|
|
|
       
| |
|
|
Netherlands:
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other pages in this profile of the Netherlands:
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.
| |
Background |
The Dutch United Provinces declared their independence from Spain in 1579; during the 17th century, they became a leading seafaring and commercial power, with settlements and colonies around the world. After a 20-year French occupation, a Kingdom of the Netherlands was formed in 1815. In 1830 Belgium seceded and formed a separate kingdom. The Netherlands remained neutral in World War I, but suffered invasion and occupation by Germany in World War II. A modern, industrialized nation, the Netherlands is also a large exporter of agricultural products. The country was a founding member of NATO and the EEC (now the EU), and participated in the introduction of the euro in 1999. |
| |
Location |
Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between Belgium and Germany |
Geographic coordinates |
52 30 N, 5 45 E |
Map references |
Europe |
Area |
total: 41,526 sq km land: 33,883 sq km water: 7,643 sq km |
Area - comparative |
slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey |
Land boundaries |
total: 1,027 km border countries: Belgium 450 km, Germany 577 km |
Coastline |
451 km |
Maritime claims |
territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm |
Climate |
temperate; marine; cool summers and mild winters |
Terrain |
mostly coastal lowland and reclaimed land (polders); some hills in southeast |
Elevation extremes |
lowest point: Zuidplaspolder -7 m highest point: Vaalserberg 322 m |
Natural resources |
natural gas, petroleum, peat, limestone, salt, sand and gravel, arable land |
Land use |
arable land: 21.96% permanent crops: 0.77% other: 77.27% (2005) |
Irrigated land |
5,650 sq km (2003) |
Natural hazards |
flooding |
Environment - current issues |
water pollution in the form of heavy metals, organic compounds, and nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates; air pollution from vehicles and refining activities; acid rain |
Environment - international agreements |
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling |
Geography - note |
located at mouths of three major European rivers (Rhine, Maas or Meuse, and Schelde) |
|
Copyright 2008 World Sites Atlas (sitesatlas.com) |