| Geography and Climate |
Netherlands is located in Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between Belgium and Germany. Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey. Total land boundary is 1,027 km, border countries are Belgium 450 km and Germany 577 km.
Climate is temperate; marine; cool summers and mild winters. Terrain consists mostly of coastal lowland and reclaimed land (polders); some hills in southeast. Elevation extreme has the
lowest point in Prins Alexanderpolder -7 m and highest point in Vaalserberg 321 m. Natural resources are natural gas, petroleum, fertile soil. Land use: arable land: 27%, permanent crops: 1, permanent pastures: 31%, forests and woodland: 10%, other: 31% (1993 est.). Irrigated land: 5,600 sq km (1993 est.).
Natural hazards: - the extensive system of dikes and dams, protects nearly one-half of the total area from being flooded.
Environment—current issues: water pollution in the form of heavy metals, organic compounds, and nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates; air pollution from vehicles and refining activities; acid rain.
Geography—note: located at mouths of three major European rivers (Rhine, Maas or Meuse, and Schelde).
Ref. Anonymous, 1999 |