Whether it's their relaxed cognition to enactment and drugs, oregon the information they support day calendars successful downstairs toilets, the radical of the Netherlands are surely not boring.
In a federation that is known for its three-kiss greeting and for having much bicycles than people, quirkiness is simply a nationalist character.
Tomorrow, England volition look to support lumbering 6ft6in striker Wout Weghorst quiescent erstwhile they look him and Dutch teammates successful the semi-final of Euro 2024.
As fans cogwheel up for the encounter, MailOnline brings you 20 facts astir the Netherlands that you mightiness not know.
1. Only Fools and Horses iconic occurrence 'To Hull and back' was partially filmed successful Amsterdam
At 90 minutes long, the Christmas 1985 occurrence of iconic British drama Only Fools and Horses was a feast of laughs for the show's millions of fans.
The episode, To Hull and Back, sees David Jason's Del Boy pb his member Rodney (Nicholas Lyndhurst) and Uncle Albert (Buster Merryfield) connected a hapless diamond-smuggling ngo to the Netherlands.
The show's formed did really question to the state to movie scenes successful Amsterdam.
And, somewhat predictably, Del Boy, Rodney and Uncle Albert's travel was not a success.
At 1 point, they were seen being chased done the streets of Amsterdam by Dutch police.
At 90 minutes long, the Christmas 1985 occurrence of iconic British drama Only Fools and Horses was a feast of laughs for the show's millions of fans. The episode, To Hull and Back, sees David Jason's Del Boy pb his member Rodney (Nicholas Lyndhurst) and Uncle Albert (Buster Merryfield) connected a hapless diamond-smuggling ngo to the Netherlands
2. The Dutch similar a three-kiss greeting
Whilst successful Britain a elemental hug is the communal signifier of greeting, successful the Netherlands 3 kisses is the done thing.
But, arsenic for the bid of the kisses connected cheeks, is it left, right, left, oregon right, left, right?
Most volition opt for the latter, some for greetings and goodbyes!
Whilst successful Britain a elemental hug is the communal signifier of greeting, successful the Netherlands 3 kisses is the done thing
3. Vincent van Gogh helped acceptable up a religion successful Chiswick portion surviving successful England for 3 years
Dutch creator Vincent van Gogh is possibly champion known for his iconic Sunflowers coating and the intelligence struggles which saw him portion disconnected his ain receptor and past instrumentality his ain life.
But it is little well-known that the Dutchman spent 3 years surviving successful England.
The creator arrived connected British shores successful 1873 erstwhile helium was 20.
He taught astatine schools successful Ramsgate and Isleworth successful West London.
Van Gogh past helped acceptable up a religion successful adjacent Chiswick.
Dutch creator Vincent van Gogh is possibly champion known for his iconic Sunflowers coating and the intelligence struggles which saw him portion disconnected his ain receptor and past instrumentality his ain life
4. The Dutch bent a day calendar successful the toilet
If you person ever utilized the downstairs toilet successful a Dutch home, the chances are they had a day calendar hanging connected the wall.
Whilst astir of america conscionable input the peculiar days of friends and household into our astute phones, the Dutch similar accepted pen and paper.
In fact, day calendars themselves are a typically Dutch phenomenon.
However, bash not hide the aureate rule: the calendar tin lone beryllium altered by its owner.
5. Prostitution is precise overmuch ineligible - arsenic these duplicate enactment workers tin attest to
As anyone who has been to Amsterdam volition confirm, prostitution is precise overmuch ineligible successful the Netherlands.
Sex workers volition advertise their services successful full-length windows successful the city's reddish airy district.
Until they retired successful 2013 aged 70, duplicate sisters Louise and Martine Fokkens were famously Amsterdam's oldest prostitutes.
Louise and Martine Fokkens decided they were excessively aged to proceed aft sleeping with 355,000 men betwixt them.
Louise, a parent of four, said her arthritis made immoderate intersexual positions 'too painful'.
As anyone who has been to Amsterdam volition confirm, prostitution is precise overmuch ineligible successful the Netherlands. Sex workers volition advertise their services successful full-length windows successful the city's reddish airy district
Until they retired successful 2013 aged 70, duplicate sisters Louise and Martine Fokkens were famously Amsterdam's oldest prostitutes
6. Don't telephone it Holland!
'Holland' is often utilized by Britons to notation to the Netherlands.
But the information is that it is inaccurate to bash so, due to the fact that Holland refers to an country that is made up of conscionable 2 (North Holland and South Holland) of the Netherlands' 12 provinces.
Historically, the words became interchangeable due to the fact that Holland was the country successful the Netherlands that contributed astir to the country's system and wealth.
In 2019, the Dutch authorities went arsenic acold arsenic deciding to halt referring itself arsenic Holland successful its communications with the remainder of the world.
Because overmuch of Amsterdam lies connected boggy ground, galore of the city's buildings were built connected woody poles.
They were plunged heavy into the ground, done layers of clay, peat and h2o to scope unchangeable sand.
However, arsenic these poles person deteriorated implicit the centuries, it has meant that galore buildings person suffered from subsidence (they person sunk).
Holland, which includes Amsterdam and Rotterdam, is lone composed of 2 of The Netherlands' 12 provinces - Noord-Holland and Zuid-Holland
7. Dutch steadfast Phillips co-created the CD
They are truthful ubiquitous that, adjacent successful the property of streaming services, CDs tin inactive beryllium recovered successful each location successful the country.
And it is Dutch steadfast Phillips that is partially liable for the instauration of the compact disc.
The format was co-developed with Japanese steadfast Sony and introduced successful 1981.
The exertion would spell connected to predominate the euphony industry, replacing vinyl and cassette tapes arsenic the astir fashionable mean to perceive to artists.
Dutch steadfast Phillips that is partially liable for the instauration of the compact disc. The format was co-developed with Japanese steadfast Sony and introduced successful 1982. Above: A Philips technician giving a objection of however to usage the caller compact disk, March 1981
8. The Dutch devour much liquorice than immoderate different state successful the world
If you similar liquorice, the spot to beryllium is the Netherlands, for the Dutch devour much of it than immoderate different federation successful the world.
According to shaper Klepper and Klepper, astir 32million kilos (70million lbs) is consumed each year, the equivalent of 2 kilos (4.4lbs) per person.
If you similar liquorice, the spot to beryllium is the Netherlands, for the Dutch devour much of it than immoderate different federation successful the world
9. Six cardinal souvenir clogs are produced each year
There is thing much typically Dutch than woody clogs (or klompen arsenic they are known astatine home).
Incredibly, much than six cardinal pairs are produced each year.
Their usage dates backmost to medieval times, erstwhile workers would deterioration them to support their feet portion doing hard labour.
The information that they were waterproof and casual to cleanable made them ideal
There is thing much typically Dutch than woody clogs (or klompen arsenic they are known astatine home). Incredibly, much than six cardinal pairs are produced each year
10. Gin was invented by the Dutch and introduced to Brits
A gin and tonic is the go-to portion for millions of radical crossed Britain.
But you mightiness not cognize that gin arsenic we cognize it originated successful the Netherlands and Belgium, earlier being introduced to British shores.
King William III - Britain's Dutch monarch who is amended known arsenic William of Orange - allegedly popularised its depletion successful his adopted country.
In the 18th century, the alleged 'Gin Craze' saw depletion of the portion successful Britain explode, starring to a nationalist crisis.
It forced Parliament to walk authorities specified arsenic the Gin Act of 1751.
A gin and tonic is the go-to portion for millions of radical crossed Britain
Workers astatine the Hoboken de Bie & Co gin distillery successful Rotterdam, Netherlands, circa 1900
11. There are much bicycles successful the Netherlands than people
There are truthful galore bicycles successful the Netherlands that they outnumber radical by a sizeable margin.
The Dutch colonisation is astir 17.7million, whilst the fig of bikes stands astatine an estimated 22million.
Every Dutch metropolis has wide rhythm paths and much than a 3rd of locals take the motorcycle arsenic their main signifier of travel.
There are truthful galore bicycles successful the Netherlands that they outnumber radical by a sizeable margin
12. Euthanasia is commonplace
Recent quality that a devoted Dutch mates took their lives broadside by side mightiness person amazed galore Britons - but euthanasia is communal successful the Netherlands.
In 2023, 9,068 radical died by euthanasia successful the state - up 348 (29 of whom were couples) connected 2022.
In 2021, 16 couples died this way. In 2018, determination were nine.
Recent quality that a devoted Dutch mates took their lives broadside by broadside mightiness person amazed galore Britons - but euthanasia is communal successful the Netherlands. Above: Jan Faber and Els van Leeningen were joined for astir 5 decades earlier they ended their lives astatine the aforesaid clip successful aboriginal June
In February this year, it emerged that erstwhile premier curate Dries Van Agt took his beingness alongside his woman of 70 years.
The Netherlands and Belgium were the archetypal European countries to legalise euthanasia - voluntary decease assisted by a doc - successful 2002.
The process is strictly regulated successful the Netherlands. A doc and an autarkic adept person to justice that a diligent is enduring unbearable suffering with nary anticipation of improvement.
It besides requires that a determination to dice is cautiously considered, of a patient's ain escaped will, and that determination is nary different 'realistic option.'
In the lawsuit of a mates choosing euthanasia, these conditions person to beryllium met for some patients, assessed by 2 antithetic doctors.
In February this year, it emerged that erstwhile premier curate Dries Van Agt took his beingness alongside his woman of 70 years
13. The Netherlands' nationalist angiosperm saved the beingness of histrion Audrey Hepburn
As the prima of classics specified arsenic Breakfast astatine Tiffany's, Sabrina and Wait Until Dark, Audrey Hepburn was 1 of Hollywood's top movie icons.
But arsenic a small miss during the Second World War, Hepburn astir starved to decease successful the Netherlands - her mother's autochthonal country.
As the prima of classics specified arsenic Breakfast astatine Tiffany's, Sabrina and Wait Until Dark, she was 1 of Hollywood's top movie icons. But, arsenic a small miss with nary assertion to fame, Audrey Hepburn was conscionable a tiny portion of a large household. Above: Hepburn successful Breakfast At Tiffany's
She and her household survived by eating flour made from the bulbs of tulips, the country's nationalist flower.
However, she inactive suffered from malnutrition and became earnestly sick aft the war.
As galore arsenic 20,000 Dutch radical died during the 1944 famine successful the country.
14. Women ruled the Netherlands for much than 120 years
When Queen Wilhelmina came to the Dutch throne successful 1890, she kicked disconnected an epoch of pistillate monarchs that would past much than 120 years.
Wilhelmina ruled until 1948, erstwhile she chose to abdicate successful favour of her girl Juliana.
Juliana remained connected the throne until she excessively abdicated successful 1980.
Her successor, girl Beatrix, reigned until 2013, erstwhile she gave the throne to her son, Willem-Alexander, the existent King.
When Queen Wilhelmina came to the Dutch throne successful 1890, she kicked disconnected an epoch of pistillate monarchs that would past much than 120 years. Above: Wilhelmina successful 1942, during her clip successful exile successful Britain aft the Nazi penetration of her country
Wilhelmina ruled until 1948, erstwhile she chose to abdicate successful favour of her girl Juliana (above). Juliana remained connected the throne until she excessively abdicated successful 1980
Queen Beatrix reigned from 1980 until 2013, erstwhile she gave the throne to her son, Willem-Alexander, the existent King. Above: Queen Beatrix with her Willem and his woman Maxima up of her abdication, 2013
15. 'Black Pete' was an iconic nationalist figure... but is present understandably controversial
It was 1 of the astir fashionable Dutch traditions for centuries, but successful caller years 'Black Pete' has go arguable - and it is not hard to spot why.
Featuring a achromatic idiosyncratic wearing achromatic look overgarment and a curly wig, the fig was a curtain raiser for the festive play successful communities crossed the country.
Those who dressed up would thrust bikes, bash somersaults and bang connected drums.
In 2011, writer Quinsy Gario was arrested for staging a soundless protestation astatine a parade featuring Black Pete.
He went connected to pb campaigns to abolish the fig connected the grounds that it perpetuates radical stereotypes.
Now, alternative, little arguable figures to Black Pete are much communal successful celebrations, though the depiction is inactive fashionable with traditionalists.
It was 1 of the astir fashionable Dutch traditions for centuries, but successful caller years 'Black Pete' has go arguable - and it is not hard to spot why
16. The Netherlands has the highest English proficiency successful the satellite (besides the UK)
Bar the UK itself, the Netherlands has the highest English proficiency successful the world.
More than 90 per cent of Dutch radical tin talk English arsenic a 2nd language.
That accomplishment is astatine slightest partially down to the similarity betwixt Dutch and English.
Both are portion of the West Germanic linguistic family, hence wherefore truthful galore words stock the aforesaid roots.
For example, a pear is simply a 'peer', a banana is simply a 'banaan' and a herb is simply a 'tomaat'.
17. There are much than 1,000 historical windmills successful the Netherlands
Windmills are a quintessential portion of Dutch civilization and history, but did you cognize determination are implicit a thousands dotted passim the state - and galore are inactive successful use?
Among the astir renowned successful the state are UNESCO sites, specified arsenic Schiedam and Zaanse Schans successful Holland.
Throughout history, Dutch windmills person had respective antithetic functions, being utilized to nutrient a scope of products from wood to hemp and adjacent atom and paper.
Windmills are a quintessential portion of Dutch civilization and history, but did you cognize determination are implicit a thousands dotted passim the state - and galore are inactive successful use? Above: A accepted windmill in Schermerhorn
The windmills successful Zaanstreek were utilized to marque the insubstantial connected which the the American Declaration of Independence was written.
Down southbound successful Kinderdijk, the mills person been utilized arsenic a h2o absorption strategy since the 18th century.
The region's 19 windmills signifier a UNESCO World Heritage site.
18. The Dutch nationalist anthem is the oldest successful the world
Their nationalist anthem whitethorn not beryllium the archetypal happening that springs to your caput erstwhile you deliberation of the Dutch - but it is the oldest successful the world.
'Wilhelmus' has its origins in the Dutch Revolt - the nationalist conflict to execute independency from the Spanish Empire successful the 16th century.
Although the writer the authoritative writer is not known and is possibly mislaid to the cruel mistress of History.
Its lyrics archer of the begetter of the federation - William of Orange - and his struggles during the revolt to beryllium some faithful to the Spanish king and his conscience, which impelled him to service God and the Dutch.
Their nationalist anthem whitethorn not beryllium the archetypal happening that springs to your caput erstwhile you deliberation of the Dutch - but it is the oldest successful the world. Netherlands striker Wout Weghorst sings the nationalist anthem alongside manager Ronald Koeman
19. The Dutch leap into the icy acold North Sea connected New Year's Day
A precise sobering mode to statesman the caller twelvemonth - the Dutch hop successful the icy acold waters of the North oversea connected January 1.
The chilly contented was kicked disconnected successful the coastal metropolis of Zaandvoort by a swimming club.
Now thousands of Dutch radical marque the shivering dip successful 60 locations to footwear disconnected their New Year.
Among the astir fashionable coastal locations for the barmy signifier is astatine Scheveningen successful The Hague.
Dutch radical instrumentality a dip successful the oversea connected a formation in Scheveningen successful the Netherlands to footwear disconnected the New Year, 2018
20. We person the Dutch to convey for orangish carrots - but they were NOT invented to honour their royal family
For centuries, the humble carrot has been a agleam and versatile staple of the British diet.
But we person the Dutch to convey for their distinctive orangish colour.
For centuries, astir each carrots were yellow, achromatic oregon purple
But, according to folklore, Dutch farmers began cultivating orangish carrots arsenic a mode of honouring the royal House of Orange pursuing the assassination of William, Prince of Orange, successful the 16th Century.
Although the royal transportation has been debunked by experts, the proliferation of orangish carrots does stem from the Netherlands.
For centuries, the humble carrot has been a agleam and versatile staple of the British diet
John Stolarczyk, curator of the World Carrot Museum, antecedently said: 'Though the improvement and stabilization of the orangish carrot basal does look to day from astir that play successful the Netherlands, it is improbable that honoring William of Orange had thing to bash with it.
'There is nary documentary grounds that the Dutch invented orangish carrots to grant their royal family.'
Instead, orangish carrots simply thrived successful the Netherlands' mild, bedewed wintertime and were recovered by farmers to beryllium turn successful a much reliable and azygous fashion.
Dutch merchants past dispersed the orangish vegetables crossed the continent.
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