NETHERLANDS

The bitter experience of invasion and occupation during World War II led the Netherlands to abandon neutrality in 1945 and become a leading supporter of international cooperation. It has since developed into one of the keenest advocates of the European Union.
The Netherlands has adopted the euro as its national currency, and a Dutchman - Wim Duisenberg - is the first head of the European Central Bank.

• Capital City: Amsterdam; seat of government: the Hague
  
• Population: 16.1 million (UN, 2003)
  
• Major language: Dutch
  
• Major religion: Christianity
  
• Life expectancy: 76 years (men), 81 years (women) (UN)
  
• Monetary unit: 1 Euro = 100 cents
  
• Average annual income: US $24,330 (World Bank, 2001)
  
• Main exports: Metal manufacturing, chemicals, foodstuffs
  
• Internet domain: .nl
  
• International dialling code: +31

THE MEDIA

Freedom of the press is guaranteed by the constitution, as is free speech. Newspaper ownership is highly concentrated. Most titles are broadsheets; Dutch readers have not developed a taste for tabloid sensationalism.

• The Press
  
  • Algemeen Dagblad
    
  • NRC Handelsblad
    
  • De Telegraaf
    
  • De Volkskrant
    
  • Trouw
    
    
    
    
• Television
  
  • NOS - oversees the country's three national public networks
    
  • BVN TV - external TV service for Dutch-speakers abroad
    
  • RTL - commercial, operates RTL4 and RTL5 channels
    
  • SBS - commercial, operates SBS6, Net5 and V8 channels
    
    
    
    
• Radio
  
  • NOS - oversees public radio stations, including news and information station Radio 1, music network Radio 2, pop station 3FM, cultural station Radio 4
    
  • Radio Netherlands - international broadcaster, programmes in a number of languages including English
    
  • Sky Radio - popular commercial FM station, non-stop music
    
  • Radio 538 - popular commercial FM station, pop and dance music