Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 30,137 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - reaching military age annually: males: 1,534 (2000 est.)
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the Kingdom of the
Netherlands
@Netherlands Antilles:Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none
Illicit drugs: money-laundering center; transshipment point for South
American drugs bound for the US and Europe
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NETHERLANDS
@Netherlands:Introduction
Background: The Kingdom of the Netherlands was formed in 1815. In 1830 Belgium seceded and formed a separate kingdom. The Netherlands remained neutral in World War I but suffered a brutal invasion and occupation by Germany in World War II. A modern, industrialized nation, the Netherlands is also a large exporter of agricultural products. The country was a founding member of NATO and the EC, and participated in the introduction of the euro in 1999.