The Netherlands: A Wise Country Overtaken by World Trends

Abstract

With 438 people per sq. km, the Netherlands is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. Situated at the crossroads of Northern and Western Europe, it serves as gateway for a heavy flow of traffic and goods. Its geographical position is an important economic resource and access to transport nodes (seaports, airports, and large cities) is vital. However, the essential incompatibility of high population density and heavy traffic means that the Netherlands is currently facing dangerous levels of congestion, especially in the Randstad, the economic heart of the country. Although it is essential that people and goods be able to move easily across and within the country, the Dutch strongly resent the incursion of heavy traffic on their daily environment; thus environmental protection is a particularly sensitive issue.