The Netherlands

Capital City - Amsterdam (population) ; The Hague (the seat of government)
Currency - Euro
Population - 16,558,674 (as of 2009)
National Language - Dutch
Religion - Only 39% of the nation are said to be religious - of that, a large majority are Protestant (of various denominations), 26% are Roman Catholic, and 5% are Muslim. 
Type of Government - Constitutional Monarchy
Leaders - HM Queen Beatrix (Monarch); Jan Peter Balkenende (Prime Minister)
Country's Motto - "Ik zal handhaven" ("I shall endure")

Geographical Highlights - The Netherlands is located in the northwestern part of Europe.  It is bordered by the North Sea to the north and the west, Belgium to the south and Germany to the east.  The Netherlands is on the western end of the European Plain.  The majority of the country is flat and about 27% of its land lies below sea level.  As such, an intricate system of dikes has been built to keep the water out.

History - Prior to the 16th century, the Netherlands was under the leadership of various foreign rulers including the Romans, the Germanic Franks, the Spanish and the French.  The Dutch declared their independence from Spain in 1581; however, this status was not fully recognized by the Spanish until 1648.  In the 17th century, the Dutch built up a great overseas empire, particularly in Southeast Asia.  From 1795 to 1813, the country was under French rule; but, by 1815, the Netherlands (which then also included Belgium and Luxembourg) became a completely independent kingdom.  In 1830, Belgium broke away to become its own nation; and, by 1890, Luxembourg also followed suit.

The Netherlands remained neutral during World War I.  During World War II, the country was heavily occupied by German troops.  As a result, much of the Dutch fleet escaped and served with the Allied forces.  About 3/4 of the country's jews were murdered and many of the remaining population was forced to work in German factories.

Following the Second World War, the Netherlands saw the need for gaining closer ties with neighboring countries.  As such, it was one of the twelve founding members of NATO and one of the six founding members of what would become the European Union.  The 1960's and 1970's were a time of social and cultural change in the country; and, the lines of traditionalism became blurred by newer ideas concerning the world.  Currently, the Netherlands is regarded as an extremely liberal country due to its tolerance and legalization of drugs, euthanasia and same-sex marriage.

Landmarks -

• The Rijksmuseum, Rembrandt's House, The Van Gogh Museum - Amsterdam is a city that is steeped in art and culture.  From Rembrandt to Van Gogh, there is something for everyone in one of the many art venues associated with the city.
• The Keukenhof - Located in Lisse, it is the place to go to see tulips.
• The Cube Houses - Designed by architect Piet Blom, the Cube Houses are a city landmark located near the Old Harbour in Rotterdam.
• Molen de Valk - Of the 19 windmills that once stood in the city of Leiden, Molen de Valk is the only one that remains.
• The Red Light District - Amsterdam's famous Red Light District (known to the locals as de Walletjes), lies (perhaps literally and figuratively) in the oldest part of the city - definitely a hub for single men and men who are married (though apparently wish not to be).  Not a destination for families.
• The Euromast - Located in Rotterdam, the Euromast is a superfast elevator that takes visitors up to a high platform wherein they can admire a spectacular view of the entire city and surrounding areas.

Interesting Trivia -

• The Netherlands is also called Holland.  The people from The Netherlands are Dutch.
• The term to "go Dutch" or "Dutch treat" is said to have originated in the 17th century when England and the Netherlands were in constant feud over trade routes.  The British, finding the Dutch to be stingy with their wealth, often used the word "Dutch" as a derogatory word.  While the derogatory nature of the term quickly fell out of common usage, Americans did retain the idea of "Dutch treat" when a large number of German (Deutsch) immigrants arrived.  The corruption of Deutsch lead to the terminology of "Pennsylvania Dutch."  As a result, many American lumped the two groups together and collectively used the term for both.  "Going Dutch" refers specifically to splitting the cost of something in the middle in an attempt to avoid unfairness.

Music - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GP2OxBrdHTE&feature=fvw