|
|
Official Name: Kingdom of the Netherlands
- Geography: situated in Western
Europe. Western 1/3rd of the country
consists of polders (the drainage of
lakes and swamps by human effort which
created low, flat grassland). This area
is known as Holland and there one finds
the main political institutions. The rest
of the country varies from flat grassland
in the North to hills in the South.
Borders Germany in the East
and Belgium
in the South. The Netherlands posesses a
medium-sized colonial empire (the Netherlands Indies in Asia
and Surinam in South America, plus some smaller islands
in the Caribean).
- History: The Netherlands was
neutral during the Great War. She continues this style of
diplomacy up to the present date in order
to prevent either losing her homeland or
her colonies to any enemies she may
create by taking sides.
- Political system: democratic
- Head of Government: Prime minister Colijn
- Head of State: Queen Wilhelmina
- Treaties: None of importance.
- Economic system: capitalist
- Economy: small. Not much industry,
but extensive trading. Some coal mines in
the Southeast.
- Demography: medium birth rate. Population of about 5 mln.
- Morale: average.
- Armed forces: 24,320 men.
Reserves: 400,000 men. Quality of the
army is average. Air force of about 150
planes, some of good quality, built by
its own aircraft industry (Fokker). Navy
is small but effective and knows a long
history.
- Status: The Netherlands is one of
the minor powers.
|
|
|