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The NETHERLANDS

AREA: 39,931 Sq Km (15,417 Sq Mi)

POPULATION: 15,501,700

CAPITAL: Amsterdam Polulation: 

GEOGRAPHY: The Netherlands is located in North West Europe. It is bound by the North Sea to the north and west, Germany to the east and Belgium to the south. The country is largely a delta comprised of silt from the mouths of the Rhine, Waal, Maas, Ijssel and Schelde Rivers and is generally low and flat except for the southeast where hills rise. The inland area, which is in some places below sea level, is protected by coastal dunes and manmade dykes. Without these sea defenses around 40% of the country would be under water. The above mentioned rivers also give access for sea-going vessels to the inland waterways of Belgium and Germany. Major Cities (pop. est.); Amsterdam 724,100, Rotterdam 598,500, The Hague 445,300, Utrecht 234,100, Eindhoven 196,100 (1994). Land Use; forested 10%, pastures 31%, agricultural-cultivated 28%, other 31% (1993).

GOVERNMENT: Constitutional Monarchy
Head of State: Queen Beatrix 
Head of Government: Prime Minister Wim Kok

RELIGIONS: Mostly Christians with 36% of the population Roman Catholic while 18.5% are Dutch Reformed and 8.4% are of other reformed churches.

LANGUAGES: The official language is Dutch which is spoken by almost the entire population. The principal minority language is Frisian while English and German are also widely understood.

TIME: GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).