Blog : Top 5 facts about the Netherlands

The Netherlands is known as a land of tulips, windmills, canals, alleys, and coffee shops, but there is so much more to this wonderful country than meets the eye. Here are some fun facts about the Netherlands that you may not know. Impress your friends and family or use them on your next Triveni night - the Netherlands is a fascinating place.

More than a quarter of the Netherlands is under the sea - The Netherlands is a low-level country, with 26 percent actually below sea level. At its lowest point, Neuwkerk aan den IJssel, the Netherlands is 6,7 meters below sea level. Another 50 percent of land in the Netherlands is only one meter above sea level.

Delta Works is also known as the eighth wonder of the world - During the 1953 floods, more than 150,000 hectares of land were flooded, and 1.865 people lost their lives. It was a disaster and was based on a collection of delta works, dams, sluices, locks, dikes, levees, and storm surge barriers, which is why the Netherlands is not underwater.

The Netherlands was the first country to legalize same-sex marriage - In 2001 the Netherlands was the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage. The first sex-marriage ceremony was held on April 1 of that year, and many same-sex couples got married.

Dutch people are the tallest in the world - In the Netherlands, Dutchmen average 1.84 meters and women 1.70 meters, making them the tallest people in the world. Many people have proposed theories as to why the Dutch people are so tall. However, the reason behind their height is still inconclusive.

Amsterdam is built on more than one million piles - The soil in Amsterdam is too soft to support a building. The foundations of the buildings, such as houses in Amsterdam, are thus supported by piles of wood, which go up to 12 meters into the ground. For larger buildings, the piles extend further into the ground and anchor around 20 to 50 meters deep.

Conclusion - Whether you are living in the Netherlands or just traveling, learning some fun facts about the country will help you get to know it better. Do not mention impressing your friends on your next normal night.