Name: The Netherlands (in Dutch: Nederland)
Continent: Europe
Capital (and Largest) City: Amsterdam
Language: Dutch
Currency: Euro
Drives on the: Right
Time Zone: Central European Time
Adaptor Types: Type C and Type F
Description: The Netherlands is a country in western Europe, known for its flat landscapes, canals, windmills and tulips. Contrary to popular belief, the terms "Holland" and "The Netherlands" are not synonymous - Holland is actually a region in the west of the country, which includes the capital city, Amsterdam, as well as the second and third largest cities, Rotterdam and The Hague, while "The Netherlands" refers to the entire country, as well as its overseas territories in the Caribbean.
Why You Should Visit: The city of Amsterdam receives a lot more tourists than the rest of the country, and not always for the right reasons, which is why the Dutch government is currently trying to encourage tourism to other regions. Though strangely enough, I was pleasantly surprised during our trip to Amsterdam last year to find that attractions such as the Rijksmuseum and the canal boat cruises were not crowded at all, and the city generally had a less touristy vibe than other European capitals. The architecture there really is beautiful and unique, so I'd definitely recommend going at least once in your life, but if I return to the Netherlands in the future, I'd want to visit some of the other beautiful cities and regions around the country.
Fun Fact: There are twice as many bikes in the Netherlands as there are cars.
My Blogposts About the Netherlands
- Zaandam: A Fairytale Town Near Amsterdam
Clockwise starting from top left: Zaandam; Begijnhof, Amsterdam; Basilica of Saint Nicholas, Amsterdam; Zaandam; Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam; Traditional Amsterdam houses
Check out the rest of my Country Guides here!
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