gemeente

In the Netherlands, a gemeente (plural: gemeenten) is a municipality or local authority, which is the lowest level of administrative division. Governed by the municipality law (Gemeentewet), gemeenten are responsible for providing public services to their residents, such as waste management, water supply, and public transportation.

Gemeenten are nesteld within one of the twelve provinces of the Netherlands and are further divided into a number of kernen, which are villages, towns, or clusters of residential areas. Each gemeente has a number of seats in the Provincial States, which represents the province in national matters.

The primary function of a gemeente is to provide local infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and public buildings. They also offer public services, such as healthcare, education, and social services. Additionally, gemeenten regulate local planning, zoning, and construction, as well as collecting taxes and providing law enforcement.

In some cases, smaller gemeenten may cooperate or merge with neighboring municipalities to achieve economies of scale and improve efficiency. This process is known as "gemeentelijke herindeling".

With over 400 gemeenten in the Netherlands, each has its unique character and history. From the densely populated cities like Amsterdam and Rotterdam, to the smaller rural communities, gemeenten are a vital part of the Dutch local government structure.