Groningen, Administrative province in Northern Netherlands
Groningen is an administrative province in the northern part of the Netherlands that encompasses flat terrain with agricultural fields, waterways, and a coastline along the Wadden Sea. The landscape spreads across wide fields and polders protected by dikes.
This territory emerged as a united province in 1795 after the city of Groningen and the surrounding Ommelanden districts had been separate for centuries. Before unification, both sides often competed with each other and struggled for political influence.
This territory speaks Gronings, a Low Saxon language that remains alive in villages and small towns across the region. Visitors notice the strong accent and particular expressions that differ markedly from standard Dutch.
Several border crossings connect the province with Germany to the east, while highways such as the A7 and A28 enable travel within the territory. Cycling paths run through the flat landscape and offer easy orientation over long distances.
The Veenkolonien in the eastern part of the territory produce large amounts of straw that local factories process into strawboard for construction purposes. This material production takes place outside the main agricultural season and uses the harvest from the wide fields.
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