Some facts about Dutch

THE DUTCH LANGUAGE is a language of Netherlands.
Population: 13,400,000 in the Netherlands (1976 WA). Population total all countries 20,000,000 or more (1988 J.G. Kooij in B. Comrie).
Also spoken in Aruba, Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Indonesia, Israel, Netherlands Antilles, Philippines, Suriname, UAE, USA.
Alternate names: NEDERLANDS, HOLLANDS
Dialects: BREDAS, VENLOS.
Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, Low Saxon-Low Franconian, Low Franconian.

Also spoken in:
Aruba
It is decreasing in importance. Official language.

Belgium
Population: 4,620,150 in Belgium (1990 WA). Dialects: BRABANTS, OOST-VLAAMS.
Comments: The variety of Dutch (not Vlaams) spoken in Belgium is only slightly different from the variety spoken in the Netherlands. Called 'Vlaams' in Belgium, even though it is different from the (West) Vlaams spoken there. In the Dutch linguistic area there are minority rights for French-speaking persons in Drogenbos, Kraainem, Linkebeek, Sint-Genesius-Rode, Wemmel, Wezembeek-Oppem, Mesen, Spiere-Helkijn, Ronse, Bever, Herstappe, Voeren. Official language. Radio programs, TV.

France
Population: 80,000 in Westhoek.
Comments: Not used in schools. Usage is reported to be diminishing.

Netherlands Antilles
Comments: It is decreasing in importance. Official language.

Suriname
Population: 200,000 mother tongue speakers in Suriname (1997 Christa DeKleine), many of whom are native bilingual speakers with Sranan or Sarnami Hindustani.
Comments: National language.

Holland (Netherlands)