The Netherlands is a shining example of a well-knit society, packed with beautifully civilized pleasantry. And ultra-civilized Amsterdam has enchanted visitors with its magnificent buildings and well-tempered zest for centuries.

• TOTAL AREA: 41,526 sq km

• LAND AREA: 33,883 sq km

• WATER AREA: 7,643 sq km

• POPULATION: 16,491,461

• RELIGIONS: Roman Catholic 31%, Dutch Reformed 13%, Calvinist 7%, Muslim 5.5%, other 2.5%, none 41%

• LANGUAGES: Dutch (official), Frisian (official)

• GOVERNMENT TYPE: Constitutional Monarchy

• CAPITAL CITY: Amsterdam

• OFFICIAL CURRENCY: euro (EUR)

• TIME ZONE: GMT/UTC + 1