The Netherlands The Netherlands Capital Amsterdam Nationality Dutch

The Netherlands

The Netherlands Capital: Amsterdam Nationality: Dutch Borders: Belgium, Germany & North Sea

The History of the Netherlands • The Netherlands proclaimed neutrality at the beginning of both world wars allowing them to escape occupation during WW 1 • During WW 2 they were overrun by the Germans in 1940, resulting in a loss of 105, 000 Jews to the Nazi concentration camps.

Drugs • Despite the government’s long-term efforts to combat production of and trafficking in narcotic drugs, the Netherlands continues to be a significant transit point for drugs entering Europe (especially cocaine), and an important producer and exporter of synthetic drugs, particularly Ecstasy

Drugs The government wants to maintain its current policy of tolerating cannabis sales in “coffee shops, ”. At the same time, it wants to reduce the number of “coffee shops” and find a way to restrict sales to Dutch citizens.

Drugs • The Dutch Opium Act punishes possession, commercial distribution, production, import, and export of all illicit drugs. • Drug use is NOT an offense. The act distinguishes between "hard" drugs (e. g. , heroin, cocaine, ecstasy) and "soft" drugs (cannabis products). • Sales of small quantities (under five grams) of cannabis products are tolerated in "coffeeshops" operating under strict conditions and controls.

Amsterdam Travel & Tourism • Within the city walking and biking (€ 7 -10 daily rentals) are the preferred methods of travel • Quality accommodations are expensive (€ 55 -160) but you can easily find cheap and affordable hostels (€ 2025) • Full course meals range from € 18 -40, but to save money a good trick is to eat your main meal at lunch time (€ 5 -10), and then have a snack around dinner time.

Red Light District • Oldest and most beautiful part of the city, architecturally • Prostitution is legal in Holland most of it’s situated in the RLD, where you will see women advertising themselves in shop windows to passers by

Red Light District • As well as prostitution, the RLD is also known for its sex shows, sex shops and theatres, such as the Moulin Rouge.

Red Light District Tips 1. Do not take photos of the occupied windows - this is strictly prohibited any attempt will be quickly stamped out (it could get messy, you have been warned!). 2. Watch out for pick-pocketers, as this is almost always an extremely overcrowded area. 3. Try and go in a group or at least go in twos to avoid attracting any unwanted attention. 4. Do not buy from dealers -whether its drugs or bikes- or else you will find yourself on the other side of the law! 5. Don’t visit the Red Light District first, otherwise you may get the wrong idea about the Dutch and Amsterdam, as this is not all we are about! Enjoy yourself, as a trip down the RLD will leave a lasting impression.

Amsterdam Festivals & Events Queen’s Party Date: April 30 th • Attracts 700, 000 visitors • Celebrating Queen Juliana , who’s birthday is on April 30 th. • Their current Monarch decided against changing it to her birthday since it is in the winter months of January.

Queen’s Party • Dress in Orange, as their reigning dynasty is House of Orange (originally a family in Southern France, and was adopted by the Dutch when one of the princes led a revolt against Spain)

Holland Festival • Netherlands largest arts event, ranging from opera, to theatre, to music, to dance.

Gay Pride Week • 1 st week of August • Includes their famous canal parade

Gay Pride Week Floats are built on boats and travel through Amsterdam via its canal waterways

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