The Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy, located in northwestern Europe. It borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east. The current borders were formed in 1839.

The Netherlands is often referred to by the name Holland. This is, however, misguided, since the provinces of North and South Holland in the western Netherlands are only two of the country's twelve provinces.

The Dutch people are historically affiliated to all Germanic peoples, such as the English, Germans, Danes, and Swedes. The feeling of affiliation is strongest among West Germanic people, the closest being the Flemish and Frisian people and to a lesser degree the Afrikaners, English, Scots and Germans. Ethnic affiliation is strongest between the Dutch people and the Flemings. The Dutch and the Flemish people share the same language as well as the same "blood" as both peoples are of almost entirely Frankish heritage, as is their language, Dutch which is the only modern successor of the Old Frankish language the language of the ancient Franks.

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