Gelderian

Gelderian is an English-language demonym that may refer to a person from Gelderland, a province in the eastern part of the Netherlands. The term is uncommon in contemporary English; the standard demonym for residents is Gelderlander. Gelderian sometimes appears in historical texts or as a direct translation from Dutch, but Gelderlander is generally preferred today.

Geography and population: Gelderland is the largest Dutch province by area, spanning roughly 5,100 square kilometers. It borders North Brabant, South Holland, Overijssel, and the German states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony. The provincial capital is Arnhem, and Nijmegen is the largest city. The landscape includes the Veluwe, a substantial forested and heathland region, as well as the rivers IJssel and Rhine, which shape much of the province’s economy and culture.

History: The region has medieval roots as part of various counties and duchies within the Holy Roman Empire. Gelderland later became part of the Dutch Republic and, in 1814, a province of the modern Kingdom of the Netherlands. Historic sites include Het Loo Palace near Apeldoorn and numerous castles along the Rhine.

Culture and economy: Gelderland is known for its diverse cities—Nijmegen, Arnhem, Zutphen—and for cultural institutions and natural attractions. The Hoge Veluwe National Park, the Kröller-Müller Museum in Otterlo, and the Nederlands Openluchtmuseum in Arnhem are notable destinations. The economy combines agriculture, food processing, manufacturing, and services, with tourism centered on nature, history, and regional heritage.