 Information on the Netherlands
Although the Netherlands is a small country, it has more than 16 million inhabitants, making it one of the most densely populated countries in the world with a thriving economy. There is so much more to it than tulips, clogs and windmills…
The Kingdom of the Netherlands, which is the official name of the country, became a constitutional monarchy in 1815 under King William I. Sometimes, the Netherlands is incorrectly referred to as Holland, which is actually the name of the two most westerly coastal provinces – North Holland and South Holland.
Administrative divisions
There are twelve provinces within the Netherlands, and Amsterdam is the country’s capital. Its government, formed by Queen Beatrix and the various ministers, is not seated in the capital city, however, but in The Hague. Together, the major cities, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht, form a single conurbation, also known as the Randstad.
People and language
The Netherlands is a multicultural society. The majority of the population is Dutch, but many other nationalities live here as well. These include Turks, Moroccans, Antilleans, and those from Surinam and Indonesia. Although the official language is Dutch, there is also a second language - Frisian. In addition, each province has its own dialects. Some of these dialects may be called ‘regional languages’.
 Culture
The Netherlands is renowned throughout the world as a country rich in art and culture. The larger cities contain plenty of museums and interesting sights and buildings and there is a wide range of theatre, music, song and dance shows on offer. Additionally, a number of festivals are organized each year. Amsterdam, in particular, is a popular choice with the tourists because of the Rijksmuseum, the Vincent van Gogh Museum and the canal belt. The Netherlands also has plenty of customs and traditions. The Dutch go round to family, friends or neighbours for coffee (either by previous arrangement or at the spur of the moment). St. Nicholas, which is a real children’s festival, is celebrated on the 5th December, and on the 30th April it is Queen’s Day. This is the birthday of the late Queen Juliana, as well as being the day on which the then Princess Beatrix was crowned as queen in 1980.
A typical Dutch treat is of course “drop” (liquorice), which is available in many forms and flavours - sweet liquorice, salted liquorice, honey-flavoured liquorice etc. Other typical Dutch products include “Haagse Hopjes” (coffee-flavoured sweets), “hagelslag” (chocolate sprinkles) on bread, pea soup and “speculaas” (a type of spiced biscuit).
 Economy
The Netherlands is an open and dynamic economy and ranks eighth in the world in terms of exporters and investors. Major export products are foods, livestock, (semi-)manufactured articles and petroleum products. The Netherlands includes Rotterdam, one of the largest ports in the world and Schiphol, one of the largest airports in Europe, as well as the three most important European rivers (the Meuse, Rhine and Schelde). As a result, it has been able to develop into a prosperous country and is therefore important in terms of trade, its main trading partner being Germany.
Which currency can I use in the Netherlands?
The euro is now the official currency in the Netherlands. As part of the drive towards European integration, many European countries replaced their national currencies with the euro (€) on 1 January 2002. There are coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 eurocents and 1 and 2 euros, and notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500 euros. The notes are the same in all 12 euro countries. Only the coins have a European and a national side.
The exchange rate for the euro: 1 € = ± 1.32 US $ (March 2005)
If you’re unable to pay by cash, it’s possible to pay by debit card or credit card. You can pay with a debit card in most shops and bars, and cash machines can also be found outdoors and at all banks. There are a number of different banks such as ABN Amro, SNS Bank, Rabobank, Fortis Bank and the ING Bank.
 Travelling
Many people cycle in the Netherlands; indeed, there are twice as many bikes as cars. As a result, the Netherlands has more than 15,000 km of cycle paths, more than any other country in the world. The Netherlands also has an excellent infrastructure, and it is easy to travel around by public transport, thanks to the extensive network of trains, and city and regional buses.
The Netherlands has an extensive coastline, and there is also a lot of water to be found further inland, providing plenty of opportunities for surfing, sailing and swimming.
The Delta Works are a paragon of the battle which the Dutch still take up with the sea on a daily basis. A quarter of the Netherlands lies below sea-level; the polders are surrounded by dykes and the watermark is maintained using artificial methods.
Further information can be found at the following websites which have been carefully selected:
- www.holland.com
- www.wikipedia.org
- www.minbuza.nl
Information on South Limburg
Piek is established in Heerlen, at the very heart of the South Limburg region. The three most important cities in South Limburg are Maastricht, Heerlen and Sittard. If you visit us, you’ll be able to enjoy the tranquillity and beauty of the surrounding nature, as well as visit both modern and historic sights and take part in the many activities on offer!
 Heerlen lies in the south east of the Limburg province. Thanks to the mining industry, the 20th century saw an exponential growth in the number of residents living in Heerlen - from 7000 to almost 100,000 inhabitants. Two thousand years ago, the Romans set up the military settlement Coriovallum here, which is situated at the crossroads of two important roads.
Heerlen is a popular city for shoppers and offers a broad and diverse range of items. As well as the pleasant shopping streets, there are various larger shopping centres such as the Corio Center and the Loon. The city also has a lot to offer in other areas. Connoisseurs of art and culture will enjoy the Parkstad Limburg Theater. You can also visit various museums like the Thermen Museum, the Stadsgalerij or the Hoensbroek Castle. In addition, several interesting events are organised each year, such as the Tattoo, the Profronde (cycling event), the Telematicaloop (marathon) and the Cultura Nova festival where the streets of Heerlen are filled with people in partying mood.
Accommodation
As for accommodation in Heerlen, you can spend the night at a hotel of your choice. The Amrâth Hotel Max is the city’s oldest hotel and is situated in the city centre in a striking Art Deco building dating back to 1920.
For information about hotels, please visit http://www.hotels.nl/nl/heerlen/
Food and drinks
In Heerlen, there are a wide variety of places to eat. Below we have listed a selection for you.
- Herberg Bijsmans; A restaurant offering a Spanish/Italian menu, also called Heerlen’s “Town Hall Chamber”. It is place where young and old meet. It is the oldest restaurant in Heerlen and is well-known for its large patio area.
- Brasserie Bracke; This restaurant, with an international French menu, oozes ambiance and hospitality. It provides excellent value for money and is an ideal place for a great night out.
- Restaurant Golden Peacock; This Chinese restaurant in the centre of Heerlen welcomes you with open arms and you can enjoy good food for a reasonable price.
- Restaurant Geleenhof; This restaurant allows you to enjoy creativity and hospitality to the full in the enchanting ambiance of an historic farmstead. You will be pleasantly surprised by the French finesse, the Italian refinement and the Limburg tradition on offer.
- Ristorante Il Castello; As the name suggests, this restaurant is perfect if you want to enjoy real Italian food.
If you have finished your meal and decide it’s too early to head back to the hotel, take the opportunity to sample Heerlen’s nightlife. The Pancratius Square is the ideal location to enjoy a beer or other nightcap. There are a number of bars here, including Clubmet, Café de Boebel and the Kromme Toeter.
For more information: www.heerlen.nl
 Maastricht is the capital of South Limburg and has more than 120,000 inhabitants. The name Maastricht derives from the Latin phrase Mosae Trajectum, meaning passage across the Meuse. Mosae Trajectum consisted of Maastricht on the western bank and Wyck on the eastern bank. These two sections were connected by a Roman bridge which was later replaced by the famous St. Servaas Bridge.
Maastricht is a lively city and is very oriented towards Europe (mainly due to its location between Germany and Belgium). Not only does it attract many tourists, but it also welcomes many business travellers and conference visitors to the MECC (Maastricht Exhibition & Congress Centre). It was the Treaty of Maastricht in 1991 which really put Maastricht on the map, making it renowned worldwide.
When visiting Maastricht, it’s impossible not to visit the Vrijthof square with its Basilica of St. Servatius, its St. John’s church (Sint-Janskerk), the Spanish Government House and the Vrijthof Theatre. Other sights worth visiting include the picturesque Our Beloved Lady Square (Onze-Lieve-Vrouweplein) with the Basilica of Our Beloved Lady (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwebasiliek), the Market Square containing the statue of Jan Pieter Minckeleers (inventor of town gas) holding a burning torch, the Helpoort and city wall, the Hoge Fronten (18th century fortifications characterised by mining galleries, the Casemates), Mount St. Pieter, and the Ceramique (a new district containing architecture of an international flavour and the location of the Bonnefanten Museum).
 Culinary Maastricht also offers opportunities for excellent dining. You can settle down at one of the many delightful outdoor cafés on the Vrijthof. Or make your way to the Market Square, Our Beloved Lady Square or St. Amor Square which also have plenty to offer for an enjoyable evening. You can party the night away, but do make sure to turn up fresh and alert for the training!
Another great idea is a group trip by boat with Rederij Stiphout (www.stiphout.nl) from Maastricht to Buitengoed Slavante, Mount St. Pieter (Sint Pietersberg) or even a day trip to Liège, which is situated just across the border in Belgium.
For more information: www.vvvmaastricht.nl and www.maastrichtnet.nl
 Sittard is situated in the Western Mining Region, which is also known as the Crown on South Limburg. In 2001, Sittard became part of the Sittard-Geleen municipality and now has around 100,000 inhabitants.
In 1243, the Sittard settlement was given its city rights. In 1677, Sittard was destroyed. This settlement town was at the centre of trade and industry, as well as religious and cultural life.
In the Netherlands, Sittard has become widely known through Toon Hermans. This cabaret artist was born here and has also been buried here. In 2003, a statue of him was unveiled. There is even a Toon Hermans walk, which takes you to all the important sites where he left his mark.
From the small station, you gradually make your way to the centre of Sittard. You will come across a long and interesting shopping street, and many "brown cafés” with their pavement terraces on the Market Square. Once a week there is a market and at the weekend you can have a dance in the cafés.
Sights worth a visit in Sittard are Grasbroek Castle, the Basilica of Our Beloved Lady of the Sacred Heart, St. Petrus Church and Huize Watersley.
For more information: www.sittard-geleen.nl
 Valkenburg is a town with a multitude of bars and several other things to offer – beautiful scenery, castles, amusement parks, Landal De Cauberg and, of course, its Holland Casino.
The top of the Cauberg Hill in South Limburg is the location for Thermae 2000 – a spa and health centre. It is uniquely situated and is a place where you can relax completely among peaceful surroundings. A place to enjoy Mother Earth’s treasures to the full - warm thermal water, rich in minerals. A tonic for both body and soul.
Valkenburg aan de Geul is also commonly called “Mergelstad” (Marlstone Town). The marlstone caves are home to a number of attractions and is the location for a variety of events, such as the famous Christmas Markets in the Municipal and Velvet Caves.
For more information: www.valkenburg.nl
Information on Aachen (Germany)
 Aachen lies just across the border in Germany, at the meeting point of the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. You can shop to your heart’s content in the historic streets, stroll by the Elisa Spa or relax and enjoy a drink at one of the pavement cafés. In the city centre, you will also find Aachen Cathedral, one of the best known monumental buildings. This cathedral, in which more than 30 German kings were crowned, is home to the burial place of Charles the Great (his marble throne can be seen in the church) and since 1930, it is the cathedral of the Aachen diocese.
Aachen has two important museums, the Suermondt Museum and the Couven Museum. The Suermondt Museum contains an important collection of sculptures dating from the 13th to the 18th century. The Couven Museum is a private house, in the style of Louis the 16th. It dates back to the end of the 18th century and used to be a chemist’s. Nowadays, you can still take a look at the chemist’s shop from that period as well as the furniture and fittings from between 1740 and 1840. Maybe you’ll be more interested in the RWTH (Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule), which is one of the most important technical universities and specialises in mechanical engineering and car and production technology.
For more information: www.aachen.de
Information on Liège (Belgium)
Liège is situated in Belgium, just across the border at Maastricht. It is a an artistic city, but it also has a lively economy, folklore and culture. For example it is home to the Opéra Royal de Wallonie and the Orchestre Philharmonique de Liège.
Liège is predominantly francophone, but Dutch and German are spoken there as well. This large city on the River Meuse is an ideal starting-point from which to explore the landscape and nature of the Ardennes (www.ardenne.org).
From Maastricht, you can go to Liège by boat or train. There are many convivial places to eat and cafés in the city centre and shopping is what Liège is known for. On Sundays, you can visit the friendly flea market.
The former palace of the Prince-Bishops, the Église St-Barthélemy (St. Bartholomew's Church), the Église St-Jacques (St. James' Church) and the Musée d'Art moderne et d'Art contemporain (Museum of Modern Art) are also worth a visit.
For more information: www.liege.be/cadreslg/cadwelko.htm
Places of interest in the surroundings
In addition to these beautiful and interesting cities, there are more places in the area worth a visit and activities in which to take part! We have put together a comprehensive list for you.
 Drielandenpunt Vaals
The Drielandenpunt (or Three-Country Point) is geographically located at the highest point of the Netherlands, which is 323 m above the Amsterdam Ordnance Datum. This is the point where three countries meet and is definitely worth a visit. From here, you can set off on fantastic walks through the wooded hills. These are a rarity in the Netherlands and in them you will discover a wealth of surprising flora and fauna. The history of the Three-Country Point is also tangible. Around a hundred years ago, the Drielandenpunt was still a Vierlandenpunt or “Four-Country Point”. The border stone of the fourth country "Neutral Moresnet" can still be seen here, as well as other border stones such as that of the Habsburg Empire. A guided walk is of course the best way to discover this area.
For more information: www.drielandenpunt.nl
 Mondo Verde
With at least 25 hectares, Wereldtuinen Mondo Verde is the greenest park in the Netherlands.
The most beautiful places on earth are perfectly recreated in the sloping landscape. This is where art and culture, nature, gardens and architecture from all over the world merge smoothly into one whole. During your voyage here you will discover the entire world, from Japan, England, Morocco and Russia to the tropics.
For more information: www.wereldtuinenmondoverde.nl
Gaia Park
GaiaPark Kerkrade is the first zoo to be entirely designed and built in the 21st century. It is a modern zoo, in which the animals live in spacious, natural enclosures. The park is divided into different areas, where more than 80 species live in a natural environment. The zoo’s name pays homage to Gaia, the Greek Goddess of the Earth, the ancient “Mother Earth” symbol. But "Gaia" also refers to the modern perspective of the earth as a living planet. GaiaPark is an exciting modern zoo with a central theme. The aim of GaiaPark is to promote social awareness with regard to the infinite interconnection of all that is living and non-living on earth and to contribute to the protection of this beautiful, but vulnerable system.
For more information: www.gaiapark.nl
SnowWorld
SnowWorld Landgraaf is the largest indoor winter sports centre in the world. It is the only indoor slope to hold an official FIS competition licence. SnowWorld Landgraaf offers the most extensive indoor winter sports facilities in the world. It has three pistes and 8 lifts.
The longest piste is 520m long and there is a 100m nursery slope for children and beginners. SnowWorld is the ideal place to spend a couple of active hours with family or friends. Naturally you can also enjoy the après-ski in a cosy bar or restaurant.
For more information: www.snowworld.nl
 Abdij Rolduc
The Abdij Rolduc (Rolduc Abbey) in Kerkrade is a former abbey and played an important part in the history of European coal mining. The name “Rolduc” is a contraction of Rode le Duc, or ´s Hertogenrade.
The abbey was founded in 1104 by Ailbertus van Antoing, but the existence of the abbey can be attributed to Winandus Lamberti, a 17th century abbot who fought for the monastery. In 1723, the abbey was given permission to exploit the coal mines in the area of Kerkrade, which generated a profitable income. Later, the abbey underwent major renovations and since the restoration, Rolduc is now a centre for conferences, students and tourists, and accommodates the seminary of the Diocese of Roermond.
For more information: www.rolduc.com
 Industrion
Industrion, the Museum for Industry and Society in Kerkrade, is a fascinating hands-on museum, which tells the story of men, women and children in factories, at home and in their spare time. This is done using a combination of effect lighting and multimedia programs.
Exciting interactive exhibits, spread throughout the whole museum, illustrate the working of a crankshaft or demonstrate the uses for static electricity.
For more information: www.industrion.nl
 Mergellandroute
One of the most beautiful, and also most signposted, routes in the Netherlands is undoubtedly the ANWB Mergellandroute. The Mergellandroute takes the cyclist through the whole of South Limburg, includes at least 15 climbs and has a total length of around 125 km. It is a route rich in nature, with woods, breathtaking views, lots of meadows, nostalgic farms and hotels, restaurants and other buildings. A must for every visitor to Limburg!
For more information: www.mergellandroute.wielrennenmaastricht.nl
If you’d like to find out more about the area, its news and activities, please visit the South Limburg tourism website at: www.vvvzuidlimburg.nl. |
