sGravenhage

's-Gravenhage, commonly known in English as The Hague, is a city and municipality in the western Netherlands. It is the seat of government of the Netherlands and the administrative capital of the province of South Holland. The name "'s-Gravenhage" means "the count's hedge" and reflects its medieval origins related to the counts of Holland. The municipality comprises the urban core around the Binnenhof and the coastal district of Scheveningen, located on the North Sea coast between Rotterdam and Leiden.

The Hague has about 550,000 residents, making it the third-largest city in the country by population. It functions as the political heart of the Netherlands: the States General and the Cabinet meet in the Binnenhof, and the king’s official residence is Noordeinde Palace in the city center. Beyond national government, The Hague hosts a large international presence, including the Peace Palace, which houses the International Court of Justice, as well as other international legal bodies such as the International Criminal Court. The concentration of diplomacy and law has earned the city a prominent role in international affairs.

Cultural and historic landmarks include the Mauritshuis museum, the historic Parliament buildings, the Binnenhof complex, and Escher in Het Paleis. Scheveningen remains a popular seaside district with a beach and boulevard. The local economy centers on public administration, international institutions, legal services, and tourism. The Hague is well served by rail and tram networks and functions as a major transport hub for the western Netherlands.