The Netherlands is a small country in Western Europe with a rich history dating back to the 6th millennium BC. It was conquered by the Romans, divided among various Germanic tribes, and eventually united under the Duke of Burgundy. The fight for independence began in the 16th century and was achieved in 1581. The country thrived as a trading center and colonized extensively, but lost its sovereignty briefly to Napoleon. It remained neutral in World War I and declared neutrality in World War II before being invaded by Germany. The country has many attractions, including the Van Gogh museum and Keukenhof Gardens, and is well-connected by air, train, and ferry.
The Netherlands is a small country in Western Europe. It covers 16,030 square miles (41,530 sq km). The country borders Belgium and Germany and has a coastline along the North Sea.
The region has been inhabited for about 10,000 years, with permanent agricultural settlements arising sometime in the 6th or 5th millennium BC The Netherlands was settled in the 6th century BC by various Germanic and Celtic tribes. During the same period, the region became much richer with the discovery and exploitation of iron and steel resources.
In the 1st century BC, Julius Caesar conquered much of the area for Rome, and the Rhine served for some time as the northern border of the Empire. The Romans developed the part of the Netherlands they controlled substantially, building large cities and introducing new culture and technologies. Various Germanic tribes eventually repelled the Romans, claiming the Low Country for themselves.
The Netherlands was divided for the next few centuries, with the Franks controlling the south and the Frisians controlling the north. As the Frankish empire split into three parts, the Netherlands became a part of the core region, later the region disputed by Germany and France. The Vikings invaded it in the mid-9th century, occupying much of it in the midst of fighting between France and Germany.
Germany finally reclaimed the region from the Vikings in the early 10th century, and when King Otto was crowned emperor, the Netherlands became part of the Holy Roman Empire. In the early 11th century peasants began settling in the western part, draining the marshes and establishing independent farms in the region, forming what would later become known as Holland.
Although nominally under the control of the Holy Roman Empire, most of the Netherlands was in a feudal state, with various lords and nobles having complete control over their portion of the land. These various states constantly fought each other, with the balance of power shifting from year to year.
In the first half of the 15th century, the region was conquered by the Duke of Burgundy, who united the different states. Under Burgundian rule, Holland grew to be a major trading power, with a strong navy to back it up. By the mid-15th century, Amsterdam had grown into one of Europe’s major ports.
The Habsburgs eventually came to control all of the Netherlands during the 16th century, and by the mid-century Emperor Charles V had declared the Netherlands distinct from both France and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The fight for full independence began in the 16th, following a crackdown by the Catholic ruler Philip on the reformists in the region. In 1568, the country declared its independence and in 1581 the Eighty Years’ War formally ended with the recognition of the country.
The Netherlands continued to thrive as a trading center for the next few centuries. The Dutch colonized extensively, also conquering major Portuguese territories. Slavery added a new source of wealth, and by the 17th century the country’s coffers were overflowing.
The nation briefly lost its sovereignty after being occupied by Napoleon, but regained it after his defeat, in the process of transitioning from a surprisingly democratic government to a more traditional monarchy. In the 19th century, the Netherlands began to liberalize its government, as well as expand its land holdings around the world.
The country remained neutral during World War I and declared neutrality in World War II before being invaded by Germany. Dutch territories in what is now Indonesia were conquered by the Japanese. After the war, Indonesia declared its independence and in the following decades most of the colonies gained their independence.
There is a lot to do in the Netherlands and there is something for everyone to do, especially in Amsterdam, with streets full of history, liberal vice laws and an incredible variety of parks. The Van Gogh museum is one of the highlights of the country, with 200 paintings by the master. Keukenhof Gardens is another favorite, with the distinction of being the largest gardens in the world.
Amsterdam Schipol Airport is one of the world’s largest aviation hubs and flights arrive daily from airports around the world. Trains and buses connect the Netherlands with the rest of Europe and ferries connect Amsterdam, Norway and Great Britain.
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