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Communications

Internet country code [time series]

.nl

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

4,518,226 (2004)

Internet users [time series]

8.5 million (2003)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 4, FM 246, shortwave 3 (2004)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: highly developed and well maintained domestic: extensive fixed-line fiber-optic network; cellular telephone system is one of the largest in Europe with five major network operators utilizing the third generation of the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) international: country code - 31; 9 submarine cables; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Atlantic Ocean), 1 Eutelsat, and 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions) (2004)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

10.004 million (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

12.5 million (2003)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

21 (plus 26 repeaters) (1995)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

grains, potatoes, sugar beets, fruits, vegetables; livestock

Budget [time series]

revenues: $237.1 billion expenditures: $249.5 billion, including capital expenditures of NA (2003)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

euro (EUR) note: on 1 January 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by financial institutions of member countries; on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions within the member countries

Exchange rates (Currency code) [time series]

EUR

Current account balance [time series]

$12.09 billion (2003)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

32.6 (1994)

Economic aid (Economic aid - donor) [time series]

ODA, $3.3 billion (2002 est.)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

The Netherlands has a prosperous and open economy, which depends heavily on foreign trade. The economy is noted for stable industrial relations, moderate unemployment and inflation, a sizable current account surplus, and an important role as a European transportation hub. Industrial activity is predominantly in food processing, chemicals, petroleum refining, and electrical machinery. A highly mechanized agricultural sector employs no more than 4% of the labor force but provides large surpluses for the food-processing industry and for exports. The Netherlands, along with 11 of its EU partners, began circulating the euro currency on 1 January 2002. The country continues to be one of the leading European nations for attracting foreign direct investment. Economic growth slowed considerably in 2001-03, as part of the global economic slowdown, but for the four years before that, annual growth averaged nearly 4%, well above the EU average. The government is wrestling with a deteriorating budget position, and is moving toward the EU 3% of GDP budget deficit limit.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

99.42 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports [time series]

4.209 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports [time series]

21.49 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - production [time series]

88.32 billion kWh (2001)

Exchange rates [time series]

euros per US dollar - 0.886 (2003), 1.0626 (2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999)

Exports [time series]

$253.2 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels; foodstuffs

Exports - partners [time series]

Germany 25.3%, Belgium 12.6%, France 10.2%, UK 10.1%, Italy 6%, US 4.5% (2003)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $461.4 billion (2003 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 2.5% industry: 24.4% services: 73.1% (2003 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $28,600 (2003 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

-0.7% (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 25.1% (1994)

Imports [time series]

$217.7 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, fuels; foodstuffs, clothing

Imports - partners [time series]

Germany 18.2%, Belgium 10%, US 8%, UK 7.3%, China 6.2%, France 5% (2003)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

-2.1% (2003 est.)

Industries [time series]

agroindustries, metal and engineering products, electrical machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum, construction, microelectronics, fishing

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

2.1% (2003 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

20.1% of GDP (2003)

Labor force [time series]

7.46 million (2003)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture 4%, industry 23%, services 73% (1998 est.)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

49.72 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports [time series]

49.28 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports [time series]

20.78 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - production [time series]

77.75 billion cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

1.693 trillion cu m (1 January 2002)

Oil - consumption [time series]

895,300 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports [time series]

1.418 million bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports [time series]

2.284 million bbl/day (2001)

Oil - production [time series]

46,200 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

88.06 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Population below poverty line [time series]

Public debt [time series]

54.1% of GDP (2003)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold (Reserves of foreign exchange & gold) [time series]

$21.44 billion (2003)

Unemployment rate [time series]

5.3% (2003 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 41,526 sq km land: 33,883 sq km water: 7,643 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey

Climate [time series]

temperate; marine; cool summers and mild winters

Coastline [time series]

451 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Zuidplaspolder -7 m highest point: Vaalserberg 322 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

water pollution in the form of heavy metals, organic compounds, and nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates; air pollution from vehicles and refining activities; acid rain

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Kyoto Protocol, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

Geographic coordinates [time series]

52 30 N, 5 45 E

Geography - note [time series]

located at mouths of three major European rivers (Rhine, Maas or Meuse, and Schelde)

Irrigated land [time series]

5,650 sq km (1998 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 1,027 km border countries: Belgium 450 km, Germany 577 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 26.71% permanent crops: 0.97% other: 72.32% (2001)

Location [time series]

Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between Belgium and Germany

Map references [time series]

Europe

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Natural hazards [time series]

flooding

Natural resources [time series]

natural gas, petroleum, peat, limestone, salt, sand and gravel, arable land

Terrain [time series]

mostly coastal lowland and reclaimed land (polders); some hills in southeast

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

12 provinces (provincies, singular - provincie); Drenthe, Flevoland, Friesland (Fryslan), Gelderland, Groningen, Limburg, Noord-Brabant, Noord-Holland, Overijssel, Utrecht, Zeeland, Zuid-Holland

Capital [time series]

Amsterdam; The Hague is the seat of government

Constitution [time series]

adopted 1815; amended many times, last time 2002

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Kingdom of the Netherlands conventional short form: Netherlands local long form: Koninkrijk der Nederlanden local short form: Nederland

Dependent areas [time series]

Aruba, Netherlands Antilles

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Clifford M. SOBEL embassy: Lange Voorhout 102, 2514 EJ, The Hague mailing address: PSC 71, Box 1000, APO AE 09715 telephone: [31] (70) 310-9209 FAX: [31] (70) 361-4688 consulate(s) general: Amsterdam

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Boudewijn J. VAN EENENNAAM chancery: 4200 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 244-5300 FAX: [1] (202) 362-3430 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York consulate(s): Boston

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: Queen BEATRIX (since 30 April 1980); Heir Apparent WILLEM-ALEXANDER (born 27 April 1967), son of the monarch head of government: Prime Minister Jan Peter BALKENENDE (since 22 July 2002) and Deputy Prime Ministers Gerrit ZALM (since 27 May 2003) and Thom DE GRAAF (since 27 May 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch elections: none; the monarchy is hereditary; following Second Chamber elections, the leader of the majority party or leader of a majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch; vice prime ministers appointed by the monarch note: there is also a Council of State composed of the monarch, heir apparent, and councilors that provides consultations to the cabinet on legislative and administrative policy

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue; similar to the flag of Luxembourg, which uses a lighter blue and is longer; one of the oldest flags in constant use, originating with William I, Prince of Orange, in the latter half of the 16th century

Government type [time series]

constitutional monarchy

Independence [time series]

23 January 1579 (the northern provinces of the Low Countries conclude the Union of Utrecht breaking with Spain; it was not until 1648 that Spain recognized their independence)

International organization participation [time series]

AfDB, AsDB, Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (guest), NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, ONUB, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNTSO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WEU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO, ZC

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court or Hoge Raad (justices are nominated for life by the monarch)

Legal system [time series]

civil law system incorporating French penal theory; constitution does not permit judicial review of acts of the States General; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Legislative branch [time series]

bicameral States General or Staten Generaal consists of the First Chamber or Eerste Kamer (75 seats; members indirectly elected by the country's 12 provincial councils for four-year terms) and the Second Chamber or Tweede Kamer (150 seats; members directly elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: First Chamber - last held 25 May 2003 (next to be held May 2007); Second Chamber - last held 22 January 2003 (next to be held May 2007) election results: First Chamber - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - CDA 23, PvdA 19, VVD 15, Green Party 5, Socialist Party 4, D66 3, other 6; Second Chamber - percent of vote by party - CDA 28.6%, PvdA 27.3%, VVD 12.9%, Socialist Party 6.3%, List Pim Fortuyn 5.7%, Green Party 5.1%, D66 4.1%; seats by party - CDA 44, PvdA 42, VVD 28, Socialist Party 9, List Pim Fortuyn 8, Green Party 8, D66 6, other 5

National holiday [time series]

Queen's Day (Birthday of Queen-Mother JULIANA in 1909 and accession to the throne of her oldest daughter BEATRIX in 1980), 30 April

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Christian Democratic Appeal or CDA [Maxime Jacques Marcel VERHAGEN]; Christian Union Party [Andre ROUVOET]; Democrats 66 or D66 [Boris DITTRICH]; Green Party [Femke HALSEMA]; Labor Party or PvdA [Wouter BOS]; List Pim Fortuyn [Gerard van AS]; People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (Liberal) or VVD [Jozias VAN AARTSEN]; Socialist Party [Jan MARIJNISSEN]; plus a few minor parties

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Netherlands Trade Union Federation (FNV) (consisting of a merger of Socialist and Catholic trade unions); Christian Trade Union Federation (CNV); Trade Union Federation of Middle and High Personnel (MHP); Federation of Catholic and Protestant Employers Associations; Interchurch Peace Council or IKV; large multinational firms; the nondenominational Federation of Netherlands Enterprises

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

The Kingdom of the Netherlands was formed in 1815. In 1830 Belgium seceded and formed a separate kingdom. The Netherlands remained neutral in World War I, but suffered invasion and occupation by Germany in World War II. A modern, industrialized nation, the Netherlands is also a large exporter of agricultural products. The country was a founding member of NATO and the EEC (now the EU), and participated in the introduction of the euro in 1999.

Military

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Royal Netherlands Army, Royal Netherlands Navy (including Naval Air Service and Marine Corps), Royal Netherlands Air Force, Royal Constabulary, Defense Interservice Command

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$8,044.4 million (2003)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures - percent of GDP) [time series]

1.6% (2003)

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 4,070,043 (2004 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males age 15-49: 3,534,392 (2004 est.)

Military manpower - military age and obligation [time series]

20 years of age for an all volunteer force (May 2004)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually [time series]

males: 97,624 (2004 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 18.3% (male 1,527,316; female 1,457,192) 15-64 years: 67.8% (male 5,598,706; female 5,459,936) 65 years and over: 13.9% (male 953,370; female 1,321,679) (2004 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

11.41 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Death rate [time series]

8.67 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Dutch 83%, other 17% (of which 9% are non-Western origin mainly Turks, Moroccans, Antilleans, Surinamese and Indonesians) (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.2% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

less than 100 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

17,000 (2001 est.)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 5.11 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.68 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.51 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)

Languages [time series]

Dutch (official language), Frisian (official language)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 78.68 years male: 76.15 years female: 81.34 years (2004 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% (2000 est.) male: NA female: NA

Median age [time series]

total: 38.7 years male: 37.9 years female: 39.6 years (2004 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Dutchman(men), Dutchwoman(women) adjective: Dutch

Net migration rate [time series]

2.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Population [time series]

16,318,199 (July 2004 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

0.57% (2004 est.)

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic 31%, Protestant 21%, Muslim 4.4%, other 3.6%, unaffiliated 40% (1998)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2004 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.66 children born/woman (2004 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

none

Illicit drugs [time series]

major European producer of ecstasy, illicit amphetamines, and other synthetic drugs; important gateway for cocaine, heroin, and hashish entering Europe; major source of US-bound ecstasy; large financial sector vulnerable to money laundering

Transportation

Airports [time series]

27 (2003 est.)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 20 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 5 (2004 est.)

Heliports [time series]

1 (2003 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 116,500 km paved: 104,850 km (including 2,235 km of expressways) unpaved: 11,650 km (1999)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 635 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 4,796,460 GRT/5,212,557 DWT by type: bulk 1, cargo 375, chemical tanker 59, combination bulk 1, container 71, liquefied gas 13, multi-functional large load carrier 15, passenger 12, petroleum tanker 28, refrigerated cargo 37, roll on/roll off 14, short-sea/passenger 2, specialized tanker 7 foreign-owned: Belgium 2, Denmark 4, Finland 9, Germany 54, Ireland 14, Norway 9, Singapore 1, Sweden 19, Thailand 1, United Kingdom 31, United States 16 registered in other countries: 241 (2004 est.)

Pipelines [time series]

condensate 325 km; gas 6,998 km; oil 590 km; refined products 716 km (2004)

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Amsterdam, Delfzijl, Dordrecht, Eemshaven, Groningen, Haarlem, IJmuiden, Maastricht, Rotterdam, Terneuzen, Utrecht, Vlissingen

Railways [time series]

total: 2,808 km standard gauge: 2,808 km 1.435-m gauge (2,061 km electrified) (2003)

Waterways [time series]

5,046 km (navigable for ships of 50 tons) (2004)