Netherlands

- Land area
- 41,528 km2
- Population
- 16.8 million
- Currency
- euro [EUR]
The Kingdom of the Netherlands is one of the most densely populated nations in the world. Some 17 million people live in this Western European country, whose seat of government is in The Hague. The capital city and main centre of culture and economy is Amsterdam. Known for its elaborate canal system, this city serves as headquarters for numerous international companies. Rotterdam is another major city that plays a key role in the Netherlands’ export-oriented national economy, which is very active in international trade. As Europe’s largest port, it is the most important logistical hub for the movement of goods to and from the continent.
The standard of living is high in the Netherlands, even if its purchasing power has declined somewhat in recent years. The market is characterised by a distinctly tight network of local suppliers and is dominated by modern supermarkets whose concepts are continually being improved.