The Hague

The Hague is one of the most important political and administrative centers of the Netherlands. The city has an estimated population of about 579,840 inhabitants (2026 estimate). Located on the North Sea coast in the province of South Holland, The Hague serves as the seat of the Dutch government and parliament, although the constitutional capital of the country is Amsterdam. The city’s origins date back to the 13th century when a hunting residence of the Counts of Holland was built around what is now the Binnenhof. Over time, the settlement developed into a major political center of the Dutch Republic and later the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Today The Hague is also known internationally as a center of diplomacy and international law, hosting institutions such as the International Court of Justice. The city is rich in cultural landmarks, including the Mauritshuis, an art museum famous for masterpieces of Dutch Golden Age painting. Notable figures born in The Hague include the scientist Christiaan Huygens, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, and film director Paul Verhoeven.