Julius Caesar found the Netherlands inhabited by Germanic tribes.War between Spain and Netherlands for Independence1648-Spain finally recognized Dutch independence. The Dutch East India Company was established in 1602, 17th century-Holland was one of the great sea and colonial powers of Europe. The Netherlands joined the European Union in 1958 and adopted the single European currency, the euro.The Netherlands has extremely liberal social policies.Dutch People Migrated to almost all places on Earth, Including European countries, South Africa, Asia, US, Canada, and Australia.

Brief History

Ethnic Groups Nordic Dutch 80.7% (according to 2008)

Other 19.3 % includes other Europeans 5% ,Moroccans 2% , Turks 2.2% ,Indonesians 2.4% ,other minorities 7.7%

Christianity 43.4 %Roman Catholic 26.6%Protestant 16.8%

Islam 6%

Christianity

Islam

Other Religions

Non Religious

Other 5 Religions 7.9%

Non Religious 42.7 %

Languages

Official language is Dutch. It’s a West Germanic language and the native language of the majority of the population of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Suriname.

Examples: Welkom, School, Verenigde Staten van Amerika

Other Languages Include English, Frisian (Germanic language), and Papiamento (Mixed language).

HolidaysJanuary 1 New Year's DayMarch/April EasterApril 30 Queen's Day (Queen Juliana)May 4 Remembrance of the Dead (WW2)May 5 Liberation Day (Nazis in WW2 Left)40 days after Easter Ascension Day7 weeks after Easter PentecostDecember 5 Saint Nicholas' EveDecember 25, December 26 Christmas

Anne Frank: (1929 – 1945) is famous throughout the world because of the diary she kept. Anne was a Jewish girl during the WW2.Kees Immink: The CD was invented in the Netherlands. The Dutch electronics company PHILIPS  brought out the first CD in 1982.Christiaan Huygens: (1629-1695) is famous for inventing the pendulum clock.  Antonie van Leeuwenhoek: (1632-1723) invented the microscope. He built at least 500 of them, with copper or silver plates and lenses that he made himself. He also discovered bacteria. Rembrandt van Rijn: (1606-1669) was probably the greatest painter of the Golden Age.DJ Tiesto: (1969-present) Is a famous Dutch musician, DJ and record producer of electronic dance music.

DJ TIESTO

Famous People

Famous Landmarks

Royal Palace - Amsterdam Rotterdam- largest port in EU. Cube Houses- Rotterdam

Spacebox Houses Madame TussaudsWax Museum

Municipal Theatre

Favorite Foods

Chicken casserole-a stew

Limburgish flan

Small Edam Cheese

Appeltaart-Dutch apple pie

ChocolatesOrange Muffin

Heineken-Dutch beer

Zeeland bolus

Fried eggs with bac.&che.

Latte

Pea soup

Vegetable Soup

Favorite SportsFootball (soccer)-KNVB association

KNVB- old int. team KNVB- New int. team

Field hockey-The Netherlands women's national field hockey

team is the most successful team in World Cup history, having won the title six times. The Dutch male hockey team has won the world cup three times and Olympic gold on two occasions. Several Dutch hockey league clubs have won the European Cup.

Current EventsQueen’s Day: This event was celebrated on the 30th of April throughout the country.

World Press Photo Exhibition: April 22 to June 9Netherlands to Close Prisons: Not Enough CriminalsNetherlands to ban psychedelic mushrooms (drug)