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From Value One, Summer 2007 No. 17 |
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Metal One Deutschland GmbH
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Innumerable Canals! |
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This time, I would like to talk about the Netherlands, where Metal One Deutschland's Born Branch is located.
Nederland (the Netherlands) is a country of scenic villages with slowly turning windmills, canals and drawbridges. The country's name means "lowlands" and, true to its name, the Netherlands has dammed and filled rivers and achieved growth by using the canals' transport capabilities. This is the reason they say, "God created the world, but the Dutch created the Netherlands." Even the capital, Amsterdam, was created by damming the Amstel River. The number of canals is now just under 180!
In the 17th century, the Netherlands' core East India Company set sail for the seven seas from here, gathering the world's riches. Tokyo Station is said to be modeled after Amsterdam Central Station, which is located near the center of that era's port. You can get an idea of how things looked in those days by taking a canal cruise and viewing the rows of houses that abut the canals. |
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| Exploring the Netherlands' history on a canal cruise. |
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| One of the Netherlands' famous windmills at Kinderdijk. |
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Still a Cosmopolitan City |
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| Amsterdam developed into a cosmopolitan city by absorbing different cultures. Disembarking at Central Station, you become keenly aware that it is a melting pot even now. Immigrants from Africa, Asia and the Middle East account for more than 20% of the population today, evoking an atmosphere different from that of Europe. Cosmopolitan sensibilities are reflected in the country's people, too. Most Dutch speak Dutch, of course, and are able to switch fluently into English and German. This aspect provides a sense of the Netherlands' history as a small country that resolutely survived while trading with the rest of the world. |
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| A tulip field near Keukenhof Park, which is open for only two months (from the end of March to the end of May). |
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Pay Attention to Expressway Rules! |
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The Born Branch is located about 2 ½ hours by expressway from the northern part of the country, where Amsterdam is located. The significance of this is the fact that you can travel down through the Netherlands in 2 ½ hours. Germany is known for its autobahn, which has no speed limit, but because the speed limit is 120 kph once you enter the Netherlands, you will get caught for speeding if you get overconfident and do not slow down. Moreover, the highway signs switch to Dutch, so you can end up in the wrong place if you do not pay attention to the similar-sounding place names.
The Born Branch is near Maastricht, a city on the Netherlands' southern border, which still has ancient Roman ruins. There is also soaring Vaalserberg, the Netherlands' highest peak. Three countries - Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands - intersect at this point. That said, the mountain's elevation is a mere 322.5 meters. |
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White Asparagus: A Treat Limited to Early Summer |
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I am writing this article in May, a time when white asparagus is the local delicacy throughout southern Netherlands, western Germany and Belgium. The only white asparagus to be found in Japan are the spindly, canned ones; but here, they are so big that they serve as the main dish. Asparagus vendors line roadsides with their stalls, and they even offer deep pots that are specially designed for boiling asparagus, the flavor of which is exquisite!
Please visit the Netherlands, a country wild about soccer and carnivals. |
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| Giant white asparagus: perfect for a hearty meal! |
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