If you think the Netherlands has become hateful of immigration, guess again. The EU now gives the Netherlands access to a large supply of immigrants whenever the economy needs it. The Dutch are loving their cheap Polish construction workers. The Polish will start causing friction and change in Dutch culture at some point, like many generations of immigrants before them. The Dutch won't mind that much though. While it is in their nature to complain, they are among the wealthiest and happiest people.
What you're seeing is the result of 400 years of tradesmanship, not stupidity.
It doesn't seem to be a majority view, but politicians running on "zero immigration" platforms, like Pim Fortuyn and Geert Wilders, do seem to have done fairly well at various times. At least, we hear a lot about them in the international media...
Different political streams have different viewpoints on how to deal with cultural frictions caused by immigration. The right-wing populist stream that includes Wilders and Fortuyn has, as can be expected, rather simplistic views on the matter, directly linking increased crime rates to religious affiliation. Their views are supported by around 15% of the electorate, far from a majority. Wilders' party is currently playing a role in government, but the immigration measures it is responsible for are either symbolic or were already planned by previous governments. More importantly, their rhetoric or public debate does not match the reality of public affairs. Immigration is as high as ever and cannot be restricted due to EU policies. However, the general public cares more about cheap construction than about new cultural frictions that will inevitably arise from this.
The netherlands has increased its area by an extraordinary 25% by reclaiming land from the sea.
Despite this the netherlands is one of the most densely populated countries on earth.
It has further increased its population by allowing immigration on a large scale, which whatever else its consequences is not going to reduce population density.
Now if you look at a nightime satellite view of Europe, the Netherlands is an uninterrupted patch of light.
I'd rather live in a country where I have the possibility of escaping from my fellow man every once in a while. That's not possible in Holland so I'd rather not live there.
I can, however, see why cycling is popular/necessary there
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sovereign_states_and_de...
The Netherlands is at the 28th spot, behind countries such as South Korea, Singapore, and Macao. Then compare the densities of e.g. Singapore (7,023 per km^2) and The Netherlands (401 per km^2).
Stating the facts makes it all seem far less dramatic, doesn't it?
I don't believe that I have stated any fictions if that's what your last remark implies.
I had a look at the wiki page you linked to.
Most of those 27 countries ahead of the Netherlands are negligible in terms of size, vatican City, Guernsey, Monaco, St Martin?
There are some sizeable countries but I don't believe being able to report a population density lower than, say, Bangladesh, is a cause for celebration.
As for living in a country with a population density of over 7000 per sq km, it is not something to be aspired to.