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Nederland, THE LOW LANDS

Perseverance and Dutch engineering created much of the Netherlands of today. Influenced by north winds, tidal waters, and sand dunes, the Netherlands is an engineering marvel. A system of canals link waterways to the North Sea; dikes and dams hold back the sea to create more arable land and fresh-water lakes. Much of the Netherlands of today is at or below sea level.

The constitutional monarchy of the Netherlands is divided into 12 official provinces (4 regional divisions). Beginning in Amsterdam during our trip to Northwestern Europe, we explored three of the provinces of West Netherlands—North Holland, South Holland, Utrecht—and then traveled through Breda in North Brabant of South Netherlands on our way to Belgium.

Dutch Regions and Provinces 

Western Netherlands

North Holland

Amsterdam + Haarlem

South Holland

The Hague (Den Haag) + Scheveningen + Delft + Leiden + Rotterdam + Dordrecht

Utrecht

Flevoland

Eastern Netherlands

Overijssel

Gelderland

Northern Netherlands

Drenthe

Groningen

Friesland

Southern Netherlands

Zeeland

North Brabant

Limburg

Dutch Cities

Amsterdam

NORTH HOLLAND “Venice of the North Sea” Read more

Haarlem

NORTH HOLLAND “City of Flowers” Read more

Scheveningen

SOUTH HOLLAND Seaside Fishing Port of Greater Haaglanden Read more

Delft

SOUTH HOLLAND Home of Vermeer Read more

Leiden

SOUTH HOLLAND Birthplace of Rembrandt Read more

Rotterdam

SOUTH HOLLAND Modern Metropolis Read more

Dordrecht

SOUTH HOLLAND “Cradle of the Golden Age” Read more

Utrecht

PROVINCE AND CITY Liberty front and “De Stijl” City Read more

Much of the Netherlands is navigable by alternative modes of transportation—train, tram, boat, ferry, bicycle, foot—which commonly eliminate the need for a car. Efficient, convenient, and well-operated Dutch trains travel between cities, while trams operate within the city. Most of our time, however, was spent traversing cities and villages on foot to take in the scenery.

As if caught in time, storybook postcard photos come to life. Ubiquitous bicycles cross picturesque canals; antique windmills dot ever-present waterways; colorful tulips cover fields in spring. Beyond its well-preserved history, we were struck by the Dutch progressive modernity. Known for its traditional characteristics, the Netherlands is also known for tolerance and innovation.

God created the Earth, but the Dutch created the Netherlands.

Dutch proverb

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All About The Netherlands


The Hague: Discover Den Haag.

A WEEK OF SOCCER & WEST NETHERLANDS FROM DEN HAAG A Dutch Football Camp Leads our Family to Experience West Netherlands through this Progressive International City. In Den Haag, historic converges with modern. Historic converges with modern in the Dutch…

Weekend in Amsterdam

Diversity is embraced here. “Weird” might be the Dutch norm due to pragmatic tolerance. This trade city has been accustomed to associating with different cultures, ideologies and lifestyles for centuries. Cooperation defines the Dutch. Tolerance makes Amsterdam’s heart beat. Rather than…

Locating the Netherlands

The constitutional monarchy of the Netherlands is divided into 12 official provinces (4 regional divisions). Beginning in Amsterdam during our trip to Northwestern Europe, we explored three of the provinces of West Netherlands—North Holland, South Holland, Utrecht—and then traveled through…

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Basics

Know Before You Go


Dutch

official language

Euro €

currency

12

official regions

Amsterdam

capital

Explore Places of The Netherlands

Dutch Provinces