Leiden

Leiden
Zijlpoort on the Zijlsingel
Zijlpoort on the Zijlsingel
Beestenmarkt
Beestenmarkt
Lokhorstkerk
Lokhorstkerk
Steenschuur
Steenschuur
Flag of Leiden
Coat of arms of Leiden
Nickname: 
Sleutelstad (Key City)
Highlighted position of Leiden in a municipal map of South Holland
Location in South Holland
Leiden is located in Netherlands
Leiden
Leiden
Location within the Netherlands
Leiden is located in Europe
Leiden
Leiden
Location within Europe
Coordinates: 52°10′N 4°29′E / 52.16°N 4.49°E / 52.16; 4.49
Country Netherlands
Province South Holland
Government
 • BodyMunicipal council
 • MayorPeter van der Velden (PvdA)
Area
 • Municipality23.27 km2 (8.98 sq mi)
 • Land21.91 km2 (8.46 sq mi)
 • Water1.36 km2 (0.53 sq mi)
Elevation0 m (0 ft)
Population
 (Municipality, January 2021; Urban and Metro, May 2014)[4][5]
 • Municipality124,093
 • Density5,664/km2 (14,670/sq mi)
 • Urban
238,493
 • Metro
344,299
DemonymLeidenaar
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postcode
2300–2334
Area code071
WebsiteOfficial website Edit this at Wikidata
Map
Click on the map for a fullscreen view
Topographic map of Leiden

Leiden (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈlɛidə(n)] ; in English and archaic Dutch also Leyden) is a city and municipality in the province of South Holland, Netherlands. The municipality of Leiden has a population of 127,046 (31 January 2023),[6] but the city forms one densely connected agglomeration with its suburbs Oegstgeest, Leiderdorp, Voorschoten and Zoeterwoude with 215,602 inhabitants. The Netherlands Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) further includes Katwijk in the agglomeration which makes the total population of the Leiden urban agglomeration 282,207 and in the larger Leiden urban area also Teylingen, Noordwijk, and Noordwijkerhout are included with in total 365,913 inhabitants. Leiden is located on the Oude Rijn, at a distance of some 20 km (12 mi) from The Hague to its south and some 40 km (25 mi) from Amsterdam to its north. The recreational area of the Kaag Lakes (Kagerplassen) lies just to the northeast of Leiden.

A university city since 1575, Leiden has been one of Europe's most prominent scientific centres for more than four centuries. Leiden is a typical university city, university buildings are scattered throughout the city and the many students from all over the world give the city a bustling, vivid and international atmosphere. Many important scientific discoveries have been made here, giving rise to Leiden's motto: 'City of Discoveries'. The city houses Leiden University, the oldest university of the Netherlands, and Leiden University Medical Center. Leiden University is one of Europe's top universities, with thirteen Nobel Prize winners. It is a member of the League of European Research Universities and positioned highly in all international academic rankings. It is twinned with Oxford, the location of the United Kingdom's oldest university. Leiden University and Leiden University of Applied Sciences (Leidse Hogeschool) together have around 35,000 students. Modern scientific medical research and teaching started in the early 18th century in Leiden with Boerhaave.

Leiden is a city with a rich cultural heritage, not only in science, but also in the arts. One of the world's most famous painters, Rembrandt, was born and educated in Leiden. Other Leiden painters include Lucas van Leyden, Jan van Goyen and Jan Steen.

  1. ^ "College van burgemeester en wethouders" [Board of mayor and aldermen] (in Dutch). Gemeente Leiden. Archived from the original on 8 July 2013. Retrieved 8 August 2013.
  2. ^ "Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2020" [Key figures for neighbourhoods 2020]. StatLine (in Dutch). CBS. 24 July 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  3. ^ "Postcodetool for 2312AT". Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (in Dutch). Het Waterschapshuis. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 8 August 2013.
  4. ^ "Bevolkingsontwikkeling; regio per maand" [Population growth; regions per month]. CBS Statline (in Dutch). CBS. 1 January 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  5. ^ "Bevolkingsontwikkeling; Regionale kerncijfers Nederland" [Regional core figures Netherlands]. CBS Statline (in Dutch). CBS. 1 January 2020. Retrieved 8 March 2021.
  6. ^ "Population of Cities in Netherlands (2021)". worldpopulationreview.com. Archived from the original on 31 August 2021. Retrieved 11 July 2021.