Market Information
Holland
The Netherlands is a country in part reclaimed from the blue-black waters of the North Sea, an artificially created land, around half of which lies at or
below sea level. It's a country of unique and resonant images - the fertile, pancake-flat landscapes gridded with canals and interrupted by windmills and
church spires, all beneath huge, open skies. Every city in the country has its ornately gabled town houses, the greatest and most noble in Amsterdam, while
the bulbfields provide bold splashes of colour in springtime; in the west the long coastline is marked by mile upon mile of protective dune, backing onto
wide stretches of pristine, sandy beach.
A major colonial power, the Dutch mercantile fleet once challenged the English for world naval supremacy, and throughout its seventeenth-century Golden Age,
the standard of living (for the majority at least) was second to none. There have been a few economic ups and downs since then, but today the Netherlands
is one of the most developed countries in the world, small and urban, with the highest population density in Europe, its sixteen million inhabitants concentrated
into an area about the size of the US state of Maine. It's an international, well-integrated place too: many people speak English, at least in the heavily populated
west of the country; and most of the country is easy to reach on a public transport system of trains and buses, whose efficiency may make British and American visitors
weep with envy.
Successive Dutch governments have steered towards political consensus - indeed, this has been the drift since the Reformation, when the competing pillars of
Dutch society (originally the Calvinists and the Catholics) learnt to live with - or ignore - each other, aided by the fact that trading wealth was lubricating
the whole social structure. Almost by accident, therefore, Dutch society became tolerant and, in its enthusiasm to blunt conflict, progressive. These days, many
insiders opine that the motive behind liberal Dutch attitudes towards drug use and prostitution isn't freewheeling permissiveness so much as apathy, and the country's
avowed multiculturalism has been severely tested of late, with the shooting of Theo Van Gogh, as well as various racially motivated attacks, persuading many to
reassess the success of the Netherlands' consensual politics.
Denmark
Once the seat of Viking raiders and later a major north European power, Denmark has evolved into a modern, prosperous nation
that is participating in the general political and economic integration of Europe. It joined NATO in 1949 and the EEC
(now the EU) in 1973. However, the country has opted out of certain elements of the European Union's Maastricht Treaty,
including the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), European defense cooperation, and issues concerning certain justice and home affairs.
Sweden
A military power during the 17th century, Sweden has not participated in any war in almost two centuries. An armed neutrality was preserved in both World Wars.
Sweden's long-successful economic formula of a capitalist system interlarded with substantial welfare elements was challenged in the 1990s by high unemployment
and in 2000-02 by the global economic downturn, but fiscal discipline over the past several years has allowed the country to weather economic vagaries.
Sweden joined the EU in 1995, but the public rejected the introduction of the euro in a 2003 referendum.
Norway
Norway is a very long and narrow country situated at the northern tip of Europe. It extends 1 770 km/1 100 miles from
south to north, a distance equal to that from Oslo to Rome or from New York to Miami, crossing the Polar Circle at about
2/3 of the length. Its ragged coastline measures 19 950 km/12 400 miles and once upon a time inspired the Vikings to name
the country Norway, i.e. the way to the North.
Norway is a constitutional monarchy. In practice, however, the legislative body of the 169-member Stortinget (Parliament)
rules the Kingdom of Norway. The country has a multi-party system with a general election held every fourth year. At present
a coalition government including the Labour Party, Socialist Left, and the Norwegian Centre Party is in power, headed by Prime
Minister Jens Stoltenberg. Norway is one of few West-European countries which has opted not to join the European Union.
King Harald and the rest of the royal family are very popular among the Norwegian people. The Royal Family celebrated the
wedding of Crown Prince Haakon Magnus to Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby in August 2001. The Royal Couple has two children, Princess Ingrid
Alexandra (born January 21, 2004) and Prince Sverre Magnus (born December 3, 2005).
For many foreigners, Norway is known as the Land of the Midnight Sun. It is also renowned for its beautiful countryside, Fridtjof
Nansen's polar expeditions and humanitarian work, Edvard Munch's paintings, Edvard Grieg's musical compositions, Henrik Ibsen's dramas,
the adventurous voyages of Thor Heyerdahl, and its shipping industry. During the last decades, however, Norway has made itself visible
to the rest of the world through its innovative ideas and technologies, its booming oil industry and active participation in areas like e
nvironmental protection and energy management.
Over the past century, Norwegians have proved adept at making the most of their rich natural resources. Norway is a leading producer of
aluminum, magnesium, ferro-alloys and chemicals. It is one of the major suppliers of crude oil and natural gas to Western Europe. A
combination of hydropower and extensive forests has created a thriving pulp, paper, and lumber industry. Norwegian skills and know-how in
energy development are in great demand all over the world.
Norway's merchant fleet ranks among the world's largest and the seas around the coastline yield a harvest of fish that formed Norwayss earliest export industry.
The exceptionally harsh weather conditions in the North Sea have placed Norwegian oil companies in the vanguard when it comes to new technology
for deep water exploration and exploitation. The rich oil resources have also made Norway a wealthy country. The standard of living is
high and the average GNP per capita is one of the highest in the world.
Finland
Finland was a province and then a grand duchy under Sweden from the 12th to the 19th centuries, and an autonomous grand duchy of Russia after 1809. It won its complete independence in 1917. During World War II, it was able to successfully defend its freedom and resist invasions by the Soviet Union - albeit with some loss of territory. In the subsequent half century, the Finns made a remarkable transformation from a farm/forest economy to a diversified modern industrial economy; per capita income is now among the highest in Western Europe. A member of the European Union since 1995, Finland was the only Nordic state to join the euro system at its initiation in January 1999.
Germany
As Europe's largest economy and second most populous nation (after Russia), Germany is a key member of the continent's economic, political, and defense organizations. European power struggles immersed Germany in two devastating World Wars in the first half of the 20th century and left the country occupied by the victorious Allied powers of the US, UK, France, and the Soviet Union in 1945. With the advent of the Cold War, two German states were formed in 1949: the western Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the eastern German Democratic Republic (GDR). The democratic FRG embedded itself in key Western economic and security organizations, the EC, which became the EU, and NATO, while the Communist GDR was on the front line of the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact. The decline of the USSR and the end of the Cold War allowed for German unification in 1990. Since then, Germany has expended considerable funds to bring Eastern productivity and wages up to Western standards. In January 1999, Germany and 10 other EU countries introduced a common European exchange currency, the euro.
The UK
As the dominant industrial and maritime power of the 19th century, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland played a leading role
in developing parliamentary democracy and in advancing literature and science. At its zenith, the British Empire stretched over one-fourth of
the earth's surface. The first half of the 20th century saw the UK's strength seriously depleted in two World Wars and the Irish republic withdraw
from the union. The second half witnessed the dismantling of the Empire and the UK rebuilding itself into a modern and prosperous European nation.
As one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council, a founding member of NATO, and of the Commonwealth, the UK pursues a global approach to
foreign policy; it currently is weighing the degree of its integration with continental Europe. A member of the EU, it chose to remain outside the
Economic and Monetary Union for the time being. Constitutional reform is also a significant issue in the UK. The Scottish Parliament, the National
Assembly for Wales, and the Northern Ireland Assembly were established in 1999, but the latter was suspended until May 2007 due to wrangling over
the peace process.
Poland
The north of Poland, stretching to the Baltic Sea, consists almost entirely of lowlands, while the Carpathian Mountains (including the Tatra range) form the southern border. The Masuria region forms the largest and most-visited lake district in Poland.
The Polish state is over 1 000 years old. In the 16th century Poland was one of the most powerful countries in Europe. With victory at the Battle of Vienna in 1683, King Jan III Sobieski of Poland was able to break the Ottoman siege of Vienna and end the threat of a possible occupation of western Europe
Poland is rich in natural mineral resources, including iron, zinc, copper and rock salt. The Wieliczka salt mine, constructed in the 13th century, contains an entire town below ground with a sanatorium, theatre, church and cafe! Everything from stairs to chandeliers is made from salt.
Poland's current constitution dates from 1997. The President is elected by popular vote for a five-year term. The 460 members of the lower house of parliament (the Sejm) and the 100 members of the senate, are directly elected by a system of proportional representation to serve four-year terms.
Poland's traditional dishes include beetroot soup, cabbage rolls (cabbage leaves stuffed with meat and rice) and pierogi (dumplings stuffed with cabbage and mushrooms, for example).
Famous Poles include the astronomer Copernicus, the composer Chopin, the scientist Maria Curie-Sklodowska, film-makers Roman Polanski and Krzysztof Kieslowski, and the late Pope, John-Paul II.
Spain
High plateaux and mountain ranges such as the Pyrenees and the Sierra Nevada dominate mainland Spain. Running from these heights are several major rivers such as the Ebro, the Duero, the Tagus and the Guadalquivir. The Balearic Islands lie offshore in the Mediterranean while the autonomous Canary Islands are to be found off the African coast.
Spain is a constitutional monarchy, with a hereditary monarch and a parliament with two chambers: the Cortes. The 1978 constitution values linguistic and cultural diversity within a united Spain. The country is divided into 17 autonomous communities (regions) which all have their own directly elected authorities. In Catalonia, the Basque Country and Galicia, the regional languages have official status alongside the national Spanish language, which is also called Castilian.
Spain's service and manufacturing sectors are strong, while agriculture (especially fruit and vegetables, olive oil and wine) and tourism are also very profitable.
From Velazquez in the 17th century, through Goya in the 18th and 19th, to Picasso, Dali and Miro in the 20th, Spain has a rich artistic culture. Spanish Flamenco music and dance are widely admired around the world while Cervantes' novel Don Quixote is one of the landmarks of modern European literature. Spanish film directors such as Pedro Almodovar, Alejandro Amenabar and Luis Bunuel have received several international prizes.
Spanish cuisine is known for its paella (a rice dish with chicken, seafood and vegetables), tortilla (omelette with potatoes) and sangria (red wine served with fruit).
France
Although ultimately a victor in World Wars I and II, France suffered extensive losses in its empire, wealth,
manpower, and rank as a dominant nation-state. Nevertheless, France today is one of the most modern countries
in the world and is a leader among European nations. Since 1958, it has constructed a hybrid presidential-parliamentary
governing system resistant to the instabilities experienced in earlier more purely parliamentary administrations.
In recent years, its reconciliation and cooperation with Germany have proved central to the economic integration of Europe,
including the introduction of a common exchange currency, the euro, in January 1999. At present, France is at the forefront
of efforts to develop the EU's military capabilities to supplement progress toward an EU foreign policy.
Portugal
Following its heyday as a global maritime power during the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal lost much of its wealth and status with the destruction of Lisbon in a 1755 earthquake, occupation during the Napoleonic Wars, and the independence of its wealthiest colony of Brazil in 1822.
A 1910 revolution deposed the monarchy; for most of the next six decades, repressive governments ran the country. In 1974, a left-wing military coup installed broad democratic reforms. The following year, Portugal granted independence to all of its African colonies. Portugal is a founding member of NATO and entered the EC (now the EU) in 1986.
Italy
Italy became a nation-state in 1861 when the regional states of the peninsula, along with Sardinia and Sicily, were united under King Victor EMMANUEL II. An era of parliamentary government came to a close in the early 1920s when Benito MUSSOLINI established a Fascist dictatorship. His alliance with Nazi Germany led to Italy's defeat in World War II. A democratic republic replaced the monarchy in 1946 and economic revival followed. Italy was a charter member of NATO and the European Economic Community (EEC). It has been at the forefront of European economic and political unification, joining the Economic and Monetary Union in 1999. Persistent problems include illegal immigration, organized crime, corruption, high unemployment, sluggish economic growth, and the low incomes and technical standards of southern Italy compared with the prosperous north.
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