Nether Lands

The Nether Lands, more commonly known as the Netherlands, is a country located in Northwestern Europe with overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy. The "Nether" part of the name literally means "lower" in reference to the country's low elevation and flat topography; approximately half of its land is at or below sea level. This low-lying geography has historically necessitated significant water management and land reclamation efforts, exemplified by its system of dikes, polders, and canals.

The Netherlands borders Germany to the east, Belgium to the south, and the North Sea to the north and west. Its capital is Amsterdam, while the seat of government is The Hague. Rotterdam is a major port city and one of the largest in the world.

The country is a founding member of the European Union, the Eurozone, the G10, NATO, the OECD and the World Trade Organization. It is also a part of the Schengen Area. The Netherlands has a highly developed economy and a high quality of life, consistently ranking highly in international indices of prosperity, health, education, and human development.

The official language is Dutch. Frisian is also an official language in the province of Friesland.

Historically, the Netherlands played a prominent role in global trade during the Dutch Golden Age in the 17th century. This period saw significant advancements in art, science, and commerce. Dutch colonialism extended to various parts of the world, including Indonesia (formerly the Dutch East Indies) and Suriname.