first, if you intend to be away from your car for a long period of time. If this is not possible, keep valuable items out of sight and always lock your car. It is a good idea to keep photocopies of passports and other important documents, and to make a separate record of travellers cheque numbers. If camping, stay at approved campsites.

Cities:
Amsterdam The constitutional capital and largest city of the Netherlands, in the western part of the country on the IJ , an inlet of the IJsselmeer. Linked to the North Sea by a ship canal, the city has an important stock exchange and is a major center of the diamond-cutting industry. Population, 676,439.
Duif's Country:
I love Holland !!!

This is a pic of the province of Gelderland. This is a pic of the province of Zeeland.