Greetings from Amsterdam!

Operating a web site is a fascinating hobby. Not just because you have an opportunity to share your thoughts, insights, hopes and dreams with others - but also because others share them with you in return.

Apologetics Index has been visited by people from Austria to Zambia, from America to Russia, and Israel to Iran - 170+ countries , and counting. Many leave a message, ask a question or share a comment. I may not always be able to answer right away, but I do try and answer every email I get. In the process, I have made some wonderful friends.

Most people have heard of my home country, the Netherlands. It's actually better known as Holland - the name of the two Western-most provinces from which merchants plied their trade all over the world in the 16th century. Today, it is still a center of international trade - and a lively, cosmopolitan city that is home to people from over 150 different nations.

Mention Amsterdam, and everyone has been here, or plans to visit soon... Speaking of which: I have had the pleasure of meeting with a number of Apologetics Index users during their visits to Amsterdam. If you're heading this way, do contact me.

Let's start with the big picture:

That's Europe again, on the left, with Holland colored green. Holland is a small country - only some 34.000 square kilometers (about 13.000 sq. miles) in size. Nearly half of the country is below sea level, which explains the old saying that "God created the world, but the Dutch created Holland."