Netherlands

Country

The Kingdom of Netherlands, commonly called as the Netherlands is located in the western part of Europe. It is bordered by the North Sea in the north and west and its land boundary is shared with Belgium and Germany in the south and to the east respectively. This geographically mostly low lying country is situated between 52° 23' N latitudes and 4° 55' E longitudes.

Business Economy

A highly developed nation, The Netherlands in northwest Europe is home to a large number of multinational companies like Philips, ABN Amro Bank, ING Group, world's third-biggest oil company Shell, to name a few.

The Netherlands has a very strong economy and has been playing a special role in the European economy for many centuries. Since the 16th century, shipping, fishing, trade, and banking have been leading sectors of the Dutch economy. The Netherlands is one of the world's 10 leading exporting countries. Foodstuffs form the largest industrial sector. Other major industries include chemicals, metallurgy, machinery, electrical, goods and tourism.

Since the independence of Indonesia in the late 1940s, the Dutch economy has been redirected from colonial trade to that with the European nations. This led to the country becoming a major energy exporter as large deposits of natural gas were discovered. The national government has played a major role in the country's growth, especially through its economic planning. The government's influence is great and it distributes nearly half the Dutch national income. But also important in the economic growth of The Netherlands are the activities of a number of large private firms

Natural Resources

Natural resources: natural gas and petroleum ( North Sea drillings), peat, limestone, salt, sand and gravel.

Higher Education

Higher education in the Netherlands is offered at two types of institutions: research universities and universities of applied sciences. Research universities include general universities, universities specialising in engineering and agriculture, and the Open University. Universities of applied sciences include general institutions as well as institutions specialising in a specific field such as agriculture, fine and performing arts or teacher training. Whereas research universities are primarily responsible for offering research-oriented programmes, universities of applied sciences are primarily responsible for offering programmes of higher professional education, which prepare students for specific professions. These tend to be more practice oriented than programmes offered by research universities

Tourism

The Netherlands, a country in northwestern Europe, is known for a flat landscape of canals, tulip fields, windmills and cycling routes. Amsterdam, the capital, is home to the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and the house where Jewish diarist Anne Frank hid during WWII. Canalside mansions and a trove of works from artists including Rembrandt and Vermeer remain from the city's 17th-century "Golden Age."

Climate Weather

The Netherlands have a temperate maritime climate influenced by the North Sea and Atlantic Ocean, with cool summers and moderate winters. Daytime temperatures varies from 2°C-6°C in the winter and 17°C-20°C in the summer.

Required clothing

Lightweights with rainwear for summer, waterproof and warmer clothing for winter.An umbrella and a sweater are necessary almost any time of year.