What are some mind-blowing facts about Netherlands?

 

• The Netherlands was the first country to legalize same-sex marriage. It did so in 2001.
• Only 50% of the Netherlands has land exceeding one meter above sea level, with most of the areas below being man-made.
• According to the 2013 United Nations World Happiness Report of 2013, the Netherlands was ranked fourth happiest country in the world.
• The Dutch are the largest consumers of liquorice in the world.
• Amsterdam is entirely built on wooden poles 11 meters deep. This is due to its soil which consists of thick layers of clay and fen.
• There are about 15,000 km of bike lanes in the Netherlands.
• The Dutch are the tallest people on average in Europe.
• There are more bikes (over 18 million) in the Netherlands than there are people.
• Because the land is so flat, the country’s highest point, which is 323 meters high, is actually referred to as a mountain. It's located in Vaalserberg.