Netherlands - Government
Based on the etymolgy of Netherlands, it was the English name is derived from the country's Dutch name, which means "the lowlands" and describes the geographic area; only about half the Netherlands is more than 1 meter (3.3 ft) above sea level. The Government system in this country is the parliamentary constitutional monarchy; part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands type and the different Administrative divisions includes: 12 provinces (provincies, singular - provincie), 3 public entities* (openbare lichamen, singular - openbaar lichaam (Dutch); entidatnan publiko, singular - entidat publiko (Papiamento)); Bonaire*, Drenthe, Flevoland, Fryslan (Friesland), Gelderland, Groningen, Limburg, Noord-Brabant (North Brabant), Noord-Holland (North Holland), Overijssel, Saba*, Sint Eustatius*, Utrecht, Zeeland (Zealand), Zuid-Holland (South Holland)
National symbols

Lion, daisy; national color: orange.

The flag
The National flag of Netherlands has three equal horizontal bands of red (bright vermilion; top), white, and blue (cobalt); similar to the flag of Luxembourg, which uses a lighter blue and is longer; the colors were derived from those of WILLIAM I, Prince of Orange, who led the Dutch Revolt against Spanish sovereignty in the latter half of the 16th century; originally the upper band was orange, but because its dye tended to turn red over time, the red shade was eventually made the permanent color; the banner is perhaps the oldest tricolor in continuous use.
The National Anthem
Title "Het Wilhelmus" (The William)
Lyric/music Philips VAN MARNIX van Sint Aldegonde (presumed)/unknown
More about the government of Netherlands
Date of Independence 26 July 1581 (the northern provinces of the Low Countries formally declared their independence with an Act of Abjuration; however, it was not until 30 January 1648 and the Peace of Westphalia that Spain recognized this independence)
National holiday King's Day (birthday of King WILLEM-ALEXANDER), 27 April (1967); note - King's or Queen's Day is observed on the ruling monarch's birthday; currently celebrated on 26 April if 27 April is a Sunday
Legal system civil law system based on the French system; constitution does not permit judicial review of acts of the States General
International law organization participation accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Constitution
History Many previous to adoption of the "Basic Law of the Kingdom of the Netherlands" on 24 August 1815; revised 8 times, the latest in 1983
Amendment process Proposed as an Act of Parliament by or on behalf of the king or by the Second Chamber of the States General; the Second Chamber is dissolved after its first reading of the Act; passage requires a second reading by both the First Chamber and the newly elected Second Chamber, followed by at least two-thirds majority vote of both chambers, and ratification by the king
Citizenship
Citizenship by birth no
Citizenship by descent only at least one parent must be a citizen of the Netherlands
Dual citizenship recognized no
Residency requirement for naturalization 5 years
Executive Branch
Chief of state King WILLEM-ALEXANDER (since 30 April 2013)
Head of government Prime Minister Dick SCHOOF (since 2 July 2024)
Cabinet Council of Ministers appointed by the monarch
Elections/appointments the monarchy is hereditary; following Second Chamber elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch; deputy prime ministers are appointed by the monarch
Legislative branch
Legislature name States General (Staten-Generaal)
Legislative structure Bicameral
Judicial branch
Highest court(s) Supreme Court or Hoge Raad (consists of 41 judges: the president, 6 vice presidents, 31 justices, and 3 justices in exceptional service); the court is divided into criminal, civil, tax, and ombuds chambers
Judge selection and term of office Justices appointed by the monarch from a list provided by the House of Representatives of the States General; justices appointed for life or until mandatory retirement at age 70
Subordinate courts Courts of appeal; district courts, each with up to 5 subdistrict courts; Netherlands Commercial Court
Diplomatic representation in the US
Chief of mission Ambassador Birgitta TAZELAAR (since 15 September 2023)
Chancery 4200 Linnean Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Telephone [1] (202) 244-5300
FAX [1] (202) 362-3430
Email address and website
[email protected]

https://www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/countries/united-states/about-us/embassy-in-washington-dc
Consulate(s) general Atlanta, Chicago, Miami, New York, San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US
Chief of mission Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Marcus MICHELI (since January 2025)
Embassy John Adams Park 1, 2244 BZ Wassenaar
Mailing address 5780 Amsterdam Place, Washington DC  20521-5780
Telephone [31] (70) 310-2209
FAX [31] (70) 310-2207
Email address and website
[email protected]

https://nl.usembassy.gov/
Consulate(s) general Amsterdam
National heritage
Total World Heritage Sites 13 (12 cultural, 1 natural); note - includes one site in Curacao
Selected World Heritage Site locales Schokland and Surroundings (c); Dutch Water Defense Lines (c); Van Nellefabriek (c); Mill Network at Kinderdijk-Elshout (c); Droogmakerij de Beemster (Beemster Polder) (c); Rietveld Schröderhuis (Rietveld Schröder House) (c); Wadden Sea (n); Seventeenth Century Canal Ring Area of Amsterdam inside the Singelgracht (c); Colonies of Benevolence (c); Frontiers of the Roman Empire - The Lower German Limes (c)
Key Political parties and their leaders in Netherlands
    • International organization participation
  • ADB (nonregional member)
  • AfDB (nonregional member)
  • Arctic Council (observer)
  • Australia Group
  • Benelux
  • BIS
  • CBSS (observer)
  • CD
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  • EIB
  • EITI (implementing country)
  • EMU
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  • FAO
  • FATF
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  • ICC (national committees)
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  • IFAD
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  • IGAD (partners)
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  • Interpol
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  • ITUC (NGOs)
  • MIGA
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  • OAS (observer)
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  • Pacific Alliance (observer)
  • Paris Club
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  • SELEC (observer)
  • UN
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  • UNHCR
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  • UNIDO
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    • All Important Facts about Netherlands

    Want to know more about Netherlands? Check all different factbooks for Netherlands below.

    Netherlands is found in Western Europe