ZuidHolland

Zuid-Holland is a province located in the western part of the Netherlands. It borders Noord-Holland to the north, Utrecht to the east, and Gelderland to the southeast, with a western coastline along the North Sea. The province forms part of the densely populated Randstad and contains two major urban centers: Rotterdam, a major port city, and The Hague, the seat of the national government and the Supreme Court.

The province has a large and diverse economy, driven by the Port of Rotterdam—Europe’s largest seaport and a global logistics hub—alongside chemical, petrochemical, and industrial activities centered in the Rotterdam–Rijnmond area. The Hague hosts many national ministries, international courts, and organizations, contributing to a strong service and legal sector. Leiden and Delft are renowned for their universities and research institutions, adding to Zuid-Holland’s knowledge economy. The region also benefits from strong urban infrastructure and extensive rail and road connections.

Geographically, Zuid-Holland encompasses parts of the Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt delta and includes both urban zones and rural landscapes. It features coastal dunes at Scheveningen and Kijkduin, and the Green Heart (Groene Hart), a rural area of parks, farms, and small towns. The province includes several islands and former island regions such as Hoeksche Waard and Voorne-Putten, which are connected to the mainland by bridges and causeways.

Administratively, Zuid-Holland is subdivided into numerous municipalities, with The Hague, Rotterdam, Leiden, Dordrecht, Delft, Zoetermeer, Gouda, and Alphen aan den Rijn among the largest. The province is characterized by a high population density, a diverse economy, and a strategic location at the heart of the Netherlands’ urban and industrial network.