Holland boasts breathtaking landscapes adorned with ubiquitous windmills, earning it the moniker of the "windmill country."
Coupled with the vibrant presence of tulips, Holland has also been christened the "tulip country." Its flat terrain, along with a humid and pleasant climate, makes it an ideal location for animal husbandry, earning it the moniker "Kingdom of Ranch."
The Netherlands beckons travelers to experience the sheer beauty it has to offer. The country has several interesting facts:
1. Enduring Windmills: Over a thousand windmills, dating back to 1850, still stand today. Originally utilized for tasks like irrigation and grain milling, some of these traditional windmills remain in commercial use. Nineteen windmills in the Kinderdijk area have earned a spot on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
2. Outstanding English Proficiency: The Netherlands claims the title of the world's best non-native English-speaking country, with 94% of its population being at least bilingual. More than half of the citizens speak German, making a considerable number of Dutch individuals trilingual, with nine out of ten being proficient in English.
3. Wooden Shoe Souvenirs: The Dutch produce over 6 million pairs of wooden shoes annually, serving as popular souvenirs for tourists. Though the origin of wooden shoes remains unclear, these sturdy, waterproof, and easy-to-clean shoes have deep roots in Dutch culture, with occasional sightings in fields even today.
4. Tulip Country: The Netherlands produces a staggering 80% of the world's tulip bulbs, with Haarlem, renowned for its flower parade and Keukenhof Park, being a major hub.
5. Lowest Average Altitude: A significant portion, 26%, of the Netherlands lies below sea level, with 60% of its citizens residing at an altitude of -5 meters. The country's highest point, Vaalserberg, reaches a modest 322 meters above sea level, while the lowest point, Zuidplaspolder, descends to -7 meters.
6. Numerous Bicycles: Surpassing the number of people, there are approximately 18 million bicycles in the Netherlands. Bicycles like the bakfiets, equipped with a bucket, are commonly used for transporting children to school and even for moving houses. Dutch individuals cycle an average of 2.9 kilometers daily, with bicycles accounting for a quarter of all transportation, a stark contrast to the 2% in the UK.
7. Agricultural Powerhouse: Despite its small size, the Netherlands is a major agricultural exporter, ranking second globally in the 2016 Agricultural Exports Survey with 94 billion euros. It competes with giants like the United States and Germany, emerging as the world's largest exporter of seeds, live trees, plants, bulbs, rhizomes, and finished cut flowers.
The Netherlands, with its rich tapestry of culture, nature, and innovation, invites visitors to immerse themselves in the wonders of this captivating country.
