Flag of Netherlands and a sunny canal in the background

The Netherlands’ Flag

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What's Up, World? The Netherlands

Learn about life in this country that’s also known as Holland. 

Brrring! Brrring! Bike bells ring all over the Netherlands each school day. Bikes are the most popular way kids in this country get to school. There are many bike paths throughout the Netherlands.

Biking is easy here. Much of the land is flat. In fact, it’s the flattest country in Europe! 

The land is special in another way too. About a third of it is below sea level. That means the land is lower than the surface, or top, of the ocean. This can lead to big problems, like flooding. 

The people who live in the Netherlands are called the Dutch. For hundreds of years, they have tried to protect themselves from floods. They’ve built thick dirt walls. They’ve also dug canals to help control the water. 

These days, the Dutch keep water levels down with the help of machines. One type of machine has two giant doors. The doors swing shut to block water flow when the sea level gets too high.

Keep reading to discover more about the Netherlands!

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Fun and Games

The Dutch love korfball. It is a sport similar to basketball. In korfball, players score points by shooting a ball into a basket attached to a tall pole. But they can’t dribble or run with the ball. The only way to move the ball is to pass it!

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Look at This! 

In the past, the windmills in Kinderdijk helped drain water to protect people from floods. Today, windmills are one of the Netherland’s most famous sights. 

And so are tulips! These flowers grow well in the Netherlands. They’re a national symbol.

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Celebrate

King’s Day is April 27, which is the Dutch king’s birthday. Across the country, people wear orange. That’s the color of the royal family of the Netherlands. If kids are lucky, the king might even visit their city during the celebration!

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Let’s Eat! 

A favorite quick bite in the Netherlands is a pickled fish called herring. What’s the traditional way to eat herring? Hold it by the tail and lower it into your mouth!

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That's raw onion!

  1. What are three ways people in the Netherlands have tried to protect their land from floods?
  2. How do players score points in korfball, according to the text?
  3. Based on the article, photos, and captions, what might people do on a visit to the Netherlands?
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