The Netherlands is the European part of the kingdom of the Netherlands. It is a constitutional monarchy (Queen Beatrix), located in north-western Europe. It is to the north and the west bordered by the North Sea, to the east by Germany and to the south by Belgium / Flanders. It has about 16.500.000 inhabitants. The Netherlands is often referred to as HOLLAND… This is not correct! North and South Holland are only two provinces in the western part of the country, with Amsterdam (the capital), The Hague (the seat of government and parliament and the Queen) as main cities. The US Embassy is in The Hague, as is also the seat of the UN Court of Justice.

The Netherlands (low countries) lies for the most part below sea level! It is popularly known for its necessary windmills, dikes, tulips, clogs (wooden shoes) and millions of bicycles…