'The Netherlands' and 'Holland' are used to describe the same country? One quarter of the Netherlands is below sea level? The International Court of Justice is at the Peace Palace in The Hague? The Netherlands still has about 1,000 traditional working windmills? With only 0.008% of the world's area, the Netherlands is the world's third largest agricultural exporter after the USA and France? People in Holland eat raw herring with onions on top? The Netherlands has at least 15,000 km of cycle tracks? The Netherlands' favourite sweet is a salty liquorice called 'drop'? When your aeroplane arrives at Schiphol, it lands 4.5 metres below sea level? The Dutch are the tallest people in Europe? Amsterdam is entirely built on piles? The Netherlands always has a coalition government, which makes it a country of compromises? Only 5% of the population works in agriculture? Every Dutch person has at least one bicycle and there are twice as many bikes as cars? The Netherlands has the highest concentration of museums in the world, with 42 in Amsterdam alone? In the province of Friesland, there are just as many cows as people? The Netherlands was one of the European Union's founding nations? You can see 22 paintings by Rembrandt and 206 by Van Gogh in Amsterdam? The Netherlands' highest point is 321 metres and is therefore called a 'mountain'? Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands, but the seat of government is in The Hague? Most Dutch people speak at least one foreign language? One in every three Dutch people belongs to a sports club? You will find a bunch of flowers in almost every Dutch living room? Rotterdam is the world's biggest seaport? Our best national dishes come from abroad? People of 200 nationalities live in Amsterdam? Almost all Dutch people can swim and skate? Many Dutch people spread chocolate on their bread for breakfast? Amsterdam has 1,281 bridges? After the Scandinavians, the Dutch are the world's biggest coffee drinkers? You have not really been to Holland until you have eaten a 'kroket'?
Oh, and when youre up in the very north or the very south, dont call our country 'Holland', it pisses off the people there.
No worries, myrtje. Itleast everyone now knows about the Holland/Netherlands thing. Also I did'nt know about this port in Asia being the biggest either. I guess some of the facts are out of date.
Reminds me.. did anyone here read the book 'undutchables'? I've been planning to read it for ages but the book is fairly expensive.. wonder if it's worth it..
blahblahblah Haven't signed up to one here yet.. and somehow I don't like libraries anymore.. used to borrow loads of books there but.. I dunno.. nowadays you have to pay for each book unless you have this expensive subscription.. but yeah, probably better than buying a book that's not worth it
You have to pay at the library? Wow! Here in my area, the library card is free, checking out books are free. The only time you pay is if your book is overdue. And that's about 10 cents per day. I thought that was interesting during my first day in Nijmegen. Chocolate on bread for breakfast. If I was a child and had chocolate for breakfast, mom would throw a fit. But our breakfasts are usually cereal or porridge, pancakes, or eggs and bacon/sausage with potatoes. Big breakfasts on the weekends. raw herring w/onion? I don't think that's a bit of Dutch culture I'll ever try.
I thought that Holland was a province and The Netherlands was the country. Guess I got that wrong. Friesland sounds like it is alot like Nebraska. What is a "kroket".
oh yeah I like kroket it's like uhm... goulash with a crust around it... hard to explain, better than any other Dutch 'national' food, though....
I demand Krokets to be sold in the UK, I miss them. Can't wait to try the Frikandel Speciaal next visit which is a new one on me. Somebody could make a fortune in the UK if Febo style shops opened up.!
Nope.. you're right.. bot NEMISIS is right as well. There are two provinces that are called Holland (North Holland.. with Amsterdam in it... and South Holland.. with The Hague).. in the old days they were one, if I'm correct and just called 'Holland'. They were (and still are) very important for our export, since our harbor is located in the South one.. for that reason a lot of products have the tag 'Holland' on them and well.. it's just an easier word than 'The Netherlands' So.. I use the referrence 'Holland' a lot myself to describe my own country.. and although it's not totally correct, I don't think there are a lot of people who really mind. In fact.. when there is a big soccer game we sheer on our country with "Hup, Holland Hup".. which means as much as 'Go, Holland Go".. so go figure Bit confusing maybe but.. well.. just a name
Here is a picture of a 'kroket'.. ooh.. and by the way.. there is a vegetarian version as well! Just ask for one.. they have some vegetable mooshy something in them.. I had to get used to it but now I loooooove it! Kroketten (that's how you write the plural) are perfect for putting between a hamburger-bun and adding mustard... yummmm! This is a kroket in a famous 'out of the wall' thingie.. like you have at the 'Febo'.. the food is displayed (and refreshed regurlarly).. you have to throw in the appropriate amount of money, open the lid and off you go! No waiting in line..
And specially for NEMISIS... a Frikandel Speciaal! (a sausage like thing.. don't ask what meat is in it.. hehe.. sliced in the length.. with mayo, ketchup/curry and fresh onions.. no veggie version though) Normal one.. from the cafeteria: Super deluxe one.. for your special occasions
That's it.! I'm off down the pub for a meal now. I'm absolutley starving and I have the munchies too.LOL
