The administrative map of the Netherlands is like a colorful patchwork on a peasant's bed. In a small area, there are 12 provinces organized into four historical regions - the Western Netherlands, Northern, Eastern, and Southern Netherlands.
The diversity of landscapes and scenery spills over into cultural differences, giving the regions of the Netherlands a strong local flavor. Some provinces, such as Limburg, specialize in a rich carnival tradition; others have become renowned for their original architecture, picturesque landscapes, and gourmet cuisine.
Excursion cities in the Dutch regions are setting trends in shaping the image of a province, and sometimes of an entire historical region. Therefore, to make it easier to orient yourself on the country map, we've combined the names of the regions of the Netherlands with the main cities of the provinces.
Western Dutch regions (Randstad) is the most populous and economically developed part of the kingdom, painted in bright contrasting colors. Fashionable restaurants and nightclubs coexist with the touching simplicity of the historic villages Kinderdijk, Marken, Volendam, and Zaanse Schans, while ports and seaside resorts are juxtaposed with the refined architecture and Baroque art.
Northern Holland - is the largest jewel in the crown of Her Majesty Queen Beatrix. The eccentric Amsterdam, a city of celebration, laced with canals, serves as a showcase for the liberal values of Western Europe. From early spring to late fall, the suburbs of Haarlem and Aalsmeer are bursting with color, and 15 minutes away by train is the cozy, patriarchal town of Zaandam, where you can see Peter the Great's house.
South Holland breathes the coolness of the sea and the memory of the Great Discoveries. The bustling harbors of Rotterdam remember the farewell of the first pilgrims, and nowadays the capital of the region, eternally young and daring, is a sanctuary of avant-garde art. A reputation as a sanctuary of classical architecture is reserved for neighboring The Hague, which has preserved for posterity the majestic palace ensembles of the Renaissance, classicism, and baroque. The proud stature of Leiden's Gothic cathedrals has inspired generations of painters and Nobel Prize winners. The glittering seaside resort of Scheveningen on the outskirts of The Hague is known as the Northern Riviera, and the birthplace of the wonderful variety Gouda cheese welcomes gourmets from all corners of the world.
Flevoland - the youngest and most dynamic province of North Holland, which has been actively growing land since the beginning of the last century, actively growing land reclaimed from the sea. Although the traditional zoning scheme does not suggest the central regions of the Netherlands, Flevoland is the most likely candidate for this position. The region's main attraction is the man-made Lake Zuiderzee, which linked the North Sea to the Hanseatic cities. The coastline is lined with picturesque ethnographic museum open-air ethnographic museum.
Utrecht - a quiet nook of the Randstad, surrounded on all sides by lakes, forests, and castles, notable among them Kasteel de Haar palace. In beauty and grandeur, the main city of the Utrecht region, criss-crossed by three lines of double-decker canals, can rival Amsterdam. It's home to one of Europe's oldest universities and the tallest church in the Netherlands. Every year Utrecht hosts festivals of jazz and auteur film festivals.
Northern Dutch regions are not particularly inspiring for tourists, but they are popular with locals who are passionate about sports and outdoor recreation.
Friesland - an off-the-beaten-path seaside region that includes the West Frisian Islands and the Frisian Lakes, where Dutch anglers and yachtsmen enjoy their time. On the sand dunes of Friesland, few vacationers can be found due to the low water temperatures and strong winds.
Drenthe - a rugged and mysterious land of dolmens and stone labyrinths that attracts those who favor an alternative view on the history of civilization.
Groningen - a land with ancient university traditions. Groningen, the regional capital, holds the honorary title of "cycling capital" of Europe.
Eastern Dutch regions entice fans of medieval romance and pristine landscapes untouched by civilization.
Gelderland - the northern part of the historic region of Geldern, with its capital at Arnhem, which is home to De Hoge-Wieluwe National Park with an area of almost 1000 hectares.
Overijssel - a land of legends and romantic ballads. Along the River IJssel, a necklace of seven medieval towns, of which the most popular are Deventer and Zutphen, and the provincial capital, Zwolle, as well as the fishing village of Giethoorn, a miniature replica of Amsterdam, spread out on tiny islands connected by canals.
Southern Dutch regions in terms of mentality reminiscent of Burgundy: exquisite cuisine, fiery songs, carnivals, and dancing till you drop, bringing even the most unapproachable ascetics to life.
Limburg - the promised land for connoisseurs of delicately flavored hard cheeses and lively fairs. The provincial capital of Maastricht sparkles with hospitality, delighting residents and tourists alike with spectacular carnival parades and festivals, while the cozy town of Valkenburg can be considered an open-air museum of medieval fortification.
Northern Brabant - Limburg's constant companion in all the fun. The region's main city, Eindhoven, is world-famous as the cradle of the Philips empire and a trendsetter of futuristic urbanism and pop art. All roads in the region lead to the village of Tilburg and the new Efteling theme park.
Zeeland - another popular vacation destination by the sea. Thanks to the high tide, the seaside resort of Domburg is favored by surfers from EU countries.
