Holland and the Netherlands: Separate countries?

[Oranje]

I was watching holland vs. slovenia when a friend (who is blonde by the way) asked who was playing. So, i replied hollands vs. slovenia.

She then exclaimed, "But it says the netherlands, not holland silly!"

Me---->

For the next 5 minutes i tried to explain that they referred to the same country, but she wouldn't have any of it. So, she rang a friend (another blonde) who agreed that i was wrong.

A bit worrying, huh?

 

[HeadCase]

Thats blonds for you mate!

 

[Diamond Dust]

So Holland and The Netherlands AREN'T seperate countries? OMG.

My childhood dreams have been vanquished.

 

[HeadCase]

I've never understood what the difference(if any) is between Holland and The Netherlands. Help Oranje

 

[Diamond Dust]

Yeah, I always knew they were one and the same but why the need for two country names? Perhaps Holland was invented by the English?

 

[Wolf]

Holland is the Largest 'county' of the Netherlands, thats why it has 2 names...

Holland

click the link to see what im an about, yellow bit is Holland.

 

[bringiton]

Actually the names are different because of the change over from when it was under German ownership centuries ago.
I was once on holiday with my mates when 1 of them got with a dutch girl so in the morning when he got back to the hotel I said "hey what about him last night got with a dutch girl " to which he said "no she was from holland". And believe it or not he's also blonde so it shows its not just the female variety.

 

[bbwMax]

I'm Blonde

But i ain't dumb

 

[HeadCase]

That link won't work for me

 

[Lennon 18]

Im confused now ... I'll just stick to calling it Holland..

 

[bbwMax]

lol as will i BeggsY