Netherlands

The Netherlands (Dutch: Nederland; IPA pronunciation: /"ne:d?rlant/) is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands that is formed by the Netherlands, the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba.(Dutch: Koninkrijk der Nederlanden). The Netherlands is a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarch, located in northwestern Europe. It borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east.

Culture

The Netherlands has had many well-known painters. The 17th century, when the Dutch republic was prosperous, was the age of the "Dutch Masters" such as Rembrandt van Rijn, Johannes Vermeer, Jan Steen and many others. Famous Dutch painters of the 19th and 20th century are Vincent van Gogh and Piet Mondriaan. M. C. Escher is a well-known graphics artist. Willem de Kooning was born and trained in Rotterdam, although he is considered to have reached acclaim as an American artist. A (in)famous Dutch master art forger is Han van Meegeren.

Related Topics:
17th century - Rembrandt van Rijn - Johannes Vermeer - Jan Steen - 19th - 20th century - Vincent van Gogh - Piet Mondriaan - M. C. Escher - Willem de Kooning - Art forger - Han van Meegeren

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The Netherlands is the country of philosophers Erasmus of Rotterdam and Spinoza, and all of Descartes' major work was done there. Christiaan Huygens(1629-1695) is a famous astronomer and mathematician. He discovered Saturn's moon Titan and invented an accurate clock.

Related Topics:
Erasmus of Rotterdam - Spinoza - Descartes - Christiaan Huygens

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In the Dutch Golden Age, literature flowered as well, with Joost van den Vondel and P. C. Hooft as the two most famous writers. In the 19th century, Multatuli wrote about the bad treatment of the natives in Dutch colonies. Important 20th century authors include Harry Mulisch, Jan Wolkers, Simon Vestdijk, Cees Nooteboom, Gerard van het Reve and Willem Frederik Hermans. The Diary of Anne Frank was also written in the Netherlands.

Related Topics:
Dutch Golden Age - Joost van den Vondel - P. C. Hooft - Multatuli - 20th century - Harry Mulisch - Jan Wolkers - Simon Vestdijk - Cees Nooteboom - Gerard van het Reve - Willem Frederik Hermans - The Diary of Anne Frank

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See also: List of museums in The Netherlands, Sport in the Netherlands, Music of the Netherlands, List of Dutch people, Public holidays in the Netherlands

Related Topics:
List of museums in The Netherlands - Sport in the Netherlands - Music of the Netherlands - List of Dutch people - Public holidays in the Netherlands

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Replicas of Dutch buildings can be found in Huis ten Bosch, Nagasaki, Japan. A similar Holland Village is being built in Shenyang, China.

Related Topics:
Nagasaki - Japan - Shenyang - China

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Windmills, tulips, wooden shoes, cheese and Delftware pottery are among the numerous items associated with the Netherlands.

Related Topics:
Windmill - Tulips - Wooden shoe - Cheese - Delftware

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Dutch policies on recreational drugs, prostitution,

Related Topics:
Recreational drugs - Prostitution

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same-sex marriage and euthanasia are among the most liberal in the world.

Related Topics:
Same-sex marriage - Euthanasia

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