The issue is that north north west europe is densely populated, and well developed, metropolitan as you say, highly urbanized and comparably wealthy. Add to th

The issue is that north north west europe is densely populated, and well developed, metropolitan as you say, highly urbanized and comparably wealthy. Add to that, the Dutch have been a maritime nation at least since colonial times. While one of the biggest ports lies at the footsteps of Athens, the economic power of neighbourg countries is not quite as strong.