Discover the cultural gems of the Netherlands

The Netherlands

Located in northwestern Europe, the Netherlands borders Germany to the east, Belgium to the south and the North Sea to the north and west. It occupies 16,039 sq mi. (41,540 sq km)—roughly twice the size of Wales. The Netherlands has a temperate climate, with mild winters, cool summers and rainfall in every season.

“Netherlands” means low-lying country, which is an appropriate appellation, given that few countries feature so much land below sea level. Roughly half of the country consists of reclaimed land, and an extensive range of sea walls and coastal dunes protect the land from the sea, while levees and dikes along the rivers protect against flooding. Plus, few other countries are as flat as the Netherlands, whose higher lands in the east and south contain only small hills.

The historical name “Holland” comes from “Houtland,” or “Wooded Land.” This name was originally given to one of the medieval regions that later became the modern state of the Netherlands, and the name is still used for two of the country’s twelve provinces, Noord-Holland and Zuid-Holland.

Today, the Netherlands is one of the world’s most densely populated countries. While a high percentage of residents are over age 65, Amsterdam remains one of the liveliest centers of international youth culture. The vibrant capital boasts more than 50 museums, including the world-famous Rijksmuseum, and an astonishing 881,000 bicycles, making Amsterdam one of the world’s most bicycle-friendly cities.

The Netherlands is widely known for its independent outlook, which was evident as early as the 16th and 17th centuries when the Dutch took a relatively enlightened view of other cultures, encouraging worldwide trade and the spirit of enterprise. By and large, the Netherlands flourished during this Golden Age, but not all economic ventures were equally successful. During the 1600s, tulips crashed the Dutch economy. The flower became so wildly popular that an economy of trading known as “tulip mania” exploded nearly overnight. Some bulbs sold for more than ten times the annual income of a skilled craftsman. Tulip mania was short-lived, though, and when it crashed, so did the fortunes of many investors. Today, economists consider tulip mania to be the first speculative bubble—one whose effects left a lasting impact on the Dutch population’s level of skepticism when it came to speculative investments.

With its rich history, picturesque scenery and fascinating cultural heritage, the Netherlands is an attractive destination for curious travelers. Some notable landmarks include:

• Rembrandt House Museum—Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn (1606–1669) lived and worked in Amsterdam during the height of the Dutch Golden Age. In total, he created approximately 300 paintings, 2,000 drawings and 290 etchings. His legacy has been memorialized in his former residence on Jodenbreestraat, which offers a glimpse into the ingenious mind of this legendary artist.
• Keukenhof—For anyone who appreciates the pleasures of beautiful flora, Keukenhof, the world’s largest flower garden, provides 80 acres and 7 million brilliant bulbs’ worth of pure joy and inspiration. Keukenhof began its life in the 15th century as an herb garden for Jacqueline, Countess of Hainaut and Holland, hence its name, which means “kitchen garden.” The landscaping was reconceived during the 18th century, and in 1949, the current awe-inspiring garden was established.
• Kinderdijk—Kinderdijk is a village community in the Alblasserwaard province best known for its 19 remarkably preserved 18th-century windmills, which have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The charming hamlet is located amid low-lying polders, tracts of land reclaimed from the sea by the power of the windmills and enclosed by embankments, or dikes.
• Nijmegen—The origins of this ancient Dutch city date back to the first century BC, when the Romans established a fort here on a strategic hillside overlooking the Waal and Rhine rivers. But the area was already inhabited before then by the Batavian tribes who revolted against Roman occupiers. Nijmegen’s Valkhof Museum on Kelfkensbos square displays many artifacts from the Roman and medieval eras. On Mondays and Saturdays, Nijmegen’s Grote Markt teems with vendors selling everything from stroopwafeln to sunglasses.
• Hoorn—Hoorn was built around its horn-shaped harbor on the Zuiderzee (Southern Sea), a former inlet of the North Sea. The city prospered during Holland’s Golden Age but declined due to flooding and exceptionally high tides. In 1920, a bold plan was hatched to construct a 20-mile-long causeway and dike rising 24 feet above sea level—the Afsluitdijk. Completed in 1932, it was the cornerstone of the Zuiderzee Works, the Netherlands’ largest hydraulic engineering program of the 20th century. In addition to creating a source for irrigation and drinking water, this ingenious project transformed dying coastal towns into vibrant, interconnected communities.