Area : 41 526 km² . The Netherlands ( Holland ), as the name indicates, is low-lying territory, with one-quarter of the country at or below sea level. Many areas are protected from flooding by dykes and sea walls. Much land has been reclaimed from the sea, the Flevoland polder being the most recent example. Population : 16.4 million . Capital : The capital of the Netherlands is Amsterdam, even though the States-General and the government have been both situated in The Hague. Language : The official language is Dutch. Climate : moderate maritime climate, with cool summers and mild winters. Religion : Currently Roman Catholicism is the single largest religion of the Netherlands. Political system : It is a parliamentary democratic constitutional monarchy. The Dutch Parliament (or Staten Generaal) consists of two chambers. The first, with 75 members, is indirectly elected and has limited powers. The second chamber, or lower house, is directly elected. Members of both houses serve a four-year term. Given the country’s multi-party system, all governments are coalitions. Industrial activity in the Netherlands predominantly consists of food processing, chemicals, petroleum refining as well as electrical and electronic machinery. It has a dynamic agricultural sector and is well known for its plants and cut flowers. The port of Rotterdam is the busiest in Europe, serving a vast hinterland which stretches into Germany and central Europe.
