The Dutch - Presentation to Tsawwassen Rotary

THE DUTCH…Why the Dutch always pop up like mushrooms in manure!

Rotary Club of Tsawwassen

February 18, 2016

A Watery but Fertile Land • Most of Holland is river delta;

Rhine (Waal, Lek, Ijssel), Maas and Schelde.

• Its history, politics and development closely tied to the sea.

• Netherlands = “Low Lands”, often referred to as “Holland”

• Total – 41,500 sq.km• Population: 17 m. (4th most dense)• World’s 2nd largest food exporter• World’s 2nd largest harbor

Holland Without Dikes• Dike building since Middle Ages;• Protect against the sea• Empty a lake ~ polder• Control river flow

• 75% of population below sea level

• 85% of industry below sea level.

• Schiphol Airport; • 9 ft below sea level• Bottom of former lake;

polder• “Schiphol” = ships’

graveyard• Lowest point in Holland;

24 ft <sea level

Land Reclamation thr. Wind Power

Post Windmill, 1632 Smock Windmill, 1560

Modern Sea Protection

• “Delta Works” 1950 after major floods in Zeeland

• Massive scale: protection against current and future sea storms and sea rises.

• Dike system throughout Holland; Well prepared for Sea Rise of future.

Modern Sea Protection

Holland’s Golden Age (17th C.)

• 1590’s; end of Holy Roman Empire

• Freedom to trade

• Ongoing battles with English, Spain

• Overseas possessions; Cape, Ceylon, Goa, New Amsterdam, Dutch Guinea, and….the Dutch Indies(!)

Overseas Settlements South Africa

• En route to the East Indies, Dutch settlement at the Cape 1652.

• North migration; Boers vs. Xhosa

• Many “Dutch” settlers: French Huguenots


• Immense wealth –Dutch East India Co (VOC) – shared investments:– 1st Stock Exchange– Bank of

Amsterdam – 1st true Central Bank

• Book and Money printing – rich tradition to today.


• Inquisition & political strife in Europe caused migration of wealth and intellect to tolerant Holland; flourishing of arts & sciences;– French Calvinists (Huguenots)– Sephardic Jews from Portugal– Descartes, Hobbes (philosophy)– Huygens (astronomy)– van Leeuwenhoeck (microscope)– Erasmus, Spinoza (political

science)– Rembrandt, Hals, Vermeer, etc.

Modern Art ~ Vincent van Gogh

• Impact of Holland’s Golden Age still felt today.

• Among the highest densities of art museums in the world.

• Ongoing public support for art restoration and modern art.

Benefits of Maritime Trade(Past & Present)

• Import & exports of spices, teas and coffees.

• Tobacco (all imported):– Holland one of largest

tobacco exporters• Agricultural crops:

– Friesian Holstein– Tulips (~Anatolia)– Dairy (Cheeses)

• Import & export of resources and industrial goods:– To/from Germany,

France

Agri Products and Flowers

Greenhouse Technology Flower & Bulb Exports

Small, but involved..

• Constitutional monarchy• 3rd oldest parliament• Founding member of EU• Signatory to and member of:

– Eurozone, G-10 (=>G20)– NATO, OECD, WTO

Small, but Involved…

The Hague, also called “World’s Legal Capital” hosts:• Permanent Court of

Arbitration• International Court of

Justice• International Criminal

Court• International Criminal

Tribunal of Former Yugoslavia

• Special Tribunal for Lebanon

Canada ~ Holland Relations

• Canadian Troops, principal liberators of Holland, 1945 (Operation Market Garden, Battle of the Schelde, etc.)

• Ongoing annual festivities and remembrance ceremonies at monuments and war cemeteries.

• Large emigration of Dutch to Canada.

What Else…..?

• World’s tallest population (average):– Male 1.81 m (6.0

ft)– Female 1.67 m (5.8

ft)– Diet related?– Good protection

against floods• Tallest woman in the

world;– 320 lbs., 7.4 feet.

What Else…..?Bikes and Canals

What Else…..?Tolerance........for a price

THE END…

1985 Rotary Launches Polio Plus


1986 350,000 Polio Cases 125 Countries


1986 350,000 Polio Cases 125 Countries

2015 74 Cases 99.9% Eradicated

30 Years into the Polio Plus Program, we are nearly there. Your donation no matter what

the size, will help us achieve our goal of a polio-free world.

The Rotary FoundationAppreciates The Support From

Henk, Andy, Gerry, Johann, JeroenAart and Paul

Education

The Dutch - Presentation to Tsawwassen Rotary