Introduction

Background:

The Kingdom of the Netherlands was formed in 1815.In 1830 Belgium seceded and formed a separate kingdom.The Netherlands remained neutral in World War I,but suffered invasion and occupation by Germany in World War II.A modern,industrialized nation,the Netherlands is also a large exporter of agricultural products.The country was a founding member of NATO and the EEC (now the EU),and participated in the introduction of the euro in 1999.

Geography

Location:

Western Europe,bordering the North Sea,between Belgium and Germany

Geographic coordinates:

52 30 N,5 45 E

Map references:

Europe

Area:

total:41,526 sq km

land:33,883 sq km

water:7,643 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey

1年前