Often people ask me: What's the difference between Holland and the Netherlands?
My answer: Well the Netherlands are divided into 12 provinces, and only two of them are called Holland. You see them on the map. They are Noord(North) -Holland and Zuid(South)-Holland.
Talking about Holland, people seem to think that we have only windmills, wooden shoes, tulips, national costumes and ..... Hansje Brinkers, the little boy who put his finger in the dike and who never existed. Nowadays coffeeshops, where you cannot buy coffee but marijuana, take the place of wooden shoes and tulips in the minds of many visitors.
I'd like to tell what the history of my country really is. We are like Great Britain a seafaring nation. Of course, for we have water on two sides. The Dutch are shaped by sea, wind and many foreign influences, as we have many neighbours.Our language is also shaped by the French, German and English languages. Besides Dutch we also have the Friesian language, spoken in Friesland, one of the northern provinces.
The Dutch United Provinces declared their independence from Spain in 1579; during the 17th century, they became a leading seafaring and commercial power, with settlements and colonies around the world. After a 20-year French occupation, a Kingdom of the Netherlands was formed in 1815. In 1830 Belgium seceded and formed a separate kingdom. The Netherlands remained neutral in World War I, but suffered invasion and occupation by Germany in World War II. A modern, industrialized nation, the Netherlands is also a large exporter of agricultural products. The country was a founding member of NATO and the EEC (now the EU), and participated in the introduction of the euro in 1999.
Welcome to Our World Tuesday! This meme continues in memory of the work of Klaus Peter, whose "that's My World" brought people together from around the world every Monday to share the wonders therein--big and small.Please click on our new logo for "Our World Tuesday" in the sidebar.
With thanks to Denise Nesbitt, who created ABC, and to Roger our new captain. For more interesting ABC posts click on the logo in the sidebar . This week we are looking for words beginning with N
30 comments:
Ah, thanks for the explanation. That said, informally, Holland and the Netherlands are considered the same in the States.
Such an interesting post, Wil!! Thanks for the information and explanation. As I've told you before, I did so enjoy my visit to your country -- wish I could repeat it!!
Have a great week!!
Like Roger, we think of Holland The Netherlands as the same. I taught at an independent Christian school that was formed by Dutch immigrants to here over 50 years ago and as such, met many Dutch teachers. Wonderful people who have remained wonderful friends. One day, I will visit your country but I do hope to see some windmills, tulips, and wooden shoes! :D
We have visited the Netherlands Wil, have friends there (in Hillegom) and also we have a Dutch friend in our village - it is a wonderful country with such a rich heritage - particularly in the arts.
Beautiful reflection!! Boom & gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
A very interesting history and I'm sure a beautiful country, without the finger in the hole Dutch boy.
I've met many travelers from the Netherlands this year at Grand Canyon.
My history lesson for the day! Interesting post.
Love the cubicle house photo! For a long time I thought Holland and Netherlands were separate countries.
You taught me SO much in this brief post, Wil!
I posted it to my FaceBook page for others to enjoy and learn
Aloha from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
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A great history lesson!
With a Dutch/German Grandson and a Dutch "DIL", I know know the history, lol ! Little Grandson learns Dutch and French ! My son is German buthis "mothertongue" is French because he went to school here in Waterloo. We are quiet a European family :)
Nice neat clarification about The Netherlands. Thanks, Wil.
Fascinating information about your world, Wil. I'm not sure I ever knew the history of The Netherlands before, although my brother married the eldest daughter of a Dutch family we had known for many years.
Perfect choice for Our World and for ABC.
Looking forward to seeing you soon. I'll e-mail today or tomorrow about it.
K
What a wonderful post. I particularly appreciated how you noted the change in times and what Holland is 'noted' for. Sometimes progress is sad...
Oh the memories the town names bring back of our tours through Netherlands on route to France.
Thanks so much
Denise ABC Team
Thank you for the explanation of Holland and the Netherlands.
I never knew which to use when talking about your country.
I am also guilty of thinking windmills and tulips when I think of the beautiful country.
Wish I could visit and see it for myself.
Great post! Yes Holland. Exactly, everybody in German says so. But everybody knows that it is not right.
Interesting history, Wil, - I didn't realize there were so many provinces. We traveled through the Netherlands to Njimagen to visit the Canadian War Cemetery there and met so many friendly people. We were so impressed with the care taken of the graves in the cemetery (where Charles' brother is buried). C's squadron took part in the Manna Project at the end of the war.
Thanks for a nice, informative post. India had a small Dutch settlement.
This gives me a new understanding about Holland and Netherlands, thanks Wil.
Nuggets of Wisdom
Rose, ABC Wednesday
Thank you for drawing the parallels to GB-I never thought of it that way- the Netherlands as a seafaring country. Don't know why-perhaps it's because of all the prevailing images of windmills and tulips.
Thank you for this information; I didn't know that...(probably should have.. I just thought the words were interchangeable. Blogging is such a great way to learn... and I have so much to learn!
What a perfect post for both memes! We really enjoyed our visit to The Netherlands several years ago. We especially enjoyed Amsterdam (particularly our nighttime canal boat ride and visit to Anne Frank Huis), Keukenhof, an evening bike ride from Bergen to Bergen aan Zee to watch the sunset over the North Sea, and a visit to Stalwijdewormer to see the beautiful Friesian horses. But there was so much more we didn't get to see, we sure hope to make it back to your lovely country one day soon!
Beautiful photography and excellent and very informative post for ABC ~ (A Creative Harbor)
An area I'm embarrassed to admit I know very little about. Thank you for the history lesson and explaining the nuances of the region!
I know this is my second visit to this post, but I wanted to add how beautiful your header shot of Rotterdam is -- so bright and beautiful it just jumps off the page. Absolutely heavenly.
I just realized that the kingdom of Nederland is not that old!
Enjoy your beautiful capture of the cubicle house/building in Rotterdam.
There was quite a lot of interaction between your country and mine in the 17th century, in the way of smuggling. If I sailed straight east from where I used to live on the Yorkshire coast I would soon be in Holland, -- if the notoriously wild North Sea would let me.
I posted the New Netherlands.People always wonder what it will be if NZ was Dutch. The whole country be full of tulips?
An interesting post, again. Thank your for that bit of Dutch history - I have learned a bit more today.
Keep well and take care!
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