The Netherlands - A Cultural Profile

Frederik Wild Cultural Profile - The Netherlands

The Netherlands - Cultural Profile

Table of contents

1. Introduction 2. Overview

a. Territory b. Politics c. Population

3. Communication a. Verbal Communication b. Non Verbal Communication

4. Customs a. Clothing b. Economy & Work c. Family d. Tolerance

5. Conclusion

Frederik Wild Cultural Profile - The Netherlands

Introduction

The Netherlands or Holland? Dutch or Netherlanders? There are multiple terms describing the country, the people and the culture of this territory. The Dutch or the "Netherlanders" are from Holland or more commonly known, from the Netherlands. Why does the country have two different names and two different titles for its population?

(Maps, F. W.)

Frederik Wild Cultural Profile - The Netherlands The word "Nederland" was used to describe the geographical situation of the land, since "neder" is the Dutch term for low/down and "land" simply means land in Dutch. Since the country is very flat and not undulating, the name fits perfectly to describe this area. In the 15th century, the Netherland consisted of the upper and the lower land. Later in that time, both of the areas fell to a European Dynasty. The regions now became one country, known as the Netherlands. Holland is a slightly incorrect way to refer to the Netherlands. The origin lies in the former northwestern province of the country, known as Holland. The province was divided in the 19th century and is now called North Holland and South Holland. Dutch citizens who are not out of one of these two provinces dislike being called "Hollander", which is another term for a Dutch person (Dennis Mares, A.C.).

Overview

Territory "God created the world, but the Dutch made Holland". The country takes up 40,844 square kilometers, making Holland the same size as Scotland. It ranges 300 kilometer from North...