Many people consider Holland and the Netherlands to be synonyms, but this is not entirely true. This is reported by URA-Inform.
Holland is just a part of the Netherlands, consisting of two provinces: North and South Holland. But the official name of the country is the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
How did the name “Holland” come about?
Historically, Holland has been one of the most developed and influential regions of the country. In the 17th century, during the so-called “Dutch Golden Age”, the region played a leading role in the country's trade, economy and politics. Thanks to Dutch sailors, merchants and colonial expansion, the name “Holland” became widely known throughout the world and eventually took root as an unofficial designation for the entire country.
Where does the name “Netherlands” come from?
“Netherlands” means “low lands” in Dutch. The name reflects the country's geographical features, most of which are located below sea level. It dates back to the Middle Ages and was used to refer to several territories in Western Europe.
Why did the Netherlands drop the name “Holland”?
In 2020, the Dutch government officially stopped using the name “Holland” in international events and advertising campaigns. This was done to avoid confusion and to emphasize that the country includes not only the two Dutch provinces, but also other regions such as Utrecht, Gelderland, Friesland and others.
Thus, although many still refer to the country as Holland, the correct name is the Netherlands, and it better reflects the history and geography of the country.
Let us recall that earlier it was reported where the names of countries came from: why Germany is not Nemeciation”.