The Netherlands are divided into 12 provinces it is crossed by two major rivers, the Maas and the Rhine. The Maas rises in France, where it is called the Meuse, and flows through Belgium to enter The Netherlands at its most southerly point. It flows northward and then westward to enter the North Sea. The Rhine enters the country from Germany and flows westward to the sea. It first divides into two branches, the Waal and the Rhine, and then the latter divides into the Rhine and the IJssel, which flows northward to the IJsselmeer.

The western part of the Rhine is called the Lek. The Lek, Waal, and Maas flow parallel to one another and are connected by side streams and canals. Winters are in general mild and summers cool from the influence of the sea. Dutch architecture is notable. Church architecture flourished in the middle Ages, and several churches date from this period. In the 17th century Dutch architects designed palaces and country and town houses. Being some of the grandest in Europe The Netherlands national park called de Hoge Veluwe near Arnhem is home to red dear, wild boar and wild sheep called mouflons. The original park was privately owned it became a national park in 1935 it is one of the smallest countries at one time it was a great sea power. Today The Netherlands is no longer a colonial power it is a major gateway to Europe. The Dutch name of the country, Nederland, means "low land." It consists of the western corner of the great North European Plain where a number of rivers that enter the North Sea.