Holland certainly has a reputation with travelers. Known for having a very liberal attitude on social issues such as prostitution and drugs, the reputation is not always deserved. Yes, marijuana and prostitution is legal, but there is so much more to the country. Many look at Amsterdam as Holland, but visitors know there is much more. If you desire to travel to Holland, also known as the Netherlands, don’t miss these attractions.
Amsterdam
Simply put, Amsterdam has something for everyone. The city is an incredibly beautiful collection of old world European architecture elegantly partitioned by canals. In truth, the city is built on roughly 90 small islands, although you can hardly tell. Transportation is best undertaken on foot or by bicycle. With a cool climate, you’ll barely break a sweat.
Contrary to popular opinion, Amsterdam is not just a city of liberal policies. Yes, coffee bars sell things other then just coffee. Yes, there are women in windows that are awfully friendly. Still, there is so much more to experience in the city.
Van Gogh Museum
The Rijksmuseum Vincent van Gogh houses the world's largest collection of the work of Vincent van Gogh. From his early work, the museum contains 700 artistic works and 850 letters. After moving to Paris in 1886, van Gogh entered an impressionist period, of which the museum contains a large collection. Perhaps the most interesting thing about the collection is the organization. The entire collection is arranged chronologically from the first to last work. As you walk, you can clearly see the evolution of this master’s skill.
Anne Frank House
Who hasn’t read the intense diary of Anne Frank? Hiding from the Nazis, she and her family lived in an annexed section of an apartment in Amsterdam for two years. In 1957, the house was donated to the Anne Frank Foundation and turned into a museum. A visit will send chills through your spine. The museum contains films, the annexed area and the original notes of Anne Frank. A must see for anyone traveling to Amsterdam.
Beyond Amsterdam
For those needing a break from Amsterdam, there is much to be seen in Holland. If you are looking for a color explosion, consider taking the bulb cycling tour out of Noordwijk. Windmills your thing? Head to the De Zaan district to see them in action. Prefer to spend a night in a castle? Try the Castle Hotel Engelenburg, which even lets you ruin a good walk by playing golf.
Travel to Holland and you won’t regret it. Whether you want to “investigate” the countries liberal policies or simply bike through fields of tulips, Holland will satisfy.
Rick Chapo is with Nomad Journals - makers of travel journals. Visit NomadJournalTrips.com for more articles on travel in Holland and Adventure Travel.
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Demographics
The Netherlands is the 23rd most densely populated country in the world, with 395 inhabitants per
square kilometre or 484 people per square kilometre if only the land area is counted, since 18.4% is
water.
The fertility rate in the Netherlands is 1.7 children per woman, well below the 2.2 rate required for
population replacement. Life expectancy is high in the Netherlands: 82 years for newborn girls and 77
for boys (2007).
The ethnic origins of the citizens of the Netherlands are diverse:
80.8% Dutch,
2.4% German,
2.4% Indonesian South Moluccan
2.2% Turks
2.0% Surinamese
1.9% Moroccan
1.5% Indian
0.8% Antillean and Aruban
6.0% other.
However, this does not include the whole Kingdom of the Netherlands (such as the Netherlands Antilles
and Aruba, which have a non-Dutch majority community), and only includes the population in the
Netherlands itself. The Netherlands also has a resident population of some 800,000 people of Indo
(mixed Dutch and Indonesian) descent.
The people of the Netherlands are amongst the tallest in the world, with an average height of about
1.81 m (5 ft 11.5 in) for adult males and 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) for adult females. People in the south are on
average about 2 cm shorter than those in the north.
The Netherlands is the 23rd most densely populated country in the world, with 395 inhabitants per
square kilometre or 484 people per square kilometre if only the land area is counted, since 18.4% is
water.
The fertility rate in the Netherlands is 1.7 children per woman, well below the 2.2 rate required for
population replacement. Life expectancy is high in the Netherlands: 82 years for newborn girls and 77
for boys (2007).
The ethnic origins of the citizens of the Netherlands are diverse:
80.8% Dutch,
2.4% German,
2.4% Indonesian South Moluccan
2.2% Turks
2.0% Surinamese
1.9% Moroccan
1.5% Indian
0.8% Antillean and Aruban
6.0% other.
However, this does not include the whole Kingdom of the Netherlands (such as the Netherlands Antilles
and Aruba, which have a non-Dutch majority community), and only includes the population in the
Netherlands itself. The Netherlands also has a resident population of some 800,000 people of Indo
(mixed Dutch and Indonesian) descent.
The people of the Netherlands are amongst the tallest in the world, with an average height of about
1.81 m (5 ft 11.5 in) for adult males and 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) for adult females. People in the south are on
average about 2 cm shorter than those in the north.
Destination: Netherlands... Reliable and comprehensive travel information
on Netherlands from Lonely Planet & World Nomads.
on Netherlands from Lonely Planet & World Nomads.
