NETHERLANDS
Location:
The Netherlands is located in western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between
Belgium and Germany. Its total area is 37,330 square kilometres.
Population:
15,367,928 (July, 1994 estimate)
Languages:
Government:
The government of the Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy.
Legal System:
The legal system in the Netherlands is a civil law system incorporating French penal
theory. There is judicial review in the Supreme Court of legislation of lower order
rather than Acts of the States General. It accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with
reservations.
Telecommunications:
The Netherlands has a highly developed, well maintained and integrated
telecommunication system. There is an extensive redundant system of
multiconductor cables, supplemented by microwave radio relay links. There
are five submarine cables and one communication satellite earth station
operating in INTELSAT (one Indian Ocean and two Atlantic Ocean antenna)
and EUTELSAT systems. The Netherlands has a nationwide mobile phone
system.
Economy:
This highly developed and affluent economy is based on private enterprise. The
government makes its presence felt, however, through many regulations, permit
requirements and welfare programs affecting most aspects of economic activity. The
trade and financial services sector contributes over 50% of GDP. Industrial activity
provides about 25% of GDP and is led by the food-processing, oil-refining, and
metalworking industries. The highly mechanized agricultural sector employs only 5%
of the labor force, but provides large surpluses for export and the domestic food-
processing industry. Rising unemployment and a sizable budget deficit are currently the
most serious economic problems. Many of the economic issues of the 1990s will reflect
the course of European economic integration.
Industries:
The main industries in the Netherlands are agroindustries, metal and engineering
products, electrical machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum, fishing, financial
services, construction and microelectronics.
Currency:
1 Netherlands guilder, gulden, or florin (f.) = 100 cents
Exchange Rates:
Netherlands guilders, gulden, or florins (f.) per US$1 - 1.9508 (January, 1994)
Related sites:
Dutch Home Page
Hotels And Resorts In The Netherlands
NedLink: The Dutch Connection
Netherlands
Resources In The Netherlands
Tourism In The Netherlands
To the Offshore World home page.