Drenthe Maps

Drenthe is the northeastern province of the Netherlands, bordered by Groningen to the north, Friesland to the northwest, Overijssel to the south, and Germany to the east. The province covers an area of 1,030 square miles (2,680 square kilometers), making it the fifth-largest province in the Netherlands.

The province's capital is Assen, with approximately 67,000 inhabitants. Other major cities include Emmen, the largest city in the province with around 107,000 residents, and Hoogeveen with 55,000 inhabitants. The total population of Drenthe stands at roughly 500,000 people, making it the least populous province in the Netherlands.

Drenthe's economy traditionally centered on agriculture and dairy farming, but has diversified significantly in recent decades. The province now hosts numerous industrial parks, technology companies, and service-sector businesses. The TT Circuit Assen, famous for hosting the Dutch TT motorcycle racing event, contributes significantly to the local economy. The region also maintains strong agricultural activities, particularly in potato cultivation and dairy production.

Tourism plays a vital role in Drenthe's economy. The province features numerous prehistoric hunebedden (dolmens), with 52 of the Netherlands' 54 remaining megalithic tombs located within its borders. The Dwingeloo Radio Observatory, one of the oldest operational radio telescopes in the world, attracts scientific interest. Nature enthusiasts visit the province for its three national parks: Dwingelderveld, Drents-Friese Wold, and De Meinweg. The extensive network of cycling paths through forests, heath lands, and rural areas makes Drenthe popular among cycling tourists.

The province maintains well-preserved villages featuring traditional Saxon architecture, and museums like the Drents Museum in Assen showcase regional history and international exhibitions. The area's peat bogs and ancient moorlands provide insights into the Netherlands' geological past.

The Facts:
Capital: Emmen.
Area: 1,030 sq mi (2,680 sq km).
Population: ~ 502,120 (2022).
Largest cities: Emmen, Assen, Hoogeveen, Coevorden, Midden-Drenthe, Meppel, Tynaarlo, Noordenveld, Borger-Odoorn, Aa en Hunze, De Wolden, Westerveld.