2. SOME FACTS ABOUT THE
NETHERLANDS
• Netherlands is a flat country
• 50% of the Netherlands have reclaimed
from the sea
• These lands are called Polders
• The Netherlands is often called Holland
• Tulips are very famous along with clogs
• Boarded by Belgium and Germany
4. HISTORY
• Because the Netherlands has no mountain ranges or natural borders,
it was not able to protect itself from invading neighbors. Foreigners
occupied the country for much of its history.
• During the Napoleonic Wars, France’s Napoleon took over Holland
and put his brother Louis on the throne. In 1814, the people
claimed independence from France and for 25 years, Belgium,
Luxembourg, and the Netherlands were joined together as one
country called the Kingdom of the Netherlands
• In 1839, Belgium and the Netherlands became independent and
Luxembourg became independent in 1890.
• During World War II, Germany occupied the Netherlands for five
years and killed many people who resisted the Germans or tried to
help the Dutch Jews.
5. WIND MILLS
THE DUTCH BUILT THE WINDMILL AND THE WINDMILL
HELPED THE DUTCH BUILD HOLLAND. THE NETHERLANDS
HAS A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF THEIR LAND BELOW
SEA LEVEL, HENCE €oeNETHER-LANDS€•. IN FACT, A FEW
CENTURIES BACK, MUCH OF THAT LAND WAS EITHER
UNDER WATER OR PART OF A SWAMP. WIND AND
WATERMILLS WERE USED TO PUMP THE WATER BEYOND
THE DIKES AND INTO THE SEA. WINDMILLS HAVE SINCE
BECOME A SYMBOL FOR DUTCH INGENUITY IN
OVERCOMING THEIR STRUGGLE WITH WATER
