Student Handbook - School of Business and Economics - Maastricht ...

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1 The Netherlands and the City of Maastricht 1.1 The Netherlands Practical Guide • Student Handbook The Netherlands (Dutch: Nederland) is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (Dutch: Koninkrijk der Nederlanden). The Netherlands is a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarch, located in northwestern Europe. It borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east. The Netherlands is often referred to by the name Holland, although this is incorrect as it refers to only a small part of the country. Holland was the economic power house during the time of the United Provinces (1581–1795). After the Napoleonic era, Holland became a mere province of the Kingdom and was split into North and South Holland in 1840. There are eleven other provinces in the Netherlands. The Netherlands is one of the most densely populated and geographically low-lying countries in the world (its name literally means “Low-lands”) and is famous for its dikes, windmills, wooden shoes (clogs), tulips, bicycles and perceived social tolerance. Its liberal policies are often mentioned abroad. The country is host to the International Court of Justice. Amsterdam is the official capital as stated by the constitution, but The Hague is the seat of government, the home of the monarch, and the location for most foreign embassies. The Netherlands ranked sixth on the 2008 UN Human Development Index, behind Norway, Iceland, Australia, Ireland, Canada. The English adjective and noun for relating to the Netherlands is “Dutch,” which is also the name of the language in the Netherlands. Population The Netherlands has a population of roughly 16.5 million, which is growing annually at 0.49 percent. More than 40 percent of the population lives in the two western provinces of North and South Holland. These provinces contain the three largest cities of the country: Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague. The population is ethnic Dutch. Much of the foreign population is made up of Germans (2.4%), Indonesians (2.4%; Indo-European, Indo-Dutch, Moluccan), Turks (2.2%), Surinamese (2.0%), Moroccans(1.9%), Indians (1.5%), Antilleans and Arubans (0.8%), and 6.0% other. Language The official language is Dutch, a Germanic language. Frisian is also spoken in the northeastern province of Friesland. English, German, and French are commonly understood and spoken and are taught in the secondary schools. Flemish, a form of Dutch, is spoken in a region of Belgium called Flanders. For most people from South Limburg Dutch is their second language. The dialect Limburgs, an official regional language since 1997, is made up of widely varying dialects, which are not always understood outside their locality. However, all South Limburgers understand Dutch and many speak German, English and some French as well. Religion About 31 percent of the population is Roman Catholic. Most Catholics live in the southern Provinces of Brabant and Limburg. Another 21 percent are Protestant (mostly Dutch Reformed), 4.4 percent are Muslim. The royal family belongs to the Dutch Reformed Church. The Netherlands, like many European countries, is a secular society, in which the role of religion has diminished steadily for some time. There is a strong tradition of maintaining the separation of church and state. P1
Student Handbook • Practical Guide Practical Guide • Student Handbook Daylight saving time During summer time in the Netherlands, and in seventy other countries, such as the European Union, Mexico, Chile or Namibia, daylight saving time has been installed. This means for 2009 that on 29 March 2009 the clock was put one hour forward; daylight saving time ends 25 October when the clock will be put one hour backwards again. In 2010 daylight saving time will start 28 March and end 31 October. Sources: Wikipedia, Culture Grams, CIA World Fact Book 1.2 The History of South Limburg and Maastricht The first inhabitants of what is now called “the Netherlands” were bands of hunter gatherers, who lived in Limburg (the most southern province of the Netherlands) some 250,000 years ago. During the Neolithic Age (5300 BC) farmers settled on the soils of Beek, Elsloo, Geleen and Sittard in the Western Mining District. In the first century BC the Romans conquered South Limburg, building Trajectum ad Mosam (Maastricht, the oldest city of the Netherlands) around 50 BC and Coriovallum (Heerlen). Trajectum ad Mosam means the crossing over the river Maas. The bridge of Maastricht (nowadays called St. Servaas-bridge) formed a vital link in the Roman communication route from Gaul (France) to Germany (built under Emperor Augustus 27 BC- 14 AD) and was therefore guarded by two camps on either side of the Maas. The main camp was situated in the area of the city centre. The smaller camp on the other side of the Maas developed into the area called Wyck. With the rise of Christianity in the 4th century, Maastricht became a cathedral city. The first bishop, St Servaas, founded the first church on the site where the Onze Lieve Vrouwechurch is located today. You can still find his name in our city: St Servaas Bridge, St Servaas Basilica etc. After St Servaas, many other bishops ruled in Maastricht. In the beginning of the 8th century Maastricht not only had a religious and cultural function but was also an important centre of commerce. During those days the bridge in Maastricht was the last crossing point of the river before it flowed into the sea. This effectively made Maastricht an inland port. Around 1220 Maastricht obtained the privilege of township and was ruled by two lords, the Prince Bishop of Liège and the Duke of Brabant. Rivalry between the two led to the building of defensive walls around Maastricht. During the Middle Ages Maastricht developed itself as an important centre. Two old Roman churches were enlarged and many new Gothic churches were built such as the St Jan (St John), the Dominikanen (named after the Dominican Friars, also known as Black Friars) and the Minderbroeders (named after the Friars Minor) church. It was a flourishing time that attracted many sculptors, wood carvers, painters and craftsmen working with gold, silver and ivory. The city reached its peak of prosperity in the early 16th century. During the Eighty Years War with Spain, Maastricht played an important role. From that time on, the city was an important fortress with a strategic location. In 1576 Maastricht rose against the Spanish but the rebellion was brutally crushed. The city remained in Spanish hands until it was recaptured by Frederik Hendrik in 1632. His victory brought a certain degree of stability and introduced a new era of religious tolerance. Protestants and Catholics could now coexist in some sort of harmony. P2 St Jan Church was build next to the St Servaas Basilica at the Vrijthof. P3
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Student Handbook - School of Business and Economics - Maastricht ...

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