9781422278031

THE NETHERLANDS AT A GLANCE

Flag of the Netherlands

the Netherlands was part of the Spanish Empire. The fight for independence was led by Prince William of Orange, of the House of Nassau-Dillenburg, who was assassinated by a Roman Catholic in 1584. The first flag was based on his livery.

The Netherlands is a low- lying country in northern

Europe. It is a highly populated country, two-fifths of which lies below sea level, making it susceptible to flooding. Large areas have been reclaimed from the sea, and for centuries inundation has been prevented by the construction of dykes and sand dunes along the coast. The flag dates back to 1630, when it was first adopted, and is one of the oldest flags in Europe. At the end of the sixteenth century,

ABOVE: The outdoor cafés and bars are a familiar sight beside the canals of Amsterdam, the capital city of the Netherlands.

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