Understanding Business and Personal LawChapter 35: Insurance ProtectionA Global PerspectiveThe Netherlands The Netherlands, also known as Holland, is located in northwestern Europe, bordered on the north and west by the North Sea, on the east by Germany, and on the south by Belgium. The Netherlands Antilles and Aruba, islands in the Caribbean, are also part of The Netherlands. Amsterdam, the capital, has more museums per square inch than any other city in the world. The Netherlands is slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey. Ninety-nine percent of the population is literate. The government is a constitutional monarchy. The chief of state is the king or queen. The head of government is the prime minister, appointed by the monarch and is usually the leader of the majority party or leader of the majority coalition. The vice prime ministers are appointed by the monarch. The monarch also appoints the cabinet. The States General consists of the First Chamber and the Second Chamber. The First Chamber is made up of 75 members who are indirectly elected by the country’s 12 provincial councils. They serve a four-year term. The Second Chamber is elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms. The legal system of The Netherlands is a civil law system incorporating French penal theory. Supreme Court justices are nominated for life by the monarch. |  |
