What do you know about Netherlands? For sure, the Netherlands is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands which consists of the Netherlands, the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba. It is a constitutional monarchy, located in Western Europe. Bordered by the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south and Germany to the west. Interestingly Netherlands is often referred to or called by name as Holland. This country is a geographically low-lying and densely populated country. As for they social political view, they are more liberal democracy especially when dealings with drugs, prostitution, gay rights, abortion and euthanasia, the policies is liberal.

Definitely, as you travel to the Netherlands, you will come a cross 'Amsterdam', the capital city of the Netherlands. A city with impressive achitecture, lovely canals that criss-cross the city, great shopping and friendly people who nearly all speak English well. There is something for every traveler's taste here, whether you prefer culture and history, serious partying or just the relaxing charm of an old European city. This city has over a million inhabitants in the urban area and is located in the Province of North-Holand. Although Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands, the seat of the Government is the "Hague" and the provincial capital is "Haarlem" Has one of the largest history city centers in Europe, with abut 7,000 registered historic building and this city also famous for its churches, modern architecture, windmills, museums, zoo and botanical gardens, parks and country side and also beaches.

The second largest city is "Rotterdam" after the capital city, Amsterdam and the largest city in the province of Zuid-Holland (South Holland). The port of Rotterdam is the largest in Europe and was the world's busiest port in 1962 until it was overtaken by Singapore and then Shanghai in the 1990s. Rotterdam is situated on the banks of the river Nieuwe Maas, one of the channels in the delta formed by the Rhine and Meuse rivers. Do you know the name 'Rotterdam' derives its name from an embankment or dam built on a smaller tributary, the Rotte, to control flooding.    

The Hague is the third largest city in the Netherlands after amsterdam and Rotterdam. It is located in the west of the country, in the province of South Holland of which it is also the provincial capital. The Hague is like amsterdam, Rotterdam and Ultrecht, part of the conglomerate metropolitan area Randstad. The Hague is the actual seat of government but somewhat anomalously, not the official capital of the Netherlands, a role set aside by the Dutch constitution for Amsterdam. Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands lives and works in the Hague.

On the province of North Holland lies the city of Alkmaar. Alkmaar is a historic city which is about 10 km inland from the coast and 30km north west of Amsterdam. Alkmaar is the regional center for the northern part of the Province, serving about 600,000 people. What made this city most interesting, the city center preserves the 17th- century pattern of canals and narrow streets and has many historic buildings and some new ones. The nearby beaches and dune reserves are easily accessible from Alkmaar itself. Inland Alkmaar is a historic agricultural landscape with 17th century polders: De Beemster is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Dutch traditional cuisine is basic. However, due to influences from Indonesia, Surinam, Chinese and North African Immigrants, there is an abundance of food cultures to choose from. Tradtional highlights are herring eaten raw ('haring') or new herrings ('Hollandse Nieuwe') is a special treat available around june; panckaes (available in 'pannenkoekenhuizen'); mashed potatoes with onions, carrots ('erwtensoep' or 'snert' ) and 'stroopwafel' . Two thin layers with syrup in between. However, you'll have to go to a traditional restaurant to find this.

Other typical dutch foodstuffs are chocolate sprinkles ('Hagelslag') used to sprinkle on top of buttered slices of bread (much like jam); chocolate spread on bread; bars of unadorned chocolate; Dutch peanut butter on bread, sometimes topped with chocolate sprinkles; a bread roll with butter abd slice of cheese for lunch; Dutch coffee (dark, high caffeine grounds, traditionally brewed); Oranjebitter (orange, bitter liquor drunk only on koninginedag), jenever (sort of gin), Dutch beers; Rookworst (literally "smoke sausage") available to go from HEMA outlets and 'Limburgse vlaai' (predominantly in the South) a kind of cold pie, usually with a fruit topping.

• Three-Day Pinkpop Festival: Herld every year with Whitsun ("Pinksteren") in Langgraaf, Limburg.
• Dutch Acrobatics Festival: Held on different locations each year with Whitsun, 2007 probably Nijmegen.
• Lowland Pop Festival: Held every last weekend of August at Biddinghuizen, Flevoland.
• Summercarnaval: A big parade through the center of Rotterdam. One of the biggest events in the Netherlands.
• Heineken Dance Parade: A big dance parade through Rotterdam. Much in the spirit of the popular love Parade in Germany.
• Northsea Jazz Festival: Big summer jazz festival, held in the Ahoy stadion, Rotterdam. Around 1,800 jazz, blues, funk, soul, hip-hop, latin and R & B acts play during this 3 day event

When we go to another country or places, we must learn about people, culture and where of living. There is "Dos and Don'ts" that we need to know.

• It is unlikely that Dutch people will be offended simply by your behavior or appearance. In fact it is more likely that visitors will be offended by overly direct conversation. Nevertheless, the standards for overt rudeness and hostility are similar to those in other western European countries. If you feel you are deliberately being treated offensively, then you are probably are.
• The Dutch people suffered a great deal under Nazi occupation during WWII. Avoid overt comparisons between Dutch and German culture, as they are likely to offend. A common faux pas is to refer to the Dutch language as a "German dialect". Don't do it.
• Tap water water is drinkable and food shouldn't be pose a problem either. Otherwise it's a case of common sense (i.e., washing hands before eating is always advisable).
• In summer, open air recreational swimming areas might suffer from the notorious "blauwalg", a rather smelly cyanobacteria which when it dies, releases toxins into the water. When these occur, s asingpost at the entrance to the area or near the water should tell you so by stating something like "Waarshungwing: Bauwalg". If in doubt, ask someone.