The Netherlands (or Holland) lies in coastal lowland on the edge of Europe. Much of the land is below sea level, and the Dutch are famous for their reclaimed land. One polder, De Beemster dating back from the 17th century, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is a country with a close link to the water. The Netherlands lies at the mouths of three major European rivers: the Rhine, Maas or Meuse, and Schelde. The country is also criss-crossed with canals and dykes, and the beach is never far away. There are more than 40 seaside resorts along the coast, ranging from family holiday centres to fashionable, trendy retreats. Even the three largest cities in the country, Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague, are situated along the coast. Holland is a country with an intriguing mix of progressive thinking and old, traditional values. This is a densely populated country with many cities. Many feature impressive architecture that hints at the glory days of the Dutch East India Company. The Dutch are also known for their famously tolerant attitude, and Amsterdam epitomises these earthly delights still frowned on by most other nations of the world.This is Netherlands.