CURRENCY – WHAT THEY USE
The Euro is the official currency in the Netherlands and 14 other countries and is divided into 100 cents. There are coins of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, and 1 and 2 euros. There are also euro notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros. Some shops in Holland do not accept notes of a large denomination.
Send money and doing free money transfers from the European continent to SA need not be a problem.
Money, prior to euro in Holland was the Dutch Guilder which is no longer in use, and no longer can be exchanged for Euro.
There are many places to change your money in Holland. Post offices usually offer the best rates. Compare rates carefully at the exchange offices in town. Hotels are normally expensive when exchanging your money to euros, and banks are usually slow. Credit cards are not as widely accepted in the Netherlands as in other countries, but the Dutch are slowly coming around to the fact that people carry plastic and not cash, especially when travelling overseas.
If you have an ATM card this could take place of travellers cheques when visiting Holland, especially if the card carries the Maestro logo, which will also make shopping really easy as many shops will take your card with the Maestro logo –
look out of the shops that display the blue “pin” sign.
The Dutch population descends primarily from Frankish, Saxon, and Frisian tribes. An influx of Turks and other workers from the Mediterranean area has added to the ethnic mix. A study of the different ethnic groups in Holland in 1999 shows that 83% of the
total population is Dutch; Moroccans, Turks, Antilleans, Surinamese, Indonesians, and other groups make up the balance of the remaining 17%.
BUSINESS IN HOLLAND
Netherlands’ export volumes amounted to $397.6 billion in 2009, dropping from $531.7 billion in 2008. Holland is ranked seventh in the world in terms of export volumes. Holland is a country with abundant fertile land and excess food production, and exports food stuffs to most of its trading partners. Other export commodities include: machinery and equipment, chemicals and fuel. The main export partners of the Netherlands include Germany, Italy, Belgium, France and the UK. The Netherlands imported a total volume of $358.9 billion,
dropping substantially from $474.8 billion in 2008. The Netherlands is ranked eighth in the world for importing goods.
Holland has a vast amount of natural resources, and requires machines to process them; therefore machinery is the major product that is imported into The Netherlands. Some of the imported commodities are:
Transport equipment, chemicals, fuel, food, and clothing.
The major partners for imports are: Germany, China, Belgium, America, The UK, Russia and France.
PROPERTY MARKETS
Statistics indicate that prices for the last quarter of the year 2009, showed a drop in prices by 2%, in comparison the last quarter of 2008 this showed a drop in prices of 4.9% The last quarter of the year 2009 showed an increase in sales of houses, which is primarily due to the fact that there were better lending rates being offered by National Mortgage Guarantee – this particular bond is available to all EU citizens or those that live in the EU zone and have a residence permit that allows an indefinite stay.
We can provide you International home loans at very competative rates.
Vast differences exist in the different regions. For example in Eindhoven and also Almere the prices are far lower because there is not that great a demand and not that many properties available to buy in these regions. Whereas, real estate shows stability in The Hague, Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
TRAVELLING THERE
Land of dykes and windmills, land of tulips, cheese (not parmesan) and clogs. Yes these are the images that are conjured up in one’s mind when talking about this pretty part of Europe. Amsterdam is the capital of The Netherlands which boasts fantastic architecture, fabulous shopping and magnificent canals that crisscross right throughout this beautiful city. Warm and welcoming, the Dutch make fine hosts.
Efteling has the biggest theme park in the Benelux region and is built on a fairy land theme of elves, dwarves, and fairy tales. This theme park caters for the young and also the young at heart.
Hoge Veluwe National Park is home to the largest national park, and is within easy access of Amhem City which is located in the Gelderland region.
Keukenhof is a tourist must with its famous flower fields that will delight the fussiest of travellers. These spectacular flower fields are in splendid bloom from the months of March to May and cover a vast area consisting of 32 hectares. Tulips, daffodils, hyacinths are all in full bloom to amaze and delight with this incredibly wonderful sight.
Kinderdijk is famous for its windmills. Recognized as a world heritage sight, this is a “must see” for anyone visiting the Netherlands. Take a boat tour around Windmill Park for a memorable experience.
Dykes, windmills, beautiful flowers and clogs – Holland has so much to offer when travelling to this picture postcard part of Europe. Get your travel money today.
