The Netherlands is a beautiful and spectacular country located in the northwest of Europe. From the busy streets of Amsterdam to the quiet gardens of Keukenhof, the Netherlands is attractive and spectacular for every tourist. This country is famous in the world for its beautiful tulips and windmills.
About 50% of the land in the Netherlands is less than one meter above sea level. This is because the name of this country in the Dutch language, Nederland, means “low-lying country” and the name that many other languages use for this country also gives the same meaning.
The Netherlands is a small country with about 17 million people. The capital of this country is the beautiful city of Amsterdam. The Netherlands borders Germany to the east, Belgium to the south, and Great Britain to the west by the sea. The port of Rotterdam is the second largest city in the Netherlands, and in terms of area and the number of berths it has, it is also considered the largest port in Europe.
The area of this country is 33,500 square kilometers. The Netherlands is the 69th most populous country in the world and the 10th most populous country in the European Union. Due to its fertile soil, mild climate, and modern and innovative agriculture, this small country is the second-largest exporter of food and agricultural products in the world in terms of economic value. The Netherlands is the most important country in the world in the cultivation and trade of flowers and in this respect, it holds the first place in the world.
The official language of the Netherlands is Dutch. This language is a branch of Germanic languages and is similar to German. Some French words have also been absorbed into the Dutch language from the periods of French domination over this region. The geographical range of the Dutch language includes the northern provinces of Belgium in addition to the Netherlands. Localized Dutch dialects have been used in the Dutch colonies, including Suriname. Also, the Dutch are interested in learning foreign languages in such a way that between 91 and 93% of them can converse in English, 71% in German, 29% in French, and 5% in Spanish.
The average height of Dutchmen is 184 cm, which has placed the Netherlands in first place among the tallest people in the world, after the Netherlands, Norwegian men are in second place with 183 cm.
Some of the world’s most famous painters such as Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Johannes Vermer, John Stein, Jacob Isaacson, and Piet Mondrian are from the Netherlands, and for this reason, this country has played an important role in the history of painting.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the capital and most populous city of the Netherlands. The city is known for its beautiful canals, historic buildings and lively nightlife. Some of the top tourist attractions in Amsterdam include the Anne Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Rijksmuseum.
Keukenhof Gardens
The Keukenhof Gardens are located in Lisse and contain more than seven million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths. The gardens are only open from mid-March to mid-May. Visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll through the gardens, take a bike tour or even take a helicopter ride for a scenic view.
The Hague
The Hague is the seat of the Dutch government and is famous for its beautiful architecture, art museums and beautiful beaches. Some of the top attractions in The Hague include the Mauritshuis Museum, which houses paintings by Vermeer and Rembrandt, and the Peace Palace, which is home to the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second largest city in the Netherlands and is known for its modern architecture, vibrant nightlife, and world-class museums. Some of Rotterdam’s attractions include the Euromast Tower, the Rotterdam Zoo, and the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, which displays works by artists such as Van Gogh, Monet, and Rembrandt.
Cube houses are one of the modern attractions of Amsterdam. These houses, each of which is bent downwards at an angle of 45 degrees, were designed by the famous architect Piet Blom. Seeing these houses really makes you wonder how the people who live in them cope with the odd angles of the walls and windows. Don’t worry, one of these houses is open to the public and you can go and see for yourself.
Zaanse Schans
Zaanse Schans is a beautiful village located outside of Amsterdam. The village is known for its beautiful windmills, traditional Dutch houses, and charming shops.
The Hague
The Hague is known as the royal city by the sea, mostly because The Hague is the seat of the Dutch government. The city of The Hague is located in the south of the Netherlands, so it has a moderate climate, the winters are not too cold and the summers are not too hot. In the warmer months of the year, tourists like to come to this city and spend their holidays by the sea. You can see the culture, history and especially the rich art of this city in the museums and attractions of this city.
The city of The Hague has many museums and you probably cannot see them all in one day. Therefore, it is better to see your taste and choose accordingly. If you like contemporary art, you can visit the M. C. Escher exhibition. Escher was one of the most famous Dutch graphic designers in the middle of the 20th century. If you want to see Vermeer’s famous painting Girl with a Pearl Earring, go to the Mauritshuis Museum. Of course, there are other famous paintings in this museum that are worth seeing. If you go to the museum on a Monday, you can listen to a lecture by painting experts about one of the works in the museum. But if you love old cars, go to the Louwman Museum. This museum has one of the oldest private collections of antique cars in the world. There are approximately 250 cars in this exhibition, the oldest of which dates back to 1886.
Utrecht
Utrecht is a beautiful medieval city located in the heart of the Netherlands. The city is famous for its stunning architecture and beautiful canals. Some of the top attractions in Utrecht include the Dom Tower, which offers stunning views of the city, the Katarijen Monastery, and the Railway Museum, which showcases the history of trains in the Netherlands.
Leyden
The Leiden Botanical Garden was first established in 1590, which is why it is called the oldest botanical garden in the world. More than 10,000 species of plants can be found in this garden, and several species of birds have been brought here from different parts of the world to live in this beautiful garden.
If you go to the Leiden Botanical Garden, be sure to visit the Clusiustuin ancient garden. This garden is the reconstructed version of the first botanical garden of Qaryna. The original version was built behind the University of Leiden, where the tulip, the symbol of the Netherlands, was first imported from Turkey and planted in the Netherlands.
Also, if you are interested in exotic plants, visit the Winter Garden. The collection of ferns and carnivorous plants, a large and beautiful orangery built in 1744, a flower garden and a Japanese garden are among the sights you will see in the Winter Garden.
Maastricht
Maastricht is a charming city located in the southern part of the Netherlands. This city is known for its beautiful architecture and historic churches. Some of Maastricht’s top attractions include St. Servatius Church, the Bonfontein Museum, and the famous Vrijthof Square, which is home to many restaurants, cafes, and bars. The Netherlands is a small but extremely beautiful country. The landscapes of this country are eye-catching and unique, and it is not without reason that this country has always produced great painters.
If you are interested in traveling and sightseeing in the Netherlands, we have prepared a unique collection of everything you need for a trip to the country of tulips on Benyamin Marco’s website. Join us to have a magical journey to the heart of history, culture, art and attractions of the Netherlands.