Introduction: The Netherlands It is an amazing country with an even

more amazing culture. But if you’re not properly prepared, you could
possibly find yourself confused by some of their common cultural
tendencies. For this purpose, I have put together a sort-of cultural strategy
guide for your visit to the Netherlands

General
Population. As of March 9, 2011 the Netherlands has a population of
16,805,037. It is currently ranked as the 64th most populated country in
the world.
Languages. The official language of the Netherlands is Dutch, and it is
spoken by a vast majority of the country’s population. It closely resembles
German and borrows terms from both French and English. The secondary
language of the Netherlands is Friesian, which is spoken by approximately
a half-million citizens of the Dutch province of Friesland.

Society. The Dutch society as a whole is very independent and modern.

Many believe in equality for all, yet focus on individuality more than
community. They are considered a middle-class society.

Economy. The Netherlands has an advanced free market economy. The

major sectors for employment are the agriculture, trade, and service
industries.

Religion
Secular. The Netherlands is one of the most secularized countries in
Western Europe. Only about 39% of citizens claim to be religious, and of
those 39% only 6% attend church on a regular basis.

Main religions. There are currently two main religions prominent in

Dutch society: Roman Catholic and Protestant. The Roman Catholics
make up approximately 25% of the Dutch population, and Protestants
make up approximately 15%.

Minor Religions. Muslims make up 5% of the population. Buddhists

make up 1%, and Hindus make up 0.9%.
Culinary
Traditional Dutch cuisine is not very diverse. It’s very simple and
straightforward. The traditional Dutch meal consists of a lot of vegetables
with a little meat.
The average Dutch household prepares food from other cultures as well.
Here I have listed some tradional Dutch dishes: ppt

Arts
Art. The Netherlands is world-renowned for its number of art and historical
museums, along with its impressive collection of fine art. The most prolific period
for Dutch art was the Golden Age (17th century), where the Baroque style, inherited
from the Italians, became the basis for several Dutch masterpieces. The next
resurgence began in the twentieth century with modern art and continues to flourish
today.
Architecture. Dutch architecture also became prominent during the Golden Age,
where Baroque-style buildings were considered the norm.The vast array of buildings
offers a magnificent view of varying historical styles that span centuries.

Music. Traditional Dutch music consists of simple melodies and rhymes that focus
on central emotional themes like loneliness, happiness, and sadness. Today, popular
culture is fixated on Nederpop (pop music), electronic/trance, and Nederhop (Dutch
Hip-Hop). Classical and orchestral scores are also very popular, and Jan Sweelinck is
still considered the most prolific composer in Dutch’s illustrious musical history.
Other popular genres include folk, jazz, and various types of metal.

Sports
Sports are a very important part of life for many Dutch citizens. There are currently over
35,000 operational sports clubs in the Netherlands and approximately 28% of the population
is active members in these clubs
Major sports. The major sports of the Netherlands (in order of popularity) are football,
cycling, and speed skating.

Football. Football is a way of life more many sports fans in the Netherlands. The Royal
Dutch Football Association is the most revered football federation in the country and was
one of the founding members of FIFA. Throughout the years, the Dutch have achieved
several accolades for football, such as three bronze medals in the Olympics and three FIFA
World Cup finals appearances. Johan Crujiff is the country’s most revered football player.

Cycling. The Dutch’s cycling boom started in the late 1890s and took off in the early 1900s.
In 1928, the Royal Dutch Cycling Union was formed and cycling soon became a premier
sport in the Netherlands, and has maintained its status ever since. There have been two
Other sports. While football, cycling, and speed skating are the main focus for Dutch’s
sports enthusiasts, there are still other sports that remain fairly popular and are worth
mentioning: basketball, baseball, volleyball, field hockey, cricket, rugby, and korfball.