PEOPLE
The Dutch
are primarily of Germanic stock with some Gallo-Celtic mixture.
Their small homeland frequently has been threatened with destruction
by the North Sea and has often been invaded by the great European
powers.
Julius
Caesar found the region which is now the Netherlands inhabited
by Germanic tribes in the first century B.C. The western portion
was inhabited by the Batavians and became part of a Roman province;
the eastern portion was inhabited by the Frisians. Between the
fourth and eighth centuries A.D., most of both portions were conquered
by the Franks. The area later passed into the hands of the House
of Burgundy and the Austrian Habsburgs. Falling under harsh Spanish
rule in the 16th century, the Dutch revolted in 1558 under the
leadership of Willem of Orange. By virtue of the Union of Utrecht
in 1579, the seven northern Dutch provinces became the Republic
of the United Netherlands.
Population: 16.5 million.
Nationality: Noun--Dutchmen and Dutchwomen. Adjective--Dutch.
Ethnic groups: Predominantly Dutch; largest minority communities are Moroccans, Turks, Surinamese.
Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, other.
Language: Dutch.
Education: Years compulsory--10. Attendance--nearly 100%. Literacy--99%.
Health: Infant mortality rate--4.88/1,000. Life expectancy--79.1 yrs.
Work force (2006, 7.6 million): Commercial services--43.8%; non-commercial services--30.2%; industry--23.9%; agriculture--2.1%.
