Some facts about The Netherlands

The Netherlands, a country in Northwestern Europe, is known for a flat landscape of canals, tulip fields, windmills and cycling routes. Amsterdam, the capital, is home to the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and the house where Jewish diarist Anne Frank hid during WWII. Canalside mansions and a trove of works from artists including Rembrandt and Vermeer remain from the city's 17th-century "Golden Age."
Based on United Nations data, the total population of the Netherlands was 17,140,098 in August 2020. The total land area of the country is 33,720 square kilometers, giving it a population density of 508 people per square kilometer. This makes the Netherlands the most densely populated country in the EU and one of the most densely populated countries in the world. Interestingly, around 92.5% of the population lives in is urban areas. And more than 40% of the total population of the country live in the Randstad; an agglomeration of the cities of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht.

The Netherlands is the lowest-lying country in Europe
Okay, so this fact might not be entirely surprising, given that the world Netherlands literally translates as ‘lower countries’. Nevertheless, it’s mind-blowing to think that over a quarter (26%) of the Netherlands is actually sitting below sea level. What’s more, some 60% of the population is currently living 5m below sea level. The highest point in the country is a hill in Vaalserberg in South Limburg which sits at 322.5m above sea level. The lowest point, meanwhile, is Zuidplaspolder, which is 7m below sea level. Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport is also 5m below sea level. Luckily for people living in the Netherlands, the Dutch are pretty savvy when it comes to pumping the land dry using an intricate system of windmills, pumping stations, polders, and dikes. 

The Netherlands ranks as the world’s sixth happiest country, according to the 2020 World Happiness Report. The annual study ranks 156 countries, taking into account factors such as healthy life expectancy, freedom, trust, corruption, and social support. And it appears that the jovial Dutch have plenty to be thankful for, scoring high levels of social and institutional trust, as well as social connection. Interestingly, the country also ranks significantly higher than its neighbors, Germany (17th) and Belgium (20th). According to the report, only Finland, Denmark, Switzerland, Iceland, and Norway are happier nations.

The Dutch are the healthiest in the world when it comes to diet
As well as being one of the happiest nations on the planet, the Dutch are also one of the healthiest when it comes to diet and nutrition. In the Oxfam Food Index of 125 countries, they rank number one for having the most plentiful, nutritious, healthy, and affordable food; above France and Switzerland. Despite the nation’s cravings for some pretty naughty Dutch snack foods, it seems that residents are actually pretty good when it comes to eating their greens. And that makes sense, given that the Netherlands is the second-largest exporter of vegetables in the world.

All surprising facts you can read about The Netherlands

Now some information about the area we moved to, a town called Dedemsvaart.
The town is located along an old canal, also called Dedemsvaart [nl], which is the source of the village's name. The canal lost its commercial importance after World War II. The area around Dedemsvaart, until 2001 part of the municipality of Avereest, was an important centre for industry. Willem Jan van Dedem, after whom the canal and town were named, made a plan to dig a canal; construction began on 9 July 1810. Around two years later, in 1811, the canal had already reached Balkbrug, and the town was established.
In 1845 the project got into financial trouble and the baron had to forfeit the canal of Dedemsvaart, until then a private possession, to the province of Overijssel, who took further care of the canal. Over the years the canal changed and eventually became unfit for commercial use. 

In the next newsletter, I will share some pictures of how we are, still in the process of, furnishing and decorating our house and what we will do with the front and back garden.
Let me know what your interested in reading and seeing and I will do my best to accommodate you.

For now I show you the before and after pictures of cleaning the stones and wood.