Amsterdam is in what country?

Amsterdam is in what country?

Today we went to Amsterdam. The overnight flight on American’s spacious 777 from DFW through Frankfurt, and a quick commuter flight to Amsterdam put us in what country?

My memory of fifth grade geography had Amsterdam in Holland. I remember wooden shoes, windmills, white sun bonnets on the women, tulips and the little boy with his finger in the dike? Then the settlers in New York named the city on Manhattan Island “New Amsterdam” after their home in Europe. They were from Holland. So, Amsterdam must be in Holland, right?  

Nope, the “Republic of the Netherlands” is the name of the country. Evidently they had a meeting and changed the name a few years ago. Why “Netherlands”? Evidently they had no marketing or branding people on the committee. I find it difficult to think of a worse name to promote than “Netherlands”.

Holland was a perfectly good name and millions of school children already had that name memorized for the test. Netherlands has a pubescent schoolboy giggle potential that cannot be denied. Admit it. Your first thought was “Nether Regions” … a polite term for body parts covered by underpants.

Citizens of their country say Netherlands refers to their low lying terrain that is at or below sea level. So, why promote the possibility of your `country sinking into the ocean to potential tourists? Florida does not feature mosquitoes in their brochures. Mexico does not even mention cartels in the TV spots. Low lying land is never going to be a winner with tourists.

Netherlands had a name problem. That is certainly why the Netherlanders decided to legalize recreational drug use and prostitution. Tourists stormed the place.  Sometimes a powerful promotional offer can overcome bad branding.  It seems to be working for them.    

Happy I could clear that country name thing up for all of you.

Now I am trying to figure out why the people who reside in a country formerly known as Holland and now called the Republic of the Netherlands are called “The Dutch”. I’ll work on that tomorrow. I’m on vacation today.