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Saxion Universityof Applied Sciences

School of Business, Building & Technology

Jacques Bazen

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The Netherlands,

Holland,Nederland,

Dutch?

What is the correct name?

The correct answer is:Nobody cares…

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The Netherlands• General information:• Area: 41500 km2 (36000 km2 liveable)• Inhabitants: 16,7 million people• Capital city: Amsterdam• Government centre: Binnenhof The

Hague• Head of State: Willem Alexander of

Orange-Nassau• Prime Minister: Mark Rutte• Currency: Euro

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The Netherlands

Every square meter of land is in use!

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Lowest point of Europe

-6,76 m

0 m

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Schöne Grüße aus Holland!

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Stereotypes about Netherlands/Holland(according to research of Groningen university)

1. Drugs/Coffeeshops2. Thriftiness3. Clogs4. Tolerance/Liberalism5. Tulips6. Cheese (Gouda/Edam)7. Bicycles (loads of them)8. Below the sea level9. Mills10.Amsterdam

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Dutch culture

– Struggle against the water– Independent trading nation– Calvinism?

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Dutch culture – CalvinismFormer Dutch Prime-Minister prof.dr.J.P. Balkenende:“Dutch are Calvinists, if they like it or not, there is no denying about that, although they may not confess Calvinist religion (anymore). Characteristic for Dutch people are Calvinist values:– Hard working– Spending little– Steadfast in opinions”

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Dutch culture – Struggle against water

You can see that the land on the opposite side of the dike is below the sea level

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Waterproblems

No dikes? Then the map would look like the left one!

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WaterproblemsNorth Western Storms make the Dutch verynervous.

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Waterproblems

• Solution?• Water barriers to keep the sea

out!

car

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De Bataven

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Batavia

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Government

• Our king:• The head of the Dutch

state• Willem Alexander Von

Amsberg van Oranje-Nassau

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Royal family

• King’s mother (now retired)• Beatrix Von Amsberg-Zu

Lippe Biesterfeldvan Oranje-Nassau

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Government

• Founder of the dynasty: William of Nassau-Dillenburg, prince of Orange:

• Rebel leader who was the driving force behind the Dutch revolution. Murdered in 1584

• The National anthem is about him

Dutch National anthem (Wilhelmus):

William of Nassau, I am of German blood.I'm faithful to the fatherland until I die.I'm a prince of Orange, free and without fearI have always honoured the king of Spain

(written by Philips von Marnix, lord of Saint Aldegonde and West Souburg, 1572)

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GovernmentHolland is a constitutional monarchy.The political system is quite centralized, but 4

levels of government:– National Parliament (The Hague)– Provinces (12)– Municipalities (432)– Water board (specialized government)

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Government centre Den Haag

Mark Rutte

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AmsterdamCanals: Inspiration for St. PetersburgTulip Crazyness, Narrow canal houses

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Port of Rotterdam

Largest harbour in Europe

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Notorious?

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According to our queen, who is of Basque-Argentinian

offspring, The Dutch culture is like:

• 1 Cookie rule (3 variants)• Open curtains and big

windows in the houses• Money savers – heating

off at night

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Dutch food

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Dutch food

Dutch FastFood:Snack vending machines, “Food from the wall”

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Dutch culture (?)

• The Dutch culture belongs to the Nordic culture group. The culture that it looks like most is probably the Danish.

• Hofstede scores: Very low power distance, very low masculinity, high individualism. Medium long term orientation, medium uncertainty avoidance.

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Stereotypes about Netherlands/Holland(according to research of Groningen university)

1. Drugs/Coffeeshops2. Thriftiness3. Clogs4. Tolerance/Liberalism5. Tulips6. Cheese (Gouda/Edam)7. Bicycles (loads of them)8. Below the sea level9. Mills10.Amsterdam

1. Drugs

2. Generousity/thriftiness

3. Clogs

4. Tolerance/liberalism

5. Tulips

6. Cheese (Gouda/Edam)

7. Bicycles

8. Below the sea level

9. Mills

10. Amsterdam

Canals: Inspiration for St. PetersburgTulip Crazyness, Narrow canal houses

10. Amsterdam

According to our queen, who is of Basque-Argentinian offspring, Dutch culture is like:• 1 Cookie rule (3 variants)• Open curtains and big windows in

the houses• Money savers – heating off at

night

11. Typical Dutch: Does it exist?

12. Encore: Dutch Language

Achthonderdachtentachtig prachtige grachtenbruggen in Amsterdam