[Larry Hickey]

Putkikker,

I read the wikipedia article and must admit that I'm now more confused than ever about what the Netherlands is, politically. All very complicated. I also read the "Made in Holland" publication put out by your own government, which seems to me an acknowledgement by your own country that the familiar, internationally known (but not official) name for the country is Holland. Imported goods here in the US require a label of origin be attached, and I'm sure that I've seen such labels for goods imported into my country saying "Made in Holland," not "Made in the Netherlands." I'm sure that a large majority of the American population--alas, renowned for their ignorance of foreign geography and languages-- wouldn't know what or where "the Netherlands" was, hence the use of a name familiar to almost everyone and taught to us in our schools since childhood. So, no offense or sarcasm intended, but it seems to me that both usages on an international forum such as this are appropriate, and forcing one to disregard the commonly used name for your country in other countries seems a bit much, since I'm not trying to argue what to call your country, but to convey information about locations of WW II era crashes of Luftwaffe aircraft. At least I'm trying to learn the geography of your country in some considerable detail, and have visited there a number of times in recent years--always a pleasant experience. And yes, I have a university degree in History, and have considerable knowledge of world geography.
(And then there is Belgium, not what to call it but what it is, politically. I'm not even sure that Belgians know the answer to that question). The world seemed so much simpler in my grammar school geography classes.

Regards,