Netherlands
The Netherlands is located in North Western Europe, at the West and North-West coastline the North Sea; the country borders with Belgium from the South and Germany from the East and Northeast. Through its long North Sea coast (451 km) the climate of the Netherlands is a typical mild maritime climate, wet and mild, winters are rarely strong, summer is never very hot.
The Netherlands are traditionally divided into 12 provinces, which have their own capital, own self-rule and administration. Each of these provinces has very different sphere, different history, and different traditions. Thus, more than in any other country of Europe, richness of the Netherlands lays in its diversity.
The Dutch aren't bogged in their clichés, even though bikes, dykes, windmills and blazing flower fields are pretty much the norm outside the major cities. Do as the locals do - grab a bike and explore. It's a very big small country, and full of salutary surprises.
One of the chief pleasures of the place is its lively contrast between pragmatic liberalism and the buttoned-up just-so primness of a culture founded on Calvinist principles. In Dutch society, ostentation is anathema and fuss of any kind is regarded as undignified.
Amsterdam
Although the seat of Netherlands government is in The Hague, Amsterdam is the nominal capital. It is also the country's largest city, with a population of almost 750,000, and the most visited, with over 3,5 milion foreign visitors a year. The colourful and lively city of Amsterdam has a lot to offer. It has all the advantages of a major metropolitan centre but with a small village atmosphere. Amsterdam is an exciting urban environment; it is a popular cultural and media centre and an international junction of commercial firms.
Amsterdam is one of the world's best hangouts, a canny blend of old and new: radical squatter art installations hang off 17th-century eaves; BMWs give way to bicycles; and triple-strength monk-made beer is drunk in gleaming, minimalist cafes.
The city seems to thrive on its mix and, despite hordes of tourists, still manages to feel quintessentially Dutch. The old crooked houses, the cobbled streets, the tree-lined canals and the generous parks all contribute to the atmosphere.
Other areas
HAARLEM
Haarlem is a municipality and a city in the Netherlands, capital of the North Holland province. The city is located by the river Spaarne, about 20 km west of Amsterdam and near the coastal dunes. It is the center of a flower-growing district and the export point for bulbs, especially tulips.
New arrivals to the city join a population of about 150,000. However, the greater Haarlem area, or Kennemerland, has a population of about 215,000 and includes the residential neighbourhoods of Bloemendaal, Aerdenhout, Bentveld, Heemstede, Overveen, Sant-poort, and the planned community of Schalkwijk. The fashionable Zandvoort beach and the Kennemerduinen National Park are on the western (North Sea) side, about 7km from the centre (or a 20 to 30 minute cycle).
HET GOOI
Although the seat of Netherlands government is in The Hague, Amsterdam is the nominal capital. It is also the country's largest city, with a population of almost 750,000, and the most visited, with over 3,5 milion foreign visitors a year. The colourful and lively city of Amsterdam has a lot to offer. It has all the advantages of a major metropolitan centre but with a small village atmosphere. Amsterdam is an exciting urban environment; it is a popular cultural and media centre and an international junction of commercial firms.
Amsterdam is one of the world's best hangouts, a canny blend of old and new: radical squatter art installations hang off 17th-century eaves; BMWs give way to bicycles; and triple-strength monk-made beer is drunk in gleaming, minimalist cafes.
The city seems to thrive on its mix and, despite hordes of tourists, still manages to feel quintessentially Dutch. The old crooked houses, the cobbled streets, the tree-lined canals and the generous parks all contribute to the atmosphere.
UTRECHT
Utrecht is the smallest province of the Netherlands, and is located in the center of the country.
The capital Utrecht is a municipality and the capital city of the Dutch province of Utrecht. It is the fourth largest city of the Netherlands. Utrecht's canals and wharves form a true world attraction. No other city on the planet has as many pedestrian quayside paths. They were put there centuries ago to provide access to the cellars under buildings beside the canals. There are now restaurants and boutiques occupying many of these cellars. The wharves themselves are always busy and along the water are many good places to eat.
