Why I chose the Netherlands:
I chose to do my blog on the Netherlands because I have been to a couple of countries in Europe before but never to the Netherlands. The country itself is beautiful and the people live a completely different lifestyle compared to Americans so it has always intriguied me. My best friends has also lived there for about half a year and had wonderful things to say about it so I thought doing my own research on the country would be fascinating.
I chose to do my blog on the Netherlands because I have been to a couple of countries in Europe before but never to the Netherlands. The country itself is beautiful and the people live a completely different lifestyle compared to Americans so it has always intriguied me. My best friends has also lived there for about half a year and had wonderful things to say about it so I thought doing my own research on the country would be fascinating.
History:
- 1275 - Amsterdam is founded.
- 1516 - King of Spain Charles V inherites the Netherlands.
- 1578 - Amsterdam abandons the Spanish and Catholic cause.
- 1581 - The United Provinces declare their independence from Spain.
- 1630 - 1654 - Dutch conquer Brazil
- 1661 - Brazil is sold to Portugal
- 1795 - Velvet Revolution; French occupy the Netherlands.
- 1813 - The Netherlands regains independence.
- 1922 - Dutch women get the vote.
- 1928 - Olympic Games are held in Amsterdam.
- 1940 - Germany invades and conquers the Netherlands four days after the aerial bombardment of Rotterdam.
- 1949 - The Dutch East Indies receives its independence as Indonesia; the Netherlands joins NATO.
- 1958 - The Netherlands joins the European Economic Community.
- 2001 - The world’s first same-sex marriage takes place in Amsterdam.
- 2005 - Dutch voters reject EU constitution.
- 2010 - The Netherlands withdraws its soldiers from Afghanistan.
Geography
![Picture](/uploads/9/4/1/1/94111047/map-europe.gif?250)
Location:
- The Netherlands is located to the west of Germany and to the north of Belguim in Europe.
- The Netherlands has a mild, maritime climate.
- Summers are warm with cool, rainy periods.
- Winters can be fairly cold, windy and with rain.
- Excessively hot and cold temperatures are rare.
- Very flat lands, mainly used for farming and other agriculutral uses.
- Contains many rivers, basins, and lakes.
- Most land is below sea or at sea level.
Social Institutions
Culture:
- The culture of the Netherlands is diverse, but not by a big amount.
- 80% of the its citizens are Dutch and 20% are something else.
- Women tend to not work many hours and stay more catered towards their family, more specifically their children.
- People ride bikes everywhere in the Netherlands. Riding bikes is the most popular way to travel.
- The Dutch people take pride in their culture so if you are visitng, make sure you are familiar their customs and norms.
- Many citizens live a busy lifestyle and have a lot of things planned on their agenda. It is very common for people to make plans with you to go out or do some sort of activity.
- Shopping plays a big part in the Netherlands. Most Dutch people love to go window shopping and love to buy things especailly when they are on sale.
Family:
- Families tend to be small. Usually consists of one, maybe two children.
- Few women work full-time jobs.
- Women typically make themselves more avaialabe for thier children and family.
Education:
- Primary School - Kids are enrolled in primary school from ages 4-12. This is basically pre-school, elementary school, and middle school all packed into one.
- Secondary School - Kids are enrolled in sceondary school from ages 12-16 or 12-18 (depending on what the students plans on doing for a living).
- Vocationary School - Usually consists of ages 18-22. This a 4 year univeristy where students study obtain a degree of their choosing .
- Tertiary School - Consists of ages 22-26. Another 4 more years of education to further educate themselves on the degree they obtained from Vocationary School. This is similar to graduate school in America.
Political System
The Dutch Political system is divided up by a Constituional Monarchy and Parlimentary Democracy. The King has no real authority, but serves more as a symbol of combining the parties together. Parliment deals with the laws that are created or enforced in the Netherlands and makes most of the Netherlands' important decisions. Parliament also is divided up into two sections: Lower House and the Senate. The Lower House makes the more crucial decisions and the senate deals with the little things going on within the country.
The Dutch Political system is divided up by a Constituional Monarchy and Parlimentary Democracy. The King has no real authority, but serves more as a symbol of combining the parties together. Parliment deals with the laws that are created or enforced in the Netherlands and makes most of the Netherlands' important decisions. Parliament also is divided up into two sections: Lower House and the Senate. The Lower House makes the more crucial decisions and the senate deals with the little things going on within the country.
Legal System
- Divided into 3 types of law which include: Civil law, Adminstrative law, and Criminal law.
- Consists of 11 district courts, 4 court of appeals, and 1 Supreme Court.
Race and Ethinicity
- Almost all the population is made up of Dutch natives making up 80% percent of the population.
- The other 20% ranges from Carribean, Turkish, Moroccan and many others.
Religion
Aesthetics
- Personal hygeine is expected in the Netherlands. Look clean and have a nice scent to you.
- A clean face goes a long way. Acne is looked at as unappealing and having it gives the idea that you don't take hygeine very seriously.
- Being tall is also very attractive most people in the Netherlands.
- How you dress shows how you carry yourself. Look good feel good.
- Always keep your hair well groomed. Using gels or certain hair products are common.
Living Condtions:
- Eating healthy in the Netherlands is very important. Most people eat a couple of small meals a deal that tend to be pretty healthy.
- Most entrees consist of some sort of pasta, soup, or sausage.
- Three types of housing in the Netherlands: Detached, Semi Detached, and Town Houses.
- Most common type of home is a town house.
- Most homes consist of two-three bedrooms, a living room and kitchen.
- Standard dress in the Netherlands consists of usually wearing jeans and t-shirt.
- Formal dress depends on whether, but usually consists of a button-up and khakis or a professional looking blouse or skirt for women.
- The most common leisure activity in the Netherlands is riding bikes or just walking around in the city.
- Football (American soccer) is the most common sport in the Country. It is the most followed sport professioanlly and is what most kids/teens play while in school.
- Health Care is required by law for everyone to have. Being uninsured is illegal.
- Two types of health care are common medical care and long-term and nursing care. It is required to have both.
Language
- The official language of the Netherlands is Dutch.
- A very small percent of people speak another dialect of Dutch called "Frisain".