South Holland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
South Holland
Zuid-Holland
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| Motto(s):
"Vigilate Deo confidentes" (Latin)
"Watch, trusting in God" |
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| Anthem: "Lied van Zuid-Holland" (Dutch) "Song of South Holland" |
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Location of South Holland in the Netherlands
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| Country |  Netherlands |
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| Established | 1840 (split-up of Holland) | ||
| Capital | The Hague | ||
| Largest city | Rotterdam | ||
| Area
(2017)
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| • Total | 3,419 km2 (1,320 sq mi) | ||
| • Land | 2,814 km2 (1,086 sq mi) | ||
| • Water | 605 km2 (234 sq mi) | ||
| Area rank | 6th | ||
| Population
(1 November 2019)
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| • Total | 3,705,625 | ||
| • Rank | 1st | ||
| • Density | 1,317/km2 (3,410/sq mi) | ||
| • Density rank | 1st | ||
| ISO 3166 code | NL-ZH | ||
| GDP (nominal) | 2016 | ||
| - Total | €151 billion/ USD 160 billion | ||
| - Per capita | €41,000/ USD 44,000 | ||
| HDI (2017) | 0.932 very high · 3rd |
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| Website | www.zuid-holland.nl | ||
South Holland is a province located in the western part of the Netherlands. In Dutch, it is known as Zuid-Holland. This province is bordered by the North Sea and other Dutch provinces like North Holland, Utrecht, Guelders, North Brabant, and Zeeland.
About 3.7 million people live in South Holland, making it the most populated province in the Netherlands. Its two largest cities are Rotterdam and The Hague. The Hague is the official capital of the province. It is also where the Dutch government and parliament are located, making it the administrative center of the entire country.
Contents
Major Cities in South Holland
Rotterdam: Europe's Largest Port
Rotterdam is home to the biggest port in all of Europe. This port is a very important place for trade and shipping around the world.
Historic Towns and Modern Cities
Cities like Leiden, Gouda, and Delft are famous for their old town centers. These areas have many historic buildings that show what life was like long ago. On the other hand, Zoetermeer is a much newer city. Most of its buildings were constructed in the 1970s. Another important city in the province is Dordrecht.
Unique Landscapes of South Holland
South Holland features some landscapes that are very typical of the Netherlands.
The Bollenstreek: Flower Fields
Near Leiden, you'll find a region called the Bollenstreek, which means "bulb district." In the spring, this area becomes a colorful wonderland. Many large fields are covered with blooming flowers, especially tulips. These are known as bulb fields.
Kinderdijk: Windmills Galore
Close to Rotterdam, there is a small village named Kinderdijk. This village is famous for having 19 windmills standing close to each other. They are a UNESCO World Heritage site and show how people used to manage water levels in the past.
Westland: Greenhouses Everywhere
The area south of The Hague is called Westland. This region is filled with many greenhouses. These greenhouses are used to grow a lot of fruits, vegetables, and flowers, which are then sent all over the world.
Islands and Waterways
The southern part of South Holland has many islands. The biggest islands include Voorne-Putten, Goeree-Overflakkee, IJsselmonde, the Hoeksche Waard, and the island of Dordrecht. These large islands are connected to the mainland and each other by bridges and tunnels, making travel easy.
The most important rivers and other bodies of water in the province are the Nieuwe Maas, Nieuwe Waterweg, Oude Maas, Haringvliet, and Hollands Diep. These waterways are vital for shipping and for managing water in the low-lying Dutch landscape.
Pictures of South Holland
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The liberation of Leiden in 1574
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The Binnenhof by the Hofvijver, 1625
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The centre of Rotterdam in ruins after the Rotterdam Blitz in 1940
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Map of South Holland, 2019
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A topographic map of South Holland as of 2013
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A satellite image of the Rhine–Meuse–Scheldt delta, showing the islands of South Holland
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Port of Rotterdam by night
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Flower fields near Lisse
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See also
In Spanish: Provincia de Holanda Meridional para niños
