8 interesting facts about the Netherlands
(Baonghean.vn) - When mentioning the Netherlands, people immediately think of the world-famous windmills, the vibrant tulip fields bathed in the morning sun, or Amsterdam, the capital city with the quintessential European feel. However, to be known as the land of the future, the Netherlands also possesses many fascinating aspects not found anywhere else in the world. On the occasion of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc's visit to the Netherlands, let's review some interesting facts about this country.
1. The Land of 1,000 Windmills
 |
| The Netherlands is one of the world's most scenic and attractive tourist destinations, boasting approximately 1,000 operational old windmills and nearly 1,000 museums, with 42 in Amsterdam alone. The capital city of Amsterdam attracts people from over 200 nationalities who live and work there. The city is also impressive for its 1,281 bridges that facilitate transportation. |
2. The only country in the world with no abandoned pets.
 |
| The Dutch government has confirmed that there are no homeless cats or dogs roaming the streets, as all of them are being cared for by families in the Netherlands. The Dutch government also has timely policies in place to prevent harm to pets and has enacted strict laws against animal abuse. |
3The first country to have lanes for solar-powered bicycles.
 |
| This project, called SolaRoad, is the result of a collaboration between the government, private businesses, and science and technology. The road was first tested in 2015. Although only 100 meters long, it represents a major breakthrough in the construction of green, environmentally friendly roads for the future. The main idea behind the project is to utilize solar energy from the road to illuminate the streets and charge electric vehicles. |
4. There is a charging station for electric cars every 50 meters.
 |
| In an effort to reduce the number of traditional gasoline and diesel cars, the Dutch government has designed electric vehicle charging stations to be placed every 50 meters along the road, encouraging people to switch to more environmentally friendly vehicles. |
5. The majority of people in the Netherlands do not like using cars.
 |
| The Dutch town of Houten is considered one of the safest places in the world. In the early 1980s, 4,000 of its residents decided to switch from cars to bicycles. Since then, cycling has become a cherished tradition in this clean and green town. |
6. The government prohibits the sale of gasoline and the sale of vehicles that use these fuels.
 |
| Still related to environmental protection, the Dutch government has decided to ban the sale of gasoline and cars using these fuels starting in 2025. In addition, electric and solar-powered vehicles will be exempt from taxes, thus significantly reducing their prices. This can be seen as a policy to stimulate consumer demand in the Netherlands. |
7. Many prisons have had to close due to a lack of inmates.
 |
| It's wonderful to hear this. Previously, the Dutch government began serious strategies to reduce crime in the country, and the results were remarkably successful. Due to a lack of prisoners, 19 prisons had to close in 2009. According to a recent report, the average inmate rate in the Netherlands is around 163 per 100,000 people, less than half the rate in Brazil. |
8. A forest road crossing the highway is designated for wildlife.
 |
| Perhaps nowhere else do people cherish wild nature as much as in the Netherlands. The forests of this windmill country remain almost entirely untouched. Although highway construction through the forests continues, it doesn't hinder animals from moving from one forest to another to visit their friends. The Dutch government has built dedicated forest paths for wildlife. |
Peace
(Synthetic)
