Although small in surface area, the Netherlands occupies a strategic geographical location for which it has earned the name 'Gateway to Europe.' Its integrated transportation infrastructure, streamlined customs procedures, and bonded warehousing facilities continue to support this reputation.

The quality of education in the Netherlands is excellent, and the curricula covers a comprehensive range of subjects. This quality is also reflected at the major international schools located throughout the country, among which the various Chinese Saturday schools. Full-time education is compulsory between the ages of 5 and 16, but most individuals attend school beyond the age of 16. For adults, universities throughout the Netherlands provide a variety of courses in English, several of which have an affiliation with American universities and offer Bachelors as well as Masters degrees in a variety of disciplines.

Sports facilities are available throughout the country. Soccer is the most popular sport followed by tennis, but golf is increasing in popularity. Almost one-fifth of the country's area consists of lakes, canals and rivers, which makes water sports such as swimming, sailing, water skiing and fishing, quite accessible. In winter, weather permitting, ice skating is a favourite. Multitudes of paths make bicycling a popular pastime as well.

Average life expectancy in The Netherlands has risen from the age of 50 in 1900 to about 72 for men and 79 for women. This is largely attributable to advances in medical science, improved hygiene, better living and safer working conditions.

The Netherlands is located in the central European time zone, which is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. When daylight savings time is in effect, from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in september, clocks are advanced one hour.

Business hours for most offices and banks are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Shops generally remain open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with many shops remaining open until 9:00 p.m. one night a week. But with permission of the relevant municipality, shops can stay open longer each weekday and also on Sunday.

The Netherlands climate is quite mild. Extremes, both hot and cold, are unusual. In summer, June through August, high temperatures range between 21 and 26 degrees centigrade. In winter, temperatures rarely fall below freezing for extended periods of time. When they do, the Dutch celebrate by ice skating races across canals, like the famous Eleven Cities Race in the province of Friesland. The air is relatively humid, owing to the country's proximity to the sea and numerous lakes, rivers, and canals. Fog is common in late autumn and early spring.

Chinese Community

Due to the fact that not all of the Chinese in the Netherlands originate from China, it has been difficult to calculate the total number of ethnic Chinese residing in the Netherlands and the best estimate is that there are approximately between 70,000 and 100,000 individuals. The majority of these are from China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Surinam and Taiwan. There are no Chinatowns resembling the ones in the U.S. as the Chinese community is scattered throughout the country due to the specialisation in the restaurant business. Consequently, South Holland, North Holland, Brabant, Gelderland and Utrecht have the largest concentration of Chinese communities.

There are several Chinese organisations which are active in the field of business & society and serve as an excellent platform to meet other Chinese executives in the Netherlands.

Other "infrastructure" include:

	Plenty of “Chinese” restaurants in all major cities.
	Supermarkets, as well as specialized shops selling Chinese food ingredients.
	Chinese Saturday schools

In general most Chinese in the Netherlands appreciate being in a country where it is very easy to communicate in English, and which is very open to foreign cultures.