The Netherlands is located in north-west Europe, with Germany to the east and Belgium to the south. The small country, which is also known as Holland, has the 17th largest economy in the world, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Major contributors to its gross domestic product (GDP) include the financial, retail, business services and agro-food industries. The Netherlands has also been commended for its liberal outlook, serving as a founding member of various global initiatives, including the European Union, United Nations, World Trade Organization and NATO.