Travel Curiosities: Netherlands

Here are some interesting facts about the Netherlands, a real economic power in the XXI century that currently houses two large provinces: North Holland and South Holland, both are composed of several regions each with its own identity and idiosyncrasy. Located in a key geographical position, Holland serves as a gateway to Europe and is considered a center of business and international politics.

This country has almost 25 per cent of its surface area at sea, in fact, for example, and for you to have interesting facts about Schipol Airport in Amsterdam (capital of Holland), is 4.5 meters below the sea level.

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1- ¿Under the sea life is more awesome?

Ijburg under construction in November 2004 - source

The highest point in the country is called Vaalserberg (Mount Vaals) translated as "the mountain" and is near Maastricht, in the south of the country, with 323 meters above sea level. And on the opposite side is Nieuwerkerk aan den IJssel at 6.76 meters below sea level, which makes it the city with the lowest point of sea level. Fortunately, the Netherlands is not located in a tsunami-prone area.

2- The Dutch are the tallest people in the world

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With an average height of 1.84 cm for men and 1.70 cm for women, those born in Holland are the individuals with the highest growth on the planet. According to scientists, it is due to their DNA, nutrition and good habits of life; while others consider the cause is the huge consumption of dairy products that characterizes them.

3- The Netherlands is the most populous country in Europe

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With 487 inhabitants per square kilometer, the Netherlands has the highest population density compared to other European nations (about 1 million people).

4- Flat as a hotcake

Netherlands is a flat country. The Vaalserberg is the highest point (the European part) of the Netherlands. It is only 322.7 meters high and located at the south-eastern end of the national territory, in the province of Limburg.

5- Amsterdam is built on poles

Because the soil of the Dutch capital is composed of a thick layer of clay, all buildings are built on wooden posts fixed a layer of sand that is, on average, 11 meters deep. The Royal Palace, in Dam Square, rests on no less than 13,659 poles.

6- Turkish tulips

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The flower fields of these beautiful plants are typically Dutch. However, tulips do not come from the Netherlands. The first tulip bulbs were imported from Turkey, and were shown to grow very well in Holland. Actually It is considered the center of production of flowers and plants worldwide, and according to its Ministry of Agriculture, its production accounts for 80% of the global market for cut flowers and bulbs.

If we focus on tulips, the national flower, Netherlands produces 88% of all tulips in the world with a cultivated area of 10,800 hectares. There are a variety of tulip species, about 200 types of hybrid tulips and more than 5,000 registered species have been collected and cataloged.

7- About 30% of all Dutch babies are born in their homes

At the international level, it is customary to give birth in a hospital ... Less in the Netherlands: 30% of all Dutch births happen at home.

8- Bicycles everywhere

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The Netherlands has more bicycles than inhabitants (16 million people). Each Dutch person usually has at least two bicycles, one for daily use and one for excursions. The Dutch love their bikes so much that it is one of the goods most wanted by thieves, so some people use 2-3 locks to prevent their bikes from being stolen.

9- Gezellig!

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Gezellig and gezelligheid are two words that you will surely hear when you visit the Netherlands, but what do they mean? There is no direct translation, but they represent a feeling of comfort that can be found in different situations.

Let's say you're at a party and you're with your closest friends with amazing music playing in the background, in an atmosphere that is certainly great, comfortable, enjoyable ... it's gezellig! You are on top of a mountain, watching the sunset with your partner, if you both feel connected together with the sun, the sky, and everything that nature has to offer congratulations! That's gezellig.

10- The Netherlands is the largest exporter of beer in the world

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In 2001, Dutch breweries exported an astonishing volume of 1.3 trillion liters of beer. Half were sent to the United States.

11- First multinational company in the world

In ancient times this country was proud of its fleet. This allowed him to have the first multinational company of commerce in the world.

12- ¿Believe or not believe?

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Although they retain their impressive cathedrals and churches, about 55% of the population claims to have no religion. Moreover, only 23.7% declared themselves Catholic, 10.2% Protestant, and 5% Muslim.

13- Attack Sirens

If you are going to be in Netherlands on a first Monday of the month, do not be afraid when it is noon: at the same time as church bells will start to hear sirens everywhere (especially if you are near schools or public buildings) . No need to worry, no one is attacking; It is simply a cold war legacy, when Netherlands was one of the countries that felt most vulnerable by its situation and the conflict between the two blocs. The excuse that they continue to sound monthly assure that it is for the control of its good functioning, since both serve for an attack as to warn of a natural disaster.

14- Hang the backpack

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When finishing a course of study (for example, at the end of high school or high school studies), it is very typical to hang the backpack that has been used outside one of the windows of the house ... and Most of the time they do it next to a flag of Holland (or Netherlands this country have 4 names.... I'm tired) , the province or the city! In June it is usual to see a lot of wallets hanging down the streets of residential neighborhoods. And it is that the Dutch are great communicators, they usually announce almost all important events in public: when a baby is born, a stork is stamped on a street glass, when it is a birthday, they decorate the façade with balloons (and even paint in them the age). And if you see big inflatable dolls called Abraham or Satah next to an entrance, it means that someone in the house turns 50!...

15- Coffeeshop

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A Coffeeshop is not a normal cafe. It is a place where the protagonist is not good coffee but hashish and marijuana.

These places are legal, although quite guarded by the law. There are some legal gaps quite ironic, for example, Coffeeshops can sell you marijuana, but they cannot buy it from the producers.

You cannot smoke normal cigarettes inside the cafes, and you cannot smoke weed outside of them.

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