Netherlands

The maritime kingdom of the Netherlands, the largest of the Low Countries, lies in north-west Europe and covers 41,000 sq. kms. The bulk of the land is extensively cultivated and one third of the country lies below sea level. A series of dykes and coastal sand dunes protects the reclaimed territory from tidal flooding. Navigable waterways and canals connect the Netherlands to Belgium and Germany. Over one third of the country is meadow or pasture.

The climate is temperate maritime but with cold winter winds. Generally mild winter and summer conditions but cooler inland during the winter and slightly warmer in summer. Temperatures in Amsterdam vary between 2°C in January and 17°C in July.