The Dutch United Provinces declared their independence from Spain in 1579; during the 17th century, they became a leading seafaring and commercial power, with settlements and colonies around the world. After a 20-year French occupation, a Kingdom of the Netherlands was formed in 1815. In 1830 Belgium seceded and formed a separate kingdom.

The Netherlands remained neutral in World War I, but suffered invasion and occupation by Germany in World War II. A modern, industrialized nation, the Netherlands is also a large exporter of agricultural products. The country was a founding member of NATO and the EEC (now the EU), and participated in the introduction of the euro in 1999.

Location:

Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between Belgium and Germany

Map references:

Area:

total area:
37,330 sq km

land area:
33,920 sq km

comparative area:
slightly less than twice the size of US State New Jersey

Land boundaries:

total 1,027 km, Belgium 450 km, Germany 577 km

Coastline:

451 km

Maritime claims:

exclusive fishing zone:
200 nm

territorial sea:
12 nm

Climate:

temperate; marine; cool summers and mild winters

Terrain:

mostly coastal lowland and reclaimed land (polders); some hills in southeast

Natural resources:

natural gas, petroleum, fertile soil

Land use:

arable land:
26%

permanent crops:
1%

meadows and pastures:
32%

forest and woodland:
9%

other:
32%

Irrigated land:

5,500 sq km (1989 est.)

Environment:

current issues:
water pollution in the form of heavy metals, organic compounds, and nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates; air pollution from vehicles and refining activities; acid rain

natural hazards:
the extensive system of dikes and dams, protects nearly one-half of the total area from being flooded

international agreements:
party to - Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Wetlands, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Biodiversity, Desertification, Law of the Sea

Note:

located at mouths of three major European rivers (Rhine, Maas or Meuse, and Schelde)