Netherlands

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:

Dutch, English

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)