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Groningen (province)

geography Maturity 7-9 Next article →

Groningen is a province located in the northeast of the Netherlands.

Groningen 6.70672E 53.23944N
Groningen 6.70672E 53.23944N

It sits near the Wadden Sea to the north. To the east, it borders the German state of Lower Saxony. The province of Friesland is to the west, and Drenthe is to the south.

Groningen Provinciehuis 1266
Groningen Provinciehuis 1266

It is the seventh largest province in the country. The total area is 3,300 square kilometers. Most of this area is land, but some is water.

Overzicht van de molen, gezien vanaf het weiland - Fransum - 20420708 - RCE
Overzicht van de molen, gezien vanaf het weiland - Fransum - 20420708 - RCE

The land in Groningen is very flat. A large part of the province is actually below sea level. About 80% of the land is used for agriculture.

Grainrepublic
Grainrepublic

Farmers use this land to grow many different crops. The highest point is the Hasseberg near Sellingen. It is only 6 meters above sea level. The province also has important sea ports.

120815 Haven Delfzijl Gn NL
120815 Haven Delfzijl Gn NL

You can find these ports in Delfzijl and Eemshaven. They help many ships move goods through the region.

History has shaped Groningen in many different ways. Long ago, the area was part of Frisia and the Frankish Empire.

Groningen (afbeeldinge der stadt Groningen met omliggende fortressen) - Haubois, 1652
Groningen (afbeeldinge der stadt Groningen met omliggende fortressen) - Haubois, 1652

In the 14th century, the city of Groningen joined the Hanseatic League. This was a group of important trading towns. Later, the city was conquered from the Spanish in 1594. During World War II, the area saw much fighting.

Canadian soldiers during the Battle of Groningen
Canadian soldiers during the Battle of Groningen

In April 1945, Canadian soldiers fought to liberate the city. This helped bring peace back to the northern provinces.

There are many interesting facts about life in Groningen. The province has about 596,000 people living there.

20080430 Hoofdstation Groningen NL
20080430 Hoofdstation Groningen NL

The city of Groningen is the largest place and the capital. It is home to the University of Groningen.

090529 Academiegebouw Groningen NL
090529 Academiegebouw Groningen NL

In 1959, people discovered a huge natural gas field near Slochteren. It is one of the largest in the world. However, taking the gas out has caused some small earthquakes. These quakes have reached a magnitude of 3.6.

Visitors can find many things to see and do. The Wadden Sea is a special UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Wadlopen bij Pieterburen 02a
Wadlopen bij Pieterburen 02a

It has sandbanks and small, uninhabited islands. People can also visit the colorful Groninger Museum.

Groninger Museum 2
Groninger Museum 2

If you are hungry, you might try local foods. Some traditional treats include dried sausage and krentjebrij. You might even hear people speaking the local Gronings dialect.

This makes the province a very unique place to explore.

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🖼️ Images & Media (19)
Nl Grönnens Laid.ogg
File:Groningen (afbeeldinge der stadt Groningen met omliggende fortressen) - Haubois, 1652.jpg
Groningen (afbeeldinge der stadt...
File:Canadian soldiers during the Battle of Groningen.jpg
Canadian soldiers during the Battle of...
File:Groningen 6.70672E 53.23944N.jpg
Groningen 6.70672E 53.23944N.jpg
File:Overzicht van de molen, gezien vanaf het weiland - Fransum - 20420708 - RCE.jpg
Overzicht van de molen, gezien vanaf het...
File:Grainrepublic.jpg
Grainrepublic.jpg
File:Wadlopen bij Pieterburen 02a.jpg
Wadlopen bij Pieterburen 02a.jpg
File:Building University Medical Centre Groningen UMCG.png
Building University Medical Centre...
File:120815 Haven Delfzijl Gn NL.jpg
120815 Haven Delfzijl Gn NL.jpg
WIKITONGUES- Theo speaking Gronings.webm
File:Groninger metworst.JPG
Groninger metworst.JPG
File:Groninger Museum 2.jpg
Groninger Museum 2.jpg

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