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Provinces of the NetherlandsDrentheFlevolandFrieslandGelderlandGroningenLimburg

Noord-BrabantNoord-HollandOverijsselUtrechtZeelandZuid-Holland

Monarchy

Prinsjesdag Day When the reigning monarch addresses a joint sitting of Parliament

Beatrix Wilhelmina Armgard is the current Queen Regnant of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. She has been the Head of State since her mother abdicated in 1980.

History

In the 17th Century the Dutch Empire grew to be the most powerful sea-faring and economic powers in the world.In the Dutch Golden Age colonies and trading posts were established all over the world.

Transport

As some of the cities have canals through them a lot of people travel by boat.It is very easy to travel around the cities on bicycles as most of the area is flat and very accessible.

GovernmentThe Monarch and her ministers form the government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of Aruba, Curacao, the Netherlands and Sint Maarten.

The Netherlands was one of the first countries to have an elected parliament and many historians consider it as one of the first capitalist countries in the world.Today the Netherlands is regarded as a liberal country with freedom of choice for everybody.

Culture

The Dutch see themselves as having a national rather than an ethnic identity, with traditional forms of music, dancing, architectural styles and clothing.The Dutch have their own version of Santa Claus called Sinterklass, who for three weeks rides on a grey horse over the rooftops giving toys to the good children.