Gelderland

Gelderland is a major province located in the centre-east of the Netherlands. It is the largest province in the country when measuring by land area. While it is second in total area, its vast landscape makes it a vital part of the Dutch nation. The province shares borders with six other Dutch provinces: Flevoland, Limburg, North Brabant, Overijssel, South Holland, and Utrecht. It also shares a border with the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

The geography of Gelderland is divided into four distinct regions. In the north lies the Veluwe, which is the largest forest region in the Netherlands.

The southwest contains the Rivierenland, an area defined by many major rivers. This region includes the Betuwe, which is known for having a significant amount of fruit orchards. The east is home to the Achterhoek, a name that literally means the "back corner." Finally, the centre-south contains the city-region of Arnhem and Nijmegen.

History shows that Gelderland has been a powerful territory for many centuries. The province takes its name from the nearby German city of Geldern. According to the Wichard saga, the Lords of Pont killed a dragon in 878 AD. They reportedly named the town they founded after the dragon's death-rattle, calling it "Gelre!" The County of Guelders emerged from the Frankish pagus Hamaland during the 11th century. This territory grew through the control of the Rhine, Waal, Meuse, and IJssel rivers. In 1339, the Holy Roman Emperor Louis IV raised the countship to a duchy.

The political status of the region changed frequently through various eras. The duchy was once part of the Burgundian-Habsburg hereditary lands after 1543. Later, the province joined the Union of Utrecht in 1579 during a revolt against Spain. Gelderland saw many different rulers, including the French Empire and the Kingdom of Holland. In 1815, it officially became a province of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. During the Second World War, the province was the site of heavy fighting. This occurred during the Battle of Arnhem, involving Allied Paratroopers and German forces.

Today, Gelderland is a highly populated and economically significant region. As of January 2023, the population was approximately 2,134,000 people. The capital is Arnhem, though Nijmegen and Apeldoorn are larger municipalities. The economy is quite robust, contributing significantly to the national wealth. In 2018, the gross domestic product (GDP) of the region was €78.3 billion. This amount accounted for 10.1% of the total economic output of the Netherlands. The GDP per capita was €33,000, which was 110% of the EU27 average.

Culture and infrastructure provide many opportunities for residents and visitors. The province contains many museums, such as the Netherlands Open Air Museum and the Kröller-Müller Museum. Large theatres like the Stadsschouwburg in Nijmegen and Orpheus in Apeldoorn host many events. For music lovers, there are venues like Luxor Live and the GelreDome stadium. The province also supports active lifestyles with over 5,000 kilometers of cycle paths. Many tourists visit the municipalities of Renkum and Overbetuwe to see historical sites. These sites include the John Frost Bridge and the Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery.

The social makeup of the province is diverse in terms of belief and organization. In 2015, 23.2% of the population belonged to the Protestant Church in the Netherlands. About 21.6% were Roman Catholic, while 3.6% were Muslim. Another 5.3% adhered to other faiths or churches. Interestingly, nearly half of the population, or 46.3%, identified as non-religious. The province is organized into 51 municipalities, which are grouped into four COROP administrative units. These groups help manage the different needs of the Veluwe, Achterhoek, Rivierenland, and the central city-regions.