Green heart of the Netherlands

Gelderland can justifiably be called the green heart of the Netherlands. With over five thousand square kilometres, it is not only the largest but also the greenest province. Gelderland’s landscape is also highly diverse, interspersed with dense forests, expansive moors and a classic Dutch river area. Hills, polders and rolling farmland provide a pleasantly varied setting for modern cities and rural villages.

The central location and easy accessibility make Gelderland an attractive destination for a large number of tourists from within the Netherlands and abroad.

Gelderland is divided into six regions, each of which reflects the diversity of the province.

Stadsregio Arnhem-Nijmegen lies at a strategic junction of national and international road, water and rail links. It is an attractive urban area known as the ‘cool region’, with Arnhem’s international fashion scene and the bustling nightlife of university city Nijmegen.

To the north of Arnhem lies Noord-Veluwe with its dense forests and grand moors. Here you will also find Het Loo Palace, the former summer residence of the Dutch royal family. Or visit the famous Kröller-Müller Museum in the national park De Hoge Veluwe, with works by Vincent van Gogh. To the east of this is the Apeldoorn-Deventer-Zutphen Stedendriehoek (‘City Triangle’), where the old city centres exude the aura of a bygone age. On the province’s eastern border is the Achterhoek with its charming mix of nature, agriculture and local economy.

In the southwest of Gelderland, the Rivierenland region has a more typically ‘Dutch’ character, with blossoming orchards, dykes, floodplains and magnificent views. The sixth region, the Gelderse Vallei, lies on the border with the province of Utrecht, and was originally a boggy area with characteristic ground moraines from the Ice Age.

Events
The dynamic character of the province of Gelderland is evident from the many annual (sporting) events. The most well-known are the International Four-day Marches in Nijmegen and the Airborne Memorials in Arnhem. However, Gelderland distinguishes itself primarily through the hospitality with which its inhabitants welcome visitors from home and abroad.