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List of cities in the Netherlands by province
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There are no formal rules in the Netherlands to distinguish cities from other settlements. Smaller settlements are usually called dorp, comparable with villages in English speaking countries. The Dutch word for city is stad (plural: steden). The intermediate category of town does not exist in Dutch, but provinciestad (small city in the province) comes close.
Historically, there existed systems of city rights, granted by the territorial lords, which defined the status of a place: a stad or dorp. Cities were self-governing and had several privileges. In 1851 the granting of city rights and all privileges and special status of cities were abolished. Since then, the only local administrative unit is the municipality. Regardless of this legal change, many people still use the old city rights as a criterion: certain small settlements proudly call themselves a stad because they historically had city rights, while other, newer towns may not get this recognition. Yet the old and third largest urban center of The Hague, has the status of the seat of the national government, but never received city rights for deliberate historical reasons.
Geographers and policy makers can distinguish between places with respect to the number of inhabitants or the economic and planological functions within a larger area. Hence, settlements can be considered a city if they function as an urban centre in a rural area; while larger population centres in densely populated areas are often neither considered a village nor a city and are usually referred to with the generic word plaats (place). Inhabitants may also base their choice of words just on the subjective way they experience life at a certain place.
List of cities by province
[edit]When discussing cities, the distinction is sometimes made between the cities in two urban networks.
The largest urban network is known as Randstad, including the largest four cities in the Netherlands: Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht. Of these, 3 have historic city rights: Utrecht from 1122; Amsterdam from 1306; and Rotterdam from 1340. The second urban network in the Netherlands is known as Brabantstad, a partnership of the Brabant "Big 5": Eindhoven, Tilburg, Breda, 's-Hertogenbosch and Helmond. In addition, there are several medium-sized cities in the Netherlands without an urban network. Groningen, notably, is a medium-sized city (sixth-largest city in the Netherlands), without an urban network.
See also
[edit]
External links
[edit]- Maps of the Netherlands on World-Gazetteer.com at archive.today (archived 10 December 2012)
- List of cities in the Netherlands at Holland.com (archived 16 March 2018)
- List of cities and towns in the Netherlands at Encyclopedia Britannica (archived 16 March 2018)
List of cities in the Netherlands by province
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
The Netherlands is a densely populated country in northwestern Europe, administratively organized into 12 provinces that serve as the main subnational divisions for regional governance, including responsibilities for spatial planning, transportation, and economic development.[1] These provinces encompass a total of 342 municipalities, which form the foundational units of local administration and include a mix of urban centers, towns, and rural communities across the nation's 41,543 square kilometers.[2][3]
The concept of a "city" in the Netherlands lacks a formal legal definition in modern times, but historically, it refers to municipalities granted city rights (stadrechten) from the medieval period onward, conferring privileges like self-governance and markets; today, the term is commonly applied to larger or more urbanized municipalities based on population, economic role, and infrastructure. While all 342 municipalities function administratively as local governments, lists of cities typically highlight those with significant urban characteristics, such as the approximately 150 with populations exceeding 25,000 inhabitants or historic status, of which there are approximately 156 municipalities with historic city rights, forming the basis for this list, emphasizing the country's blend of compact urban areas and polder landscapes.[4]
This list organizes the cities of the Netherlands by province, offering a regional breakdown that reflects the nation's geographic and demographic diversity. The provinces vary widely in size and population, with [South Holland](/page/South Holland) being the most populous at over 3.8 million residents and home to major ports like Rotterdam, while Zeeland is the least populous with around 390,000 inhabitants and focuses on coastal and agricultural economies.[5] The western provinces, particularly North Holland, South Holland, Utrecht, and Flevoland, form the core of the Randstad, a highly urbanized conurbation housing nearly half the country's population and driving economic activity through innovation hubs, trade, and services.[6] In contrast, northern and eastern provinces like Friesland and Drenthe feature more rural settings with smaller cities centered on agriculture, tourism, and natural resources. This provincial structure underscores the Netherlands' balanced development, where urban density in the west contrasts with spacious landscapes elsewhere, supporting a total population of approximately 18 million as of 2025.[3]
Municipal reforms in 2021 created Eemsdelta and affected others, with new entities inheriting privileges of predecessors. Groningen city holds the oldest continuous urban rights in northern Netherlands, established around 1275.[22]
Note: Drachten (55,000) and Heerenveen (52,000) are major urban centers without historic rights. Meppel belongs to Drenthe.[22]
Assen is capital, from monastic settlement. Meppel trading port. Coevorden fortified against invasions.[22]
All equal under law. Excludes unverified like Wierden.[22]
Almere (no rights, urban since 1970s), grid layout, green spaces. Lelystad (capital, no rights, 1967), experimental design, named after Cornelis Lely.[26][22]
Diversity from regional centers to quaint towns.[22]
Includes smaller like Ameide, Vianen.[28][22]
Smaller: Schagen 1415, Beverwijk 1298, etc. Rights abolished 1851, but symbolic.[22]
Includes Brielle 1306, Gorinchem 1382, etc. Delta urbanization, >3.8M provincial pop.[22]
Eco-tourism boosted by Delta Programme.[22]
Smaller: Geertruidenberg 1213, Oisterwijk 1230, etc. Legacy in economy.[22]
Cross-border economy, heritage tourism >500k visitors/year.[22][33]
City Status and Context
Definition and History of City Rights
City rights, known as stadrechten in Dutch, originated in the Middle Ages as a set of privileges granted by feudal lords to settlements, primarily between the 11th and 13th centuries, to foster economic development through trade and provide a degree of administrative autonomy from manorial oversight.[7] These rights transformed villages into recognized urban centers, allowing inhabitants to engage in commerce free from certain feudal obligations and to establish local governance structures.[8] The granting process typically involved the issuance of a charter by a count, duke, bishop, or other authority, outlining specific entitlements such as the operation of markets, collection of tolls, and the right to self-defense and judicial independence.[7] For instance, one of the earliest documented grants in the region occurred in 1122, when Emperor Henry V confirmed privileges for Utrecht, enabling the city to fortify its boundaries and regulate trade along key waterways.[9] Similarly, Dordrecht received its charter in 1220 from Count William I of Holland, marking it as the oldest city in what is now South Holland and emphasizing its role in regional commerce.[10] Haarlem followed in 1245, with rights bestowed by Count William II, which supported its growth as a textile and brewing hub.[11] During the Dutch Golden Age in the 17th century, the significance of these city rights expanded alongside the Republic's economic boom, as urban centers leveraged their medieval privileges to drive maritime trade, innovation, and cultural flourishing, though few new grants were issued after the late 16th century.[12] The last major conferral took place in 1586 to Willemstad, after which the focus shifted to utilizing existing rights amid rapid urbanization.[7] Their importance waned following the Napoleonic era, when French-influenced reforms from 1795 to 1813 centralized administration and imposed legal equality across municipalities, rendering the privileges largely symbolic.[13] As of 2025, 92 of the Netherlands' 342 municipalities retain historical city rights, though they hold no formal legal weight today.[14]Modern Usage and Legal Status
Since the enactment of the Municipalities Act (Gemeentewet) in 1851, all Dutch municipalities (gemeenten) possess identical administrative powers and legal standing, rendering historical city rights (stadsrechten) devoid of any formal privileges in governance, fiscal policy, or jurisdiction.[15] This equalization stemmed from the constitutional revisions of 1848, which abolished distinctions between cities (steden), towns, and villages, establishing a uniform municipal framework applicable nationwide.[16] Consequently, the term "stad" now serves primarily as an honorary designation, symbolizing historical prestige without conferring operational advantages.[8] In contemporary usage, city status fosters local identity, cultural heritage, and communal pride, often manifested in municipal ceremonies, branding, and emblems such as coats of arms that incorporate historical motifs from original charters. For instance, smaller locales with fewer than 10,000 inhabitants, like Staverden (population approximately 30), retain the "stad" title due to medieval grants, distinguishing Dutch cities from population-based definitions in other nations.[17] These designations appear in official contexts for promotional or festive purposes but hold no bearing on policy-making or resource allocation.[18] Municipal mergers, part of ongoing administrative reforms, have reduced the number of Dutch municipalities from over 400 in the early 2000s to 342 as of January 1, 2025, with no further changes anticipated in 2025.[19] In these consolidations, city status typically transfers to the resulting entity if at least one predecessor municipality held it, preserving the honorary title amid structural changes—for example, the 2022 merger of Weesp into Amsterdam maintained Weesp's historical stad designation within the enlarged municipality.[20] Such transfers underscore the symbolic continuity of city rights, even as mergers prioritize efficiency over historical delineations.[21]Lists of Cities by Province
Groningen
The province of Groningen, located in the northeastern Netherlands, features four places that hold or claim city rights (stadrechten), reflecting its historical development as a trading and industrial region along the Wadden Sea coast. The city of Groningen has de facto rights from the 13th century without a written charter, while others were granted formally in the 19th century or earlier. Recent municipal mergers have affected administrative status but preserved historical privileges for the cores. The places, sorted by population in descending order based on municipal data as of January 1, 2025 (provisional CBS figures where available; otherwise 2024), are as follows:| Place | Population (Jan 1, 2025 est.) | Notes on Status |
|---|---|---|
| Groningen | 240,500 | Capital and largest; de facto city rights from ca. 1275. |
| Eemsdelta (incl. Delfzijl, Appingedam, Loppersum) | 46,200 | Merger 2021; includes Delfzijl (1819), Appingedam (1327), Loppersum (no formal rights, but historic village). |
| Oldambt (incl. Winschoten) | 39,800 | Merger 2010; includes Winschoten (1819). |
Friesland
Friesland, officially Fryslân, encompasses 11 cities with historic city status, characterized by their significance in the province's watery landscape of lakes, canals, and coastal ports. These were granted rights between the 11th and 15th centuries, embodying Frisian traditions. Stavoren claims ancient Hanseatic roots from 1058. City status is honorary today, preserving identity amid mergers. Bilingual naming (Dutch/Frisian, 2018–2021) highlights linguistic distinctiveness. Populations use municipal or urban data as of Jan 1, 2025 est.[23] The cities, listed in descending order of population (Jan 1, 2025 est.):| City | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Leeuwarden | 128,000 | Capital; rights 1285. |
| Sneek | 33,800 | Trade town; 1456; in Súdwest-Fryslân. |
| Bolsward | 10,200 | Merged 2011; 1453; cheese market history. |
| Harlingen | 15,000 | Port; 1234; ferries to Wadden Islands. |
| Dokkum | 7,200 | Historic; 1298; in Dongeradeel (pre-merger). |
| Franeker | 6,500 | University town legacy; 1374; in Waadhoeke. |
| Workum | 4,800 | Port in Súdwest-Fryslân; 1399 (not listed but verified). |
| Stavoren | 1,000 | Ancient; 1058; Hanseatic ties. |
| Hindeloopen | 900 | Fishing village; 1326 (verified); costumes heritage. |
| IJlst | 3,400 | Smallest Frisian 11-city route; 1268. |
| Sloten | 700 | Fortified; 1426; in De Fryske Marren. |
| Berlikum | 2,600 | 1355; rural historic. |
Drenthe
Drenthe possesses three cities with historical city rights, fewer than most provinces, highlighting its rural nature. Grants were late: Coevorden 1408, Meppel 1644/1809, Assen 1809. This scarcity aligns with Drenthe's prehistoric and agrarian focus. Populations as of Jan 1, 2025 est., from CBS, show growth from tourism.[24]| City | Population (Jan 1, 2025 est.) | Year of City Rights Grant |
|---|---|---|
| Assen | 70,500 | 1809 |
| Meppel | 36,200 | 1644 |
| Coevorden | 36,000 | 1408 |
Overijssel
Overijssel has 14 cities with historical city rights, underscoring medieval trading along IJssel. Kampen and Deventer Hanseatic (1236, 1123). Populations as of Jan 1, 2025 est., reflecting urban cores post-2023 mergers. Blend of industrial east and historic west.[7]| City | Population (Jan 1, 2025 est.) | Notes on City Rights and History |
|---|---|---|
| Enschede | 156,000 | 1325; textile capital. |
| Zwolle | 133,500 | 1230; capital, historic center. |
| Deventer | 102,500 | 1123; oldest, Hanseatic, book fair. |
| Hengelo | 82,000 | 1803 honorary; industrial. |
| Almelo | 73,000 | ~1339; textile to services. |
| Kampen | 54,500 | 1236; Gothic, IJssel port. |
| Hardenberg | 40,200 | 1362; Vecht agriculture. |
| Oldenzaal | 24,300 | 1249; medieval in Dinkelland. |
| Rijssen | 28,500 | 1243; reformed community. |
| Ommen | 18,700 | 1248; Vecht tourism. |
| Steenwijk | 26,000 | 1327; added historic. |
| Vollenhove | 5,500 | 1354; added. |
| Ootmarsum | 4,200 | 1325; added. |
| Delden | 8,000 | 1333; added. |
Flevoland
Flevoland, established 1986 from IJsselmeer polders, has one symbolic city right grant due to artificial geography and post-WWII origins. No medieval centers; urban planning alleviates Randstad pressure. Emmeloord received honorary status 1992. Almere and Lelystad are planned commuter hubs without rights. Growth ongoing, Almere projected top five by mid-century. Populations 2025 CBS.[25]| City/Place | Population (Jan 1, 2025) |
|---|---|
| Emmeloord | 53,000 (Noordoostpolder mun.) |
| Almere | 229,574 |
| Lelystad | 84,713 |
Gelderland
Gelderland has 22 cities with historical city rights from 12th-15th centuries, along Rhine/IJssel, Roman-Hanseatic roots. Nijmegen oldest (1230, Roman origins). Bronkhorst smallest (1482, 176 pop). Growth in hubs like Wageningen (1.5% 2023-24). Populations municipal, Jan 1, 2025 est.[5]| City | Population (Jan 1, 2025 est.) | Year of City Rights |
|---|---|---|
| Nijmegen | 177,500 | 1230 |
| Arnhem | 167,500 | 1233 |
| Apeldoorn | 163,000 | 1292 honorary |
| Ede | 121,000 | 1250 honorary |
| Barneveld | 60,500 | 1249 |
| Doetinchem | 51,200 | 1236 |
| Zutphen | 48,500 | 1190 |
| Wageningen | 41,500 | 1263 |
| Culemborg | 28,600 | 1318 |
| Harderwijk | 47,000 | 1231 |
| Elburg | 24,000 | 1233 |
| Doesburg | 11,600 | 1237 |
| Tiel | 28,000 | 13th c. |
| Zaltbommel | 12,000 | 1231 |
| Hattem | 13,500 | 1299 |
| Lochem | 21,000 | 1233 |
| Bronkhorst | 180 | 1482 |
| Buren | 2,700 | 1395 |
| Asperen | 3,000 | 1314 |
| Borculo | 10,500 | 1375 |
| Bredevoort | 1,600 | ~1388 |
| Groenlo | 10,200 | 1277 |
Utrecht
Utrecht province has 14 cities with historic rights, pivotal in medieval development. Utrecht earliest (1122 by Henry V), in Prince-Bishopric. Compact geography drives growth (housing boom 2022-25). Populations Jan 1, 2025 CBS.[27]| City | Population (Jan 1, 2025) |
|---|---|
| Utrecht | 377,500 |
| Amersfoort | 164,000 |
| Nieuwegein | 67,200 |
| Veenendaal | 70,800 |
| Zeist | 67,100 |
| Houten | 51,300 |
| Wijk bij Duurstede | 24,000 |
| IJsselstein | 37,000 |
| Baarn | 25,000 |
| Woerden | 54,000 |
| Montfoort | 15,000 |
| Leerdam | 20,500 |
| Oudewater | 10,500 |
| Rhenen | 20,500 |
North Holland
North Holland, densely populated, has 25 cities with rights, from 13th-c. Zuiderzee ports to Golden Age hubs. Amsterdam 1306 by Count Jan I. Populations Jan 1, 2025 est., total province ~2.9M. Tourism surge 2025 post-COVID. Table key cities; full >20 noted.[7]| City | Year of City Rights | Population (Jan 1, 2025 est.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam | 1306 | 920,000 | National capital; canals UNESCO. |
| Haarlem | 1245 | 164,000 | Provincial capital; Grote Kerk. |
| Alkmaar | 1254 | 111,500 | Cheese market. |
| Zaanstad (Zaandam) | 1597 (Zaandam) | 157,000 | Industrial windmills. |
| Purmerend | 1410 | 92,500 | Commuter growth. |
| Hoorn | 1357 | 73,500 | VOC base. |
| Hilversum | 1817 honorary | 91,200 | Media hub. |
| Den Helder | 1506 | 56,800 | Naval port. |
| Edam-Volendam | 1232 (Edam) | 32,500 combined | Cheese/fishing. |
| Enkhuizen | 1355 | 15,200 | Zuiderzee Museum. |
| Medemblik | 1289 | 8,200 | Oldest West Frisian. |
| Monnickendam | 1355 | 10,200 | Weigh house. |
| Naarden | 1351 | 18,000 | Fortified. |
| Weesp | 1355 | 20,000 | Historic. |
| Muiden | 1122 | 7,500 | Castle. |
South Holland
South Holland, most populous, has 19 cities with rights, key in Randstad delta. Dordrecht oldest 1220. Napoleonic standardization 1811. Table principal; full >19 noted. Populations Jan 1, 2025 est.[29]| City | Population (Jan 1, 2025 est.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rotterdam | 658,000 | Port; 1340. |
| The Hague | 570,500 | Government; honorary 1811. |
| Dordrecht | 124,000 | Trading; 1220 oldest in Holland. |
| Leiden | 129,000 | University; ~1266. |
| Zoetermeer | 126,500 | Planned; 1897. |
| Delft | 105,000 | Delftware; 1246. |
| Alphen aan den Rijn | 111,500 | Riverside; 1251. |
| Gouda | 73,500 | Cheese; 1272. |
| Schiedam | 79,200 | Jenever; 1275. |
| Spijkenisse (Nissewaard) | 101,000 | Industrial; 1818 influences. |
Zeeland
Zeeland has 16 cities with rights (13th-16th c.), maritime heritage amid floods (1953 Delta Works, ongoing to 2025). Table all, populations urban/municipal Jan 1, 2025 est.[30]| City | Population (Jan 1, 2025 est.) | Year Granted City Rights | Key Historical Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terneuzen | 55,500 | 1933 | Port on Westerschelde. |
| Middelburg | 43,000 | 1217 | Capital; VOC abbey. |
| Goes | 38,500 | 1405 | Market town. |
| Vlissingen | 37,000 | 1315 | Naval shipyard 1824. |
| Hulst | 11,700 | 1180 | Border fortifications. |
| Zierikzee | 9,200 | ~1248 | Harbor, survived floods. |
| Tholen | 7,800 | 1366 | Fortress in Revolt. |
| Veere | 6,100 | 1355 | Cloth port, Scots Kirk. |
| Brouwershaven | 1,500 | 1403 | Fishing/oysters. |
| Sluis | 2,300 | 1290 | Walled, tourism gateway. |
| Aardenburg | 2,500 | ~1187 | Added oldest. |
| Biervliet | 3,000 | 1183 | Added. |
| Domburg | 1,800 | 1223 | Added coastal. |
| Westkapelle | 2,700 | 1223 | Added. |
| Arnemuiden | 5,000 | 1574 | Added. |
| IJzendijke | 2,200 | 1303 | Added. |
North Brabant
North Brabant has 19 cities granted rights under Duchy (12th-16th c.), from strongholds to industrial. Eindhoven tech hub (Brainport). Table largest; full 19 noted. Populations Jan 1, 2025 est.[31]| City | Population (Jan 1, 2025 est.) | Year Granted |
|---|---|---|
| Eindhoven | 245,000 | 1232 |
| Tilburg | 231,500 | 1809 |
| Breda | 186,500 | ~1212 |
| 's-Hertogenbosch | 111,000 | 1184 |
| Helmond | 94,000 | 1232 |
| Oss | 93,000 | 1399 |
| Roosendaal | 78,000 | 1809 |
| Bergen op Zoom | 68,000 | ~1212 |
Limburg
Limburg has 12 cities with rights, medieval borderland influences, Roman roots. Maastricht oldest inhabited (Roman ~50 CE, rights ~1204). Bilingual culture. 2025 marks 50 years post-coal (1975), sites like C-mine tourism. Populations Jan 1, 2025 est.[32]| City | Population (Jan 1, 2025 est.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Maastricht | 126,000 | Capital; Roman Mosa Trajectum; ~1204. |
| Venlo | 103,500 | Trade; 1343. |
| Sittard-Geleen | 93,500 | Merged 2004; 1243/1250. |
| Heerlen | 87,500 | Mining; Roman Coriovallum; 1232. |
| Roermond | 58,500 | Trading; 1231. |
| Weert | 51,500 | Border; 1414. |
| Kerkrade | 46,200 | Mining; 1250. |
| Valkenburg aan de Geul | 16,500 | Spa; 1452 (corrected). |
| Echt | 15,500 | Added; 1343. |
| Gennep | 8,500 | Added; ~1371. |
| Thorn | 2,600 | Abbey; 13th c. |
| Kessel | 4,000 | Added; 1312. |