“Holland” Is Gone! What Happened?

Holland — er, the Netherlands — is known for its tulips, among other delights. Photo by Rachel Kramer on flickr

As of January 1, 2020, “Holland” — the storied land of wooden shoes, windmills, bicycles, and tulips — is no more.

Did it finally succumb to flooding,  with little Dutch children no longer able to stick their fingers in the dykes to hold back the rushing waters?

No, the country isn’t disappearing, just its commonly used monniker.

It seems that the name “Holland” has fallen victim to a government rebranding effort designed to ease overtourism in Amsterdam and its nearby tourist magnets such as The Hague, Delft, and Haarlem, all part of historical Holland.

The official name of the country — the Netherlands — encompasses more than historical Holland, and the Dutch government is spending €200,000 on the rebranding so that tourists will expand their horizons and visit its… Continue reading →