Population
17б 594 545 (2021)
Conditional reduction of currency
EUR
Climate, average max and min t°
Temperate; marine; cool summers and mild winters; avg. maximum temperature (July) +17°; avg. minimum temperature (January) +1°
Time difference from Moscow
- 1 hour
Ethnic groups
Dutch 80,7%, EU 5%, Indonesian 2,4%, Turkish 2,2%, Surinamese 2%, Moroccan 2%, Netherlands Antilles & Aruba 0,8%, other 4,8% (2008 est.)
History
The Dutch United Provinces declared their independence from Spain in 1579; during the 17th century, they became a leading seafaring and commercial power, with settlements and colonies around the world. After a 20-year French occupation, a Kingdom of the Netherlands was formed in 1815. In 1830 Belgium seceded and formed a separate kingdom. The Netherlands remained neutral in World War I, but suffered invasion and occupation by Germany in World War II. A modern, industrialized nation, the Netherlands is also a large exporter of agricultural products. The country was a founding member of NATO and the EEC (now the EU), and participated in the introduction of the euro in 1999.
Government type
Constitutional monarchy
Executive branch
Government: Council of Ministers, the head of government: Prime Minister
Legislative branch
Bicameral parliament States General (75-seat First Chamber and 150-seat Second Chamber)
Judicial branch
Supreme Court, courts of appeal, district courts
GDP per capita rank
12 (2020)
Corruption perceptions index rank
82 (2018)
