short information

The Netherlands, which many call Holland, is world famous for its windmills, Amsterdam's canals, free spirits, and tulips. But in this country, it turns out, there are also many beach resorts. So, the Dutch resort town of Zandvoort, located on the North Sea coast, has been welcoming tourists since 1828.

Geography of the Netherlands

The Kingdom of the Netherlands is located in Northwestern Europe. In the north and west, the Netherlands is washed by the North Sea. In the south, this country borders with Belgium, and in the east - with Germany. The Kingdom of the Netherlands also includes the islands of Bonaire, Saba, Sint Eustatius, Curaçao, Aruba and Sint Maarten in the Caribbean. The total area of ​​the Netherlands is 41,526 sq. km., and the length of the European border is 1,027 km.

Most of the territory of the Netherlands is occupied by lowlands. About 20% of the territory of this country is below sea level. The highest point in the Netherlands is Walserberg (322 meters).

There are a lot of rivers in the Netherlands. It is in this country that the mouths of the Rhine, Scheldt and Meuse are located.

Capital

The capital of the Netherlands is Amsterdam, which is now home to more than 800 thousand people. Historians believe that the city of Amsterdam was founded in the 13th century. Amsterdam became the capital of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 1814.

Official language

The Netherlands has two official languages, Dutch and Frisian. Linguists classify Dutch as part of the Germanic language family, and Frisian as an Anglo-Frisian subgroup of the Germanic languages. The Frisian language is spoken mainly in the province of Friesland.

Religion

Only 39% of the inhabitants of the Netherlands identify themselves with any religion. 24% of the Dutch are Catholics (Roman Catholic Church), 16% are Protestants and 5% are Muslims.

State structure of the Netherlands

According to the Constitution of 1848, the Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy, where the head of state is the King.

In this country, legislative power belongs to the bicameral parliament - the States General, consisting of the House of Representatives (150 people) and the Senate (75 people).

The main political parties in the Netherlands are the Christian Democratic Appeal, the Labor Party, the right-liberal People's Party for Freedom and Democracy, the left-liberal Democrats 66, and the Socialist Party.

Climate and weather

The climate in the Netherlands is temperate maritime with cool summers and mild winters. In January, the average air temperature is +2C, and in July - +19C. In general, the annual average air temperature in this country is +9.6C. The average annual rainfall is 76.5 cm.

Average air temperature in the Netherlands:

January - +2C
- February - +3С
- March - +6С
- April - +9C
- May - +13C
- June - +15.6C
- July - +18C
- August - +18
- September - +14.5C
- October - +11C
- November - +7C
- December - +4C

Sea in the Netherlands

The coast of the Netherlands in the north and west is washed by the North Sea. The length of the sea coast of this country is 451 kilometers. The entire Dutch sea coast is made up of wide sand dunes.

Rivers and lakes in the Netherlands

Flows through the Netherlands a large number of rivers, but they are not very long. The mouths of the rivers Rhine, Scheldt and Meuse are located in the Netherlands. There are a lot of lakes in this country, the largest of which are Grevelingen, Flussen, Sneaker-Mer, Tjoke-Mer, etc.

Many Dutch rivers and lakes are connected by canals (Corbulon, Ghent-Ternusen, Amsterdam-Rhine, and Nordsee Canal).

Story

In ancient times, the Celtic and Germanic tribes lived on the territory of the modern Netherlands. In I BC the southern Dutch territories were conquered by Ancient Rome. The north of the Netherlands was not even invaded by the Romans.

The power of the Romans over the Southern Netherlands lasted for about 300 years. Then Germanic tribes and Franks invade the territory of the Netherlands. In 800 AD The Netherlands was already part of the empire of the Frankish king Charlemagne.

After the death of Charlemagne, several small states were formed in the Netherlands, ruled by princes and counts. In the Middle Ages, the Netherlands experienced a strong economic boom due to its agriculture. At this time, the Dutch are actively trading with the countries of Africa and Asia.

In 1581, the Netherlands declared its independence from Spain. This was followed by the so-called. "Eighty Years' War" between the Netherlands and Spain. Upon its completion, the Netherlands became officially an independent state. However, until 1794 the Netherlands nominally remained a country belonging to the Austrian Habsburg Empire.

At the end of the 18th century, the Kingdom of the Netherlands was created. In 1830, the province of Belgium rebelled, as a result of which it separated from the Netherlands (the Kingdom of Belgium was formed). In 1890, another Dutch province, Luxembourg, gained independence.

During the First World War, the Netherlands was a neutral state, but during the Second World War, the Netherlands was occupied by German troops.

Now the Kingdom of the Netherlands is a member of the UN, the EU and the NATO military bloc.

Culture of the Netherlands

For some reason, it so happened that a huge number of brilliant and talented painters were born in the Netherlands. But in the Netherlands, it turns out, there were many philosophers, architects.

The most famous Dutch philosophers are Erasmus of Rotterdam, who lived in the 15th century, and Spinoza (17th century).

The most famous Dutch painters are Hieronymus Bosch, Rembrandt, Johannes Vermeer, Jacob van Ruisdael, Jan Stein, Vincent van Gogh, and Maurice Cornelis.

Carnival is held every year in the Netherlands, usually starting 40 days before Lent.

Kitchen

Of course, Dutch cuisine cannot be compared to Italian or French cuisine, however, it has some very tasty traditional dishes. The main products in the Netherlands are fish, seafood, meat and potatoes. In general, in the Middle Ages, the Dutch cooked very delicious dishes, and loved to spend money on food, but in the 18th-19th centuries, thrift came into fashion ...

The most traditional Dutch dish is Hutspot, mashed potatoes with onions and carrots, which dates back to the 18th century. In the Netherlands, we also advise tourists to try the following traditional Dutch dishes:

Erwtensoep - pea soup with meat
- Waterzooi - fish soup
- Rijsttafel - rice with a side dish (meat, nuts, fish, or poultry)
- Poffertjes - pancakes
- Oliebollen - donuts that are made for Christmas
- Speculaas - traditional Dutch biscuits
- Stroopwafels - waffles stuffed with syrup.

The Netherlands has been making great beer for centuries. Traditional strong alcoholic Dutch drink - juniper vodka "Genever".

Landmarks of the Netherlands

The Netherlands is famous for its attractions, the best of which are:

Canals of Amsterdam

In Amsterdam, canals began to be built in the 16th century during the Golden Dutch Age. At the moment, the total length of the canals of Amsterdam is more than 100 km. 1,500 bridges were built across the Amsterdam canals.

Leiden canals

Leiden is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands. Rembrandt was born in this city. Leiden is also famous for its canals.

City Hall in Delft

The city hall building in the city of Delft is a beautiful architectural work of the Renaissance. The Delft City Hall building was originally designed and built by the Dutch architect Hendrik de Kaiser, and in the 20th century it was restored according to the original design.

Keukenhof park garden in Lisse

This park is the world's largest flower garden (about 1 million different flowers in total). The first flower show in Lisse was held in 1949. A ticket for adults costs 14.5 euros.

De Hoge Veluwe National Park

This national park is the largest nature reserve in the Netherlands. On the territory of De Hoge Veluwe there is a museum with paintings by the famous Vincent van Gogh. Cyclists can ride around the De Hoge Veluwe park for free.

Kinderdijk village

In the area of ​​the village of Kinderdijk near Rotterdam, there are a large number of old windmills. 19 of them were built in 1740, and now they are a popular tourist destination. In total, there are now more than 1,000 old windmills in the Netherlands.

Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam

The Rijksmuseum is considered the largest and most prestigious museum in the Netherlands. It has a very large collection of paintings by old Dutch masters including Vermeer and Rembrandt.

Vrijthof Square in Mastricht

Vrijthof Square is the most famous square in the Netherlands. On this square are two of the most beautiful cathedrals - St. Servas and St. John.

Dome Cathedral in Utrecht

The Dome Cathedral was designed by the architect John Eno and built in 1321-1382. Now the Dome Cathedral in Utrecht is the highest religious Gothic building in the Netherlands.

Delta Project

Between 1950 and 1997, a network of dikes was built in the provinces of Zeeland and South Zealand to protect the Netherlands from the sea. The Delta project is a grandiose architectural solution.

Cities and resorts

The largest Dutch cities are, of course, Amsterdam, as well as Utrecht, Rotterdam, and The Hague.

In the Netherlands, there are, it turns out, several popular beach resorts. The Dutch love to visit the beaches of Scheveningen, Katwijk, Bloemendaal, Petten, Noordwijk, Bergen, Cadzand, Vlissingen, and Zandvoort.

Souvenirs/Shopping

Tourists from the Netherlands usually bring as souvenirs decorative earthenware, cheese, windmills, Dutch wooden shoes, tulip bulbs, a strong Dutch alcoholic drink called jenever, and, of course, Dutch beer.

Office Hours

Brief information about the country

Date of Independence

Official language

Dutch

Form of government

A constitutional monarchy

Territory

41,526 km² (132nd in the world)

Population

16 805 037 people (64th in the world)

Amsterdam

Timezone

Largest cities

Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam

$862.9 billion (15th in the world)

Internet domain

Telephone code

Or officially the Kingdom of the Netherlands is a European state that includes the mainland located in Western Europe and three islands in the Caribbean Sea - Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius. In addition, as members of the kingdom, the country includes three self-governing state entities occupying the islands of Curaçau, Aruba and Sint Martin.

Video: Netherlands

Basic moments

Thanks to perfectionism in matters of political correctness and a reverent attitude to everything related to individual freedom, this tiny piece of land has been on the list of the most progressive countries in the world for quite some time. It is in the Netherlands that the most high-profile court cases affecting the interests of entire states are heard, and the most unusual varieties of tulips are grown. It was here that same-sex marriages were first allowed and prostitution was legalized, providing "moths" with the same pension as other citizens. Adds spice to the image of the country and the legalization of soft drugs, which are allowed here not only to buy, but also to grow on your own windowsill.

Today's tourists fly to the Netherlands not only to visit the Van Gogh Museum, sail through the picturesque Amsterdam canals and take pictures against the backdrop of windmills. Recently, this corner of Europe has become popular for its tolerant attitude towards human weaknesses and an alternative view of moral and ethical standards. What in other states would have attracted the attention of law enforcement agencies, or at least caused outright condemnation, in the Netherlands has long turned into civil rights and freedoms. However, despite the ultra-progressive views, one can observe a truly reverent attitude towards the cultural past of their country among the Dutch. All architectural monuments, and there are many of them in the kingdom, are in excellent condition, so travelers hunting for antiquities and medieval flavor will definitely have something to do in the Netherlands.

Cities of the Netherlands

All cities in the Netherlands

Geography and climate

Most of the Dutch territories are located below sea level, and only in the southern part of the country is their relative increase observed. A certain amount of usable area, the inhabitants of the Netherlands literally won back from the sea, strengthening them with a complex system of dams. The locals like to joke about this, claiming that God created the earth, and the Dutch - the Netherlands.

As for the climate, it is close to a mild maritime type, so the local inhabitants are not overcome by either sweltering heat or severe frosts. But the Dutch sky does not skimp on precipitation, so rain, sleet and fog in this part of Europe are commonplace. Ideal weather conditions and the absence of sharp temperature fluctuations can be observed near the coastal areas, while in the provinces remote from the North Sea, the temperature curve is characterized by sharp fluctuations.

Clear weather in the Netherlands is in short supply: there are only 60 sunny days for the entire Dutch year, so the spring-summer season is considered the best time to get to know the “tulip kingdom”. In autumn, due to constant rains and overcast skies, local landscapes look frankly depressing and dull.

History of the Netherlands

Until the 10th century, the Netherlands remained a bunch of rival provinces, which now and then became the prey of more powerful neighboring powers. In particular, for a long time the territories of the "Lowlands" (literal translation of the word "Netherlands") were under the heel of Germany (at that time - the Holy Roman Empire). The only exception to the general rule was Friesland - today just a Dutch province, and in the Middle Ages - an independent and independent state.

In 1433, the Duke of Burgundy managed to sinfully unite the Dutch lands into a single whole, adding to them for a complete set the territory of modern Belgium. At the same time, local residents were not particularly in a hurry to show interest in their own independence, pushing this issue aside for almost 100 years.

In 1568, the Dutch nevertheless decided that it was time to finally set off on an independent voyage and declared war on Spain, which at that time had claims to these territories. The conflict dragged on for 80 years, confirming the fact that blitzkriegs are clearly not the strong point of the descendants of the Franks and Saxons. Nevertheless, the war ended in favor of the Netherlands: the country gained the desired freedom, albeit with restrictions.

The real heyday of the Dutch state is considered to be the 17th century. During this period, the legendary "tulip fever" broke out in the country, science and art began to actively develop, and local merchants mastered a new and incredibly profitable type of business for themselves - trading in live goods, that is, slaves.

Modernity

Today, just over 17 million people live in the Netherlands. The country has a constitutional monarchy, that is, formally there is a king in Holland, but in fact the cabinet of ministers and parliament deal with important state issues. By the way, the Dutch themselves cannot stand it when their country is called Holland, and all because Holland is only one of the 12 provinces of the kingdom, but by no means an independent state. Since 2013, the royal title in the Netherlands has been held by Willem-Alexander of Orange, who plays the role of a living national symbol. Before his subjects, the king appears at most several times a year in order to deliver the Throne Speech or simply to participate in events of national importance.

Economically, the country is doing very well. High taxes, developed industrial and agricultural sectors are actively helped by the banking system and low inflation, so the classic division into rich and poor is absent here as a fact. But with human resources, not everything is so rosy. The high standard of living, which was so sought after in the Netherlands, revealed itself from the most unexpected side, because of which the state is slowly but surely transforming into a country of pensioners.

Features of the national mentality

The right Dutchman is a sporty and fit owner of his own cottage, a desperate coffee lover (how else can you get your portion of endorphins in a country where cloudy weather lasts 300 days a year), a prudent, and sometimes frankly stingy owner, but at the same time very tolerant of anything that does not violate the laws of the country. By the way, despite the legalized “weed”, the smell of which has forever been absorbed into the streets of Amsterdam, there are no more truly drug addicts in the Netherlands than in other countries of the world. The only exceptions are the emigrant quarters, which in recent years have begun to multiply throughout Europe. Here, indeed, drugs are like daily bread.

Saving money in a country where taxes can "eat up" almost half of all earnings, and utility bills from year to year are getting sky-high and sky-high, is a tough necessity. Heating in the Netherlands does not "screw" unless the king himself. Little has been heard about hospitality here either, so you should not count on refreshments if you look into the Dutchman's house. However, this also has its advantages: locals do not sit too long at a party, and masterfully dodge offers to sit down at the table. Otherwise, the people in the "tulip kingdom" are quite friendly and benevolent, although by and large closed.

Language

Dutch, as well as one of its dialects, called West Frisian, are declared official state languages ​​in Van Gogh's homeland. Both of them are an interesting mix of borrowings from German, French and Swedish. In addition, in some provinces they continue to remain faithful to traditions, preferring to speak in local dialects that have been formed since time immemorial.

The Dutch and English are excellent, so you won’t have to acquire a Russian-Dutch phrase book before the trip. Such popularity of the language of Shakespeare is explained primarily by government policy: in the Netherlands universities, certain disciplines are taught exclusively in English, while British and American films are shown in the original language.

The main tourist destinations in the Netherlands

The bulk of tourists coming to the Netherlands are dispersed in three directions - Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague. It is clear that the capital with its authentic architecture, picturesque canals and a record concentration of museums and art galleries per square kilometer is best suited to get acquainted with the cultural values ​​and national flavor of the country. However, they come to Amsterdam not only for the sake of spiritual food, but also with much more prosaic goals. For example, to sit in numerous coffee shops, where the tourist will definitely be offered to "score a joint", or to assess the level of skill of the inhabitants of the famous Red Light District.

Rotterdam, which has its own airport, is also not losing popularity. Some are attracted by the annual festival of alternative cinema, others are the property of the local art museum in the form of infernal paintings by Hieronymus Bosch, as well as paintings by Rubens, Van Gogh and Pieter Brueghel.

The Hague is, in fact, the second capital of the country. The city hosts a parliament that decides the most important state issues, and the very International Court of Justice, known for its resonant processes, is also located here.

It so happened that the phrase "beach vacation" in relation to the Netherlands is almost never mentioned. However, this type of entertainment does take place. Dutch beaches are characterized by almost sterile cleanliness, good infrastructure and, last but not least, free entry. It is better to splash in the sea from August to September and without children, since the water temperature off the coast, even in the high season, does not rise above +17 ... +20 ° С.

Among the most popular places for swimming, Zandvoort in North Holland can be noted: the place is somewhat provincial, therefore calm and romantic. It makes sense to take a ride to The Hague to sunbathe on the glamorous Scheveningen, which was once promoted on their canvases by the main postmodernist of the kingdom, Van Gogh and marine painter Mesdach. The latter, by the way, sold out so much that he sketched a whole 120-meter panorama glorifying the sand dunes of Scheveningen. Another place for swimming in the vicinity of The Hague is Kyikdaun Beach.

The shores of Tessel Island, notable for its windy weather, are traditionally stormed by surfers and ecotourists. Almost the entire area of ​​this piece of land is occupied by pastures, which will appeal to fans of a measured rest in a rustic style. Getting to Tessel is easier on the ferry that runs between the island and the city of Den Helder. By the way, the final episode of the cult drama of the 90s “Knockin' on Heaven's Door” was filmed on Tessel.

If you are interested in non-trivial places, you should look at the local nudist beaches. Those who like to show themselves in all their glory gather on the coast in the vicinity of Zandvoort and Rotterdam (the northern part of Rokanje beach). As an alternative to sea beaches, rest on the rivers and lakes of the Netherlands can be considered. So, for example, in August it is recommended to splash in the artificial Zuiderzee lake or the Essel river.

Attractions

In terms of cultural and entertainment program, the Netherlands is almost ahead of the rest. Medieval castles, fortresses, and sometimes entire villages, which have fully preserved their historical face, have long become part of everyday life in this country. At the same time, in the kingdom they try not to avoid the progressive creations of modern architects, if possible, allocating the best places for them. To verify this, it is enough to look into Rotterdam, where the famous Cube House, the Erasmus Bridge and the Euromast are located.

Of the truly ancient buildings, the De Haar Castle, the royal palace in the capital, the Delft City Hall, the Muidersloot Castle, Slangenburg and the impregnable Louvestein prison castle stand out. Each of these objects will be of interest not only to certified historians, but also to ordinary travelers, especially since over the hundreds of years of their existence, the walls of buildings have accumulated an incredible amount of exciting stories and legends.

You can talk about Dutch museums for a long time and a lot, but it’s hardly possible to convey the charm and uniqueness of their exhibits in words, so don’t waste your time and try to get around at least a dozen of the very best of them. In particular, do not miss the Van Gogh Museum and be sure to stroll through the halls of the Rijksmuseum, where you can admire the wonderful paintings of Rembrandt and Vermeer, as well as study in detail the miniature masterpieces of the "Little Dutch". By the way, about Vermeer: ​​the master lived and worked in Delft, one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in the country, but at the same time his works are scattered throughout Holland. So, for example, the replicated "Girl with a Pearl Earring" is in the Mauritshuis Gallery, in The Hague.

To see the world-famous windmills, which have become one of the crown tourist attractions along with the Amsterdam canals, go to the Zaanse Schans open-air museum, which is located in the vicinity of the city of Zaandam. Well, or take a ride to the village of Kinderdijk, where there are also several mills built back in the 19th century. In the same Zaandam, you can drop into the house of Peter I, in which the Russian monarch lived in 1697, combining work at a shipyard and observing the life of the Dutch. Another cult place in the country, which owes its popularity to the diary of an ordinary Jewish girl, is the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam. By the way, it also contains the original of the very impromptu chronicle that the schoolgirl kept during the German occupation.

An incredible riot of colors, "flavored" with delicious aromas, awaits all guests of the Netherlands in the Keukenhof park, where about 100 varieties of tulips alone are planted, not to mention other flowering plants. Well, for a nice bunch, which will cost a non-European modest amount, you should go to the Blumenmarkt flower market.

Desperate revelers and seekers of "adult" entertainment usually settle in the De Wallen area (Amsterdam), better known as the Red Light District. The legendary place where you can buy love and "grass" non-stop all 365 days a year, makes good money on its scandalous reputation. This, of course, is not the only quarter of its kind in the whole of Holland, but it is the Amsterdam brothels among the tourist fraternity that are unconditionally considered the most attractive.

All sights of the Netherlands

Money

Since the Netherlands is part of the Eurozone, they abandoned their own currency here, replacing it with the euro. Banks, as well as public and private exchangers located at the airport and hotels, are in charge of currency exchange in the country. In the latter, it is extremely undesirable to change money (unfavorable exchange rate + high commission). It is much more expedient to bring with you the necessary amount in euros.

Relatively good exchange options are offered by bank branches, which are open on weekdays from 9:00 to 16:00, and post offices: they have both the official exchange rate and more adequate commissions. Another way to convert foreign currency into euros, as well as cash checks and funds from credit cards, is the "Central System of Exchange Offices" or simply GWK. Representative offices of the company are usually located near railway stations and work from 8:00 to 20:00 (on Sundays from 10:00 to 16:00).

Transport

The Netherlands is a country where trains continue to be the most popular mode of transport - we are talking about intercity trips, and in the city, as before, bicycles "rule". Bus service in the kingdom is extremely poorly developed: there are no direct routes connecting major cities at all, and the bus schedule itself is extremely inconvenient. Rail transport in the Netherlands is divided into high-speed (rarely seen at intermediate stops) and conventional. Train tickets are purchased from special machines at railway stations (the most economical option), at ticket offices (50 eurocents more expensive than from a machine) or from conductors (the most extortionate fare with an overpayment of 35 euros).

The cities have developed a unified public transport system - GVB, which includes trams, buses, trolleybuses and metro (Amsterdam and Rotterdam). Tickets for travel in Holland are valid for a certain time period. So, for example, an hourly travel card costs around 2.9 euros, a daily option will cost 7.5 euros, and a card with a weekly travel limit - 34 euros.

The prices for a taxi, which is not in great demand in this country, are about 7 euros for landing and the first 2 km, plus an additional charge of 2.2 euros for each subsequent kilometer. True Dutch patriots prefer to ride bikes, since in most cities special road lanes and even parking lots are allocated for cyclists. Renting a bike in the Netherlands will cost from 6 to 20 euros, without a deposit.

Hotels

If you plan to stay in the capital or another big city, it is better to book a hotel in advance. In most large settlements in the Netherlands, all kinds of holidays and festivals are constantly organized, which attract crowds of spectators. Accordingly, it will be simply unrealistic to find a free room in a decent hotel during such periods.

Housing prices in the Netherlands cannot be called democratic, and this applies not only to luxury hotels, but also to mid-level hotels. For the most ordinary number in the Amsterdam "three rubles" from the tourist will take at least 70 euros. The same level of service, but in Rotterdam it will cost 40-45 euros. A slightly more economical option is Stayokay youth hostels. Here, the overnight rate fluctuates around 25-30 euros, but keep in mind that for this money you can only count on a regular bed. Approximately the same can be obtained in the hostels of The Hague and Amsterdam, the cost of a bed in a common room is 15-30 euros.

Cuisine of the Netherlands

National Dutch cuisine truly pleases only a healthy digestive system. Pea stew with smoked meats, mashed potatoes with carrots and fried onions, "seasoned" with a good piece of beef, a calorie bomb in the form of mashed root vegetables with the addition of bacon and fatty smoked sausages - all this heavy gastronomic artillery continues to be prepared in local taverns, but for the most part for tourists. The natives of the Netherlands themselves less and less conjure over such solid dishes, preferring to survive with multi-layered sandwiches and pickled herring. Local cheeses also have outstanding taste characteristics: surprisingly, the technology for the production of Dutch “gouda” and “edamer” has not changed much over several centuries.

From drinks in the Netherlands, it is recommended to experiment with juniper vodka jenever, orange brandy Bitter Orange, sweet liquor on yolks Advocat, and, of course, the legendary Heineken beer. Those who are indifferent to alcohol will be warmed by tea, coffee and hot chocolate, which are served with stroop wafers with a caramel layer.

You can discover the national cuisine of the Netherlands both in restaurants and in ordinary cafes, the main thing is to stay away from establishments through which the main tourist routes run. They usually cook in them so-so, but at the same time they are not shy about inflating prices. The list of the most “delicious” places in the kingdom most often includes restaurants De Silveren Spiegel (Amsterdam), Restaurant Spijs (The Hague, Scheveningen), In den Rustwat IDRW (Rotterdam), Restaurant Fitzgerald (Rotterdam).

They have their own permanent clientele and establishments with an international menu, which are kept mainly by emigrants. Recently, locals have been happy to spend evenings in Thai, Indonesian, Turkish and North African restaurants, where you can have a pretty good meal for 15 euros. Street fast food in the country is represented mainly by fried potatoes with all kinds of additives (from 5 to 7 euros per serving).

Holidays

Being stingy with emotions in ordinary life, the Dutch really open up on holidays, which are very unusual in this country. What is only worth one "Pink Saturday", on which the Amsterdam canals fill boats with representatives of the LGBT communities discharged to smithereens.

April 30 is an official public holiday called the Queen's Birthday. On this day, every Dutch patriot considers it his duty to buy himself an orange outfit (the color of the royal house of Orange) and go to trade on the city streets with everything that comes to hand.

The day of the cyclist in the kingdom is celebrated more modestly: there are just a little more bike owners on the streets, hurrying to a picnic or to the nearest park.

Every year, in mid-June, a music festival with the deceptively pop name Pinkpop kicks off in Landgraf. By the way, the hardest rock "rules" at this reckless event.

shopping

It is customary to bring small souvenirs from Holland in the form of toy windmills and wooden shoes, cheeses, Delft porcelain (insanely beautiful and just as expensive), funny things from local sex shops, and of course, bulbs of the main symbol of the kingdom - the tulip. The latter can be purchased at the capital's Blumenmarkt market at a very tempting price - about 3 euros for a pack of 10 bulbs.

Unpretentious shopaholics in the homeland of Van Gogh are waiting for shops of democratic youth brands like Zara and H&M. If you find extra cash in your wallet, you can dig into local brands like Easy Comfort and Bandolera (women's clothing), as well as State of Art and J.C. RAGS (men's clothing). A great place to look for non-trivial souvenirs is city flea markets, where you can always bargain and get the desired thing for a nominal fee.

The working day in retail outlets in the Netherlands starts at 9:00, however, in small provincial towns, shops can open at 10-11 o'clock. Workaholism is not welcome in the kingdom, so most shops are closed on Sundays. Well, after the weekend it is supposed to have a good rest and gain strength, so you can catch Dutch sellers at the workplace on Monday not earlier than 11:00-13:00. Supermarkets have a different system. The usual opening hours of chain grocery stores are from 9:00 to 19:00 (plus or minus an hour), but one day a week (Thursday or Friday), the staff works right up to 22:00.

There are subtleties in the very system of commodity-money relations. So, for example, local shopping centers are very selective about bank cards: where they pay with Visa, MasterCard will not work, and vice versa. In some places, only the "plastic" of domestic banks is accepted at all. But cards without chips are unanimously denied everywhere. The local sellers are also capricious with regard to cash: in some stores they may not accept hundreds of banknotes, and in some places they will not take a banknote with a face value of 50 euros.

Safety

In terms of security, the Netherlands can be called a backwater. Of course, even in respectable Europe there were some street thieves, but if you take at least minimal precautions, you won’t have to worry about lost things. But for lovers of mink coats and all kinds of accessories made of genuine leather, it is better to change your wardrobe to a more budget one before the trip. Attacks on fur wearers and public "cremations" of fur coats are not uncommon in the Netherlands.

In the most scandalous district of Amsterdam, the Red Light District, tourists are welcomed with open arms, however, they are loved here exclusively as customers. There is outright hostility towards curious onlookers with photo lenses at the ready in the abode of voluptuousness, so if you are not eager to experience the power moves of local bouncers, do not try to persuade the “girls” to take a photo shoot.

Those who come to the Netherlands to have a good time and experiment with marijuana are usually not advised to resort to the services of street drug dealers. The offers of these smiling guys are, of course, tempting, but the goods they advertise are not of the highest quality. It’s better to look for an official coffee shop nearby, where you will be treated to certified hallucinogenic mushrooms and elite “weed” will be weighed.

Useful information: if necessary, you can call the police, ambulance or firefighters in the Netherlands by calling the single emergency number 112. Operators speak English.

Connection

The best rates for cellular communication in the Netherlands should be sought from the operators Lebara and Ortel. For 10 euros from Lebara you can get unlimited on-net communication, a relatively low cost per 1 Mb of Internet (about 1 euro cent) and a discount on international calls (a minute of conversation with any Russian operator starts from 15 euro cents). For the same amount, an Ortel subscriber receives 1 GB of Internet traffic and the opportunity to call home at a price of 99 euro cents per minute.

Payphones in the Netherlands are usually located near railway stations, metro stations, as well as near popular tourist attractions. Payment methods may vary. So, for example, KPN machines are happy to "eat" both credit cards and telephone cards purchased at post offices, while Telfort payphones "use" only small change.

Restaurants, parks, hotels and airports in the Netherlands almost always have a free Wi-Fi hotspot. If you don’t have a smartphone or tablet in your hands, it makes sense to look into local Internet cafes, where you will be charged only 1 euro for half an hour of online surfing.

Tulips Holland

Visa Information

Since the Netherlands is part of the Schengen area, you will need a visa to enter the country. Reception of documents for issuing a "pass" is carried out either at the Consulate General or at visa centers, in particular:

• at the embassy and consulate in Moscow (station "Arbatskaya", per. Kalashny, d. 6);
• at the Consulate General in St. Petersburg (Moika Embankment, 11);
• at the Consulate General in Murmansk (Sofya Perovskaya St., 5);
• at the honorary consulate in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk (Chekhova street, 80);
• at the visa application center in Moscow (Schipok st., 11, office 1);
• at the visa center in Yekaterinburg (Kuibysheva st., 44);
• at the visa center of Rostov-on-Don (Semashko lane, 117 G).

The fee for the preparation of documents is 35 euros. In addition, starting in 2015, fingerprints will be required to obtain a visa.

Customs

In the Netherlands, unlimited import and export of foreign currency is allowed, but amounts over 10,000 euros will have to be declared. It is strictly forbidden to import explosives, weapons, dairy products and chocolates into the country. Medications will only be passed if you have a prescription for them.

Despite the fact that narcotic substances are looked through in the Netherlands, tourists will not be allowed to bring them, and even more so to take them with them when leaving as a “souvenir”. The same rule applies to non-canned meat products.

Among other things, the following products are not subject to duty:

• cigarettes (in an amount not exceeding 200 pieces);
• strong alcohol (no more than 1 liter);
• toilet water (no more than 250 ml per person);
• tea (up to 100 g);
• coffee (up to 500 g).

How to get there

There are three major airports in the Netherlands: in Amsterdam, Eindhoven and Rotterdam.

Direct flights from Moscow to the capital of the Netherlands are carried out by Aeroflot (ticket price from 175 euros) and KLM (200 euros one way). A better offer is from Turkish Onur Air (about 105 euros), departing from Zhukovsky, and Belarusian Belavia (125 euros) departing from Domodedovo, but you will have to get there with transfers in Istanbul and Minsk.

From St. Petersburg, only KLM offers direct flights to Amsterdam (from 350 euros one way). Connecting options can be found with Belavia, Airbaltic, LOT and SAS (the cost of the flight is from 105 to 180 euros).

Things are a little worse with Eindhoven Airport: there are no regular flights that would connect the city with other European countries. The only way out is the “airplane and bus” routes organized by major carriers like KLM and Pobeda (from Moscow via Amsterdam) and Vueling (from St. Petersburg via Barcelona). The cost of such a trip ranges from 90 to 195 euros.

You can fly to Rotterdam from the Mother See and the Northern capital with the same Vueling company, the ticket price is 105 and 220 euros, respectively.

Airfare low price calendar

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Why do they say “Dutch artists”, “mills” or “shoes”, but apply for a visa to the Netherlands? When and why did these words begin to be used in relation to one piece of land in the north of Western Europe?

Definition

Holland is an incorrect name that is applied to the Netherlands in a Russian-speaking environment.

Netherlands is a kingdom, state and member of the European Union since 1957.

Comparison

The habit of calling this kingdom Holland appeared on the territory of the Russian Empire thanks to Peter the Great. The fact is that, while in this country, the king studied scientific achievements, life and culture of only two, the most developed provinces of this country - South and North Holland. Arriving at home and starting to introduce out-of-the-box innovations, Peter and his retinue mentioned only Holland. Therefore, in the minds of Russians, the name "Holland" was superimposed on the entire territory of the kingdom of the Netherlands, and numerous writers - the same A.N. Tolstoy - firmly fixed the "irregularity" in the minds of compatriots.

The Netherlands is a state. In addition to a significant area in the north of Western Europe, sandwiched between Belgium and Germany, the territory of the kingdom includes the islands of Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius, located in the Caribbean Sea, as well as the colonies - St. Maarten, Aruba and Curaçao, which are part of the Antilles group.

There is a difference in everyday usage of the words Holland and the Netherlands. For example, a tourist site will sign the beauty of Dutch wooden shoes - klomps, and an art critic will call artists such as Bosch or Rembrandt exclusively "Dutch". Only in the Russian-speaking environment does the term "Dutch school of painting" or "Dutch tulips" exist.

At the same time, information about the permission of same-sex marriages, abortions, euthanasia and the legalization of soft drugs will concern the Netherlands. We issue the same visa to the Netherlands, not to Holland. The Netherlands is the official name, correct and accepted by the international community.

Findings site

1. The Netherlands is the official name of the state, Holland is an incorrect name and is familiar only to the Russian-speaking public.
2. The territory of the Netherlands is somewhat wider than the area of ​​the "Russian" Holland, because it also includes overseas territories of the kingdom.
3. The name "Holland" is used in fiction, in the description of the sights of this country, in the analysis of the paintings of medieval masters, and the word "Netherlands" is the prerogative of the scientific and business environment.

The Kingdom of the Netherlands is made up of land in western Europe and three islands in the Caribbean. A number of islands that pursue an independent policy have a special status, but together with the Netherlands they are part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which is enshrined in the Charter that regulates relations between the Kingdoms.

The legal capital of the Netherlands is Amsterdam, since it is there that the historical center is located where the king takes an oath of allegiance to his people for hundreds of years.

However, the actual capital is The Hague, because here is the residence of the royal court, the parliament and the government sits.

Probably now the question will disappear by itself, which capital of the Netherlands is Amsterdam or The Hague.

Interestingly, the question of how often arises among the Russians.

The Netherlands is allied with the kingdoms of Belgium and Luxembourg. The union acquired its name thanks to the first letters of the name of the Benelux state.

A state with a very high human development index. It is in 4th place, overtaking such giant countries as the USA, Canada and Germany.

As a result, it has one of the largest GDP per capita in the world, about 52 thousand US dollars.

It has been a member of the European Union since its inception in 1957.

In the photo: the main sights of Amsterdam

Many people, speaking of the Netherlands, also use the name of the country as Holland.

This is not a true statement, since southern and northern Holland occupies only 2 and 12 provinces of the Kingdom.

Historically Holland was the most developed and advanced territory of the kingdom. It was here that all new technologies were used and applied, including in shipbuilding.

Specifically, Russians, speaking of Holland, as of the Netherlands as a whole, use this concept because of little geographical knowledge and also because everyone knows from history that the Emperor of the Russian Empire Peter 1 visited the Netherlands to study shipbuilding.

It was since then that the Netherlands in Russia began to be spoken of as Holland.

Amsterdam is such a city that attracts millions and millions of tourists every year. Mostly men.

This is primarily due to the legalization of light drugs in this city (according to the authorities, marijuana is one of them) and, of course, prostitution is quite legal and legal.

Of course, locals prefer to talk about such women as priestesses of love and about such a profession that has been known to the old world since time immemorial.

But this is all for special fans of extreme recreation.

Interesting: the cost of one “jamb” is from 3 to 7 Euros and it is quite legal to smoke it in coffee with a cup of coffee.

What can you see in one day

It is here that all the important and historical buildings of the city, such as the royal palace, are located and it is here that all events are held.

Most people believe that these are synonymous words that refer to the same state. In fact, there is a noticeable difference between them.

To understand how Holland differs from the Netherlands, it is enough to know just three facts:

1. The Netherlands is a vast state whose territories go far beyond Western Europe, since several Caribbean islands are also part of it.
2. The Netherlands includes twelve provinces, only two of which are called South and North Holland.
3. The monarch takes the oath in the city - the official capital of the Netherlands, and in accordance with the Constitution of this particular state.

Thus, the correct name of the country is the Netherlands, whose capital is Amsterdam. And Holland is only a part of the country in the form of two provinces.

More than half of the state's territory is located below sea level. Literally translated, the word "Netherlands" means "lower lands." A large proportion of the lowlands falls just on North and South Holland. The first mention of these territories dates back to the 14th century, and they referred not only to the borders of the Netherlands defined today, but also captured parts of Belgium and Luxembourg.

Why do we have a well-established notion that Holland and the Netherlands are one and the same? Blame the Great Embassy of Peter I. The fact is that these two provinces at the end of the 17th century were the most developed in the technical sense. Moreover, the inhabitants of South and North Holland themselves represented their country by the names of these provinces. The arrival and training of Peter I in maritime affairs fell precisely on these territories, hence the habit that had taken root over several centuries appeared.

Often we hear about eminent artists, luxurious flowers, a large number and the tallest people in the world. In addition, the country is famous for legalized prostitution, where "workers" officially pay taxes to the treasury.

All the inhabitants of the Netherlands, without exaggeration, can be called unusual people. Where else can you see marijuana legally grown near the house, a complete rejection of window curtains, or a desire to ride only old weighted bikes?

Country "Tulpan"

The export of various colors reaches colossal proportions. The Dutch (or the Dutch, if you like) really know a lot about floriculture. The period of importation of tulips to the countries of Southern and Western Europe fell on the 16th century, when the state was experiencing an economic boom.

It was not without a happy accident that flowers grown throughout the Netherlands were affected by a virus that expanded their color range. This allowed tulips to become more exotic and expensive in value. Collecting quickly developed into the booming trade that we see today.

Growth Matters

Having sorted out the question of the difference between Holland or the Netherlands, and how to properly call this unusual country, let's fast forward to a mystery that world scientists could not solve for a long time. Just think, the height of the local men is on average 1.85 meters, which is 11 cm more than the average in Russia.

Previously, it was assumed that this order of things arose as a result of an enhanced diet enriched with meat and dairy products. This turned out to be partly true, but the main reason was called evolution in action. It was natural selection that led to such extraordinary growth, as women more often chose tall men as their life partners.

exercise bike

Both the queen and the princes, as well as absolutely all the inhabitants of the Netherlands, ride. Moreover, in the arsenal there are, as a rule, two bicycles, one of which cannot be called modern, since it has a weighted design, and this often refers to outdated equipment. The reason is obvious: where did you see the fat Dutchman?

The lifestyle of these people is closely connected with cycling, which helps them to always feel great and not pollute the environment. That is why, according to the law of this country, cyclists have priority on the road.