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Europe
Netherlands
Capital: Amsterdam
Bikes, dikes, and directness — a country reclaimed from the sea.
Daily life
More bikes than people. Lunch is often a simple sandwich (broodje). Agendas rule — even coffee with a friend gets scheduled two weeks out.
Food
- Stroopwafels
- Bitterballen
- Haring (raw herring with onions)
- Poffertjes
- Erwtensoep (pea soup)
Family values
Kids gain independence early — biking to school alone by age 8 is normal. Birthday circles: everyone congratulates every guest, not just the birthday person.
Holidays & traditions
King's Day (Koningsdag, Apr 27)Sinterklaas (Dec 5)ChristmasLiberation Day (May 5)Carnival (in the south)
Religion & spiritual life
Historically split between Catholic south and Protestant north. Today one of Europe's most secular societies, though Christian holidays remain cultural anchors.