1. Land below sea level: Approximately 26% of The Netherlands lies below sea level, showcasing Dutch ingenuity in land reclamation. The Zuidplaspolder near Nieuwerkerk aan den IJssel lies −7 m (−23 ft), below sea level.
  2. Highest point: The Vaalserberg, at 322.7 meters, is the highest point in the European Netherlands, located in the province of Limburg near Maastricht. Yep, don’t come to The Netherlands for our mountain ranges.
  3. Population density: With 508 people per square kilometer, the Netherlands is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. Especially in the Randstad the density is very high.
  4. Bicycle haven: There are over 22 million bicycles in the Netherlands, outnumbering the population.
  5. Cycling infrastructure: The country boasts more than 35,000 kilometers of dedicated bicycle paths, making it a cyclist’s paradise. And our bike lanes are solid and safe!
  6. Tallest people: Dutch men and women are among the tallest globally, with average heights of 184 cm and 170 cm, respectively.
  7. Tulip mania: Speculation drove up the prices of some tulip bulbs in the 1630s, before the market collapsed in 1637. See our tulip fields guide for places to enjoy the flowers today.
  8. Windmills: The Netherlands is home to over 1,000 historic windmills, integral to its landscape and history. Most famous mills to visit are at Kinderdijk near Rotterdam or the Zaanse Schans.
  9. Orange: Orange is closely associated with the Netherlands and the House of Orange. You will see it everywhere on King’s Day.
  10. King’s Day: Celebrated on April 27th, King’s Day is a national holiday marked by street markets, music, and orange attire. Holland becomes one big festival!
  11. Amsterdam’s canals: The city has over 100 kilometers of canals, earning it the nickname “Venice of the North.”
  12. Schiphol Airport: Amsterdam’s airport is situated 5 meters below sea level. Yes this is crazy if you roughly 1/4 of our country is below sea level.
  13. Official language: Dutch is the official language, but Frisian is also recognized in the province of Friesland and Limburgian in Limburg. Learn more about the Dutch language here.
  14. Multilingual nation: Approximately 90-93% of Dutch people speak English as a second language. So don’t worry, we’ll help you get around.
  15. First stock exchange: The world’s first stock exchange was established in Amsterdam in 1602 by the Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC). It gave us great wealth, but also against great costs.
  16. Artistic heritage: The Netherlands produced renowned artists like Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Van Gogh. You can find their works scattered in many musea in The Netherlands. Most works hang in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.
  17. Delftware: Famous blue and white pottery, known as Delftware, originates from the city of Delft.
  18. Cheese production: The Dutch are among the world’s largest cheese exporters, with Gouda being the most famous variety. You can find epic cheese markets in Gouda or Alkmaar but any other city market will also not disappoint you.
  19. Liberal policies: The Netherlands was the first country to legalize same-sex marriage in 2001.
  20. Innovative architecture: The Cube Houses in Rotterdam are a prime example of Dutch architectural innovation.
  21. Water management: The Delta Works is a series of constructions designed to protect the country from the sea, showcasing advanced engineering. Neeltje Jans is one of the most epic Delta Works. You can visit these easily from Goes, Middelburg, Vlissingen, Domburg or Veere for example.
  22. Royal Palace foundations: Amsterdam’s Royal Palace is built on 13,659 wooden poles due to the city’s swampy soil. Actually, the whole city is build on a swamp, pretty cool right!
  23. Licorice lovers: The Dutch consume more licorice than any other nation, averaging over 4 pounds per person annually. Who doesn’t like a dropje!
  24. CD invention: The compact disc (CD) was developed by Dutch company Philips in collaboration with Sony. Crazy right? Their headquarters is still in Eindhoven.
  25. Beer exporters: The Netherlands is the world’s second-largest beer exporter, home to brands like Heineken and Amstel.
  26. Legal capital: The Hague hosts several international courts, including the International Court of Justice, earning it the nickname “the legal capital of the world.” Kinda proud on this one!
  27. Stroopwafels: These syrup-filled waffle cookies are a beloved Dutch treat, best enjoyed with coffee or tea. What you should do is put them like a lit on your teacup, this will warm the stroopwafel and bring your tastebuds to another level. Some say they originated in Gouda.
  28. KLM Airlines: Founded in 1919, KLM is the world’s oldest airline still operating under its original name. Flying blue since 1919!
  29. Gin’s origin: The Dutch spirit “jenever” is the precursor to modern gin. You almost won’t taste the difference. Jenever mule maybe next time?
  30. Wooden shoes: Traditional clogs, known as “klompen,” were designed to protect feet from wet conditions. We wear them everywhere and always, even in bed. Just kidding, you will only see them on some farms and tourist shops. But you see them at the country side in cities like Giethoorn or Meppel.
  31. Pancake boats: In cities like Rotterdam, you can enjoy pancake cruises, combining dining with sightseeing. We do like our pancakes but also poffertjes, the smaller version which are perfect for kids.
  32. Efteling: One of the world’s oldest theme parks, Efteling is based on fairy tales and folklore. Love this park, it’s like the Dutch Disney Land. Easy to get to from Breda or Den Bosch.
  33. Famous DJs: The Netherlands has produced world-renowned DJs like Tiësto, Armin van Buuren, and Martin Garrix. My favorite is Armin van Buuren.
  34. The Dutch created their own land: Large parts of the Netherlands, such as Flevoland, were reclaimed from the sea using an advanced system of dikes and polders. You can find them anywhere! I really like biking through them around Voorburg.
  35. Coffee breaks: Cafés are a familiar part of Dutch city life. A coffee stop is also a good excuse to try a slice of apple pie.
  36. Amsterdam has more bridges than Venice: With over 1,500 bridges, Amsterdam surpasses Venice in canal crossings.
  37. Rotterdam’s futuristic skyline: Unlike most Dutch cities, Rotterdam has a modern skyline due to heavy bombing in World War II and subsequent rebuilding.
  38. Sinterklaas and Christmas: There’s Sinterklaas on December 5 and traditional Christmas on December 25. They are separate celebrations; Christmas is celebrated on 25 and 26 December.
  39. World’s biggest flower exporter: The Netherlands exports over 60% of the world’s flowers, with tulips being the most iconic. Who doesn’t like flowers?
  40. Home of the world’s largest flower garden: Keukenhof, open only in spring, showcases millions of blooming flowers. But you can also find them anywhere around Lisse!
  41. Road safety: Separate cycle lanes are common, but busy junctions still need care. Follow signs and traffic lights rather than assuming you have priority.
  42. Beer drinking culture: The Dutch prefer their beer served with a thick layer of foam, which is considered essential for taste. Bartenders are trained to pour beer to the exact level. Greedy bar owners?
  43. Most Dutch people work part-time: A large portion of the population, especially women, works fewer than 35 hours per week. I also only work 4 of the 5 days, so roughly 32 hours.
  44. Tap water: Tap water is normally suitable for drinking. Follow any local notice marking a supply as non-drinking water.
  45. The Netherlands was one of the EU’s founding members: It helped establish the European Economic Community in 1957.
  46. First country with a national flag in tricolor format: The red, white, and blue Dutch flag set a design trend for many others.
  47. Museums: Collections across the country cover art, science, local history and more. Museumkaart covers participating museums, not every attraction; compare its conditions with your itinerary.
  48. The Dutch are direct communicators: Expect blunt honesty, which is not considered rude but rather practical. Direct and straight to the point, just the way I like it.
  49. They eat raw herring with onions: A traditional Dutch delicacy, best eaten by holding the fish by the tail and biting into it. One of my favorite snacks near the sea.
  50. The Keeshond: This dog appeared as a symbol of the Patriots in 18th-century Dutch political imagery.
  51. Train energy: NS purchases renewable electricity from wind and solar sources for its electric trains.
  52. The Dutch invented Bluetooth: Named after a Viking king, Bluetooth technology was developed by a Dutch engineer.
  53. The Netherlands is one of the happiest countries in the world: Regularly ranking high in global happiness indexes.
  54. Fries and sauces: The Dutch love their fries with thick, creamy mayonnaise instead of the typical ketchup. But also pindasaus is one of their favorites, patatje oorlog combines mayonnaise and peanut sauce, often with onions. Try them all on your visit! Patat or friet we call it, depending on where you are in NL.
  55. They were pioneers in women’s rights: The Netherlands granted women’s suffrage in 1919, ahead of many other countries.
  56. Rotterdam’s port: The port stretches far beyond the city centre towards the North Sea. A harbour trip shows a different side of Rotterdam.
  57. Speed skating is a national obsession: The Netherlands dominates Olympic speed skating competitions. Which is kinda strange since we have almost no natural ice anymore these days.
  58. “Going Dutch”: The phrase meaning to split the bill originates from the Dutch culture of financial fairness. We are just counting all our pennies.
  59. Bitterballen: A deep-fried meat snack served with mustard, often enjoyed in bars or on a terrace. This is a must eat snack when you visit The Netherlands. It’s high in our list of top Dutch dishes.
  60. Starting school: Children commonly begin primary school at four. Families arrange the start date with their school.
  61. Schools: Teaching approaches vary between schools, including Montessori and other educational models.
  62. Dutch homes often lack curtains: The tradition of keeping windows uncovered comes from Protestant values of transparency. We have grey weather for a few months a year, when the sun is out the sun is also welcome in our home!
  63. The Dutch were among the first to legalize euthanasia: A highly regulated process, legalized in 2002.
  64. Giant open-air markets: Weekly markets in cities like The Hague (Haagse markt is massive) and Utrecht sell everything from cheese to clothing.
  65. The Dutch royal family rides bicycles: Sometimes you can see King Willem-Alexander cycling around The Hague. Mark Rutte our former prime minister did it daily, now in his new job at the NAVO HQ he is less visible on the streets.
  66. The Dutch designed New York’s original layout: The first settlers of New York (then called New Amsterdam) were Dutch.
  67. Ice skating on canals is a big event: When winter gets cold enough, the canals freeze over, and everyone skates. This is an epic event, people take days off for this. Unfortunately it doesn’t happen that often anymore. But when they do, be sure to head early to Amsterdam, Haarlem, Leiden or Delft!
  68. Alcohol and cycling: Cycling under the influence is prohibited. Walk or take public transport after drinking.
  69. Dutch universities are among the best in the world: They regularly rank high for academic excellence and English-taught courses. We accept students from all over the world!
  70. Dutch schools don’t have school uniforms: Unlike in many countries, students wear their own clothes.
  71. The Netherlands has an official tallest windmill: The De Noord windmill in Schiedam stands at 33.3 meters. The mill is high up in our top windmills of The Netherlands.
  72. The Dutch love cheese markets: Traditional cheese markets in places like Alkmaar and Gouda still operate today.
  73. The Netherlands was one of the first countries to decriminalize soft drugs: Although technically illegal, coffee shops are allowed to sell small amounts of cannabis.
  74. Bikes get stolen a lot: An estimated 500,000 bicycles are stolen each year in the Netherlands. One of the reasons why most of us have more than one bike.
  75. Dutch people love sarcasm: Humor is often dry, witty, and sometimes difficult for foreigners to catch.
  76. The Dutch word “gezellig” has no direct English translation: It describes a cozy, warm atmosphere or social setting.
  77. Pancake restaurants: Look for a pannenkoekenhuis if you want Dutch pancakes, often served with sweet or savoury toppings.
  78. Dutch weather is unpredictable: You can experience sunshine, rain, and strong wind all in one day. Read more about the best time to visit the country.
  79. The Netherlands has over 12,000 km of waterways: Used for transport, tourism, and recreation.
  80. Refill your bottle: A reusable bottle is handy when exploring. Use drinking-water taps and follow any notices at public refill points.
  81. The Dutch invented WiFi: The key technology behind wireless internet was developed by a Dutch scientist.
  82. Cycling priority: Cyclists do not automatically have right of way. Follow the signs, markings and traffic lights at each junction.
  83. Miffy (Nijntje) is Dutch: The famous rabbit character was created by Dutch artist Dick Bruna.
  84. Dutch police sometimes ride horses: A traditional way to patrol in busy cities or during football matches.
  85. Wind energy: Modern wind turbines stand on land and offshore in the North Sea. They serve a different purpose from the historic mills you can visit.
  86. Amsterdam has an entire cat museum: The KattenKabinet is dedicated to cat-themed art.
  87. The Dutch have floating houses: In response to rising sea levels, some Dutch people live in homes that float. It was also a solution to solve the housing crisis back in the 1960’s. You can actually stay in them for the night. Be sure to check out our most unique accommodation guide!
  88. Landscapes: Much of the European Netherlands is flat, but southern Limburg has hills. The Caribbean island of Saba is mountainous.
  89. The Dutch love second-hand markets: King’s Day turns every city into a giant flea market meeting a festival. It’s a massive event in the whole country!
  90. Amsterdam’s airport has its own museum: Schiphol features a mini Rijksmuseum with classic artworks.
  91. The Dutch drive on the right side of the road: Unlike the UK or Japan, but similar to most European countries.
  92. Recycling: Waste-sorting rules vary by municipality. Check the instructions at your accommodation before using shared bins.
  93. Dutchies love peanut sauce: Satay sauce (pindasaus) is often used on fries and even in Dutch-Indonesian cuisine.
  94. Many Dutch homes have steep stairs: A challenge for visitors who aren’t used to them. Especially the colonial homes from pre 1900 era.
  95. Amsterdam’s houses lean forward on purpose: It was designed to make hoisting furniture into narrow homes easier.
  96. Wadden Islands: The Dutch islands lie along the Wadden Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage area. Read our Texel guide for a first island visit.
  97. Everyday life: Customs and attitudes vary between people and places. A few days outside the main tourist centres can give you a broader view of the country.
  98. Population: More than 18 million people live in the Netherlands, with many concentrated in the western cities.
  99. International residents: People from many countries live in the Netherlands, particularly in its larger cities and university towns.
  100. Payments: Cards are widely used, but accepted payment methods vary. See our Netherlands travel costs guide.

Let us know if you have more fun facts or stats about The Netherlands. We’ll add some more in the future so stay tuned.