| | Articles - Netherlands (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-30) |
 | | The Netherlands (Dutch: ´´Nederland´´; IPA pronunciation: /"ne:dÉ™rlnt/) is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (Dutch: ´´Koninkrijk der Nederlanden´´), which is formed by the Netherlands, the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba. |
 | | After gaining formal independence from the Burgundy-Spanish Empire under King Philip IV, the Dutch grew to become one of the major seafaring and economic powers of the 17th century during the period of the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands. |
 | | Dutch governments have since the 19th century always consisted of a coalition, as there was not a single political party large enough to get the majority vote. |
| www.foreverc.com /articles/Netherlands (3745 words) |