About Noord-Holland
The province of Noord-Holland is 1 of the 12 provinces the Netherlands consists of. From an economic point of view it is arguably the most vital part of the Dutch economy. The province holds a strong international position in various fields.
Explainer about the province of Noord-Holland.
Home to international business
The traditional open community of the coastal province of Noord-Holland, has always attracted companies and people from all over the world. At the moment the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area alone counts 3,100 international companies and is home to 170 nationalities.
Flourishing economy
The second most densely populated province of the Netherlands can be roughly divided into 2 economic areas: the ‘North’, with a focus on innovative agriculture and horticulture, maritime and offshore, energy, life science, health and water. The ‘South’ is specialised in IT & media, creative industry, logistics, food & flowers and finance.
Tourist hot spot
To many foreign visitors and inhabitants Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is the touristic highlight of the province of Noord-Holland. Although Amsterdam attracts approximately 6 of the in total 8,4 million annual tourists in this area, Noord-Holland has much more to offer. Here is a list of tourist information services:
King’s Commissioner in the province of Noord-Holland
Arthur van Dijk has been the King’s Commissioner in the province of Noord-Holland since 7 January 2019. Van Dijk chairs the Provincial Council, the 55 people’s representatives in charge of the provincial policies.
| Capital | Haarlem |
| Land | 2.665 km² (2019) |
| Number of municipalities | 44 (2022) |
| Number of houses | 1.376.949 (2022) |
| Number of inhabitants p/ km² | 1071 (2019) |
| Population | 2.911.054 (2022) |
| Amsterdam | 883.939 (2022) |
| Haarlem | 162.899 (2022) |
| Zaanstad | 157.131 (2022) |
| Haarlemmermeer | 159.334 (2022) |
| Gross regional product | € 171.053 million (2020) |
| Amsterdam Metropolitan Area | € 155.685 million (2020) |
| Working population | 1.623.000 (2020) |
| Commercial services | 1.007.910 (2021) |
| Non-commercial services | 460.970 (2021) |
| Construction services | 180.080 (2021) |
| Agriculture | 20.710 (2021) |
| Number of companies (total) | 385.630 (2021) |
| Amsterdam | 1173.760 (2021) |
| Northern area | 60.710 (2021) |
| Southern area | 324.920 (2021) |
| Number of foreign companies | 3,100 (2016) |
| Amsterdam Metropolitan Area | 2,300 (2013) |
| Number of foreign tourists | 2,4 million (2021) |
| Amsterdam | 1,7 million (2021) |
