The Netherlands Cultural Essentials

Too many people demonize—or worship—Amsterdam as a world of sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll. For sure, it has all of those things. But the Dutch legacy is rooted in two more profound pillars: internationalism and innovation. From its perch at the confluence of Europe, the Netherlands has experienced diffusion fueled by war, migration, occupation, and trade. There is no doubt that inherited peoples and ideas gave the Netherlands significant growing pains, but it is equally certain that, without them, the Golden Age could never have shone so brightly. From superiority on the seas to expertise on the easel, the Dutch have blazed their own unique path. At the same time, they have applied their ingenuity literally to cover new ground, claiming 2745 square miles of land from the North Sea through an intricate network of ocean-conquering dikes, canals, and pumps—land that was, in turn, quickly settled by international newcomers. The local adage, “God created the world, but the Dutch created the Netherlands,” also applies to the fiercely independent attitude this geopolitical black sheep has forged for itself. The international flavors apparent to all visitors of Amsterdam are today joined by the innovative liberality of its daily life. Though this may circle back to indulgence, internationalism and innovation have lent Amsterdam and the Netherlands an unmistakable tint of sophistication.

History Of The Netherlands

The early history of the so-called Low Countries—modern-day Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands—is as murky and difficult to navigate as its boggy marshlands. Nomads first roamed the area 150 ...more

The Netherlands Today

For a country only twice the size of New Jersey (even on dry days), the Netherlands continues to play an almost unfairly large role in international politics. The United Nations’ International Court ...more