Netherlands
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Semi-protected
For other uses, see Netherlands (disambiguation).
Koninkrijk der Nederlanden
Kingdom of the Netherlands
Flag of the Netherlands Coat of arms of the Netherlands
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: "Je maintiendrai" (French)
"Ik zal handhaven" (Dutch)
"I shall stand fast"1
Anthem: "Het Wilhelmus"
Location of the Netherlands
Location of Netherlands (dark green)
– on the European continent (light green & dark grey)
– in the European Union (light green) — [Legend]
Capital
(and largest city) Amsterdam2
[show location on an interactive map] 52°21′N, 04°52′E
Official languages Dutch3
Ethnic groups 80.9% Dutch
19.1% various others
Demonym Dutch
Government Parliamentary democracy and Constitutional monarchy
- Monarch Queen Beatrix
- Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende (CDA)
Independence through the Eighty Years' War from Philip II of Spain
- Declared July 26, 1581
- Recognised January 30, 16484
EU accession March 25, 1957
Area
- Total 41,526 km² (135th)
16,033 sq mi
- Water (%) 18.41
Population
- 2008 estimate 16,408,557 (61st)
- Density 395/km² (25th)
1,023/sq mi
GDP (PPP) 2006 estimate
- Total 670,929 Billion (16th)
- Per capita $35,078 (10th)
GDP (nominal) 2005 estimate
- Total $625.271 billion (16th)
- Per capita $38,618 (10th)
HDI (2005) ▲ 0.953 (high) (9th)
Currency Euro (€)5 (EUR)
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
- Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Internet TLD .nl6
Calling code +31
1 The literal translation of the motto is "I will maintain". Here "maintain" is taken to mean to stand fast or to hold ground.
2 While Amsterdam is the constitutional capital, The Hague is the seat of the government.
3 West Frisian is also an official language in the Netherlands, although only spoken in Friesland; Dutch Low Saxon and Limburgish are officially recognised as regional...
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