The document provides an overview of facts about the Netherlands, also known as Holland, including its geography, population, capital, government, history, culture, and stereotypes. Some key points covered are that the Netherlands has an area of over 41,000 square kilometers and a population of around 16.7 million people. Amsterdam is the capital city and the country is a constitutional monarchy located mainly below sea level, with windmills and bicycles being prominent cultural symbols.

1. Step up to Saxion.
Saxion University
of Applied Sciences
Welcome to the Netherlands!
The Netherlands in 10 stereotypes
Jacques Bazen
Research center for urban & environmental studies

2. Step up to Saxion.
The Netherlands,
Holland or
Dutch?
Dutch is bad?
1.Dutch courage
2.Going Dutch
3.You’re right I’m a
Dutchman
4.Double Dutch
5.Dutch comfort
A piece of Dutch comfort:
In Belgium things are more confusing

3. Step up to Saxion.
The Netherlands
• General information:
• Area: 41850km2 (Rank #130)
• Inhabitants:
16,7 million people (Rank #63, 0.24%)
Density: 405 km2 (Rank #30, 405)
• Capital city: Amsterdam
• Government centre: Binnenhof The Hague
• Constitutional Monarchy

4. Step up to Saxion.
The Netherlands
Every square meter of land is in
use!

5. Step up to Saxion.
Lowest point
of Europe
-6,76 m
0 m

6. Step up to Saxion.
Highest point in The Netherlands
Mount Scenery, 877 meter

7. Step up to Saxion.
Highest point in The Netherlands
Vaals mountain, 322 meter

8. Step up to Saxion.
Schöne Grüße aus Holland!

9. Step up to Saxion.
Stereotypes about Netherlands/Holland
1. Drugs/Coffeeshops
2. Thriftiness
3. Clogs
4. Tolerance/Liberalism
5. Tulips
6. Cheese (Gouda/Edam)
7. Bicycles (loads of them)
8. Below the sea level
9. Windmills
10.Amsterdam

10. How we would like to be
seen abroad…
From a tourism brochure

11. How we are seen abroad….

12. 2. Dutch generosity/thriftyness

13. 3. Wooden shoes

14. 3. Wooden shoes/football

15. 4. Tolerance/liberalism

16. 4. Tolerance/liberalism

17. 5. Tulips

18. 6. Cheese

19. 7. Bicycles

20. 7. Bicycles, loads of them

21. 8. Below the sea level

22. 9. Windmills

23. 9. Windmills/caravans

24. Amsterdam

25. Canals: Inspiration for St. Petersburg
Tulip Crazyness, Narrow canal houses
Amsterdam

26. Step up to Saxion.
Monarchy: Royal family
• Our king:
• The head of the Dutch state
• Willem Alexander Von
Amsberg van Oranje-
Nassau

27. Step up to Saxion.
Monarchy: Royal family
• Founder of the dynasty: William of
Nassau-Dillenburg, prince of
Orange:
• Rebel leader who was the driving
force behind the Dutch revolution.
Murdered in 1584
• The National anthem is about him
Dutch National anthem (Wilhelmus):
William of Nassau, I am of German blood.
I'm faithful to the fatherland until I die.
I'm a prince of Orange, free and without fear
I have always honoured the king of Spain
(written by Philips von Marnix, lord of
Saint Aldegonde and West Souburg, 1572)

28. Step up to Saxion.
Independent trading nation
The Netherlands is a country of entrepreneurs and
traders. Out of necessity: besides a bit of
agriculture (cheese production), there is no way to
make money out of a swamp with no natural
resources. (Still, we love our country)

29. Step up to Saxion.
Government centre Den Haag
Mark Rutte

30. Step up to Saxion.

31. Step up to Saxion.
Port of Rotterdam
Largest harbour in Europe

32. Step up to Saxion.
Dutch food
Dutch FastFood:
“Food from the wall”
(McDonalds is not fast enough)

33. • 1 Cookie rule (3 variants)
• Open curtains and big windows in
the houses
• Money savers – heating off at
night
Typical Dutch: Does it exist?

34. The wonderful Dutch Language
Achthonderdachtentachtig prachtige
grachtenbruggen in Amsterdam

35. Thank you for your attention!
Questions?