The Kingdom of the Netherlands, a country of western Europe fronting on the North Sea and bordered by Belgium and Germany, has an area of 15,770 sq. mi. (40,844 sq. km.) and a population of 15.87 million. Capital: Amsterdam, but the seat of government is at The Hague. The economy is based on dairy farming and a variety of industrial activities. Chemistry, yarns and fabrics, and meat products are exported. ,After being a part of Charlemagne?s empire in the 8th and 9th centuries, the Netherlands came under the control of Burgundy and the Austrian Hapsburgs, and finally were subjected to Spanish domination in the 16th century. Led by William of Orange, the Dutch revolted against Spain in 1568. The seven northern provinces formed the Union of Utrecht and declared their independence in 1581, becoming the Republic of the United Netherlands. In the following century, the ?Golden Age? of Dutch history, the Netherlands became a great sea and colonial power, a patron of the arts and a refuge for the persecuted. In 1814, all the provinces of Holland and Belgium were merged into the Kingdom of the United Netherlands under William I. The Belgians withdrew in 1830 to form their own kingdom, the last substantial change in the configuration of European Netherlands. German forces invaded in 1940 and the royal family fled to England where a government in exile was formed. German High Commissioner Arthur Seyss-Inquart was placed in command until 1945 when the arrival of Allied military forces ended the occupation. Reigning since 1948, Queen Juliana abdicated in 1981. Her daughter, Beatrix, is now Queen. ,, Rulers:,,, ,William I, 1815-1840,, ,William II, 1840-1849,, ,William III, 1849-1890,, ,Wilhelmina, 1890-1948,, ,Juliana, 1948-1981,, Monetary System:,,, ,1 Gulden = 100 Cents, to 2001,, ,1 Rijksdaalder = 2 ½ Gulden,,