Netherlands
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Capital
Amsterdam
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Local time
7:28
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Population
17.65 m
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Driving side
Right
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Calling code
+31
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Currency
€ EUR (euro)
Netherlands
-
Capital
Amsterdam
-
Local time
7:28
-
Population
17.65 m
-
Driving side
Right
-
Calling code
+31
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Currency
€ EUR (euro)
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Average Salary
$ 4 123
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Petrol price
€ 2.15 pl
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Precipitation
778mm /year
Geography & travel
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Country Area
41 526 km2
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Protected Area
12%
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Forest Area
11%
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Agricultural area
54%
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Railways
3016km
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Annual air passengers
37.65 m
Population
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Ethnicity
Dutch - 83 %
other
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Religion
Roman Catholic - 31 %
Dutch Reformed - 13 %
Calvinist - 7 %
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Languages
Dutch
Frisian
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Armed Forces
41 310
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Murders
1 per 100k
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Alcohol consumption
9.6 l/person
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Smoking
26.2%
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Diabetes
5.5%
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Tuberculosis
6 per 100k
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HIV
0.2%
Economy
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Industries
agroindustries, metal and engineering products, electrical machinery, chemicals, petroleum, construction, microelectronics, fishing
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Agriculture
grains, potatoes, sugar beets, fruits, vegetables, livestock
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Natural Resources
natural gas, petroleum, peat, limestone, salt, sand and gravel, arable land
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Energy Import
19%
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Natural Resources
natural gas, petroleum, peat, limestone, salt, sand and gravel, arable land
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Renewable Energy
5%
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CO2 Emissions
167 303kt
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Ease of Business
32 (Best=1, Worst=200)
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ATMs per 100k people
50
What not to do when visiting Netherlands
Netherlands Don’t be late for both social and business meetings - punctuality is taken seriously.
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Netherlands Don't forget - coffees are for buying coffee. Coffee shops are for buying cannabis products - up to 5 grams per adult person/day.
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Netherlands Don't give any sharp object like knives or scissors as a gift in Netherlands - it presents a bad luck.
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Did you know?
40% of Amsterdam commuters get to work by bicycle.
Netherlands Don't forget to shake hands and say your name instead of "hello" when meeting someone.
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Netherlands Don’t be surprised by direct communication - the locals may sound blunt if you come from a culture preferring indirect communication style.
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Netherlands Don’t try to impress locals with your wealth or success - they are private and dislike displays of wealth or material possessions.
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Netherlands Don’t give white lilies or chrysanthemums - they are associated with funerals.
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Netherlands Don‘t necessarily bring wine as a gift when invited to someone’s home - the host may already have selected the wines for dinner.
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Did you know?
The people of the Netherlands are the tallest in the world on average.
Netherlands Don’t forget to finish everything on your plate - it's offensive to waste food. Indicate you have finished eating by laying your knife and fork parallel across the right side of your plate.
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Netherlands Don't be surprised to see orange colour and people in orange jerseys during sports events. Orange represents Royal family and it's country's (un)official colour.
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Western Europe Don't block the bike lanes and don't step into it.
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Europe Don’t forget to handshake when greeting (men). Women usually greet with light kisses on both cheeks (”air kisses” where you just touch cheeks and kiss the air), a handshake is common on first meeting. Eye contact is important.
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Tell us your experience
We love to hear from people who have travelled the world and know ‘what not to do’. Why not help other people on their travels?
Europe Don't smack or slurp - it's not appreciated.
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Europe Don't avoid eye contact business and personal conversations. It's a sign of courtesy.
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Europe Don't enter buses, trains or similar before everyone who wants to get out has done so.
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Europe Don't forget to wear reflectors when riding a bike or walking at dark.
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Amsterdam Don't take pictures of women in the windows.
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Amsterdam Don't mistake the Blue Lights in the Red Light District - illuminated cabins with blue lights indicate transgender sex worker behind the glass, unlike the red light for a woman.
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Amsterdam Don't pee in the canals.
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Amsterdam Don't light up a normal cigarette at a Coffee Shop.
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Amsterdam Don't forget a bike is not a toy - it's a serious means of transport. Don't bike on sidewalks.
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Amsterdam Don't drive your Vespa in the bike lane to avoid traffic.
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Amsterdam Don't drink alcohol in public when in Amsterdam - it's not allowed and you can get a fine.
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Tell us your experience
We love to hear from people who have travelled the world and know ‘what not to do’. Why not help other people on their travels?
Amsterdam Don't assume Amsterdamers are stoned all the time - it's usually only tourists who get stoned at "Coffee shops".
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