Netherlands, also known as Holland, sits next to the sea. The land is so low that the sea previously covered much of it. The Dutch people have built great walls or dykes to keep the water out. Over time, they slowly drained the water so the land can be used for farming or other purposes. Flooding happens frequently here. The people have to watch and maintain the dykes so they don’t break.
People love bicycling here. The land is so flat that riding a bike is easy. Miles of bicycle paths weave through the country. The cities are planned around bicycles, not cars.
Netherlands Facts For Kids
- The Netherlands is in Europe.
- The capital city is Amsterdam.
- People there speak Dutch.
- They’re known for windmills and tulips.
- The currency is the euro (€).
- Much of the land is below sea level.
- They built dikes to keep water out.
- Dutch people love riding bicycles.
- Vincent van Gogh was a Dutch painter.
- It’s also called “Holland” sometimes.
Amsterdam
Located in Europe, Amsterdam stands as the capital city of the Netherlands, renowned for its distinctive characteristics that offer children a blend of fun exploration and educational discovery. The city boasts a unique attribute of having more bicycles than its inhabitants, coupled with an extensive canal network that surpasses even Venice, Italy.
These canals are not just aesthetically pleasing but also functional, housing around 2,500 houseboats serving as residences. A profound historical significance is attached to the city as it shelters the Anne Frank House, where a young girl and her family sought refuge during World War II. The city’s cultural wealth is manifest in its myriad museums, art, and history, contributing to an enriching learning environment that kids can relish.
Dutch
Often referred to as Holland, the Netherlands is globally renowned for its striking tulip fields, iconic windmills, and traditional wooden shoes. The country’s inhabitants, known as the Dutch, are recognized for having the world’s happiest children, as reported by UNICEF.
This happiness is attributed to the high degree of autonomy granted to Dutch children, who are actively involved in decision-making processes both at home and in school. Further contributing to their well-being is the Dutch education system, which ranks among the best globally.
Dutch children also take part in the unique tradition of ‘Sinterklaas’, a holiday akin to Christmas, where they receive gifts from Saint Nicholas, further enriching their cultural experience.
Windmills
Windmills, a quintessential symbol of the Netherlands, offer children an educational and fascinating sightseeing opportunity. More than 1,000 of these impressive structures, some dating back to the 1850s, still stand and operate today, grinding grain, draining land, and even generating electricity. Positioned amid stunning landscapes and water bodies, they present a picturesque view that captivates young minds.
A visit to these windmills provides children with the chance to understand both historical and contemporary applications of windmills, thus fostering knowledge about renewable energy sources. Several of these windmills even offer guided tours, enabling them to explore the inner workings of these machines, enriching their learning experience.
Tulips
The Netherlands, globally acclaimed as the ‘Tulip Capital of the World,’ boasts expansive fields carpeted with vibrant tulips, an integral part of Dutch culture and history. The mid-1600s saw a period famously known as ‘Tulip Mania’ when tulip bulb prices soared abruptly before crashing dramatically.
Today, the annual spectacle of millions of tulips blooming countrywide between March and May draws numerous tourists. Among the attractions is the Keukenhof Garden, also referred to as the ‘Garden of Europe.’ As one of the world’s largest flower gardens, it offers children a mesmerizing display of tulips in a plethora of colors and shapes.
Van Gogh
The Netherlands, globally renowned for its vibrant art culture, proudly boasts of the celebrated artist, Vincent Van Gogh, as one of its own. Born in the quaint village of Groot-Zundert in 1853, Van Gogh fundamentally transformed the world of art with his distinctive painting technique. His iconic works such as ‘The Starry Night’ and ‘Sunflowers’ stand as testament to his genius.
Even though his life was marred by numerous challenges, including mental health issues, his artistic legacy includes over 2,000 extraordinary pieces of art. The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, one of the most frequented museums in the Netherlands, allows children and art enthusiasts alike to delve deeper into Van Gogh’s life and marvel at his famous paintings.
Dikes
Known for its remarkable dike system, the Netherlands showcases large barriers crucial in preventing sea flooding, owing to the fact that approximately one-third of the country’s terrain lies below sea level.
The Dutch, having developed expertise in water management over centuries, utilize these dikes not only as a protective measure against flooding but also as a means to reclaim land for agricultural and construction purposes.
Without these vital structures, a significant portion of the Netherlands would be submerged, making the dikes an integral and distinctive characteristic of the country.
North Sea
The Netherlands, often known as Holland, presents a captivating learning subject for kids, particularly its relationship with the North Sea. Located to the north and west of Germany and Belgium, this compact country boasts an extensive coastline along the North Sea, and it’s intriguing that a significant part of it, including its biggest city, Amsterdam, is situated below sea level.
The Dutch people, through a sophisticated network of dikes, dams, and pumps, have successfully reclaimed land from the North Sea for habitation and even built islands, a feat of engineering known as the Dutch Delta Works. This remarkable accomplishment is recognized as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.
Dutch Golden Age
The 17th-century Dutch Golden Age represents a captivating chapter in the Netherlands’ history, intriguing to younger generations. During this period, the nation witnessed a remarkable surge in economic prosperity, scientific breakthroughs, and artistic achievements. Particularly, Amsterdam emerged as one of the world’s wealthiest and influential hubs.
Esteemed Dutch artists like Rembrandt and Vermeer created their most acclaimed works during this era, contributing to the cultural richness. This epoch also saw monumental advancements in science and technology, with contributions from Dutch inventors and explorers such as Antonie van Leeuwenhoek and Abel Tasman.
Ultimately, the Dutch Golden Age symbolizes a period of affluence and advancement, underscoring the Netherlands’ abundant cultural and historical heritage.
Holland
The Netherlands, frequently referred to as Holland, is renowned for its flat geography marked by canals, windmills, tulip fields, and cycling paths. However, the term ‘Holland’ technically only pertains to two provinces within the nation: North Holland, housing the iconic city of Amsterdam, and South Holland, which includes the notable cities of Rotterdam and The Hague.
Often, when people mention Holland, they’re referring to the entire country of the Netherlands. Recognized for its wooden footwear known as clogs and scrumptious cheese, the Netherlands also holds the distinction of being one of the world’s most densely inhabited nations. Despite its dense population, it consistently ranks highly in global happiness surveys, making it one of the world’s happiest countries.
Wooden shoes (clogs)
Wooden shoes, known as clogs, are a prominent symbol of the Netherlands, with a history spanning over 700 years. Initially favored by farmers, fishermen, and artisans for their durability and comfort in keeping the feet warm and dry, these traditional Dutch footwear are fascinatingly hand-carved from a single wood piece.
Varieties range from simple, unadorned ones for daily work to intricately painted ones for special events, reflecting the Dutch culture’s diversity. Even though modern footwear is more common today, clogs continue to hold significance in Dutch heritage, particularly in rural areas, underscoring their enduring popularity.
Fun Facts about Netherlands for Kids
- The Netherlands has two capital cities: Amsterdam and The Hague.
- The Netherlands has 13,097 square miles of land, much of it reclaimed from the sea.
- Over 17,000,000 million people live here.
- The official language is Dutch.
- 63 percent of people are Christian; 3 percent are Muslim; 34 percent are other.
- The government is a multiparty democracy. They also have a monarchy dating back to the 16th century. Queen Beatrix is the current monarch.
- The Dutch use the Euro as their currency.
- 99 percent of adults can read.
- The Rhine is the longest river in Holland, the Meuse is the second longest river.
- Mark Rutte is the current Prime Minister of the Netherlands (information taken June 2018).
- In the picture below you will see Queen Beatrix, she abdicated her throne in 2013 and her son Willem Alexander became the King of Holland. He is the first King of the nation since 1890.
Netherlands Vocabulary
- Dyke: wall, dam or berm
- Flood: when water from seas, lakes or rivers overruns its bounds and spills onto dry land
- Weave: strung, wrapped throughout
Learn More All about Netherlands
Check out this cool video all about Netherlands for kids:
A documentary all about Netherlands – its geography, sites and landscapes.
Netherlands Q&A
Question: What do people do to earn a living in Holland?
Answer: Four hundred years ago, sailors and merchants traded gold and spices between Holland, Asia and the Caribbean. The country became very wealthy because of this trading. Today, people still trade and export goods. Tulip bulbs grown in Holland are sold around the world. Amsterdam is a diamond polishing center.
Map of Netherlands
Here’s a map of the country of Netherlands and all its cities and villages. Zoom in to get into street level or zoom out to see other countries around Netherlands! You can see the terrain, but also see the roads, images of the buildings and even take a 3D tour through the streets of the cities of Netherlands, as though you are actually there!
