The Netherlands
The country we call home developed in a landscape of swamps and seas where survival depended on cooperation. Building dikes and reclaiming land required joint effort among people of different beliefs and backgrounds, making tolerance a practical necessity, which is one of the most prominent trademarks of the dutch culture.
In 1602, the Dutch East India Company created the world’s first stock exchange, introducing structures that became the basis of modern capitalism. The States General, established in the late Middle Ages, evolved into the longest continuously operating parliament in history.
During the 17th century, the Dutch Golden Age confirmed the country’s position as a center of trade, science, and art. These conditions shaped a culture of negotiation, innovation, and creativity that still characterizes the Netherlands today.
