Head of state: Queen Beatrix Prime minister: Mark Rutte
Population
4,636,348
16,730,632
Life Expectancy
77.890 years
80.910 years
Capital City
San Jose
Amsterdam
Largest city
San Jose (population: 335,007)
Amsterdam (population: 741,636)
Human Development Index
0.847
0.958
GDP per capita
$12,100 US
$42,700 US
Literacy Rate
94.9%
99%
Corruption Perception Index
5.1
8.9
Percentage of Women in Parliament
36.8%
37.8%
Wealthiest Citizens
NA
Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken ($4.6bn US)
Unemployment Rate
6.500%
4.400%
Death Penalty
Abolished
Abolished
Political System
democratic republic
constitutional monarchy
Independence date
15 September 1821 (from Spain)
23 January 1579 (the northern provinces of the Low Countries conclude the Union of Utrecht breaking with Spain; on 26 July 1581 they formally declared their independence with an Act of Abjuration; however, it was not until 30 January 1648 and the Peace of Westphalia that Spain recognized this independence)
Religions
Roman Catholic 76.3%, Evangelical 13.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.3%, other Protestant 0.7%, other 4.8%, none 3.2%
Roman Catholic 30%, Dutch Reformed 11%, Calvinist 6%, other Protestant 3%, Muslim 5.8%, other 2.2%, none 42% (2006)
