Netherlands| Population: | 16,570,613 |
|---|---|
| Area: | 16,033 sq. miles |
| Location: | Europe |
| Capital: | Amsterdam |
| Major Cities: | Rotterdam, The Hague |
| Language(s): | Dutch |
| Winter Olympic Debut: | 1928 |
Often referred to as "Holland" - the term "Netherlands" originally referred collectively to Holland, Belgium and Flanders. It is located in northwestern Europe on the North Sea, and bordered to the south by Belgium and to the east by Germany.
Netherlands was owned by the Spanish Hapsburg dynasty in the early 16th century. Canals are important to transportation in the Netherlands - there are 3,478 miles of them.
Netherlands first competed in 1928 and has competed in every Olympic Winter Games since 1936. It is 13th all-time with 78 medals (25 gold, 30 silver, 23 bronze). Seventy-five of these medals have come in speed skating, with the remaining three from figure skating.
Netherlands, as usual, has many potential medal contenders, men and women, in speed skating. Netherlands has an outside medal contender in snowboarding's parallel giant slalom.
EsmeBobsled
EdwinBobsled
RenateSpeed Skating
MargotSpeed Skating
IreenSpeed Skating
SimonSpeed Skating
MarkSpeed Skating
Images of the Parade of Nations at the 2010 Olympic Opening Ceremony.
Images of the U.S. delegation at the Opening Ceremony on Feb. 12.
