Wikijunior:Europe/Netherlands
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The Netherlands is a small country in north west Europe. It shares borders with Germany and Belguim. The capital city is Amsterdam. Other big cities are the Hague, Rotterdam, Utrecht and Eindhoven.
[edit] The Netherland's History
- Main article: Dutch Empire
The beginning of the Netherlands was the eighty year war with Spain. After this war the Dutch republic started (1648). This was the beginning of the Golden Age (17th century), in which the Netherlands were on of the world's leading economy's. When in France revolution broke out, the Netherlands were invaded by Napoleon Bonaparte. After his lose, together with the current Belgium and Luxembourg it formed the Kingdom of the Netherlands. In 1830 Belgium became independent, the end of that century also Luxembourg became independent. In WWI the Netherlands were neutral, but in World War II Germany invaded the Netherlands, 5 years later Germany lost the war.
[edit] The Netherland's Geography
The Netherlands are a low country, with no mountains. The highest peek is only 322 meters. Many rivers end in the Netherlands, one of those is the Rhine. If it were not for dikes, most of the country would be below water.
