Tidbits from the Netherlands!

1.The Netherlands has the highest population density (493 inhabitants per square km - water excluded) of any European country with over 1 million inhabitants. Worldwide, only Bangladesh and Taiwan, among major countries, have a higher density of population.

2.Dutch people are the tallest in the world, with an average height of 184 cm for men and 170 cm for women.

3.Dutch people have the lowest incidence of lactose intolerance of any country - only 1%


4.Orange-coloured carrots appeared in the Netherlands in the 16th century. Before that carrots were white, yellow, black, purple or red. Orange carrots are said to have been bred in honour of the House of Orange, who led the Dutch Revolt against Spain and later became the Dutch Royal family. Orange is still the official colour of the Netherlands and a sign of patriotism

5. Soft drugs (e.g. cannabis, "magic mushrooms") are legal in the Netherlands. Only licenced "coffee shops" are allowed to sell such drugs, although people are allowed to grow cannabis at home for their personal use.

6. Prostitution is legal in the Netherlands. However, prostitutes must be at least 18, and clients must be at least 16.

7.The Netherlands has spawned many world-class painters, such as Rembrandt, Jan Vermeer, Jan Steen, Vincent van Gogh or Piet Mondriaan.

8.The microscope, the telescope, pendulum clock and the mercury thermometer are all 16th or 17th century Dutch inventions.

9.The Dutch company 'Philips' invented the audio tape (in 1967), the video tape (in 1972), the Compact Disk (in 1982) and the CD-ROM (in 1985).

10. with only 0.008% of the world's area, the Netherlands is the world's third largest agricultural exporter.

11. the International Court of Justice is at the Peace Palace in The Hague.