Title: Netherlands - Wikitravel
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Understand
History
Culture
Geography
Climate
Regions
Cities
Other destinations
Get in
By plane
By train
From France, Belgium, United Kingdom
From Germany and Switzerland
By bus
By car
By boat
From Belgium
Get around
Public Transport tickets
OV-chipkaart
By train
Train surprises
Buying tickets
In the station
Discount rail pass
By bus
Night buses
Metro, tram
Travel information
By car
Rules regarding Public Transport
Speed limits
Fines
Breaking down
Fuel
By taxi
By thumb
Amsterdam
The Hague
Nijmegen
Other cities:
By bicycle
Bike theft
Extra legal protection
By plane
Talk
See
Traditional Netherlands
Historic cities
Art museums
Living with the water
Sinterklaas
Do
Festivals
Buy
Credit cards & ATMs
Costs
Shop
Klompen
Eat
Snacks & candy
Breakfast or Lunch
Meals
Restaurants
Snackbars
Vegetarianism
Drink
Beer
Bitters and gin
Tea and coffee
Hot chocolate
Drugs
Sleep
Learn
Work
Stay safe
Stay healthy
Respect
Social etiquette
Meeting and parting
Addressing people: formal and informal
Table customs
Body Language
Corporate Culture
Miscellaneous
Gay and lesbian travellers
Contact

Content: It grew to become one of the major economic and seafaring powers in the world during the 17th century, which is known as the Dutch Golden Age ( Gouden Eeuw ). During this period, many colonies were founded or conquered, including the Netherlands East Indies (currently Indonesia) and New Amsterdam (currently New York City ), which was later traded with the British for Suriname . In 1805, the country became a kingdom when Emperor Napoleon appointed his brother 'King of Holland'. In 1815, it became the United Kingdom of the Netherlands ( Verenigd Koninkrijk der Nederlanden) together with Belgium and Luxembourg under King William I ( Willem I ). In 1830 Belgium seceded and formed a separate kingdom. Luxembourg received independence from the Netherlands in 1890, as the Salic Law prohibited a female ruler. Avoiding the liberal revolutions of 1848 and new adopted Treaty, the Netherlands quietly became a constitutional monarchy and remained neutral in World War I but suffered a brutal invasion and occupation by Germany in World War II. A modern, industrialized nation, the Netherlands is also a large exporter of agricultural products. In 1944, the Low Countries formed the union of the Benelux in which they economically (and sometimes politically) work together. The country was a founding member of NATO in 1949 and the European Community (EC) in 1957, and participated in the introduction of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) in 1999.