The Netherlands, informally known as Holland, is a country located in Northwestern Europe and comprises overseas territories in the Caribbean. As a part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, it is the largest of four constituent countries. The Netherlands is bordered by Germany to the east, Belgium to the south, with extensive coastlines along the North Sea to the north and west. Additionally, it shares maritime borders with the United Kingdom, Germany, and Belgium, and has a border with France on the Caribbean island of Saint Martin.
Geography
The Netherlands is renowned for its low elevation and flat topography, with about 26% of its territory and 21% of its population below sea level. The country covers a total area of 41,543 km² (16,040 sq mi) in Europe, including water bodies, with a land area of 33,481 km² (12,927 sq mi). The Caribbean territories add an additional 328 km² (127 sq mi) to its total area. It lies between latitudes 50° and 54° N, and longitudes 3° and 8° E.
Most of the Netherlands is remarkably flat, except for some foothills in the southeast and low hill ranges in the central part. The country’s landscape primarily consists of the Rhine, Meuse, and Scheldt river estuaries and their tributaries. The southwest part of the Netherlands forms the delta of these rivers, known as the Rhine–Meuse–Scheldt delta. The country has efficiently managed its geography through an elaborate drainage system including dikes, canals, and pumping stations, enabling the reclamation of land from the sea.
Demographics
As of April 2021, the Netherlands has an estimated population of 17.49 million. It is one of the most densely populated countries in the world with a density of 424 people per square kilometre (1,100 people/sq mi). The Dutch population has seen significant growth from 5.1 million in 1900 to 15.9 million in 2000.
The fertility rate in the Netherlands is 1.78 children per woman as of 2018, below the natural replacement rate. The Dutch population is one of the oldest globally, with a high life expectancy of 84.3 years for women and 79.7 years for men as of 2020. The Netherlands is notable for having the tallest average population, with an average height of 1.81 meters for men and 1.67 meters for women.
The country has a diverse ethnic composition, with 74.8% identifying as ethnically Dutch in 2022. Other significant ethnic groups include Europeans, Turks, Moroccans, Indonesians, and Surinamese. There is also a considerable expatriate community, especially in Amsterdam and The Hague.