Northwest Europe.

GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).

41,528 sq km (16,034 sq miles).

16.4 million (UN, 2007).

394 per sq km.

Amsterdam. Population: 751,757 (2006). Seat of Government: The Hague. Population: 474,254 (2007).

The Netherlands shares borders to the south with Belgium and to the east with Germany, while the North Sea lies to the north and west. Large areas of The Netherlands have been reclaimed from the sea and consequently one-fifth of the country lies below sea level. The country is flat and level and is criss-crossed by rivers and canals. Areas reclaimed from the sea, known as polders, are extremely fertile. The landscape is broken by the forest of Arnhem, the bulb fields in the west, the lakes of the central and northern areas, and coastal dunes that are among the most impressive in Europe.

Member since 1958.

Constitutional monarchy since 1848.

Queen Beatrix Van Oranje Nassau since 1980.

Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende since 2002.

Balkenende's coalition collapsed in June 2006 after a row over immigration policy. Following inconclusive elections in November 2006 characterised by increased gains for the more extreme Dutch parties, Balkenende entered into lengthy negotiations with other parties to form a new coalition in February 2007. His Christian Democratic party gained 26.5% of the vote, and now governs as part of a centrist coalition with the Labour Party and the Christian Union.

Dutch is the official language. English, German and French are widely spoken. Fries is spoken by the majority of people in the northern province of Friesland.

31% Roman Catholic, 13% Dutch Reformed Church, 7% Calvinist, 5.5% Muslim, 43.5% other religions or none.

220 volts AC, 50Hz. Two-pin European-style plugs are in use.

It is customary to shake hands. English is spoken as a second language by many and is willingly used; many Dutch people will also speak German and French. Hospitality is very much the same as for the rest of Europe and the USA. It is customary to take a small gift if invited for a meal. Casual wear is widely acceptable. Men are expected to wear a suit for business and social functions. Formal wear may be required for smart restaurants, bars and clubs. Evening dress (black tie for men) is generally specified on invitation.