Geography (Netherlands)
=======================


     Total area:
         37,330 km2
     Land area:
         33,920 km2
     Comparative area:
         slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey
     Land boundaries:
         1,027 km total; Belgium 450 km, Germany 577 km
     Coastline:
         451 km
     Maritime claims:
       Continental shelf:
         not specific
       Territorial sea:
         12 nm
     Disputes:
         none
     Climate:
         temperate; marine; cool summers and mild winters
     Terrain:
         mostly coastal lowland and reclaimed land (polders); some hills in southeast
     Natural resources:
         natural gas, crude oil, fertile soil
     Land use:
         arable land 26%; permanent crops 1%; meadows and pastures 32%; forest and
         woodland 9%; other 32%; includes irrigated 16%
     Environment:
         27% of the land area is below sea level and protected from the North Sea by
         dikes
     Note:
         located at mouths of three major European rivers (Rhine, Maas or Meuse,
         Schelde)