Total Area:41,526 sq km Land Borders: Belgium, Germany
Population: 16,491,461
Life Expectancy: 79 years HIV % Total Poulation:0.2%
Ethnic Groups: Dutch 83%, other 17% (of which 9% are non-Western origin mainly Turks, Moroccans, Antilleans, Surinamese, and Indonesians)
Languages:Dutch (official), Frisian (official)
Prime Minister:Jan Peter BALKENENDE GDP - Per Capita: $30,500
The 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.
