Netherlands, also known unofficially as Holland, constitutional monarchy of north-western Europe, bordered on the north and west by the North Sea, on the east by Germany, and on the south by Belgium. With Belgium and Luxembourg, the Netherlands forms the Low Countries or Benelux. The Netherlands Antilles and Aruba, self-governing island territories in the Caribbean, are part of the kingdom. The Netherlands has a total area of 41,526 sq km (16,033 sq mi), of which 33,939 sq km (13,104 sq mi) is land surface and some 6,500 sq km (2,500 sq mi) is reclaimed land, or polder. The country's capital and largest city is Amsterdam.
Population
15,451,000
(1995 estimate)
Population Density
455 people/sq km
(1,179 people/sq mi)
(1995 estimate)
Urban/Rural Breakdown
90%Urban
10%Rural
Largest Cities
Amsterdam724,096
Rotterdam598,521
The Hague445,279
Utrecht234,106
(1994 estimates)
Largest Metropolitan Areas
Amsterdam1,101,407
Rotterdam1,078,747
The Hague694,249
(1995 estimates)
Ethnic Groups
95%Dutch
5%Other
including Asians, Moroccans, and Turks
Languages
Official Language
Dutch
Other Languages
Frisian, minority languages
Religions
39%No Affiliation
30%Roman Catholicism
20%Protestantism (including
13% Dutch Reformed
11% Other