Dutch Queen is King but does not rule

Posted by: Huib Zegers

The Queen is King!

"The Kingdom of the Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy: in other words, the monarchy is based on the constitution and the monarch's position is regulated by the constitution, certain Acts of Parliament and unwritten constitutional law. The Dutch constitution refers to the head of state as 'the King', even when the monarch is a woman, like the present Queen Beatrix." This is some useful information you'll find on the website of the Royal House of the Netherlands.

=> www.koninklijkhuis.nl/UK/welcome.html

Dutch policy on drugs and euthanasia

A lot of people all around the world have the impression that the Netherlands is country where ‘anything goes’. Nothing can be further from the truth. Therefore the ministry of Foreign Affairs has dedicated a special section of its website to explanatory publications on the Dutch policy on drugs, euthanasia and other ethical issues.

=> www.minbuza.nl/default.asp?CMS_ITEM=MBZ311185

High flyers below sea level

For many foreigners Schiphol Airport near Amsterdam is their first port of call in the Netherlands. The fourth largest airport of Europe is situated on the bottom of a big inland lake which was turned into land nearly two centuries ago. Schiphol, de only major international airport situated below sea level, has won many prestigious awards. The independent Schiphol Group does not only manage Schiphol Airport but runs several regional Airports in the Netherlands as well as terminal 4 of New York’s JFK Airport and Brisbane Airport.

=> www.schiphol.nl