Netherlands

The Netherlands, informally Holland, is a country located in Northwestern Europe with overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is the largest of the four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Netherlands consists of 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 borders with the United Kingdom, Germany, and Belgium. The official language is Dutch, with West Frisian as a secondary official language in the province of Friesland. Dutch, English, and Papiamento are official in the Caribbean territories.
netherlands

Some of the key events about Netherlands

  • 1421
    The St. Elizabeth's flood devastated the Netherlands, killing thousands and reshaping the Dutch coastline
  • 1581
    The Dutch Republic declared independence from Spain, establishing itself as a sovereign state
  • 1602
    The Dutch East India Company, the world's first multinational corporation, was founded
  • 1648
    The Peace of Münster officially recognized Dutch independence, ending the Eighty Years' War
  • 1672
    The Dutch Republic was simultaneously attacked by England, France, and two German states in the "Rampjaar" (Disaster Year)
  • 1795
    The Dutch Republic collapsed and was replaced by the French-controlled Batavian Republic
  • 1814
    The Kingdom of the Netherlands was established as a constitutional monarchy
  • 1830
    The Belgian Revolution led to the secession of the southern provinces from the United Kingdom of the Netherlands
  • 1919
    The Netherlands granted women the right to vote
  • 1940
    Nazi Germany invaded and occupied the Netherlands during World War II
  • 1944
    The "Hongerwinter" (Hunger Winter) caused severe famine in German-occupied parts of the Netherlands
  • 1945
    The Netherlands was liberated from Nazi occupation at the end of World War II
  • 1948
    The Netherlands became a founding member of the Benelux Economic Union
  • 1952
    The Netherlands became a founding member of the European Coal and Steel Community, a precursor to the European Union
  • 1953
    The North Sea flood killed over 1,800 people and caused widespread damage in the Netherlands
  • 1975
    The Netherlands granted independence to Suriname, marking the end of its colonial empire
  • 1975
    Suriname gained independence from the Netherlands, ending colonial rule
  • 2001
    The Netherlands became the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage
  • 2002
    The assassination of a prominent politician shocked the nation and destabilized Dutch politics
  • 2009
    A failed attack on the Dutch royal family during Queen's Day resulted in multiple casualties

Disclaimer: This material is written based on information taken from open sources, including Wikipedia, news media, podcasts, and other public sources.

Netherlands Latest news

Europe freezes Syrian asylum cases as Damascus changes hands

Europe freezes Syrian asylum cases as Damascus changes hands

European nations hit pause on Syrian refugee applications after rebels take Damascus and **Bashar al-Assad** escapes to Russia. The move affects over 124‚000 asylum-seekers who applied this year

Society, Politics • December 11 2024 , 02:34 AM  •  2590 views
EU countries demand new laws as vaping products slip through tax loopholes

EU countries demand new laws as vaping products slip through tax loopholes

Sixteen European Union nations join forces to push for updated tobacco taxation rules that would cover e-cigarettes. Current 13-year-old law doesnt address modern vaping products‚ creating tax confusion across EU

Business, Politics • December 9 2024 , 05:11 PM  •  933 views
Historic EU-South America trade deal finally comes through after 20-year wait

Historic EU-South America trade deal finally comes through after 20-year wait

A ground-breaking trade partnership between EU and South American nations just got finalized after two decades of talks. The deal needs to pass through complex approval steps in both regions before taking effect

Economics, Politics • December 6 2024 , 05:59 PM  •  2181 views
US tech limits on China trigger immediate counter-strike in minerals trade

US tech limits on China trigger immediate counter-strike in minerals trade

US puts new limits on chip-making tech exports to China just before administration change. Beijing responds within hours by blocking key tech materials‚ showing its power over critical resources

Economics, Politics, Science • December 5 2024 , 09:07 PM  •  836 views
US tech export limits push China to block crucial minerals supply

US tech export limits push China to block crucial minerals supply

US puts new limits on chip-making tech exports to China causing quick counter-measures. Beijing blocks key tech materials exports while holding most of worlds supply for vital industrial components

Economics, Politics • December 5 2024 , 08:49 PM  •  909 views
Dutch legal system sends warning signal about F-35 parts going to Middle East

Dutch legal system sends warning signal about F-35 parts going to Middle East

Netherlands top court advisor wants to stop F-35 fighter jet parts from reaching Israel due to Gaza situation. Decision comes after earlier court said these exports break international rules

Society, Politics • November 29 2024 , 11:26 AM  •  873 views
How memes and national unity changed Ukraine-Russia relationship forever

How memes and national unity changed Ukraine-Russia relationship forever

From viral wartime memes to strong national identity Ukraine shows unexpected resistance to Russian influence. Modern social media and unity helped shape new Ukrainian identity in just two years

Politics, Culture • November 22 2024 , 07:48 PM  •  4879 views
Dutch court faces crucial decision about military exports to Middle East

Dutch court faces crucial decision about military exports to Middle East

Legal challenge in Netherlands questions weapon sales to Israel right after ICCʼs major announcement. Dutch activists seek complete ban on military equipment trading with specific territories

Economics, Politics • November 22 2024 , 02:08 PM  •  1276 views
Biden changes game rules: New weapon green light sparks global reaction

Biden changes game rules: New weapon green light sparks global reaction

US president makes unexpected move in military support strategy that changes battlefield dynamics. North Korean troops deployment and upcoming political changes pushed for quick decision-making

Politics, Science • November 18 2024 , 09:47 PM  •  1113 views
Global offshore wind plans hit rough waters as costs triple and projects sink

Global offshore wind plans hit rough waters as costs triple and projects sink

Major wind-power projects face setbacks as installation costs jump to $230 per megawatt-hour. China leads global growth while US and European plans drift off-course in rough economic waters

Business, Economics, Politics • November 18 2024 , 04:11 PM  •  851 views
Dutch government shakes as minister quits over soccer match aftermath

Dutch government shakes as minister quits over soccer match aftermath

Dutch junior finance minister steps down after heated debate over soccer match violence in Amsterdam. Government faces instability as coalition partners discuss future steps in emergency meeting

Society, Politics • November 15 2024 , 09:12 PM  •  1057 views
Portugal's bold move to keep young talent from leaving the country

Portugal's bold move to keep young talent from leaving the country

Portuguese government launches tax-breaks plan to stop young specialists from moving abroad. The initiative targets under-35s with complete tax exemptions and housing benefits‚ affecting about 400k young workers

Society, Economics • November 14 2024 , 11:54 AM  •  1431 views
Taiwan ready to hand over old missiles while US decides their next stop

Taiwan ready to hand over old missiles while US decides their next stop

Taiwanʼs defense chief confirms readiness to return aging HAWK missiles to United States. The cold-war era weapons might find new purpose in modern conflicts after US decides their fate

Politics • November 13 2024 , 08:30 AM  •  2708 views
Dutch court reverses Shell's climate targets: What happens next?

Dutch court reverses Shell's climate targets: What happens next?

Dutch appeals court has canceled previous ruling that forced Shell to speed-up its carbon cuts. The decision marks significant shift in how courts handle corporate climate responsibilities

Society, Business, Science • November 12 2024 , 07:23 PM  •  4658 views
Dutch tech hub gets green light for next-gen computer chip production

Dutch tech hub gets green light for next-gen computer chip production

EU puts major funding into Netherlands-based light-powered chip facilities. New tech promises faster computing while using less power‚ with Dutch universities leading the way in development

Business, Economics, Science • November 11 2024 , 05:09 PM  •  1664 views
Night of chaos in Amsterdam: Israeli soccer fans need emergency flights home

Night of chaos in Amsterdam: Israeli soccer fans need emergency flights home

Dutch authorities detained dozens after street attacks on Israeli soccer supporters in Amsterdam. Two rescue planes were sent to bring hundreds of Maccabi Tel Aviv fans back to Israel

Society, Politics • November 8 2024 , 10:40 AM  •  756 views
Right-wing leaders worldwide welcome possible Trump comeback in 2024

Right-wing leaders worldwide welcome possible Trump comeback in 2024

Global right-wing politicians show open support for Trumpʼs potential return to White House. His stance on immigration and climate matches their views‚ despite possible future trade conflicts

Society, Politics • November 6 2024 , 05:45 PM  •  392 views
Dutch court hits migrant center with hefty daily fines over capacity issues

Dutch court hits migrant center with hefty daily fines over capacity issues

Court orders dutch asylum agency to pay big fines when migrant center goes over its limits. Local town takes legal action to fix over-crowding at northern Netherlands facility

Society, Politics • October 30 2024 , 03:20 PM  •  994 views