Netherlands
Once known as Holland, the Netherlands is located in western Europe, between Belgium and Germany. The country borders the North Sea as well. More than one-fifth of the country is below sea level (this is known as the Low Netherlands). Due to its proximity to the North Sea, sand dunes and man-made dikes are needed to prevent flooding.
Quick Facts
Population: 17.151 million
Ethnic Groups: Dutch (76.9%), EU (6.4%), Turkish (2.4%), Moroccan (2.3%), Indonesian (2.1%), German (2.1%), Surinamese (2.0%), Polish (1.0%), Other (4.8%)
Languages: Dutch (Official)
Religions: Roman Catholic (23.6%), Protestant (14.9%), Muslim (5.1%), Other (5.6%), None (50.7%)
Capital: Amsterdam
CIA: The World Factbook — Last Updated December 27, 2019
Dutch in Canada
Dutch Population in Canada
1,111,650
Useful Links
The Netherlands, which became independent from Spain in 1568, is one of the world’s richest nations. It enjoys democracy and political stability. The Netherlands is a land of freedom — including freedom of religion. The Netherlands has a rich history rooted in Christianity, but many church buildings have been converted for other purposes as church attendance is decreasing. Today, only about half of the Dutch people identify as Christians. Religious minorities in the Netherlands include Muslims, Hindus, and Jews. Approximately 40 – 42% of the Dutch are non-religious; Dutch society is very secular and religion continues to decline.
- Central Intelligence Agency. (2019, December 18). The World Factbook: Netherlands. Retrieved December 27, 2019, from https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/netherlands/
- Encyclopedia of the Nations. (n.d.). The Netherlands. Retrieved July 9, 2014, from http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/geography/Morocco-to-Slovakia/The-Netherlands.html
- Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada. (2009, October 15). Cultural Information – Netherlands. Retrieved July 9, 2014, from https://www.international.gc.ca/cil-cai/country_insights-apercus_pays/culture-culture_nl.aspx?lang=eng
- Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada. (2011, December 15). Overview – Netherlands. Retrieved July 9, 2014, from https://www.international.gc.ca/cil-cai/country_insights-apercus_pays/overview-apercu_nl.aspx?lang=eng
- Mandryk, J. (2010). Operation World: The Definitive Prayer Guide to Every Nation (7th ed.). Colorado Springs: Biblica Publishing.
- Netherlanders. (2009). In T. L. Gall & J. Hobby (Eds.), Worldmark Encyclopedia of Cultures and Daily Life (2nd ed., Vol. 5, pp. 346-350). Detroit: Gale. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
- Statistics Canada. (2011, April 7). 2006 Census of Canada: Topic-based tabulations/Ethnic Origin, Single and Multiple Ethnic Origin Responses and Sex for the Population of Canada, Provinces, Territories, Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations, 2006 Census – 20% Sample Data. Retrieved July 15, 2014, from http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement