Area Total | 41,543 sq km |
Climate | temperate; marine; cool summers and mild winters |
Natural Resources | natural gas, petroleum, peat, limestone, salt, sand and gravel, arable land |
Imports | $China 16.4%, Germany 15.3%, Belgium 8.5%, US 6.9%, UK 5.1%, Russia 4.3% (2017) – machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, fuels, foodstuffs, clothing |
Exports | Germany 24.2%, Belgium 10.7%, UK 8.8%, France 8.8%, Italy 4.2% (2017) – machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, mineral fuels; food and livestock, manufactured goods |
Government | parliamentary constitutional monarchy |
Capital | Amsterdam; note – The Hague is the seat of government |
Population | 17.2 million (July 2018 est.) |
Ethnicity | Dutch 76.9%, EU 6.4%, Turkish 2.4%, Moroccan 2.3%, Indonesian 2.1%, German 2.1%, Surinamese 2%, Polish 1%, other 4.8% (2018 est.) |
Language | Dutch (official); Frisian, Low Saxon, Limburgish, Romani, and Yiddish |
News about the Netherlands
- Dutch flag sparks debate as far right claim a national symbolby Robin Pascoe (DutchNews.nl) on October 15, 2025
The Dutch flag, long seen as a unifying national symbol, has become the focus of growing tension after being adopted...
- Who is responsible for stopping domestic cats killing birds?by Hanneke Sanou (DutchNews.nl) on October 15, 2025
The association Huiskat Thuiskat, which advocates keeping cats indoors, is taking the Noord Holland provincial authorities to court on Wednesday...
- ”Wolf tourists” fined for feeding cubs in restricted zoneby Gordon Darroch (DutchNews.nl) on October 15, 2025
Dozens of fines have been handed out to “wolf tourists” since forest rangers zoned off an area of the Hoge...
- Dutch soldier killed during training exercise in Germanyby Robin Pascoe (DutchNews.nl) on October 15, 2025
A 28-year-old Dutch corporal has died during a military exercise in Germany, the defence ministry said on Wednesday. The fatal...
- Fewer serious disturbances at pro football games last seasonby Robin Pascoe (DutchNews.nl) on October 15, 2025
The number of serious disturbances at professional football matches fell in the 2024/25 season, leading to fewer national stadium bans,...
- Ferrets success in Rotterdam in rat nuisance hotspotsby Hanneke Sanou (DutchNews.nl) on October 15, 2025
Ferrets have become a successful way of combatting rats in public spaces, Rotterdam local council has said, following a trial...
- Ukrainian refugees contributed €3.5bn to Dutch economy last yearby Gordon Darroch (DutchNews.nl) on October 15, 2025
Ukrainians in the Netherlands contributed €3.5 billion to the economy last year and the figure is likely to rise to...
- Arrests as anti-refugee protests erupt in more Dutch townsby Robin Pascoe (DutchNews.nl) on October 15, 2025
Riot police were drafted in to break up demonstrations against refugee centres in two Dutch towns on Tuesday evening, as...
- Romanian man “checked out Drents Museum“ days before robberyby Gordon Darroch (DutchNews.nl) on October 15, 2025
A Romanian man who visited the Drents Museum shortly before historic artefacts were stolen in an armed heist may have...
- Rents for new tenants continue to rise as landlords sell homesby Robin Pascoe (DutchNews.nl) on October 15, 2025
The average rent for a home in the non-rent controlled housing sector has reached a record €1,856 per month, rising...