Hague

The Hague, known in Dutch as Den Haag or ’s-Gravenhage, is a city in western Netherlands, located in the province of South Holland along the western coast near Scheveningen. It is the seat of the Dutch government and parliament, the residence of the royal family at Noordeinde Palace, and a major international center for law and diplomacy. The English name The Hague derives from the old Dutch name ’s-Gravenhage, meaning “the count’s hedge” or “the count’s court.”

Historically, The Hague formed around a 13th-century castle and court of the counts of Holland, with the Binnenhof becoming the political heart of the Dutch state. In the Dutch Republic era it developed as the center of government. The municipality expanded through the incorporation of surrounding towns, notably Scheveningen, in the 19th and 20th centuries.

The city is renowned as an international hub for law and diplomacy. The Peace Palace houses the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration, and The Hague is also the seat of the International Criminal Court. It hosts numerous international organizations, NGOs, and foreign delegations, contributing to its nickname as the “international city of peace and justice.”

Culturally, The Hague contains notable sites such as the Mauritshuis, home to Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring, and the Kunstmuseum Den Haag with major Dutch and modern art collections. The Scheveningen district offers a seaside resort atmosphere, while the Binnenhof and Ridderzaal are central to Dutch political life.

The Hague has about half a million residents, making it the third-largest Dutch city. It is a major rail hub with Den Haag Central and HollandsSpoor stations, and it lies within the Randstad, with frequent connections to Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and other cities, as well as access to international travel via nearby airports.