Dutch land use confirms its strong agriculture base

BRUSSELS - Thirteen percent of the territory of the Netherlands is covered by towns, houses, commercial and industrial buildings, roads, railways and other construction. The percentage makes the country the most densely built up country in the European Union (EU), and, without question, of all of Europe. Belgium ranks second with ten percent. The terrain usage also shows that despite the strength of Dutch industry, the Netherlands remains a food-generating country because of its strong agricultural base: 38 percent in pasture, 24 percent set aside for crop farming and 12 percent in silviculture. The EU stats are nearly 40 percent silviculture and nearly 25 percent for crop farming. Finland tops the list with 68 percent in forestry, followed closely by Sweden with 66 percent.