The Netherlands is located on the coast of the North Sea. It has a population of over 16 million people and its capital and largest cities are Amsterdam, The Hague, and Rotterdam. The Netherlands has a long history and was influenced by the Franks and Charlemagne. It has a prosperous economy focused on foreign trade and transportation. Dutch culture is known for bicycling, architecture, equality and contradictions as well as customs like dining early and giving three kisses as a greeting.

1. The Netherlands
- Low countries -

2. - Contents -
 Basic Informations :
 Geography & History
 Population
 Government
 Economy
 Culture & Customs :
 Lifestyle
 Society
 Education
 Habits
 Stereotypes video

3. Basic Informations
 Geography
 On the coast of the north sea.
 Dimension : 360 by 257 km.
 Capital & largest cities :
o Amsterdam (Official).
o The Hague (Administrative capital).
o Rotterdam.

4.  History
 Julius Caesar.
 Role of the Franks & Charlemagne.
 1648 & 1688, two important years.
 In 1814, Holland & Belgium were
merged into one Kingdom. Julius Caesar
Charlemagne

5.  Population
16,730,632 :
• 61st most populated country in the world.
• 493 per km² .
• Births & Deaths.

6.  Government
 Monarchy since March 16th of 1815.
 Political parties : CDA, PvdA, PVV…
 The Hague.
The Hague

7.  Economy
 Prosperous & open economy -> Foreign trade.
 Stable industrial relations.
 Fairly low unemployement & inflation.
 An important role as a European transportation hub.

8. Culture & Customs
 Lifestyle
 Bicycles.
 Drugs.
 Architecture.
 …

9.  Architecture in Rotterdam :
The ‘Erasmusbrug’
The Chabot Museum
The Maastoren

10.  Society
 Values & Beliefs.
 Equality.
 Contradictions.

11. (Strange) Dutch people habits :
 Cycling, no matter the weather conditions.
 Sinterklaas.
 Dinner time at 5:30 pm.
 3 kisses on the cheeks…

12.  Stereotypes about Dutch people
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oq2dYZeawdM

13. Bibliograhy :
 http://www.infoplease.com
 http://www.wikipedia.com
 http://www.holland.com
 http://www.expactica.com
 http://www.freedutch.nl
 http://www.smilesandhappiness.wordpress.com