First of all, "the" is an article, not a pronoun. (If you need a refresher on pronouns, see this. [youtube.com])

Second, I see Arthur's not taking on "the Bronx" over its article. That's because the Bronx would kick his adorable feathery warm butt if he tried. :)

That was really bugging me too. ;P

Also let's not forget Arthur lives in "The" United States. :D

Well, "the United States" is a noun phrase. In original and proper usage, it's plural: "the United States are," "these United States," etc.

At the same time, there are lots of places the names of which are preceded by an article. "The Ukraine" (although I hear that the country now that it's independent doesn't use an article); "the Caucuses"; "the Serengeti"; "the Rocky Mountains." It's really a matter of whether the Dutch consider "Netherlands" a name assigned to the country ("St. Paul"), or more of an official description.

But regardless, it's funny if he uses the right word, at least in part because the Netherlands is not unique in this regard.

And I believe it is THE United States of America and it *was* THE Confederated States of America

I submitted this to Reddit and some dutch people replied as to why it's "The Netherlands
See: reddit [reddit.com]

Don't ask us why it is "The" Netherlands? I live in "Nederland" or "Holland". And "The Hague"? It is "Den Haag" or officially " 's-Gravenhage", but that is too long to write and that ridiculous apostrophe in the beginning, so we don't use it often.

So it is the English speaking people who add this "The" and changing our national names.

btw, why did you change "New Amsterdam" in "New York"? ;-)

(I tried this twice, because I get errors and don't see my comments in the forum, excuses for multiple posts)

Don't ask us why it is "The" Netherlands? I live in "Nederland" or "Holland". And "The Hague"? It is "Den Haag" or officially " 's-Gravenhage", but that is too long to write and that ridiculous apostrophe in the beginning, so we don't use it often.

So it is the English speaking people who add this "The" and changing our national names.

btw, why did you change "New Amsterdam" in "New York"? ;-)

Personally i don't want to see anyone, gay or sraight, mauling each other in public, however one only needs to see the proliferation of voyeur and exhibitionist sites on the web to know that that battle is already lost.

Ripped Muscle X [rippedmusclexnow.com]