Kingdom of the Netherlands 16885 224138642 2008-07-07T14:16:34Z Ballestrain 6596124 {{FixHTML|beg}} {{Infobox Country |native_name = ''Koninkrijk der Nederlanden'' |conventional_long_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands |common_name = the Netherlands |image_flag = Flag of the Netherlands.svg |image_coat = NL - COA.png <!--Do not replace, the svg version is not official, this one is--> |image_map = Locatie_Koninkrijk1.png |national_anthem = ''[[Het Wilhelmus|Wilhelmus van Nassouwe]]''<br/><small>(national and royal anthem)</small> |official_languages = [[Dutch language|Dutch]]{{smallsup|1}} |capital = [[Amsterdam]]{{smallsup|2}} |dn=52.08 |de=4.30 |largest_city = capital |government_type = [[Parliamentary system|Parliamentary]] [[democracy]] and [[Constitutional monarchy]] |leader_title1 = [[Monarchy of the Netherlands|Monarch]] |leader_name1 = [[Beatrix of the Netherlands|Beatrix]] |leader_title2 = Chair of the [[Council of Ministers of the Kingdom of the Netherlands|Council of Ministers of the Kingdom]] |leader_name2 = <br/>[[Jan Peter Balkenende]] |leader_title3 = [[Minister Plenipotentiary of Aruba]] |leader_name3 = <br/>[[Frido Croes]] |leader_title4 = [[Minister Plenipotentiary of the Netherlands Antilles]] |leader_name4 = <br/>[[Paul Comenencia]] |sovereignty_type = Establishment |established_event1 = Present Kingdom established |established_date1 = <br/>[[October 4]] [[1830]] |established_event2 = Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands (federacy) |established_date2 = <br/>[[October 28]] [[1954]] |area_rank = 134th |area_magnitude = 1 E10 |area_km2 = 41,526 |area_sq_mi = 16,478 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]--> |percent_water = 18.41 |population_estimate = 16,429,250 |population_estimate_year = July 2008 |population_estimate_rank = 58th |population_density_km2 = 393 |population_density_sq_mi = 1,019 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]--> |population_density_rank = 23rd |GDP_PPP_year = 2006 |GDP_PPP = |GDP_PPP_rank = |GDP_PPP_per_capita = |GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = |currency = [[Euro]]{{smallsup|3}}&nbsp;<small>(Netherlands)</small>, [[Aruban florin]]&nbsp;<small>(Aruba)</small> and [[Netherlands Antillean gulden]]&nbsp;<small>(Netherlands Antilles)</small> |currency_code = € EUR, AWG and ANG |country_code = |time_zone = [[Central European Time|CET]] and [[Atlantic Standard Time|AST]] |utc_offset = +1 and -4 |time_zone_DST = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]] and [[Atlantic Standard Time|AST]] |utc_offset_DST = +2 and -4 |cctld = [[.nl]]{{smallsup|4}}, [[.aw]], [[.an]] |calling_code = 31 |calling_code_note = &nbsp;, [[+297]], [[+599]] |footnote1 = [[Papiamento]] is an official language in [[Aruba]] and the islands of [[Bonaire]] and [[Curacao]] in the [[Netherlands Antilles]]. [[English language| English]] is an official language on the islands of [[Saba]] and [[Sint Eustatius]], as well as the island area of [[Sint Maarten]], also in the Netherlands Antilles. In [[Friesland]], the [[West Frisian language]] is also an official language, and [[Low Saxon]] and [[Limburgish language|Limburgish]] are officially recognised as [[European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages|regional languages]]. |footnote2 = [[The Hague]] is the seat of the government of the [[Netherlands]]; [[Oranjestad]] is the capital of [[Aruba]]; and [[Willemstad]] is the capital of the [[Netherlands Antilles]]. |footnote3 = Prior to 1999 (''de jure;'' 2002 ''de facto''): [[Dutch guilder]] ([[ISO 4217|ƒ NLG]])] |footnote4 = Also [[.eu]] in the Netherlands, shared with other EU member states. }} {{FixHTML|end}} {{dablink|'''The [[Netherlands]]''' and '''The Kingdom of the Netherlands''' are two distinct geographical and administrative entities}} The '''Kingdom of the Netherlands''' ([[Dutch language|Dutch]]: {{Audio|Nl-Koninkrijk der Nederlanden2.ogg|''Koninkrijk der Nederlanden''}}, [[Papiamento]]: ''Reino Hulandes'') is an association with federal characteristics (federacy), based on a political compact, which consists of three constituent countries: the [[Netherlands]] in [[Western Europe]], and the [[Netherlands Antilles]] and [[Aruba]] in the [[Caribbean]]. The current Kingdom of the Netherlands was constituted with the proclamation of the [[Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands]] on [[October 28]], [[1954]]. From 1830 to 1954, the "Kingdom of the Netherlands" referred to the Netherlands Kingdom and its colonial (formerly Dutch East- and West-Indian Co.) possessions. [[Suriname]] was a constituent nation within the Kingdom from 1954 to 1975. The Charter specifies the competences of the Kingdom; apart from these competences the constituent countries are completely autonomous in their internal affairs.<ref name="bzk">{{cite web |url=http://www.minbzk.nl/bzk2006uk/subjects/aruba-and-the |title=Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles: Political relations within the Kingdom of the Netherlands |accessdate=2007-10-13 |author= |date= |work= |publisher=Ministerie van Binnenlandse Zaken en Koninkrijksrelaties}}</ref> The Charter is a unique document, which compares with difficulty to other types of political compacts for associations and government. It has some characteristics of a [[federal state]], the main difference being that its members, on the federal level, are not completely equal. The Netherlands, as one of the constituent nations, actually is responsible for the federal affairs. The interests of the overseas constituent nations in matters that are governed by the Kingdom, are in practice subordinate to those of the Netherlands .<ref name="Meel" /> ==History== {{main|History of Aruba|History of the Netherlands|History of the Netherlands Antilles}} Before the [[Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands]] was proclaimed in 1954, [[Suriname]], [[Netherlands New Guinea]], and the "[[Netherlands Antilles]]", formerly "Colony of Curaçao and Subordinates" (Kolonie Curaçao en Onderhorige Eilanden) were mere commercial posts and colonies of the Dutch W.I.C., transferred in 1791 to the Government of the Netherlands. The origin of the administrative reform of 1954 was the famous [[December 7]] [[1942]] radio speech by [[Queen Wilhelmina]] pertaining to the August 14, 1941, Atlantic Charter and the Declaration by the United Nations, which was signed by the Netherlands on January 1, 1942. In this speech the Queen, on behalf of the Dutch government in exile in London, expressed a desire to review the relations between the Netherlands and its colonies after the end of the war. After the liberation, the government would be calling a conference to agree on a settlement in which the overseas territories could participate in the administration of the Kingdom on the basis of equality. Initially, this speech had propaganda purposes; the Dutch government had the [[Dutch East Indies]] (now [[Indonesia]]) in mind, and was hoping to appease public opinion in the [[United States]], which had become skeptical towards [[colonialism]].<ref name="Meel">Peter Meel, ''Tussen autonomie en onafhankelijkheid. Nederlands-Surinaamse betrekkingen 1954-1961'' (Between Autonomy and Independence. Dutch-Surinamese Relations 1954-1961; Leiden: KITLV 1999).</ref> Aruba had been under Dutch administration since 1647, and during [[World War II]], it was a British protectorate from 1940 to 1942 and a US protectorate from 1942 to 1945 (in March 1944, [[Eleanor Roosevelt]] briefly visited American troops stationed in Aruba). In August 1947, Aruba presented its first Staatsreglement (Constitution) as a separate and autonomous country and member-state of a Dutch Commonwealth, under the authority of the Dutch crown. In 1948 it sent its second petition for independence from Curaçao to the Dutch Queen, the first petition having been sent in 1933. In 1951 interim provisions on [[universal suffrage]], administrative bodies and [[ministerial responsibility]] were introduced in Suriname and the Netherlands Antilles. During a Round Table Conference negotiations took place about the administrative organisation of the Realm. To all participants, the mutual "unity" of the territories was of utmost importance. With a possible inclusion of Indonesia into a new-style Kingdom in mind, initially a federal structure was designed. Above the institutions of the constituent nations, a Kingdom Government (''Rijksregering'') and Kingdom Parliament (''Rijksparlement'') would be placed. This interim arrangement was adopted against the people of Aruba's wishes, and without requiring an election or a plebiscite, as was the Statute of the Kingdom adopted in 1954. As the population and the economies of Suriname and the Netherlands Antilles were insignificant compared to those of the Netherlands, the Dutch government considered this construct to be too heavy. The Dutch cabinet did not approve of this kingdom constitution design when it was proposed in October 1948. In a subsequent design, which dropped the term constitution for Charter, Dutch institutions were taken as a starting point for the Kingdom Government, to which representatives of the overseas territories could be added if necessary. In the final version of the Charter, Suriname and the Netherlands Antilles each got a [[Minister Plenipotentiary]] based in the Netherlands, who had the right to participate in Dutch cabinet meetings when it discussed matters that applied to the Kingdom as a whole, making this Dutch institution a Kingdom Government in appropriate cases. Delegacies of the [[States]] of Suriname and the Netherlands Antilles could participate in sessions of the First and Second Chamber of the [[States-General]]. An overseas member could be added to the [[High Council]] when appropriate, and the government would seek the approval of the States of the Netherlands Antilles and Suriname if legislation affected those nations. According to the Charter, Suriname and the Netherlands Antilles were also allowed to alter their constitutions (''Staatsregeling''). A term expressly not used in the Charter was the term ''[[right of self-determination]]''. The right of any of the three nations to leave the political union unilaterally was not recognised; yet it was stipulated the Charter could be dissolved by mutual consultation.<ref name="Meel" /> In 1955, Queen [[Juliana of the Netherlands|Juliana]] and Prince [[Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands|Bernhard]] visited Suriname and the Netherlands Antilles. The visit was a great succes. The royal couple was enthusiastically welcomed by the local population and the trip was widely reported in the Dutch press. Several other royal visits were to follow. <ref name="Oostindie1">Gert Oostindie, ''De parels en de kroon. Het koningshuis en de koloniën'' (The Pearls and the Crown. The Royal House and the Colonies; Amsterdam: de Bezige Bij 2006).</ref> In November 1955, a representative of Aruba spoke in front of the United Nations Trust Committee and mentioned future changes to come.(These changes were officially presented twenty years later by the Aruban people in March 1977, based on their selfdetermination right, in the form of a referendum.) Politicians of the nations visited each other as well. Until the end of the sixties, within Dutch politics a feeling of great satisfaction with the political relations prevailed. Only the [[Communist Party of the Netherlands]] denounced the Charter as a colonialist construction. All other Dutch politicians expressed in warm, but also quite romantic and vague words their appreciation of the Charter and the continuing links with Suriname and the Netherlands Antilles. Until 1969, 'kingdom relations' rarely were subject of public debate in the Netherlands.<ref name="Oostindie2">Gert Oostindie and Inge Klinkers, ''Knellende Koninkrijksbanden. Het Nederlandse dekolonisatiebeleid in de Caraïben, 1940-2000'', II, ''1954-1975'' (Stringent Kingdom Ties. The Dutch De-colonisation Policy in the Carribean; Amsterdam: University Press 2001).</ref> The Dutch government officially did not pursue a cultural policy with regard to the overseas nations of the Kingdom, but it did have close ties with a foundation, [[Sticusa]], that had as its aim to strengthen cultural ties between the constituent nations and further common understanding amongst its populations.<ref name="Oostindie2" /> In [[1969]] an unorganised strike on the Antillian island of [[Curaçao]] resulted in serious disturbances and looting, during which a part of the historic city center of [[Willemstad]] was destroyed by fire. Order was restored by [[Netherlands Marine Corps|Dutch marines]]. The same year in Suriname saw serious political instability with the Surinamese prime minister, [[Jopie Pengel]], threatening to request 'federal' (i.e. Dutch) military support to break a teacher strike. These incidents shattered the image Dutch politicians cherished of the overseas nations as peaceful and harmonious societies. Dutch decision makers became fearful of the possibility of the Netherlands becoming engaged in internal or external armed conflicts of the Netherlands Antilles or Suriname.<ref name="Oostindie2" /> In 1973 a new Dutch cabinet under Labour leader [[Joop den Uyl]] assumed power. In the [[government policy statement]] the cabinet declared a wish to determine a date for the independence of Suriname and the Netherlands Antilles with the government of those nations. The cabinet was of a clear leftist signature; the events of 1969 were fresh in public memory and the Netherlands considered themself as a progressive 'guiding country'. These elements combined caused an extremely assertive stand of the government in making the overseas kingdom nations independent. The Antillean government was non-committal; the same held for the Surinamese [[Sedney]]-cabinet (1969-1973). The Suriname [[1973]] elections brought the National Party Combination (''Nationale Partij Kombinatie'') to power, with [[Henck Arron]] as its prime minister. The new government declared on its instatement that Suriname would be independent before [[1976]]. This was remarkable, as independence had not been an issue during the election campaign. The Den Uyl-government in [[The Hague]] now had a willing partner in [[Paramaribo]] to realise its plans for Surinamese independence. Despite vehement and emotional resistance by the Surinamese opposition, Den Uyl and Arron reached an agreement, and on [[November 25]], [[1975]], Suriname became independent.<ref name="Oostindie2" /> ==The distinction between the Netherlands and "the Kingdom"== Outside the Kingdom of the Netherlands, "Netherlands" is used as the English short-form name to describe the Kingdom of the Netherlands. At the United Nations, for example, the Kingdom is identified in the General Assembly by its English short-form name "Netherlands," whereas the English long-form name "Kingdom of the Netherlands" may be used in place of the name "Netherlands" in formal UN documentation. [[International treaty|International treaties]], also, frequently shorten "Kingdom of the Netherlands" to "Netherlands." In Dutch common practice, however, "Kingdom of the Netherlands" is shortened to "Kingdom" and not to "Netherlands," as the latter name could be confused with the Kingdom's principal constituent country rather than with the Kingdom, itself.<ref>Examples of this practice can be found in all government documents and in nearly all press reports on Kingdom affairs, as well as in institutions that are related to the Kingdom of the Netherlands: Raad van Ministers van het Koninkrijk ("Council of Ministers of the Kingdom"), Ministerie van Binnenlanse Zaken en Koninkrijksrelaties ("Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Affairs"), the Koninkrijksspelen ("Kingdom Games", the Dutch equivalent of the [[Commonwealth Games]]), etc.</ref> The Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands also shortens "Kingdom of the Netherlands" to "Kingdom" rather than to "Netherlands".<ref name="Charter" /> Apart from the fact that referring to the Kingdom of the Netherlands as the "Netherlands" can be confusing, the term "Kingdom" is also used to prevent any feelings of ill will that could be associated with the use of the term "Netherlands." The use of the term "Netherlands" for the Kingdom might imply that Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles are not equal to the Kingdom's constituent country in Europe and that those two constituent countries have no say in affairs pertaining to the Kingdom but are, instead, subordinate to the European country. Though the influence of Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles in Kingdom affairs is limited, that influence most certainly exists. Using the term "Netherlands" to refer to the Kingdom, therefore, could be perceived as failing to recognise that influence, however limited it may be.{{fact|date=October 2007}} Talking about the negotiation tactics of then Minister for Kingdom Affairs [[Alexander Pechtold]], [[ChristenUnie]] leader and current Vice-Prime Minister of the Netherlands [[André Rouvoet]] illustrated the sensitivity in this matter by remarking in the [[Tweede Kamer]] that "[...] the old reproof that constantly characterised the relationship between the Netherlands and the Antilles immediately surfaced again. The Netherlands identifies the Kingdom with the Netherlands and dictates. The Netherlands Antilles can either give in or be ruled upon."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.christenunie.nl/nl/k/news/view/41358 |title=Bijdrage debat Begroting Koninkrijksrelaties 2006 |accessdate=2007-10-21 |author=André Rouvoet |date=2005-10-12 |publisher=ChristenUnie.nl |language=Dutch |quote=Hoewel minister De Grave er wat ons betreft meer vaart achter had mogen zetten, had hij onmiskenbaar de goede richting te pakken én, dat is in Koninkrijkszaken cruciaal, de goe-de toon. Zijn opvolger, minister Pechtold, bleek die broodnodige prudentie te ontberen met als dieptepunt zijn brief van 24 augustus waarin hij staatkundige veranderingen afhankelijk maakte van financiële verbeteringen. Het oude verwijt dat steeds de relatie tussen Nederland en de Antillen heeft gekenmerkt, speelde onmiddellijk weer op. Nederland vereenzelvigt het Koninkrijk met Nederland en dicteert. De Nederlandse Antillen moeten slikken of stikken. Gevolg: ergernis in de West, verstoorde verhoudingen en verlies van momentum; geen frisse wind, maar meer een storm in de Caribische porseleinkast. Het zal allemaal wel te maken hebben met de behoefte van deze minister om te zeggen wat hij denkt en heilige huisjes niet te sparen, maar echt behulpzaam voor de verhoudingen in het Koninkrijk is het niet.}}</ref> In addition, the "Werkgroep Bestuurlijke en Financiële Verhoudingen Nederlandse Antillen"—the commission that explored the current constitutional reform of the Kingdom—recommended that the "identification of the Netherlands with the Kingdom needs to be eliminated".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.minbzk.nl/contents/pages/10100/nukanhetnumoethet.pdf |title=Nu kan het... nu moet het! Advies Werkgroep Bestuurlijke en Financiële Verhoudingen Nederlandse Antillen |accessdate=2007-10-21 |author=Werkgroep Bestuurlijke en Financiële Verhoudingen Nederlandse Antillen |date=2004-10-08 |language=Dutch |pages=37-38 |format=PDF |quote=Aanbevelingen Koninkrijk “Nieuwe Stijl”: [...] 7. De vereenzelviging van Nederland met het Koninkrijk wordt doorbroken.}}</ref> The Council of State of the Kingdom joins the commission in this by remarking that the Kingdom of the Netherlands has no telephone number, no budget and that the [[Council of Ministers of the Kingdom of the Netherlands|Council of Ministers of the Kingdom]] usually meets very briefly with a summary agenda.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.minbzk.nl/contents/pages/81294/bijlage_staatkundige_veranderingen.pdf |title=Voorlichting overeenkomstig artikel 18, tweede lid, van de Wet op de Raad van State inzake de hervorming van de staatkundige verhoudingen van de Antilliaanse eilanden binnen het Koninkrijk |accessdate=2007-10-21 |author=Raad van State van het Koninkrijk |date=2006-09-18 |language=Dutch |pages=34-35 |format=PDF |quote=Het Koninkrijk der Nederlanden heeft geen adres of telefoonnummer en al evenmin een eigen budget. Als het Koninkrijk wordt gebeld, krijgt men Nederland aan de lijn. De relaties binnen het Koninkrijk zijn vooral een dynamisch onderhandelingsproces. Een democratisch gelegitimeerd centrum ontbreekt. Het duidelijkst geldt dit voor de rijksministerraad, die gewoonlijk slechts zeer kortstondig beraadslaagt, met een zeer summiere agenda en met weinig discussie over de koers van het Koninkrijk als geheel. Voor de voorbereiding is de raad vrijwel geheel afhankelijk van (voorbereidend) overleg tussen vertegenwoordigers van de drie landsregeringen.}}</ref> To counter this habit, the Council of State has suggested that with the pending constitutional reform in the Kingdom, a Secretariat for the Kingdom will be instituted that prepares the agenda for the Council of Ministers of the Kingdom and guards the enforcement of decisions of the Council. Confusingly, the constitution of the Netherlands is still called the [[Constitution of the Netherlands|Constitution for the Kingdom of the Netherlands]], as it originates from before 1954. ==Statistics== <!--This statistics section uses statistics from the Dutch, Aruban, and Netherlands Antillean Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), which is has the most complete, reliable and up-to-date statistics on the Kingdom of the Netherlands. All three CBSes collect statistical information for the three governments. The statistics from the CIA World Factbook differ slightly from the CBS statistics, but they cannot be used in this section because the CIA doesn't collect statistical information about the individual islands within the Netherlands Antilles.--> {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:right;" |+ Statistics for the Kingdom of the Netherlands |- !Constituent country !Population<br/><small>(2007)</small> !Percentage of<br/>Kingdom population !Area<br/><small>(km²)</small> !Percentage of<br/>Kingdom area !Population density<br/><small>(inh. per km²)</small> |- ! scope="row" style="text-align: left; font-weight: normal;" | [[Image:Flag of the Netherlands.svg|22x20px|border|Flag of the Netherlands]]&nbsp;''Kingdom of the Netherlands'' | style="text-align: right" | ''16&nbsp;653&nbsp;663'' | style="text-align: right" | ''100.00%'' | style="text-align: right" | ''42&nbsp;519'' | style="text-align: right" | ''100.00%'' | style="text-align: right" | ''392'' |- ! scope="row" style="text-align: left; font-weight: normal;" | {{flag|Aruba}} | style="text-align: right" | 103&nbsp;891 | style="text-align: right" | 0.62% | style="text-align: right" | 193 | style="text-align: right" | 0.45% | style="text-align: right" | 538 |- ! scope="row" style="text-align: left; font-weight: normal;" | {{flag|Netherlands}} | style="text-align: right" | 16&nbsp;357&nbsp;992 | style="text-align: right" | 98.22% | style="text-align: right" | 41&nbsp;526 | style="text-align: right" | 97.66% | style="text-align: right" | 394 |- ! scope="row" style="text-align: left; font-weight: normal;" | {{flag|Netherlands Antilles}} | style="text-align: right" | 191&nbsp;780 | style="text-align: right" | 1.15% | style="text-align: right" | 800 | style="text-align: right" | 1.88% | style="text-align: right" | 240 |- ! scope="row" style="text-align: left; font-weight: normal;" | &mdash; {{flag|Bonaire}} | style="text-align: right" | 11&nbsp;537 | style="text-align: right" | 0.07% | style="text-align: right" | 288 | style="text-align: right" | 0.68% | style="text-align: right" | 40 |- ! scope="row" style="text-align: left; font-weight: normal;" | &mdash; {{flag|Curaçao}} | style="text-align: right" | 137&nbsp;094 | style="text-align: right" | 0.82% | style="text-align: right" |444 | style="text-align: right" |1.04% | style="text-align: right" | 309 |- ! scope="row" style="text-align: left; font-weight: normal;" | &mdash; {{flag|Saba}} | style="text-align: right" | 1&nbsp;491 | style="text-align: right" | 0.01% | style="text-align: right" | 13 | style="text-align: right" | 0.03% | style="text-align: right" | 115 |- ! scope="row" style="text-align: left; font-weight: normal;" | &mdash; {{flag|Sint Eustatius}} | style="text-align: right" | 2&nbsp;699 | style="text-align: right" | 0.02% | style="text-align: right" | 21 | style="text-align: right" | 0.05% | style="text-align: right" | 129 |- ! scope="row" style="text-align: left; font-weight: normal;" | &mdash; {{flag|Sint Maarten}} | style="text-align: right" | 38&nbsp;959 | style="text-align: right" | 0.23% | style="text-align: right" | 34 | style="text-align: right" | 0.08% | style="text-align: right" | 1&nbsp;146 |} <small>Source Aruba: [http://www.cbs.aw/ Central Bureau of Statistics]</small><br> <small>Source Netherlands: [http://www.cbs.nl/nl-NL/menu/themas/bevolking/cijfers/kerncijfers/bevolking-kc.htm Central Bureau of Statistics]</small><br> <small>Source Netherlands Antilles: [http://www.cbs.an/population/population_b2.asp Central Bureau of Statistics - population] and [http://www.cbs.an/area_climate/area_a1.asp area]</small> ==Geography== {{main article|Geography of Aruba|Geography of the Netherlands|Geography of the Netherlands Antilles}} The Kingdom of the Netherlands covers 42,519 [[square kilometre]]s, making it the [[List of countries and outlying territories by area|134th largest country on earth]]. The Kingdom of the Netherlands has [[land border]]s with [[Belgium]], [[Germany]] (both in the Netherlands), and [[France]] (on Sint Maarten). Aruba is a generally flat, riverless island renowned for its white, sandy beaches. Most of these are located on the western and southern coasts of the island, which are relatively sheltered from fierce ocean currents. The northern and eastern coasts, lacking this protection, are considerably more battered by the sea and have been left largely untouched by humans. The interior of the island features some rolling hills, the better two of which are called [[Hooiberg]] at 165 metres (541&nbsp;[[foot (unit of length|ft]]) and [[Mount Jamanota]], which is the highest on the island, at 188 metres (617&nbsp;ft) above [[sea level]]. Most of the Netherlands lies below [[sea level]], and much land was reclaimed from the sea. [[Dike]]s were erected to protect the land from flooding. Currently the highest point of the Netherlands is the [[Vaalserberg]] in [[Limburg (Netherlands)|Limburg]] at only 322.7 [[metre]]s (1,053 ft), but with the pending constitutional reform this is going to change as [[Saba]] will become part of the Netherlands as a special municipality, and its [[Mount Scenery]] (877 metres (2,877 ft)) will take the place of the Vaalserberg. The Netherlands Antilles consist of two zones with different geographic origins. The [[Windward Islands]] (Saba, Sint Eustatius and Sint Maarten) are all of volcanic origin and hilly, leaving little ground suitable for [[agriculture]]. The [[Leeward Islands]] (Bonaire and Curaçao) have a mixed volcanic and coral origin. The said [[Mount Scenery]] is currently the highest point of the Netherlands Antilles. Both Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles have a [[tropical]] [[climate]], with warm weather all year round. The Windward Islands are subject to [[hurricanes]] in the summer months. The Netherlands has a moderate [[Oceanic climate|maritime climate]], with cool summers and mild winters. == Constituent countries == [[Image:Koninkrijk der Nederlanden.png|thumb|280px|Map of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. All territories are in the same scale.]] The Kingdom of the Netherlands currently consists of three [[constituent country|constituent countries]]: === Aruba === ''[[Aruba]]'' is a centralised [[unitary state]]. Its administration consists of the [[Governor of Aruba|Governor]], who represents the Queen, and the (Aruban) Council of Ministers, headed by a [[Prime Minister of Aruba|Prime Minister]]. The people are represented in the [[Estates of Aruba]]. The current Governor of Aruba is [[Fredis Refunjol]], and the current Prime Minister is [[Nelson O. Oduber]]. It has the [[Aruban florin]] as its currency. === The Netherlands === The ''[[Netherlands]]'' is a decentralized [[unitary state]]. Its administration consists of the Monarch and the Council of Ministers, which is headed by a [[Prime Minister of the Netherlands|Prime Minister]]. The people are represented by the [[States-General of the Netherlands]], which consists of a [[Tweede Kamer|Chamber of Representatives]] and a [[Eerste Kamer|Chamber of Senators]]. The Netherlands is divided into 12 provinces: [[Drenthe]], [[Flevoland]], [[Friesland]], [[Gelderland]], [[Groningen (province)|Groningen]], [[Limburg (Netherlands)|Limburg]], [[Noord-Brabant]], [[Noord-Holland]], [[Overijssel]], [[Utrecht (province)|Utrecht]], [[Zeeland]] and [[Zuid-Holland]]. The provinces are divided into municipalities. The current Prime Minister of the Netherlands is [[Jan Peter Balkenende]]. It has the [[euro]] as its currency. === The Netherlands Antilles === The ''[[Netherlands Antilles]]'' is a decentralized [[unitary state]], with federal characteristics. Its administration consists of the [[Governor of the Netherlands Antilles|Governor]], who represents the Queen, and the (Netherlands Antillean) Council of Ministers, headed by a [[List of Prime Ministers of the Netherlands Antilles|Prime Minister]]. The people are represented by the [[Estates of the Netherlands Antilles]]. The [[Netherlands Antilles]] is composed of five insular territories: [[Bonaire]], [[Curaçao]], [[Saba]], [[Sint Eustatius]] and [[Sint Maarten]]. The current Governor of the Netherlands Antilles is [[Frits Goedgedrag]], and the current Prime Minister is [[Emily de Jongh-Elhage]]. It has the [[Netherlands Antillean guilder]] as its currency. == Constitution == The [[Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands]] functions as the constitution of the Kingdom, and is as such applicable in every part of the Kingdom. It specifies the competences of the Kingdom and defines its institutions. For some specific parts, the Charter refers to some articles of the [[Constitution of the Netherlands]]. Each of the three constituent countries within the Kingdom have their own constitution: the [[Constitution of the Netherlands]], the [[Constitution of the Netherlands Antilles]], and the [[Constitution of Aruba]]. ==Government== {{Politics of the Netherlands}} ===Affairs=== Article 3 of the Charter specifies that "without prejudice to provisions elsewhere in the Charter, Kingdom affairs shall include":<ref name="Charter">[http://www.minbzk.nl/contents/pages/48365/thecharterforthekingdomofthenetherlands.pdf Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands]</ref> *Maintenance of the independence and the defence of the Kingdom; *Foreign relations; *Netherlands nationality; *Regulation of the orders of chivalry, the flag and the coat of arms of the Kingdom; *Regulation of the nationality of vessels and the standards required for the safety and navigation of seagoing vessels flying the flag of the Kingdom, with the exception of sailing ships; *Supervision of the general rules governing the admission and expulsion of Netherlands nationals; *General conditions for the admission and expulsion of aliens; *Extradition. Paragraph 2 of Article 3 specifies that "other matters may be declared to be Kingdom affairs in consultation".<ref name="Charter" /> ===Administration=== The King or Queen and the [[Council of Ministers of the Kingdom of the Netherlands|Council of Ministers of the Kingdom]] together form the administration of the kingdom. The Council of Ministers of the Kingdom consists of the [[Council of Ministers of the Netherlands]] complemented by one [[Minister Plenipotentiary of Aruba]] and one [[Minister Plenipotentiary of the Netherlands Antilles]]. The [[Prime Minister of the Netherlands|Dutch Prime Minister]] chairs the Council of Ministers of the Kingdom.<ref name="bzk" /> Laws applicable to the whole Kingdom are known as Kingdom Acts. An example of such a law is the "Kingdom Act regarding Dutch citizenship" ([[Dutch language|Dutch]]: Rijkswet op het Nederlanderschap). The King or Queen of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is the [[head of state]] of the Kingdom. Because the Dutch King or Queen resides in the Netherlands, two governors are appointed to represent him or her in both Island governments. ===Legislature=== The legislature of the Kingdom consists of the [[States-General of the Netherlands]] and the administration of the Kingdom together. Articles 14, 16 and 17 of the Charter give some participation to the parliaments of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba. ===Judiciary=== The [[Hoge Raad der Nederlanden]], which is the [[supreme court]] of the Netherlands, also functions as the supreme court of the Kingdom. According to Article 39 of the Charter, "[[civil law|civil]] and [[commercial law]], the law of civil procedure, [[criminal law]], the law of criminal procedure, [[copyright]], industrial property, the office of [[civil law notary|notary]], and provisions concerning weights and measures shall be regulated as far as possible in a similar manner in the Netherlands, the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba". The Article further stipulates that when a drastic amendment of the existing legislation in regard to these matters is proposed, the proposal shall not be submitted to or considered by a representative assembly until the Governments in the other countries have had the opportunity to express their views on the matter.<ref name="Charter" /> ===Council of State of the Kingdom=== Article 13 of the Charter specifies that there is a Council of State of the Kingdom. It resembles the [[Dutch Council of State]] in its composition, but the Charter implies that at the request of the Netherlands Antilles or Aruba, one member from the Antilles and one from Aruba can be included in the Council of State.<ref name="Charter" /> Both the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba are currently exercising this right.<ref name="bzk" /> ===International treaties and agreements=== As the Kingdom is the internationally recognised [[sovereign state]], only the Kingdom negotiates and concludes international [[treaty|treaties]] and agreements. Article 24 of the Charter specifies that when an international treaty or agreement affects the Netherlands Antilles or Aruba, the treaty or agreement concerned shall be submitted to the representative assemblies of the Netherlands Antilles or of Aruba. The article further specifies that when such a treaty or agreement is submitted for the tacit approval of the [[States-General of the Netherlands]], the Ministers Plenipotentiary may communicate their wish that the treaty or agreement concerned shall be subject to the express approval of the States-General.<ref name="Charter" /> Article 25 gives the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba the opportunity to opt-out from an international treaty or agreement.<ref name="Charter" /> The treaty or agreement concerned then has to specify that the treaty or agreement does not apply to the Netherlands Antilles or Aruba. Article 26 specifies that when the Netherlands Antilles or Aruba communicate their wish for the conclusion of an international economic or financial agreement that applies solely to the Country concerned, the Government of the Kingdom shall assist in the conclusion of such an agreement, unless this would be inconsistent with the Country's ties with the Kingdom.<ref name="Charter" /> Article 27 specifies the involvement of the Netherlands Antilles or Aruba in the preparations for a treaty or agreement that affects them and Article 28 specifies that the Netherlands Antilles or Aruba may, if they so desire, accede to membership of international organisations.<ref name="Charter" /> ==Relationship with the European Union== The Kingdom of the Netherlands is a member state of the [[European Union]]. However, the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba are not considered part of the EU, but rather have the status of [[Special member state territories and the European Union#Overseas countries and territories|overseas countries and territories]] (OCT). Since citizenship is a Kingdom affair, and is thus not distinguished for the three countries, citizens from all three countries are also [[Citizenship of the European Union|citizens of the European Union]]. == Dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles and subsequent constitutional reform == A joint commission has proposed major reforms for the Netherlands Antilles. On [[October 11]], [[2006]] and [[November 2]], [[2006]], agreements were signed between the Dutch government and the governments of each island that would put into effect the commission's findings by [[December 15]], [[2008]].<ref name="endofNA">{{cite news |first= |last= |author=Staff reporter |coauthors= |title=Agreement on division of Netherlands Antilles |url=http://www.government.nl/actueel/nieuwsarchief/2007/02February/13/0-42-1_42-92711.jsp |format=HTML |work= |publisher=Government.nl |pages= |page= |date=[[2007-02-13]] |accessdate=2007-02-24 |language=English}}</ref> Under these reforms, both [[Curaçao]] and [[Sint Maarten]] will form new constituent countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, thereby dissolving the current Netherlands Antilles.<ref name="bzkfuture">{{cite web |author=Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations |title=Official start of constitutional reform for Netherlands Antilles |url=http://www.minbzk.nl/uk/aruba_and_the/press_releases/official_start_of |date=2005-11-28 |accessdate=2006-10-21}}</ref> [[Bonaire]], [[Saba]], and [[Sint Eustatius]] will become direct parts of the Netherlands as special municipalities of the Netherlands and are to be constituted as "public bodies" ([[Dutch language|Dutch]]: "openbare lichamen") under the Constitution of the Netherlands. These municipalities will resemble ordinary [[Municipalities of the Netherlands|Dutch municipalities]] in most ways (they will have mayors, aldermen, and municipal councils, for example) and will have to introduce most [[laws of the Netherlands]]. As a transitional measure, only Dutch law that is considered to be necessary to function within the legal system of the Netherlands will be introduced, and most current laws of the Netherlands Antilles will still be in force on the three islands when they join the Netherlands on December 15, 2008. After that date, Dutch legislation will slowly take the place of the current laws of the Netherlands Antilles on those three islands. There are, however, some derogations for these islands, due to their distance. [[Social security]], for example, will not be on the same level as it is in the Netherlands, and it is not certain whether the islands will be obliged to introduce the [[euro]].<ref name="carib">{{cite web |author=The Daily Herald |title=St. Eustatius, Saba, Bonaire and The Hague Reach Historic Agreement |url=http://www.caribbeanpressreleases.com/articles/636/1/St-Eustatius-Saba-Bonaire-and-The-Hague-Reach-Historic-Agreement/More-talks-with-Curacao-and-St-Maarten.html |date=2006-10-12 |accessdate=2006-10-21}}</ref><ref name="rnw">{{cite web |author=Radio Netherlands |title=Caribbean islands become Dutch municipalities |url=http://www.radionetherlands.nl/currentaffairs/ant061012mc |date=2006-10-12 |accessdate=2006-10-21}}</ref> Additionally, the Kingdom government will consist of the government of the Netherlands and one Minister Plenipotentiary per Caribbean country. The special municipalities will be represented in the Kingdom Government by the Netherlands, as they can vote for the [[Dutch parliament]]. As the current Dutch voting law specifies that the [[Eerste Kamer|First Chamber]] is to be chosen by the provinces, and the three islands currently are not to be included in a province, it is as yet unsure how they are to elect members in the First Chamber. The Dutch government has, however, guaranteed that the people on the islands will be able to elect members of the First Chamber, and is considering options for this.<ref name="carib" /><ref name="rnw" /> For Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius, the Netherlands has proposed that a study be conducted on the islands acquiring the status of [[Special member state territories and their relations with the EU#Outermost regions|Outermost Regions]] (OMR), also called Ultra Peripheral Regions (UPR). The study would also look into how the islands would fare under UPR status.<ref name="carib" /> ==Transport== See also: *[[Transport in the Netherlands]] *[[Transport in the Netherlands Antilles]] *[[Transportation in Aruba]] ==References== {{reflist|1}} ==See also== *[[Federacy]] *[[Monarchy of the Netherlands]] *[[Rigsfællesskabet]] ==External links== *[http://www.minbzk.nl/contents/pages/48365/thecharterforthekingdomofthenetherlands.pdf The Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands] (pdf) {{Template group |list = {{Countries of Europe‎}} {{Monarchies|state=collapsed}} }} <!--As featured article--> <!--Categories--> [[Category:Kingdom of the Netherlands|*]] [[Category:Politics of the Kingdom of the Netherlands]] [[Category:Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands]] [[Category:Constitutional monarchies]] {{Link FA|nl}} <!--Other languages--> [[ca:Regne dels Països Baixos]] [[cs:Nizozemské království]] [[da:Kongeriget Nederlandene]] [[de:Königreich der Niederlande]] [[et:Madalmaade Kuningriik]] [[es:Reino de los Países Bajos]] [[eu:Herbehereetako Erresuma]] [[fr:Royaume des Pays-Bas]] [[gl:Reino dos Países Baixos]] [[ko:네덜란드 왕국]] [[it:Regno dei Paesi Bassi]] [[he:ממלכת ארצות השפלה]] [[nl:Koninkrijk der Nederlanden]] [[no:Kongeriket Nederlandene]] [[nn:Kongeriket Nederlanda]] [[pap:Reino Hulandes]] [[pt:Reino dos Países Baixos]] [[ro:Ţările de Jos]] [[sr:Краљевина Холандија]] [[fi:Alankomaiden kuningaskunta]] [[sv:Konungariket Nederländerna]] [[zh:荷兰王国]]