Southern Netherlands

The Southern Netherlands is distinct for its Catholic culture in Limburg and North Brabant. Zeeland is also a part of it, and is mostly known for its historic efforts to tame the sea. The rolling landscape of South Limburg is a popular getaway for the locals.

Regions

Limburg (North Limburg, South Limburg) Unlike the rest of the country, the south of Limburg is a hilly territory

North Brabant Catholic bastion of the Netherlands with cozy historic towns

Zeeland Sea and beach resorts, with the Delta Works as a monument of the Dutch struggle against the water

Cities

• Breda
• Eindhoven
• Flushing
• Heerlen
• Helmond
• 's-Hertogenbosch
• Maastricht
• Middelburg
• Roermond
• Tilburg
• Venlo
• Weert

Other destinations

• Biesbosch National Park — one of the last freshwater tide areas in Europe
• Delta Works — the enormous storm surge barriers that finally ended the country's struggle against the sea
• Efteling — theme park with fantasy elements like elves and dwarves
• South Limburg — hilly green landscapes, picturesque villages, castles and orchards

Understand

Catholicism

The southern provinces have historically been the Roman Catholic area of the Netherlands, in contrast with Protestantism in the north of the country. That's still well visible in the architecture of churches and cathedrals, as well as in city centers. Nowadays, Catholicism is still the predominant religion in Limburg (where over 75% of people call themselves Catholic) and Brabant (just over half). It's said that the Catholic way of life brings a more bourgondic lifestyle to these provinces, especially in Limburg.

Try not to refer to the country as "Holland" here, as people from the south live in the Netherlands, and Holland is often a synonym for the more northern and western parts.

See

Take a look at the Delta Works, an engineering project that finally ended the Dutch' centuries' struggle against the sea. The most accessible storm surge barrier (with a visitor's centre) is the Oosterscheldekering at the Deltapark Neeltje Jans.

Eat

In Limburg Rommedoe or Hervé-kaas is a tasty but strong smelling cheese, which goes very well with 'sjrup' ( a sour-sweet apple syrup), black bread and a local beer.

Stay safe

On 05-01-2012 koffieshops became closed clubs. Only inhabitants of The Netherlands can become member.

Get out

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