The Netherlands

The Netherlands (pronunciation: /ˈnɛðərləndz/), also known as Holland in some contexts, is a country located in Northwestern Europe. It is part of the larger Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Etymology

The term "Netherlands" literally means "lower countries" in reference to its low elevation and flat topography, with only about 50% of its land exceeding one meter above sea level. Most of the areas below sea level, known as polders, are the result of land reclamation that began in the 16th century.

Related Terms

Amsterdam: The capital city of the Netherlands.
Dutch: Refers to the people, the language, and anything else that is from the Netherlands.
Holland: A region in the western part of the Netherlands, often used synonymously with the term "Netherlands" in English.
Polder: A piece of land in a low-lying area that has been reclaimed from a body of water, such as a river or lake.
Kingdom of the Netherlands: The constitutional monarchy of the Netherlands, which includes the countries of the Netherlands, Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten.