Dutch Trivia

1. Why does the Dutch soccer team wear orange?

Because of the house of Orange. Orange is the Netherlands' national colour because of the house of Orange, the Dutch royal line. William of Orange (William I, prince of Orange 1533-84) was the principal founder of Dutch independence in 1597. The current Queen Beatrix van Oranje-Nassau (of Orange-Nassau) belongs to the house of Orange and the Dutch flag, which is red, white and blue (like the French but turned 90 degrees), has an orange banner.

2. Which of the following beers is NOT Dutch?

Tuborg. Tuborg is Danish. Other well-known Dutch beers include Grolsch, Oranjeboom and Bavaria.

3. Which of the following English words does NOT stem from the Dutch language?

Bike. Bike is short for bicycle, which comes from Latin (bi = two, cyclus = wheels or circle). Cole slaw comes from the Dutch kool sla, freight from vracht, landscape from landschap.

4. What is the capital of the Netherlands?

Amsterdam. Amsterdam is the capital, but the Hague is the seat of government. In most countries the government is seated in the capital, but in Holland it is not, which has been a source of confusion for many non-Dutch.

5. Which of the following is a Dutch invention?

The CD. A Dutchman came up with the idea of the compact disc in 1969 and developed it with the Dutch electronics multinational Philips

6. Nearly half of the Netherlands is below sea level.

Some 40 per cent of the Netherlands is below sea level, guarded by dikes and dunes. Drainage canals all over the country lead away the rain water. Some 27 per cent of the country has been reclaimed from the sea.

7. Amsterdam has fewer bridges than Venice.

Amsterdam and Venice have an equal number of bridges. Venice has some 400 bridges, crossing some 150 canals. Amsterdam has some 400 bridges, but they cross about 40 canals. Like Venice, Amsterdam is built on piles, because of the soft underlying ground.

8. Which of the following cheeses is NOT Dutch?

Emmental. Emmental is the best-known cheese from Switzerland.

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