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{{Short description|Country in Northwestern Europe}} {{Redirect|Nederland}} {{About|the constituent country|the sovereign state|Kingdom of the Netherlands|other uses}} {{pp-semi-indef|small=yes}} {{pp-move}} {{Use British English|date=August 2023}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}} {{Infobox political division | name = Netherlands<!--Do not change to Kingdom of the Netherlands; it has its own article.--> | native_name = {{native name|nl|Nederland}}{{collapsible list |titlestyle = background:transparent;text-align:center;line-height:normal;font-size:84%; |title = {{resize|1.0 em|In 2 regional languages}}{{efn|name=co-official_languages|Apart from Dutch, English is an official language in the special municipalities of [[Saba (island)|Saba]] and [[Sint Eustatius]], Papiamentu is an official language in the special municipality of [[Bonaire]], and West Frisian is an official language in the province of [[Friesland]].<ref name="official-and-recognised-languages">{{cite web |url=https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/erkende-talen/vraag-en-antwoord/erkende-talen-nederland |title=Welke erkende talen heeft Nederland? |publisher=Rijksoverheid |access-date=27 December 2017 |language=nl|date=11 January 2016}}</ref>}} |{{Infobox|subbox=yes|bodystyle=font-size:80%;font-weight:normal; |rowclass1 = mergedrow|label1=[[West Frisian language|West Frisian]]:|data1={{lang|fy|Nederlân}} |rowclass2 = mergedrow|label2=[[Papiamentu language|Papiamentu]]:|data2={{lang|pap|Hulanda}} }} }} | settlement_type = [[Kingdom of the Netherlands|Constituent country in the Kingdom of the Netherlands]] | image_flag = Flag of the Netherlands.svg | flag_size = 125 | flag_link = Flag of the Netherlands | image_seal = State coat of arms of the Netherlands.svg | seal_size = 110 | seal_type = Coat of arms | seal_link = Coat of arms of the Netherlands | motto = {{native name|fr|[[Coat of arms of the Netherlands|Je maintiendrai]]|link=on}}<br />(''"I will maintain"'') | anthem = {{native name|nl|[[Wilhelmus]]|link=on}}<br />(''"William"'')<br><div style="display:inline-block;margin-top:0.4em;">{{center|[[File:United States Navy Band - Het Wilhelmus (tempo corrected).ogg]]}}</div> | image_map = {{Switcher|[[File:EU-Netherlands (orthographic projection).png|frameless]]|Netherlands on the globe|[[File:EU-Netherlands.svg|frameless]]|Metropolitan Netherlands in Europe|[[File:BES islands location map.svg|frameless]]|[[Caribbean Netherlands|Municipalities]] in the Caribbean|default=2}} | map_caption = {{map caption|location_color=dark green|region=Europe|region_color=dark grey|subregion=the European Union|subregion_color=light green}} | subdivision_type = [[Sovereign state]] | subdivision_name = [[Kingdom of the Netherlands]] | established_title = Before independence | established_date = [[Spanish Netherlands]] | established_title2 = [[Act of Abjuration]] | established_date2 = 26 July 1581 | established_title3 = [[Peace of Münster]] | established_date3 = 30 January 1648 | established_title4 = [[United Kingdom of the Netherlands]] | established_date4 = 16 March 1815 | established_title5 = [[Liberation Day (Netherlands)|Liberation Day]] | established_date5 = 5 May 1945 | established_title6 = [[Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands|Kingdom Charter]] | established_date6 = 15 December 1954 | established_title7 = [[Dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles|Caribbean reorganisation]] | established_date7 = 10 October 2010 | official_languages = [[Dutch language|Dutch]] | languages_type = [[Regional language]]s | languages_sub = yes | languages = {{hlist|[[West Frisian language|West Frisian]]|[[Papiamento]]|[[English in the Netherlands|English]]{{efn|name=co-official_languages}}}} | languages2_type = Recognised languages | languages2_sub = yes | languages2 = {{hlist|[[Dutch Low Saxon]]|[[Dutch Sign Language]]|[[Limburgish]]|[[Sinte Romani]]|[[Yiddish]]{{efn|name=recognised_languages|Having ratified the [[European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages]] in 1996, the Dutch government recognises Dutch Low Saxon, Limburgish, Sinte Romani and Yiddish as regional or non-territorial minority languages.<ref name="official-and-recognised-languages"/> On 1 July 2021, Dutch Sign Language received the status of recognised language.<ref name="NGT">{{cite journal |title=Besluit van 24 juni 2021 tot vaststelling van het tijdstip van inwerkingtreding van de Wet erkenning Nederlandse Gebarentaal |journal=Staatsblad van het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden |date=2021 |url=https://www.eerstekamer.nl/behandeling/20210629/publicatie_inwerkingtreding/document3/f=/vlk1d0bzv6qf.pdf |access-date=1 July 2021 |issn=0920-2064}}</ref>}}}} | demonym = Dutch | capital = [[Amsterdam]]{{efn|name=central_cities|Amsterdam is the constitutional capital, while the government and the royal family are seated in The Hague.}} | largest_city = capital | coordinates = {{coord|52|22|N|4|53|E|type:city}} | admin_center = [[The Hague]]{{efn|name=central_cities}} | admin_center_type = Government seat | ethnic_groups = {{ublist |item_style=white-space:nowrap; |72.0% [[Dutch people|Dutch]]{{efn|This includes residents who were born in the Netherlands and whose parents both were born in the Netherlands.}} |9.2% other European |2.5% [[Turks in the Netherlands|Turkish]] |2.3% [[Moroccans in the Netherlands|Moroccan]] |2.0% [[Overseas Indonesians#Netherlands|Indonesian]] |2.0% [[Surinamese people in the Netherlands|Surinamese]] |1.1% [[Dutch Caribbean]] |8.9% [[Demography of the Netherlands|other]]<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|title=How many residents have origins outside the Netherlands|url=https://www.cbs.nl/nl-nl/dossier/dossier-asiel-migratie-en-integratie/hoeveel-inwoners-hebben-een-herkomst-buiten-nederland|access-date=21 July 2023|website=opendata.cbs.nl|date=March 2023}}</ref>}} | ethnic_groups_year = 2024 | religion = {{Tree list}} * 56% [[Irreligion in the Netherlands|no religion]] * 31% [[Christianity in the Netherlands|Christianity]] ** 17% [[Catholic Church in the Netherlands|Catholicism]] ** 14% [[Protestantism in the Netherlands|Protestantism]] * 6% [[Islam in the Netherlands|Islam]] * 7% [[Religion in the Netherlands|other]] {{Tree list/end}} | religion_ref = <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbs.nl/nl-nl/nieuws/2025/16/daling-aandeel-mensen-dat-aangeeft-bij-religie-te-horen-stagneert |title=Religieuze betrokkenheid; persoonskenmerken |website=[[Statistics Netherlands]] |date=18 April 2025 |language=nl}}</ref> | religion_year = 2024 | government_type = Unitary [[Parliamentary system|parliamentary]] [[constitutional monarchy]] | leader_title1 = [[Monarchy of the Netherlands|Monarch]] | leader_name1 = [[Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands|Willem-Alexander]] | leader_title2 = [[Prime Minister of the Netherlands|Prime Minister]] | leader_name2 = [[Dick Schoof]] | national_representation = [[European Parliament]] | national_representation_type1 = [[Netherlands (European Parliament constituency)|Netherlands constituency]] | national_representation1 = 31 seats | legislature = [[States General of the Netherlands|States General]] | upper_house = [[Senate (Netherlands)|Senate]] | lower_house = [[House of Representatives (Netherlands)|House of Representatives]] | area_km2 = 41865<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/caribische-deel-van-het-koninkrijk/vraag-en-antwoord/waaruit-bestaat-het-koninkrijk-der-nederlanden |title=Waaruit bestaat het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden? – Rijksoverheid.nl |date=19 May 2015}}</ref> {{efn|name=area|The area of the Netherlands with overseas territories. Metropolitan Netherlands is 41,543 square kilometers.}}<!-- Should match [[List of countries and dependencies by area]] --> | area_rank = 134th | area_sq_mi = 16039 | percent_water = 18.41<ref name="cia-worldfactbook-nl"/> | elevation_max_m = 887 | elevation_max_ft = | elevation_max_point = [[Mount Scenery]] | population_census = 16,655,799<ref name="2011Census">{{cite web|url=https://www.cbs.nl/-/media/imported/documents/2014/44/2014-b57-pub.pdf?la=en-gb|title=Dutch Census 2011 Analysis and Methodology|publisher=[[Statistics Netherlands]]|page=9|date=19 November 2014|accessdate=9 June 2021}}</ref> | population_census_year = 2011 | population_estimate = {{IncreaseNeutral}} {{data Netherlands|poptoday|formatnum}}<ref name="Counter">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbs.nl/nl-nl/visualisaties/dashboard-bevolking/bevolkingsteller|title=Bevolkingsteller|publisher=[[Statistics Netherlands]]|language=Dutch|accessdate=9 June 2021}}</ref> | population_estimate_rank = 69th | population_estimate_year = {{CURRENTDAY}} {{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}} | population_density_km2 = 520 | population_density_sq_mi = | population_density_rank = 33rd | GDP_PPP = {{increase}} $1.526 trillion<ref name="IMFWEO.NL">{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2025/april/weo-report?c=138,&s=NGDPD,PPPGDP,NGDPDPC,PPPPC,&sy=2023&ey=2030&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1 |title=World Economic Outlook Database, April 2025 Edition. (Netherlands) |publisher=[[International Monetary Fund]] |website=www.imf.org |date=22 April 2025 |access-date=26 May 2025}}</ref> | GDP_PPP_year = 2025 | GDP_PPP_rank = 28th | GDP_PPP_per_capita = {{increase}} $84,566<ref name="IMFWEO.NL"/> | GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 10th | GDP_nominal = {{increase}} $1.272 trillion<ref name="IMFWEO.NL"/> | GDP_nominal_year = 2025 | GDP_nominal_rank = 18th | GDP_nominal_per_capita = {{increase}} $70,480<ref name="IMFWEO.NL"/> | GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 10th | Gini = 26.4<!--number only--> | Gini_year = 2021 | Gini_change = decrease | Gini_ref = <ref name=eurogini>{{cite web |url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/tessi190/default/table?lang=en |title=Gini coefficient of equivalised disposable income – EU-SILC survey|publisher=[[Eurostat]] |website=ec.europa.eu |access-date=25 January 2023}}</ref> | Gini_rank = | HDI = 0.955<!--number only--> | HDI_year = 2023<!-- Please use the year to which the data refer, not the publication year--> | HDI_change = increase | HDI_ref = <ref name="UNHDR">{{Cite web |date=6 May 2025 |title=Human Development Report 2025 |url=https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2025reporten.pdf|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250506051232/https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2025reporten.pdf |archive-date=6 May 2025 |access-date=6 May 2025 |publisher=[[United Nations Development Programme]] |language=en}}</ref> | HDI_rank = 8th | currency = {{hlist|[[Euro]] (€) ([[ISO 4217|EUR]])|United States dollar (US$) ([[ISO 4217|USD]]){{efn|The euro is used in the European part of the Netherlands and replaced the [[Dutch guilder]] in 2002. The United States dollar is used in the [[Caribbean Netherlands]] and replaced the [[Netherlands Antillean guilder]] in 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0028551 |title=Wet geldstelsel BES |publisher=Dutch government |date=30 September 2010 |access-date=11 January 2014}}</ref>}}}} | timezone = | utc_offset_list = {{hlist|[[UTC+01:00]] ([[Central European Time|CET]])|[[UTC−04:00]] ([[Atlantic Time Zone|AST]])}}{{efn|CET and CEST are used in the European Netherlands, and AST is used in the Caribbean Netherlands.}} | utc_offset_list_DST = {{hlist|[[UTC+02:00]] ([[Central European Summer Time|CEST]])|[[UTC−04:00]] (AST)}} | calling_code = [[Telephone numbers in the Netherlands|+31]], [[Telephone numbers in Curaçao and the Caribbean Netherlands|+599]]{{efn|+599 was the country code designated for the now dissolved [[Netherlands Antilles]]. The Caribbean Netherlands still use +599 7 (for Bonaire), +599 3 (for Sint Eustatius), and +599 4 (for Saba).}} | cctld = [[.nl]], [[.bq]]{{efn|.nl is the common internet top-level domain name for the Netherlands. The [[.eu]] domain is also used, as it is shared with other [[European Union]] member states. .bq is designated, but not in use, for the [[Caribbean Netherlands]].}} |date_format = dd-mm-yyyy {{efn|See [[Date and time notation in the Netherlands]]}} | drives_on = Right}} {{nowrap|The '''Netherlands'''}},{{efn|{{langx|nl|Nederland}} {{IPA|nl|ˈneːdərlɑnt||Nl-Nederland.ogg}}}} [[Terminology of the Low Countries|informally]] '''Holland''',<!-- IMPORTANT!!! Do not link this Holland per [[WP:BOLDLINK]]; It is already linked and discussed further below and the bold unlinked inclusion is per community consensus!--> is a country in [[Northwestern Europe]], with [[Caribbean Netherlands|overseas territories]] in the [[Caribbean]]. It is the largest of the four constituent countries of the [[Kingdom of the Netherlands]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0002154/2017-11-17 |title=Statuut voor het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden |trans-title=Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands |language=nl |publisher=Government of the Netherlands |date=17 November 2017 |access-date=11 July 2020}}</ref> The Netherlands consists of [[Provinces of the Netherlands|twelve provinces]]; it borders [[Germany]] to the east and [[Belgium]] to the south, with a [[North Sea]] coastline to the north and west. It shares [[Maritime boundary|maritime borders]] with the [[United Kingdom]], Germany, and Belgium.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defensie.nl/english/topics/hydrography/contents/maritime-zones-and-boundaries/netherlands-boundaries-in-the-north-sea |title=Netherlands boundaries in the North Sea |publisher=Ministry of Defence |access-date=15 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819083824/http://www.defensie.nl/english/topics/hydrography/contents/maritime-zones-and-boundaries/netherlands-boundaries-in-the-north-sea |archive-date=19 August 2014}}</ref> The official language is [[Dutch language|Dutch]], with [[West Frisian language|West Frisian]] as a secondary official language in the province of [[Friesland]].<ref name="official-and-recognised-languages"/> Dutch, [[English_language|English]], and [[Papiamento]] are official in the [[Caribbean Netherlands|Caribbean territories]].<ref name="official-and-recognised-languages"/> {{anchor|name}}''Netherlands'' literally means "lower countries" in reference to its low elevation and flat topography, with 26% below [[Height above mean sea level|sea level]].<ref name=":1" /> Most of the areas below sea level, known as [[Polder|''polders'']], are the result of [[Land reclamation in the Netherlands|land reclamation that began in the 14th century]].<ref name="Cavendish_2003">{{cite book|title=How it Works: Science and Technology|url=https://archive.org/details/howitworks09mars|url-access=registration|year=2003|publisher=Marshall Cavendish|isbn=978-0-7614-7323-7|page=[https://archive.org/details/howitworks09mars/page/1208 1208]}}</ref> In the [[Dutch Republic|Republican period]], which began in 1588, the Netherlands entered a unique era of political, economic, and cultural greatness, ranked among the most powerful and influential in Europe and the world; this period is known as the [[Dutch Golden Age]].<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Netherlands – Dutch civilization in the Golden Age (1609–1713)|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Netherlands|access-date=10 November 2021|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en}}</ref> During this time, its trading companies, the [[Dutch East India Company]] and the [[Dutch West India Company]], [[Dutch Empire|established colonies and trading posts]] all over the world.<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Dutch Republic {{!}} History & Facts|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Dutch-Republic|access-date=10 November 2021|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=History of the Dutch Empire|url=http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/plaintexthistories.asp?historyid=aa61|access-date=10 November 2021|website=historyworld.net}}</ref> With a population of over 18 million people, all living within a total area of {{cvt|41,850|km2}}—of which the land area is {{cvt|33,500|km2}}—the Netherlands is the [[List of countries and dependencies by population density|33rd most densely populated]] country, with a density of {{convert|535|/km2||disp=preunit|people |people}}. Nevertheless, it is the world's second-largest exporter of food and agricultural products by value, owing to its [[Soil fertility|fertile soil]], mild climate, [[Intensive farming|intensive agriculture]], and [[List of Dutch inventions and innovations|inventiveness]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Reiley |first=Laura |title=Cutting-edge tech made this tiny country a major exporter of food |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/interactive/2022/netherlands-agriculture-technology/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=23 November 2022 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en}}</ref><ref name="hollandtrade.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.hollandtrade.com/sector-information/agriculture-and-food/?bstnum=4909|title=Agriculture and food|first=Netherlands Enterprise Agency|last=(RVO)|work=hollandtrade.com|access-date=26 August 2016|date=17 July 2015|archive-date=1 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101082732/http://www.hollandtrade.com/sector-information/agriculture-and-food/?bstnum=4909|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="nationalgeographic.com">{{cite web |date=September 2017 |title=How the Netherlands Feeds the World |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/article/holland-agriculture-sustainable-farming |url-access=subscription |access-date=15 January 2020 |publisher=[[National Geographic Society]]}}</ref> The four largest cities in the Netherlands are [[Amsterdam]], [[Rotterdam]], [[The Hague]] and [[Utrecht]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbs.nl/nl-nl/onze-diensten/methoden/classificaties/overig/gemeentegrootte-en-stedelijkheid |title=Gemeentegrootte en stedelijkheid |language=nl |publisher=[[Statistics Netherlands|CBS]] |access-date=16 December 2019}}</ref> Amsterdam is the country's most populous city and the nominal [[Capital of the Netherlands|capital]], though the primary national political institutions are located in the Hague.<ref>{{cite web |last=Dutch Wikisource |title=Grondwet voor het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden |trans-title=Constitution for the Kingdom of the Netherlands |language=nl |url=http://nl.wikisource.org/wiki/Grondwet_voor_het_Koninkrijk_der_Nederlanden |at=[http://nl.wikisource.org/wiki/Nederlandse_grondwet/Hoofdstuk_2#Artikel_32 Chapter 2, Article 32] |quote=... de hoofdstad Amsterdam ... |access-date=3 July 2013}}</ref> The Netherlands has been a parliamentary [[constitutional monarchy]] with a [[Unitary state|unitary structure]] since 1848. The country has a tradition of [[pillarisation]] (separation of citizens into groups by religion and political beliefs) and a long record of [[Toleration|social tolerance]], having legalised [[Prostitution in the Netherlands|prostitution]] and [[Euthanasia in the Netherlands|euthanasia]], along with maintaining [[Drug policy of the Netherlands|a liberal drug policy]]. The Netherlands allowed [[women's suffrage]] in 1919 and was the first country to legalise [[Same-sex marriage in the Netherlands|same-sex marriage]] in 2001.<ref>{{cite news |date=1 April 2001 |title=Same-Sex Marriage Legalized in Amsterdam |publisher=[[CNN]] |url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0104/01/sm.10.html |url-status=dead |access-date=11 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303221411/http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0104/01/sm.10.html |archive-date=3 March 2016}}</ref> Its [[Mixed economy|mixed-market]] [[Developed country|advanced economy]] has the [[List of countries by GDP (PPP) per capita|eleventh-highest]] per capita income globally. The Hague holds the seat of the [[States General of the Netherlands|States General]], [[Cabinet of the Netherlands|cabinet]], and [[Supreme Court of the Netherlands|Supreme Court]].<!--Do not change this without broad consensus--><ref>{{cite web|url=http://netherlandsmission.org/article.asp?articleref=AR00000154EN&categoryvalue=netherlands&subcategoryvalue=nlgeneralinfo |author=Permanent Mission of the Netherlands to the UN |title=General Information |access-date=26 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005025411/http://netherlandsmission.org/article.asp?articleref=AR00000154EN&categoryvalue=netherlands&subcategoryvalue=nlgeneralinfo |archive-date=5 October 2013}}</ref> The [[Port of Rotterdam]] is the [[List of busiest ports in Europe|busiest in Europe]].<ref name="Ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/-/ddn-20200402-2_2021-11-25">{{Cite web |url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/-/ddn-20200402-2 |title=Rotterdam: the largest freight port in the EU |publisher=European Commission |date=2 April 2020 |accessdate=25 November 2021}}</ref> [[Amsterdam Airport Schiphol|Schiphol]] is the [[List of the busiest airports in the Netherlands|busiest airport in the Netherlands]], and the [[List of the busiest airports in Europe|fourth busiest in Europe]]. Being a [[developed country]], the Netherlands is a founding member of the [[European Union]], [[eurozone]], [[Group of Ten (economics)|G10]], [[NATO]], [[OECD]], and [[World Trade Organization|WTO]], as well as a part of the [[Schengen Area]] and the trilateral [[Benelux]] Union. It hosts [[Intergovernmental organization|intergovernmental organisations]] and [[international court]]s, many of which are in The Hague.<ref>{{Cite book |last=van Krieken |first=Peter J. |author2=David McKay |title=The Hague: Legal Capital of the World |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2005 |isbn=978-90-6704-185-0 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/haguelegalcapita0000unse}}</ref>
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