Provinces of the Netherlands
The Netherlands is made up of twelve provinces, stretching from Groningen in the far north to Limburg, which points south in a narrow strip. On this map you fly across the whole country and learn to place every province in the right spot — from the water-rich Randstad provinces of North Holland and South Holland to Flevoland, the youngest piece of the Netherlands, reclaimed from the water only in the twentieth century.
Knowing the provinces gives you the backbone for the rest of Dutch geography: once you can find Friesland, Drenthe, Overijssel and Gelderland, the cities, rivers and lakes all fall into place around them. Watch out for the middle of the country, where Utrecht, Gelderland and Flevoland lie close together and are easy to mix up.
Hop in the helicopter and find all twelve provinces at your own pace — a fun, free way for kids and grown-ups to master the map of the Netherlands.
▶︎ Play nowFrequently asked questions
How many provinces does the Netherlands have?
The Netherlands has twelve provinces: Groningen, Friesland, Drenthe, Overijssel, Flevoland, Gelderland, Utrecht, North Holland, South Holland, Zeeland, North Brabant and Limburg. Together they form the administrative structure of the country, each with its own capital and distinct character, from the watery west to the hilly south.
What is the largest province of the Netherlands?
Gelderland is the largest province of the Netherlands by area. It lies in the east and centre of the country and is very varied, ranging from the forests and hills of the Veluwe to the river landscape around cities such as Arnhem and Nijmegen.
Which province is the youngest?
Flevoland is the youngest province of the Netherlands, created in 1986. It consists largely of reclaimed land won during the twentieth century from the former Zuiderzee. Its capital Lelystad and the city of Almere both sit on this drained seabed.
What is the best way to learn the provinces of the Netherlands?
The most fun and fastest way to learn the provinces of the Netherlands is by playing, with the free helicopter in Toponauts. You fly across the map and place each province in the right spot yourself, at your own pace — great for children practising geography and adults brushing up.