The Netherlands has a maritime climate. This is due to the fact that the country is proximity of the sea and the North Atlantic Gulf stream. The average temperature fluctuates 2 °C in January and 17 °C in July. About 800 millimeters of rain fall each year. The distance from north to the south of the Netherlands is approximately 300km.This gives a slight influence in the temperature and the influence of the sea decreases towards the east.
Amsterdam
Weather |
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Maximum
Temp |
°C |
4°C
|
6°C
|
9°C
|
13°C
|
17°C
|
20°C
|
22°C
|
22°C
|
19°C
|
14°C
|
9°C
|
6°C
|
°F |
39°F |
43°F |
48°F |
55°F |
63°F |
68°F |
72°F |
72°F |
66°F |
57°F |
48°F |
43°F |
Minimum
Temp |
°C |
-1°C
|
-1°C
|
1°C
|
3°C
|
7°C
|
10°C
|
12°C
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12°C
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9°C
|
7°C
|
3°C
|
1°C
|
°F |
30°F |
30°F |
34°F |
37°F |
45°F |
50°F |
54°F |
54°F |
48°F |
45°F |
37°F |
34°F |
The mild, damp climate favors the pastures needed for stock breeding, as it does horticulture in the coastal regions, where there is less frost than inland. The soil of the upper part of the Netherlands consists mostly of sand and grave. The soil of the lower part is most made up of clay and peat. This difference is visible in the landscape of the two parts.The upper part is more hilly and alternates between woods and heaths whilst the lower part consists mostly of flat polders. The landscape is is crisscrossed by many rivers and canals, the heart of shipping and water management.
