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Characteristics of the Netherlands and the region

The Netherlands, also referred to as the ‘Kingdom of the Netherlands' or ‘Holland', is a relatively small country

with an area of 35,000 square kilometers. The distance from north to south is no more than 400 kilometers,

and from the (west) coast to the German border less than 150 kilometers. The Netherlands has a population of 

more than 16 million, and is one of the most prosperous countries in Europe - and as a result, in the world. The

Netherlands is subdivided into twelve provinces. The capital is Amsterdam.

The basis for the country's welfare was laid in the seventeenth century, when the Dutch merchant ships sailed

the seas of the world, discovering one ‘new' country after the other. For example the Dutch were the first to

open up the route to ‘the East'. Trading in spices and - we have to admit it - slaves was very profitable. The

money from that trading was invested in property, which explains the many stately canal-side houses in

Amsterdam.

In modern times, the Netherlands remains a prosperous trading nation. Because of that trading background,

the Dutch have always been able to deal with change. They are good at languages, and do business with all

parts of the world. In general, the Dutch are regarded as somewhat introverted, with a touch of Calvinism. ‘Justbehave normally, that's crazy enough.' But compared with people from the ‘Randstad' area (the west of the

Netherlands), those from the south are regarded as flamboyant ‘bon viveurs'... 

Facts & Figures

By population Eindhoven is the fifth-largest city in the Netherland. The city has a population of about 215,000.

The Eindhoven region is one of the powerhouses of the Dutch economy, and accounts for fourteen per cent of 

the Gross Domestic Product. Forty per cent of all investments in research & development in the Netherlands are

made in the Eindhoven region.

Distances Eindhoven is relatively near to a number of other cities that are worth visiting

Amsterdam - 125 km

Maastricht - 90 km

Antwerp - 90 km

Brussels - 130 km

Düsseldorf - 110 km

Berlin - 640 km

Cologne - 155 km

Paris - 435 km

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Key facts:

  Eindhoven is the largest city in the southern Netherlands and the 5th largest in the country.

  The Eindhoven region has over 725,000 inhabitants.

  Eindhoven is a trend-setting centre of innovation and technology, which scores 4th on the EU's Lisbon index

for innovation.

  Eindhoven has a world-class Technical University, and the Design Academy Eindhoven.

  40% of all R&D activities in the Netherlands take place in the Eindhoven region.

  Eindhoven is sometimes referred to as ‘Light Town' - a reference to Philips Lighting.

  The closest big cities are Antwerp (Belgium) and Düsseldorf (Germany). The Dutch capital Amsterdam is

125 km away.

  Its location on major transport routes and the presence of an airport make the region an important

crossroads.

  Eindhoven is a city of sports: besides PSV's football team the area also excels in swimming and horse riding.

There are excellent sports facilities, including swimming pools, hockey fields, ice rinks, an indoor ski and

snowboard centre, a climbing wall, country clubs, and a spectacular golf course.

  The cultural climate in the Eindhoven region is diverse - the Van Abbe museum is internationally recognised

for its modern art collection.

  Eindhoven has a deserved reputation throughout the region for the quality and diversity of its shopping

facilities, from weekly markets to top designer boutiques.

  Eindhoven is known for its ‘green' character and has many parks. The surrounding countryside is packed

with nature reserves, cycling and hiking routes, and camping and holiday resorts.

Brainport Eindhoven

Together with the Port of Rotterdam and Schiphol Airport, the Eindhoven region is one of the three mainports in

the Netherlands. The city is more than justified in calling itself ‘Brainport'. The region accounts for around 40

per cent of R&D investments in the Netherlands. More information? Visitwww.brainport.nl (choose English).

Center of innovation and design

With its leading Design Academy and the Philips Design Center, as well as numerous small and medium-size

enterprises, the region has a big voice in the field of design. Not yet convinced? Just take a look here. 

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Eindhoven ‘City of Light' 

Eindhoven is sometimes called the ‘City of Light' of the north. That's not so surprising, because the city's

explosive growth since the end of the eighteenth century has been closely linked to that of Philips. Following

the establishment of Philips, workers from all over the Netherlands came to Eindhoven to work in the

company's factories.

Eindhoven presents itself as a ‘City of Light' by special lighting effects for all kinds of outdoor and public objects

(buildings and works of art, as well as public parks and gardens), or projecting images or poetic texts. Would

you like to find out more about what this means in practice, or see some examples? Take a look

at http://www.lichtstad.eindhoven.nl/(in Dutch).

The name ‘City of Light' is also closely related to the liberation of Eindhoven on 18 September 1944, when the

British and American forces ended the German occupation of the city. That led to a major public celebration (for

some impressive historical photos, take a look at:http://www.stichting18september.nl/ (choose English) under

 ‘Impressies Eindhovense bevrijding'). 

Right from the first anniversary of the liberation of Eindhoven, everyone was encouraged to display special

lights. The tradition fell into disuse at the end of the 1960s, but the ‘Lichtjesroute' (route of lights) was revived

in 1984. The ‘Lichtjesroute' now follows a 22 kilometer route through the city with striking, creative light

decorations. You can follow the ‘Lichtjesroute' from 18 September until the second weekend of October. For

more information, visithttp://www.lichtjesroute.nl/ (in Dutch).

Modern city in a green environment

Eindhoven isn't just a city with high-tech activities, it also offers a varied selection of extensive public parks and

gardens. You can take enjoyable walks or just relax in the Stadswandelpark, Wandelpark Eckart, the Philips de

Jongh Wandelpark, the Philips van Lennep Park and the Henri Dunant Park, as well as around the'Karpendonkse Plas' lake.

Take a look at: parks 

Parks

You can take an enjoyable walk, visit a farm where they make cheese, and buy meat, cheese and eggs - all in

the Genneper Parks. While in the Stadswandelpark you won't know which of the many sculptures to look at

first. In the Heempark Frater Simon Deltour you can walk through twenty typical Brabant landscape types.

Comparing apples with pears? You can do that in the Philips Fruittuin Wielewaal, where you can buy organically

grown fruit all year round. For a full list, take a look athttp://www.vvveindhoven.nl/en/things-to-do 

or visit the individual websites:

http://www.genneperparken.nl/ (in Dutch)

www.vvveindhoven.nl/en/things-to-do/nature/genneper-parks 

http://www.mecehv.nl/  (in Dutch)

http://www.philipsfruittuin.nl/  (in Dutch)

Cycle, walking and in-line skating routes

There are some great places for cycling, walking and in-line skating in the Eindhoven area. You can buy a wide

choice of route maps at the tourist bureau (VVV) on the Stationsplein. For more information,

visit www.vvveindhoven.nl/en/. You'll find a list of the available routes in the on-line tourist shop.

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