The Netherlands is called the northern flower of Europe.They are a country of beautiful tulips, delicious cheeses, windmills, ancient castles, the birthplace of talented painters, and recently they are also famous as the territory of free manners. Some call this country Holland, and others the Netherlands. On the map it is indicated under the second name. So what is the difference: the Netherlands and the Netherlands?
It turns out the tradition of calling the kingdomtulips Holland has strengthened among the Russians since the end of the 17th century, from the time when the most progressive of the Russian tsars, Peter the Great, decided to cut a window to Europe and, disguised as an ordinary pilot, went to Holland. During his “overseas” trip, he managed to visit only two of the Dutch provinces - South and North Holland. Later, returning to Russia, he, speaking of the life, culture, scientific achievements of this country as a whole, called it exclusively Holland. So, thanks to this Russian tsar, such a name stuck to the Netherlands, and it remains in our minds to this day.
This beautiful country, which is located onthe shores of the North Sea in the northwestern part of mainland Eurasia, officially called the Kingdom of the Netherlands (Koninkrijk der Nederlanden (niderl.) or the Kingdom of the Netherlands (Eng.)). The name Nederlanden is translated as “lowlands”. In fact, this country is located on one of the lowest land areas in Europe, the name Holland means hollow land, that is, land that does not have a solid foundation. At first glance, it seems that these names are identical, but if you think about it, you can understand the difference. The Netherlands and the Netherlands (as part of the kingdom) are located on the lowland, but the provinces of North and South Holland, besides being below sea level, also have an instability, a soil cavity. This is the difference.
Holland has always been the most progressive anddeveloped province of the kingdom. Here are concentrated the largest and most developed cities in the country: The Hague, Rotterdam, and of course, the capital Amsterdam. Of course, the inhabitants of these provinces are flattered that the Netherlands is often generally associated with their province, but this is not to their liking to residents of other regions, and they are ready to present many arguments explaining what the difference is. The Netherlands and the Netherlands, according to their opinion, are even translated in different ways. And they, residents of other provinces, do not like to be called Dutch. Of course, we, Russians, do not understand this, because we are accustomed to believe that the tulip homeland is Holland. Or the Netherlands? “Yes, what's the difference,” you think. However, for example, residents of the UK will perfectly understand the Dutch. After all, it is unacceptable to call all Britons English, and Great Britain to call England, which we often do.
This is a state that, in its politicaldevice is a constitutional monarchy. It has been a member of the European Union since 1957. He owns a small piece of land on the North Sea coast, sandwiched between Belgium and Germany, as well as the islands of Saba, Bonaire and St. Eustatius in the Caribbean and several Antilles: Curaçao, St. Maarten, Aruba. As you can see, the Netherlands, except North and South Holland, includes provinces located not only in Europe, but also in other parts of the world. That is why it is wrong to call the whole country Holland, and its people - the Dutch. Now it is more or less clear what the difference is. The Netherlands and the Netherlands relate to each other, like the United Kingdom and England. Nevertheless, for us, Russians, the inhabitants of this country will always be called Dutch, and Rembrandt and Van Gogh - Dutch artists. Well, the famous tulips, too, will invariably always be referred to as Dutch, not Dutch.
