Knowing Holland

FROM ISSUE # 151 (July 2008) | IN THIS ISSUE
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Someone once said "God made Earth, but the Dutch made Holland." More than 25% of the total area of the country is below sea level so an effective system of water control is needed to keep the land dry as 60% of the population live in these areas. Initially, the Netherlands was a country from where people emigrated. However, this is no longer the case. The country is affected by four different migration flows:  the migration and remigration of Dutch nationals from the former overseas territories, migration of foreign workers from the Mediterranean, and then scores of refugees and asylum seekers. According to statistics in 1991, around 700,000 of the total population of 15 million were foreign nationals including Nepalis.The capital of the country is Amsterdam but the seat of government is in The Hague-one of the most famous cities in the world. The international criminal court, which tries people accused of the most serious crimes of international concern, such as genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, is located here. The ICC is based on a treaty signed by 105 countries. I read about cases presented in this court such as the one on Mr. Charles Taylor. On 20 June 2006, the Special Court of Sierra Leone transferred Charles Taylor to the detention centre ICC in The Hague. The purpose of this was to use the facilities of the ICC during his trial in accordance to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) formulated by the ICC and the Special Court on 13 April 2006.This trial will be conducted by the Trial Chamber of the Special Court sitting in The Hague. 
 
I also traveled to Rotterdam- the biggest port in the world and to Schiphol Airport- one of the most modern and biggest airports in Europe. The Dutch countryside where I traveled contains two distinctive types of mills - the water mill (found in the Eastern and Southern provinces) and the windmill. The historical significance of these mills is so important that it is preserved in special windmill museums.

As a part of Holland contains flat land, cycling is very enjoyable. Here, cycling is not just a hobby, it's a culture. It's so popular here that there are bicycle paths everywhere. You can also see different kinds of people riding here.

Most people usually say that Holland is land of wind mills. But I say it is the land of cycles.

Uhi Saikale
The Hague, Holland

Journey started: 29 November 1998 Aim: To cycle around the world to spread the message of peace and hope within 11 years.Countries travelled till date: 122
Next leg: Andora, Italy, Switzerland, Austria