About the province
Welcome to the province of Groningen!
The northernmost province of the Netherlands is known for a combination of wide open space, proud local history and society, and strong business sectors. It is also known for having the cleanest air and the richest cultural offering in the whole of the Netherlands!
Recently, the province of Groningen has been in the news because of its leading role in the energy transition, and strong growth in digital and bio-based economic sectors. Need we say more?
Some of the most remarkable recent developments in the province
- Home to a massive Google data centre at the Eemshaven. The first one in the world to run completely on renewable energy!
- Co-home (with Rotterdam) to the Global Centre on Adaptation
- Home to the New Energy Coalition, housed in the most sustainable education building in the Netherlands, the Energy Academy
- Home to the fastest growing start-up campus in the Netherlands
- Home to the largest potato starch producer worldwide - AVEBE - a cooperative of around 2500 farmers and as far as we know, the only place in the world to hold a potato harvest festival
- Home to World Heritage site Wadden Sea, the world largest tidal flats in the world
- Groningen has the richest cultural life of all Dutch provinces, according to this recent national cultural index (results in Dutch)
- Groningen does not only has the cleanest air in the Netherlands, the province is also in the top five in Europe for air quality satisfaction, according to the European Commission’s 2015 report
Facts and figures
- Population: approx. 580 000
- Population density: 242 people per square kilometer
- Biggest age group: 20 - 50 years old
- Number of medieval churches in the province: approx. 100
Provincial role
The overall administrative structure of the Netherlands is comprised of three layers: the central Government (the state), the provinces and the municipalities. The province is responsible for legislation, for which the state is too big and the municipalities too small. In short, the provinces are the link between the state and the municipalities.
You can find out more about the provincial economy on the Groningen economy site and more about business on this portal.
Visit Groningen
Do you want to visit Groningen during a holiday or a day out? Have a look at Visit Groningen. Here you will find all the information you need about the best places to visit in Groningen, the most beautiful walking and cycling routes and the tastiest regional products. You will get enough inspiration to start exploring Groningen.