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Saxion Universityof Applied Sciences

Welcome to the Netherlands!The Netherlands in 10 stereotypes

Jacques BazenResearch center for urban & environmental studies

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The Netherlands, Holland or

Dutch?

Dutch is bad?

1.Dutch courage2.Going Dutch

3.You’re right I’m a Dutchman

4.Double Dutch5.Dutch comfort

A piece of Dutch comfort:In Belgium things are more confusing

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The Netherlands• General information:• Area: 41850km2 (Rank #130) • Inhabitants:

16,7 million people (Rank #63, 0.24%)Density: 405 km2 (Rank #30, 405)

• Capital city: Amsterdam• Government centre: Binnenhof The

Hague• Constitutional Monarchy

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The Netherlands

Every square meter of land is in use!

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Lowest point of Europe

-6,76 m

0 m

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Highest point in The NetherlandsMount Scenery, 877 meter

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Highest point in The NetherlandsVaals mountain, 322 meter

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Schöne Grüße aus Holland!

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Stereotypes about Netherlands/Holland

1. Drugs/Coffeeshops2. Thriftiness3. Clogs4. Tolerance/Liberalism5. Tulips6. Cheese (Gouda/Edam)7. Bicycles (loads of them)8. Below the sea level9. Windmills10.Amsterdam

How we would like to be seen abroad…

From a tourism brochure

How we are seen abroad….

2. Dutch generosity/thriftyness

3. Wooden shoes

3. Wooden shoes/football

4. Tolerance/liberalism

4. Tolerance/liberalism

5. Tulips

6. Cheese

7. Bicycles

7. Bicycles, loads of them

8. Below the sea level

9. Windmills

9. Windmills/caravans

Amsterdam

Canals: Inspiration for St. PetersburgTulip Crazyness, Narrow canal houses

Amsterdam

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Monarchy: Royal family

• Our king:• The head of the Dutch

state• Willem Alexander Von

Amsberg van Oranje-Nassau

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Monarchy: Royal family

• Founder of the dynasty: William of Nassau-Dillenburg, prince of Orange:

• Rebel leader who was the driving force behind the Dutch revolution. Murdered in 1584

• The National anthem is about him

Dutch National anthem (Wilhelmus):

William of Nassau, I am of German blood.I'm faithful to the fatherland until I die.I'm a prince of Orange, free and without fearI have always honoured the king of Spain

(written by Philips von Marnix, lord of Saint Aldegonde and West Souburg, 1572)

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Independent trading nation

The Netherlands is a country of entrepreneurs and traders. Out of necessity: besides a bit of agriculture (cheese production), there is no way to make money out of a swamp with no natural resources. (Still, we love our country)

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Government centre Den Haag

Mark Rutte

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Port of Rotterdam

Largest harbour in Europe

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Dutch food

Dutch FastFood:“Food from the wall”

(McDonalds is not fast enough)

• 1 Cookie rule (3 variants)• Open curtains and big windows in

the houses• Money savers – heating off at

night

Typical Dutch: Does it exist?

The wonderful Dutch Language

Achthonderdachtentachtig prachtige grachtenbruggen in Amsterdam

Thank you for your attention!

Questions?