The Hague Map

Description:

Description:

The Hague (Den Haag in Dutch) is the third-largest city in the Netherlands, located on the western coast of the country in the province of South Holland. With a population of approximately 565,000 residents (2024), it serves as the seat of government for the Netherlands, although Amsterdam is the official capital. The city's history dates back to the 13th century when Count Floris IV built a hunting lodge in the area.

As a global hub for international law and diplomacy, The Hague hosts numerous international courts and organizations. The most prominent among these are the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, housed in the iconic Peace Palace, and the International Criminal Court (ICC). The city is also home to the Permanent Court of Arbitration, Europol (the European Union's law enforcement agency), and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

The city's architectural landscape combines historical and modern elements. The Binnenhof, a complex of buildings in the city center, has been the seat of the States General, the Dutch parliament, since 1446 and represents one of the oldest parliament buildings still in use. The Mauritshuis, a 17th-century building, houses a renowned art museum featuring Dutch Golden Age paintings, including Vermeer's "Girl with a Pearl Earring" and works by Rembrandt.

The Hague's coastal district, Scheveningen, is the most popular seaside resort in the Netherlands. It features a long sandy beach, a historic pier, and numerous restaurants and entertainment venues. The area attracts millions of visitors annually and is particularly busy during summer months.

Transportation in The Hague is well-developed, with an extensive network of trams, buses, and trains connecting different parts of the city and providing links to other major Dutch cities. The main railway station, Den Haag Centraal, serves as a major transportation hub for the region. The city also promotes cycling, with numerous dedicated bike lanes and facilities, following the Dutch tradition of bicycle-friendly urban planning.

The city's economy is primarily service-based, with government operations, international organizations, and tourism being major sectors. The Hague is also home to several major Dutch corporations and hosts a significant number of international companies, particularly in the telecommunications and energy sectors. The World Trade Center The Hague serves as an important business center in the region.

Cultural attractions include the Gemeentemuseum (now known as Kunstmuseum Den Haag), which houses the world's largest collection of works by Piet Mondrian, and Madurodam, a miniature park featuring scale models of famous Dutch landmarks. The city also maintains numerous parks and green spaces, with the Haagse Bos (The Hague Forest) being one of the oldest forests in the country, dating back to the medieval period.