Netherlands

1581 (July 26, Thursday) – The Union of Utrecht forms, declaring independence from Spain

1602 (March 20, Saturday) – Dutch East India Company is founded, becoming the world’s first multinational corporation

1672 (July 20, Tuesday) – The Dutch Year of Disaster: The country faces war with England, France, and the German states, leading to widespread devastation

1795 (January 19, Monday) – Batavian Republic is declared after the French Revolution, and the Netherlands becomes a satellite state of France

1815 (March 8, Wednesday) – Kingdom of the Netherlands is formed after the defeat of Napoleon

1830 (August 25, Wednesday) – Belgian Revolution leads to the secession of Belgium from the Netherlands

1940 (May 10, Friday) – Germany invades the Netherlands during World War II

1945 (May 5, Saturday) – Liberation of the Netherlands from Nazi occupation by Allied forces

1953 (January 31, Saturday) – North Sea Flood: One of the worst natural disasters in Dutch history, killing over 1,800 people

1973 (October 6, Saturday) – Oil Crisis affects the Dutch economy, resulting in inflation and economic downturn

1992 (November 7, Saturday) – Maastricht Treaty is signed, establishing the European Union

2004 (December 26, Sunday) – Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunami: The Netherlands suffers casualties and damage to its overseas territories

2008 (February 23, Saturday) – Severe winter storms cause widespread damage in the country, with several fatalities

2013 (February 18, Monday) – Storm Xaver hits the Netherlands, causing flooding in coastal areas

2019 (October 5, Saturday) – Severe flooding in southern provinces due to heavy rainfall

2021 (July 18, Sunday) – Record-breaking rainfall causes severe flooding in Limburg and other parts of the country

2022 (December 23, Friday) – Storm and heavy snowfall affect transportation and infrastructure in many parts of the Netherlands

Continent: Europe
Location: Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, Belgium to the south, Germany to the east
Capital: Amsterdam
Language: Dutch (official)
Currency: Euro (€)
Population: ~17.5 million (last updated: April 2025)
Time Zone: Central European Time (CET, UTC+1) / Central European Summer Time (CEST, UTC+2)

Borders: Belgium to the south, Germany to the east
Landscape: Low-lying country, mostly flat, with extensive canal systems, dunes, and polders (land reclaimed from the sea)
Major Rivers: Rhine River, Maas River, Scheldt River
Major Mountains: None (the country is known for its flat terrain, but it has hilly regions like the Limburg region)
Deserts: No deserts
Lakes: IJsselmeer, Markermeer, and other smaller lakes
Volcanoes: None
Highest Point: Vaalserberg (322.7 m / 1,059 ft)
Lowest Point: Zuidplaspolder (6.76 m / 22.2 ft below sea level)
Climate: Temperate maritime climate with moderate to heavy rainfall and mild temperatures
Geological Features: Polders, dikes, reclaimed land, river deltas, coastal dunes

Ethnic Groups: Dutch (80%), Indonesian, Turkish, Surinamese, Moroccan, other immigrant groups
Religion: Christianity (Catholicism and Protestantism), non-religious (approx. 40%), Islam (5%), other religions
Urban Population: ~92% (last updated: 2023)
Aging Population: ~20% aged 65+ (last updated: 2024)

FFamous For: Windmills, tulips, canals, wooden clogs, cycling, art, and liberal policies
Cuisine: Stroopwafels, herring, Dutch cheese (Edam, Gouda), poffertjes (mini pancakes), bitterballen (snack)
Arts: Dutch Golden Age painting (Rembrandt, Vermeer), modern art, architecture (Dutch design), and literature
Sports: Football (soccer), field hockey, cycling, speed skating, volleyball, and tennis

Economy Type: Highly developed, mixed economy, one of the world’s largest exporters of goods
GDP: Approx. $1 trillion USD (last updated: 2024)
Major Industries: Machinery, chemicals, food processing, electrical machinery, and high-tech industries
Key Exports: Machinery, electrical machinery, chemicals, agricultural products (flowers, vegetables, and dairy)
Unemployment Rate: ~3.4% (last updated: 2024)
Economic Regions: Randstad (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht), rural areas (agriculture)

Government Type: Constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system
Head of State: King Willem-Alexander (as of April 2025)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Mark Rutte (as of April 2025)
Legislature: Bicameral Parliament (House of Representatives & Senate)
Constitution: In effect since 1815, with revisions

Amsterdam: Historic canals, Rijksmuseum, Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum
Keukenhof Gardens: Famous for its tulips in spring
Zaanse Schans: Historic windmill village near Amsterdam
Rotterdam: Modern architecture, museums, and the famous Cube Houses
Giethoorn: Picturesque village with canals and traditional Dutch houses
Kinderdijk: UNESCO World Heritage site with iconic windmills