The Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy: the king, Willem-Alexander, is head of state, and the minister-president leads the government. Parliament, with the Tweede Kamer of 150 members and the Eerste Kamer, makes laws and monitors the government; elections are normally every four years and you can vote from 18. Foreigners may vote in municipal elections after living legally in the country for five years. In history, learn the Eighty Years’ War against Spain, Willem van Oranje, the VOC and the Golden Age, the occupation in the Second World War, 4 and 5 May, the flood of 1953 and the Delta Works. In geography know Amsterdam and The Hague, the Rhine and the Maas, the 12 provinces and the Randstad.
What you'll learn
- The king, the cabinet and the two Houses of Parliament
- Elections, voting age and who may vote in municipal elections
- The key periods: 1568, the VOC, the Golden Age, the occupation, 1953
- The capital and the seat of government, the rivers, the provinces and the Randstad
A sample question from the bank
Vraag: Hoeveel leden heeft de Tweede Kamer? Antwoord: 150.
Vraag: In welke stad zit de regering en het parlement? Antwoord: Den Haag. (In which city are the government and parliament? The Hague.)
Frequently asked questions
Is Amsterdam or The Hague the capital?
Amsterdam is the capital; the government and parliament sit in The Hague. The exam asks both.
Do I need to know the current ministers?
The king is the main name to know. Names of ministers change after elections, so focus on the roles.