Netherlands+-+Taylor+Ward

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 * Netherlands: Taylor Ward **

 The Flag of Netherlands is a horiziontial tricolour of red, white and blue. Introduced in 1572, it is one of the first tricolours and the oldest tricolour flags still used today, Since 1937 it has been the official flag of Netherlands.

Netherlands Absoloute location is 52' degrees west and 21' north, 4' degrees and 54' east. The Relative location is located in the northeastern Europe on the edges of the North Sea, the Netherlands is geographically positioned in both the northern eastern hemispheres. The bordering countries of Netherlands is, Belgium, and Germany, Followed by the North Sea. Some of the key cities around the Netherlands is Amsterdam, the capital city. Netherlands dosent have that many Geographic Features, but some of them are, Biesbosch National Park, Vueland National Park, and Southern Beveland.


 * Physical Geography **

Some of the Major Mountains and Mountain ranges are, None, Their are no mountains in the Netherlands, and there isnt even any mountain ranges. Some of the Major lakes in the Netherlands are, Lake Ladoga, Lake, Onega, and Lake Kuybyshev. Some of the Major Rivers in the Netherlands are, Scheldt River, Oosterschelde River. To comapre this to another country in Europe, it would be best to Switzerland. The Netherlands has a maritime climate with cool summers and mild winters. The average temperature is 2° C (36° F). **[|http://geography]**.about.com/library/cia/blc**netherlands**.htm
 * Population **

The Total population of Netherlands is, 16,531,294 as of 2009. The Population Density is, 216.49 as of 2009, The Netherlands growth rate is 0.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2010 over the previous quarter. From 1988 until 2010, Netherlands' average quarterly GDP Growth was 0.60 percent reaching an historical high of 2.10 percent in June of 1996 and a record low of -2.40 percent in March of 2009. Some of the Major cities are Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hauge. []
 * Sociology (Group behavior and patterns) **

When you start working in The Netherlands, you will automatically contribute to the Dutch social security system and consequently be entitled to the same benefits as anywhere else in the EEA. Most social security contributions are automatically deducted from your salary. These general social security contributions form part of even the lowest income tax bracket. In addition to these contributions, certain social security premiums on employment income are payable by both employers and employees. The Average family size in Netherlands is 2.29 people (2009). The Divorce rate is: 38.3 people. The Netherlands are full of family activities that all ages can enjoy. If you really wish to beat the cost of transport why not rents bikes for a day. The Netherlands are full of bike paths that are well designated and separate from traffic. Bike rentals are available nearly everywhere being that it is the number one form of transport in the country. Depending on the environment in which you come to work, you're likely to have international or Dutch colleagues. But ideally you may also want to look for some contacts and activities outside your work. (Examples) [|www.springerlink.com/index/k056r0r88g156081.pdf]
 * Clubs and associations (sports, choirs).
 * Hobby classes where you learn new skills.
 * Local events, such as street festivals.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 150%; line-height: 115%;">﻿Customs﻿ **

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">The Netherlands has 13 main holidays, some of these are, New Years Day, Easter, Sinterklass, And Good Friday, even though Good Friday is a National Holiday, it is not a mandatory day off for commercial companies. However, most (semi-)governmental organizations, banks, and insurers honor this day with a day off work. If time off is given on this day, it is usually a mandatory day off work, subtracted from workers' time off, whereas other national holidays do not count towards vacation time.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Queen's Day (Dutch: Koninginnedag) on April 30, is a national holiday in the Netherlands that started as a celebration of the Dutch monarchy. Queen's Day is in Amsterdam celebrated as a big open air party with lots of entertainment. Most people wear orange that day. Trading laws are lifted for the day so anyone can sell whatever they want on the street, and many people use this occasion to clean out the closets and sell their stuff in small street stalls. The Sinterklaas feast celebrates the name day of Saint Nicholas, patron saint of children.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">The average day in the Netherlands begins with an ample breakfast of many breads, unsalted butter and jams, sliced cheeses, and occasionally a fried or boiled egg. Young children often eat a breakfast cereal called pap. Adults drink tea with milk and sugar, while the youngsters have milk or buttermilk. Lunch is principally a cold meal consisting of breads, cheeses plus sliced meats and sausages, and the addition of one small hot dish. Perhaps a dessert of fruit or rice, or farina pudding. One thing is certain: lunch will be concluded with "endless cups of coffee taken with milk and sugar. Note that both breakfast and lunch are "sandwich meals" and these are accompanied by either tea or coffee. Six o'clock in the evening is time for a quick aperitif of Dutch Genever gin (strongly juniper-flavored preceding the usual dinner time of 6:30 p.m. The often damp and chilly weather makes hot soup popular first course, followed by fish or meat plus gravy and one of the many hot potato or vegetable dishes. A simple dessert pudding or flensjes (small crepes) finish the meal. Accompanying dinner is water or mineral water and sometimes wine but never tea or coffee. Juices or soft drinks also have no place at the dinner table. Occasionally men have beer at dinner.  [|www.douane.nl/organisatie/en/**customs**/**customs**-06.html] <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 150%; line-height: 115%;">﻿**Governmont**

The Netherlands has a Constitutional Monarchy, which is constitutional monarch is a form of governmont in which a monarch acts as head of state whithin the parameters of a constitution, wheather, it be a written, or umodified. When the monarch dies or abdicates, his or her eldest son or daughter succeeds to the throne. Monarchs are not crowned in the Netherlands but invested as heads of state

The Netherlands has a long history of freedom of expression, free political debate, and fair political competition. Reporters Without Borders, a free media advocacy group, ranked the Netherlands, along with three other countries, first in the area of media freedom in its 2006 Press Freedom Index. But, like its neighbor Denmark, which also has received similar scores, this tradition of free expression is currently under attack by extremists.

Another key freedom in the Netherlands, Amsterdam to be exact, Loved by millions of hashish smokers from across the world, Amsterdam is renowned for its potent Marijuana strains, relaxed drug policies and its coffee shops that sell and permit the smoking of some of the world's finest pot. For this reason, Amsterdam enjoys its reputation as the greatest place in the world to unwind and smoke a joint without having to worry about getting arrested by the police.

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 * The Monarch.** The monarch is the titular head of state. The Queen's function is largely ceremonial, but she does have some influence deriving from the traditional veneration of the House of Orange, from which Dutch monarchs for more than 3 centuries have descended. Her influence also derives from her personal qualities as Queen and her power to appoint the "formateur," who forms the Council of Ministers following elections.
 * Council of Ministers.** The Council of Ministers plans and implements government policy. The Monarch and the Council of Ministers together are called the Crown. Most ministers also head government ministries, although ministers-without-portfolio exist. The ministers, collectively and individually, are responsible to the States General (parliament). Unlike the British system, Dutch ministers cannot simultaneously be members of parliament.
 * Economy **

The Netherlands GDP per capita is, $47,917. GDP dollar estimates here are derived from purchasing power parity. (PPP) calculations. Such calculations are prepared by various organizations, including the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. As estimates and assumptions have to be made, the results produced by different organizations for the same country tend to differ, sometimes substantially. PPP figures are estimates rather than hard facts, and should be used with caution.

The Dutch have been a powerful force on the foerign trade. In recent times the Netherlands has increased its trade in industrial products and decreased trade in food products. The Dutch produce high amounts of Chocolote, Cheese, Wines and Natural Gas.

The Dutch also import many goods too, some of these are, Machinery, transport equipment, chemicals, fuels, foodstuffs and clothing. They trade and pay for these things with the stuff that they produce too.

I think the Netherlands is very developed, and has been for many years, it is mostly developed just like some of the major surrounding countries, so i believe that it is developed. The Economy knows what their doing with the stuff they export, import, and produce. []
 * Culture **

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Sports - Football is the most popular sport in the Netherlands, with field hockey and volleyball as the second and third most popular team sports. Tennis, gymnastics and golf are the three most widely played individual sports. A number of native Dutch sports are also practiced.

Clothing- The Traditional male costume includes woolen pants with silver buttons on the front square flap, as well as wooden clogs, a shirt, a jacket, and a hat. The shape and design of the hat varies according to region.

Language - Dutch is a West Germanic language spoken natively by majorities in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Suriname, the three member states of the Dutch Language Union. Spoken in the European Union as a first language by about 23 million and as a second language by another 5 million, it also holds official status in the Caribbean island nations of Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint-Maarten. Historical minorities remain in parts of France and Germany, and to a lesser extent, in Indonesia, while up to 600,000 native Dutch-speakers may live in the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Hobbies/Pasttimes - In the weekends some Dutchmen spend their time renovating their houses, others just relax to recover from the week. Part of the inhabitants of the western part of the Netherlands is to go camping or a holiday park every weekend. Water sports and boating are very popular in the Netherlands.

Movies - The Dutch film industry has long been renowned for its documentaries. The most prominent Dutch directors, especially those who started their careers before World War II, came from a documentary background, for instance Joris Ivens and Bert Haanstra. Since the early 1970s, however, documentary production aimed at a theatrical release has declined, perhaps due to a shift towards television documentary.

Music - The Netherlands has multiple musical traditions. Contemporary Dutch popular music (Nederpop) is greatly influenced by music styles that emerged in the 1950s, in the United Kingdom and United States. The style is sung in both Dutch and English. Some of the latter exponents, such as Golden Earring and Shocking Blue, have attained worldwide fame. (HOBBIES LINK) []

The main group of the Dutch is from the same stock as the peoples of northern Germany, and the saxon part of the British. But on top of that the Netherlands have always have people coming in from all over the known world. Some of them mixing with the general population immediately, others taking years or even centuries to do so.
 * Ethnic/Religious Makeup **

Historically the Netherlands is charecterized by multitude of religions. Since the mid Middle Ages, the Netherlands was predominately Christian country until late in the 20th century. Although religious diversity remains to the present day, there is a major decline in religious adherence. Currently Roman Catholicisim is the single largest religion of the Netherlands, forming the religious home of some 26% of all Dutch people, down from 40% in the 1970's. The Protestant church of the Netherlands follows with only 11% of the population. Islam has approximately 944,000 followers or 6% of the Dutch population. []

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