What you need to know about the Netherlands

Goededag (That's Dutch for 'hello'). My name is Kevin and i'm from the Netherlands. It's a beautiful country in the North East of Europe, next to Germany and Belgium. You probably heard about it. Amsterdam, the red light district and our drugs policy. But there is so much more to know about my beautiful country that makes you look in a different way to it.

1. Not all Dutch people are from Holland or even from Europe

A lot of not Dutch people call The Netherlands Holland. But this is not exactly a correct replacement. Holland is an area in the Netherlands that today is made up of the provinces of North Holland (Noord-Holland) and South Holland (Zuid-Holland). Historically Holland was the area that contributed the most to the Dutch kingdom's economy and wealth, thus becoming a common name to indicate the entire country, although incorrectly. In addition, due to a history of colonialism, three Caribbean islands are still part of the Netherlands: Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba. Their citizens are Dutch and can vote in EU elections.

2. The Wilhelmus is the oldest national anthem in the world

The lyrics and the music were created in the 16 century and in it the Dutch king speaks of his German blood and describes his loyalty to the Spanish crown.

3.The Netherlands is the healthiest country in the world for diet

The Netherlands ranked first in the world, above France and Switzerland, for having the most plentiful, nutritious, healthy and affordable food among 125 countries in an Oxfam report.

4.King Willem-Alexander was the first Dutch king in 123 years

His coronation in April 2013 came after his mother, Queen Beatrix, abdicated at the age of 75, ending a female reign that spanned three generations since 1890. King Willem-Alexander serves as the current head of state.

5. The Netherlands was the first country in the world shich legalised gay marriage

Same-sex marriage has been legal in the Netherlands since 2001.

6. Dutch men are the tallest in the world

With a height of 182.5cm, while Dutch women rank as the second tallest in the world with a height of 1.69cm. Although Europeans and Americans towered over the average Dutch in the mid-18th century, Dutch males have grown some 20cm over the last 200 years compared to just 6cm that Americans grew. Researchers say it is not only due to Dutch DNA but also environmental factors such as low social inequality, universal healthcare and nutrition, specifically their heavy consumption of dairy products.

7. Gin was invented by the Dutch and introduced to the Brits

Gin (jenever) was invented in the 16th century, and reportedly became popular in Great Britain after William of Orange (King William III) occupied the English, Scottish and Irish thrones with his wife Mary. A popular story for the term 'Dutch courage' allegedly derives from when gin was used by Brits and the Dutch during the Thirty Years' War.

8.The Netherlands has the highest English-proficiency in the world

Narrowly beating Denmark and Sweden, according to the English Proficiency Index (EPI). Some nine in 10 Dutch people speak English as a second language. According to the latest EU langage report (2012), 94 percent of Dutch people could speak two languages, well above the EU average of 54 percent. Considering more than half of the population also speak German, many must speak at least three languages. The Netherlands is one of the top countries where residents are more likely to learn a language at school, around 91 percent, and via conversation.

9. There are over 1,000 windmills still standing from 1850

Traditionally used for a variety of purposes, from irrigation to grinding grain, only a few still operate commercially. The Kinderdijk area is a UNESCO World Heritage site home to 19 traditional windmills.

10. The Netherlands produces around 6 million souvenir clogs each year

The exact origin of wooden footwear is unknown – and not thought to be Dutch – although the oldest surviving clog in Europe was found in Nieuwendijk, Amsterdam, dating almost 800 years and resembling Dutch clogs today. Clogs are rarely worn although they are ingrained in Dutch culture, for example, there are many clog-related idiomatic expressions. Traditionally, klompen were used as protective footwear for labour workers as they're sturdy, waterproof and easy to clean, and in rural Netherlands they are still somtimes seen in the fields.

11. An entire province is made from land reclaimed from the sea

Flevoland became a province in 1986 and is largely made of land reclaimed from the Zuiderzee in the 20th century.

12. Almost 80 percent of the world's flower bulbs come from the Netherlands

The majority of which are tulips, making it the world's leading tulip exporter. In 2017 the tulip industry is expected to hit 2 million blooms for the first time, grown alongside millions of other blooms, all primarily for export (around 90 percent). Thousands of people flock to see the beautiful fields as they grow; Haarlem is home to many commercial fields as well as a Flower Parade and Keukenhof park, which display hundreds of flower varieties. All new tulips varities are recorded by the Koninklijke Algemeene Vereeniging voor Bloembollencultuur (KAVB), which lists more than 8,000 types.

13. Tulips aren't native to the Netherlands

The tulip was imported from Turkey in the 16th century yet has played a vital role in Dutch culture. In the 1630s 'Tulip Mania' gripped the country, where prices rose until bulbs cost as much as houses and attracted many farmers to switch; when the industry suddenly collapsed, it left many in poverty. Yet it wasn't until the last winter of World War II when the starving Dutch discovered tulip bulbs as a food source. Now, every third Saturday in January, the Dutch celebrate National Tulip Day – the official start of the tulip season – with free flower picking and flower festivals.

14. The Netherlands is the lowest country in Europe

It is literally a low country, as it's sometimes called, with 26 percent of the Netherlands sitting below sea level and some 60 percent of the population living 5m below sea level. It's highest point is Vaalserberg which is just 322 metres above sea level and the lowest point is Zuidplaspolder which is seven metres below sea level. Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, where most visitors land, is three metres below sea level.

15. The Netherlands has the highest population density in Europe: Not counting countries just a few kilometres long (such as Monaco), the Netherlands is the most densely populated country with around 17 million people in 41,500 square kilometres. The World Bank estimates the Netherlands' population density at around 500 people per square kilometre.

16. The Dutch government plans to ban the sales of petrol and diesel-powered cars in 2025

To promote green energy, the motion has been passed by the lower house but still needs to be ratified by the senate. The government’s goal is to have only electric cars driving on Dutch streets in future.

17. The Netherlands is the world’s second biggest beer exporter

Dutch brewers exported 1.6 billion euros of beer in 2014 – one-third going to US markets – and was the world’s biggest exporter of beer until 2010, when it was overtaken by Mexico.

18. Drugs aren't as easily available as you might think

While cannabis has been decriminalised, possession, cultivation and selling it to foreigners is illegal, even in coffee shops, as of 2012. However, this law is not enforced in either Amsterdam or Rotterdam. The police tend to ignore public possession of less than five grammes (30g in private) or cultivation of under five plants as this is considered personal use.

19. The Netherlands is home to more bikes than people

There are around 18 million bikes in the country, including the clever (if not so elegant) bakfiets which combine a bike and a wheelbarrow. Ideal for taking the kids to school, bakfiets are even occasionally used for moving house. Dutch cycle an average distance of 2.9km per day and use bicycles for more than a quarter of all trips, compared to just 2 perecent in the UK.

20. Cycling in the Netherlands is the safest in the world

A study from Rutgers University reported the Netherlands has the lowest rates of serious injuries per million kilometres cycled. This is thanks to 35,000km of excellent cycle lanes and that bikes get the same respect as cars – and not just on the roads. Groningen station has a whopping 10,000 bike spaces. Bikes must also have lights and cycling while drunk is illegal. But bike theft is also high with over 100,000 thefts reported each year, and an estimated 300,000 unreported thefts.