Netherlands is country of Europe located in west Europe

Official Name: Netherlands
Capital: Amsterdam
Total area: 41 543 km2
GDP per capita: $42,193
Native Language: Dutch
Government: Unitary parliamentary representative democracy under constitutional monarchy
Population: 16,788,973
Major Religion: Roman Catholicism
Monetary Unit: Euro (EUR)

The Netherlands, as the name suggests, is a low-lying area with a quarter of the country lying at or below sea level. Many areas are protected from flooding by dikes and dikes. Much land has been reclaimed from the sea, the Flevoland polder being the most recent example.

The Dutch Parliament (or Staten Generaal) consists of two chambers. The first, with 75 members, is indirectly elected and has limited powers. The second chamber or lower house is directly elected. Members of both houses serve four-year terms. Given the country's multi-party system, all governments are coalitions.

Industrial activity in the Netherlands consists mainly of food processing, chemicals, petroleum refining, and electrical and electronic machinery. It has a dynamic agricultural sector and is known for its plants and cut flowers. The port of Rotterdam is the busiest in Europe and serves a vast hinterland that stretches into Germany and Central Europe.

The Netherlands has a history of great painters. The 17th century was the era of Dutch masters such as Rembrandt van Rijn, Johannes Vermeer and Jan Steen. The 19th and 20th centuries were no less notable for their high profile artists such as Vincent van Gogh and Piet Mondriaan.

Well-known Dutch specialties include raw herring, smoked eel and pea soup, as well as a wide range of cheeses such as Edam and Gouda.