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Location: Western Europe, bordering the North Sea,
between Belgium and Germany
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Climate: temperate; marine; cool summers and mild
winters
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Terrain: mostly coastal lowland and reclaimed land
(polders); some hills in southeast
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Natural resources: natural gas, petroleum, arable
land
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Natural hazards: the extensive system of dikes and
dams protects nearly one half of the total area from being flooded
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Environment - current issues: water pollution in
the form of heavy metals, organic compounds, and nutrients such as nitrates
and phosphates; air pollution from vehicles and refining activities; acid
rain
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Geography - note: located at mouths of three major
European rivers (Rhine, Maas or Meuse, and Schelde)
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Population: 15,892,237 (July 2000 est.)
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Ethnic groups: Dutch 91%, Moroccans, Turks, and other
9% (1999 est.)
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Religions: Roman Catholic 34%, Protestant 25%, Muslim
3%, other 2%, unaffiliated 36%
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Languages: Dutch
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Government type: constitutional monarchy
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Capital: Amsterdam; The Hague is the seat of government
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Military branches: Royal Netherlands Army, Royal
Netherlands Navy (includes Naval Air Service and Marine Corps),Royal Netherlands
Air Force, Royal Constabulary
|
Info
on the Netherlands
