The Netherlands, is a country in Northwestern Europe. Belgium is to the south, and Germany to the east. The Netherlands is often called Holland, as North and South Holland are actually two of its twelve provinces. The word Dutch is used to refer to the people, the language, and anything pertaining to the Netherlands. Dutch is the official language.
The capital is Amsterdam and the seat of government is The Hague. The Monarch is Queen Beatrix (the Head of state), and the Prime Minister is Jan Peter Balkenende. The country's profile. A chronology of key events .
