|
|
|
|
 |
There is one thing Dutch people like to set straight: Netherlands isn’t the same as Holland. Indeed the political, economic and cultural life concentrates on the two provinces North- and South Netherlands, but there is more to it.
All the other clichés (wind mills, clogs, cheese, tulips, bicycles, coffee shops) only show half of the Netherlands as well. It is - as the name already suggests - a low land, a Polderland. One fifths of it lies below sea level. And the rest is crossed by rivers and channels.
And of course there are plenty of roads for wonderful tours. For example they run along the beaches of the North Sea, towards the Ijssel Sea, passing the tulips fields or towards Amsterdam.
Amsterdam has become the archetype of a multicultural town, although it certainly offers quiet and romantic corners in between the channels. Within the month of summer between July and August the tourists sometimes believe to be completely among their kind. Because the natives travel abroad during vacation or go to ‘their sea’. At the North Sea beaches, one rather ought to visit during spring or autumn.
Along its "shores lines" the Ijssel Sea offers a few small historical towns: Hoorn, Edam or Monnickendam. All of them seem to display its reminiscences of the good and golden, but ancient time of a seafaring nation during the 17th century.
The regions Randstad and Gelderland invite to be discovered during springtime tours, when the tulips are in blossom here and the apple trees there. And if you are already in the area, you might just as well drive past Rotterdam. Rotterdam was Europe’s culture capital in 2001. Ever since then the town, which had been rebuilt after World War II, is a meeting place for young artists. Delft, a city located close by, likes to show its historical heritage. Due to its brick houses and enormous churches the city still seems to be living in the 17th century. Delft is also famous for its blue painted porcelain. Clogs, which are just as famous, can easier be carried along on a motorbike.
Dutch like a diversity of food. They enjoy bread, cheese and pindakaas (peanut butter). Typical dishes are Erwtensoep (pea soup), Hutspot (mashed potatoes, carrots and onions) or Matjes-herrings (soused herring). Fish and seafood are always excellent. For a dessert Pannekoeken (pancakes) are popular. There are 25 different kinds of pancakes. From the times of the seafaring nation Spekkok has been conserved (several layers of buttered biscuit cake with spices from Indonesia).
Everyone knows Dutch beer: Heineken and Amstel. More authentic still is the Dutch gin. Jenever is drunk either ice-cold or mixed with anything possible. Very well known is also the native advocaat (Advocaat).
Some geography:
The Netherlands are 41.000 square kilometers wide, large areas have been taken from the sea.
The kingdom has more than 16 million inhabitants. One third of them are Roman Catholics and about 20 % are Protestants.
National holiday is April 30th, which is known as Queens Day in the Netherlands. |
|
|
|
|
|
