Editing Groningen (province) (section)

== Geography ==
[[File:Groningen 6.70672E 53.23944N.jpg|thumb|Satellite image of Groningen]]
[[File:Overzicht van de molen, gezien vanaf het weiland - Fransum - 20420708 - RCE.jpg|thumb|The land is flat and 80% of it is used for agriculture]]
[[File:Grainrepublic.jpg|thumb|[[Wheat]] field near [[Nieuw-Beerta]] in the [[Oldambt (region)|Oldambt]]]]
[[File:Wadlopen bij Pieterburen 02a.jpg|thumb|[[Mudflat hiking|Mudflat hikers]] during low tide on the [[Wadden Sea]] near [[Pieterburen]]]]

Groningen is situated at {{coord|53|15|N|6|44|E|region:NL-GR}} in the northeast of the [[Netherlands]]. To the west is the province [[Friesland]], to the south is the province [[Drenthe]], to the east the German districts are [[Leer (district)|Leer]] and [[Emsland]] in the state [[Lower Saxony]], and to the north the [[North Sea]], [[Ems (river)|Ems]], and [[Dollart]]. The [[Extreme points of the Netherlands|northernmost point of the Netherlands]] is on [[Rottumerplaat]]<ref name="extremepoints">{{in lang|nl}} [http://www.oudestafkaarten.nl/uitersten.htm Uitersten], Oude stafkaarten verzamelen. Retrieved on 2 June 2014.</ref> at {{coord|53|33|18|N|6|28|41|E|region:NL-GR}}; the [[Extreme points of the Netherlands|easternmost point of the Netherlands]] is in [[Bad Nieuweschans]]<ref name="extremepoints"/> at {{coord|53|10|49|N|7|13|40|E|region:NL-GR}}.

Groningen is the [[Provinces of the Netherlands|7th largest province]] of the Netherlands. It has a total area of {{convert|2955|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, with {{convert|2316|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} of land and {{convert|639|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} of water. About 80% of the land or {{convert|1876|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} is used for [[agriculture]]. The rest of the land is: 9% or {{convert|158|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} of [[urban area|built-up]] or semi built-up area, 6% or {{convert|144|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} of nature, 3% or {{convert|66|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} of infrastructure, and 2% or {{convert|43|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} of recreational area.<ref name="area">{{in lang|nl}} [http://statline.cbs.nl/StatWeb/publication/?VW=T&DM=SLNL&PA=70262ned&D1=0-1,5,11,18,24,27,31,41&D2=5-16&D3=l&HD=140414-0032&HDR=T&STB=G1,G2 Bodemgebruik; uitgebreide gebruiksvorm, per gemeente], [[Statistics Netherlands]], 2013. Retrieved on 14 April 2014.</ref>

The land in Groningen is flat. A large area of the province is below sea level.<ref>[http://www.rug.nl/about-us/who-are-we/discover-groningen/groningenprovince/ Groningen province], [[University of Groningen]], 2012. Retrieved on 14 April 2014.</ref> The Hasseberg near [[Sellingen]] of {{convert|14.6|m|ft|abbr=on}} above sea level is the highest point.<ref>{{in lang|nl}} [http://www.rtvnoord.nl/groningeninbeeld/index.asp?pid=533 Hasseberg (Gemeente Vlagtwedde)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140415093926/http://www.rtvnoord.nl/groningeninbeeld/index.asp?pid=533 |date=15 April 2014 }}, [[RTV Noord]], 2011. Retrieved on 14 April 2014.</ref>

The [[Groningen gas field]] near [[Slochteren]] is the [[List of natural gas fields|8th largest]]<ref>Rafael Sandrea, [http://www.ipc66.com/publications/global_natural_gas_reserves-a_heuristic_viewpoint.pdf Global Natural Gas Reserves – A Heuristic Viewpoint] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304095450/http://www.ipc66.com/publications/global_natural_gas_reserves-a_heuristic_viewpoint.pdf |date=4 March 2016 }}, IPC Petroleum Consultants, 2005. Retrieved on 14 April 2014.</ref> [[natural gas field]] in the world. Since 1986, the exploitation of this gas field [[List of earthquakes in the Netherlands#Induced earthqakes|has caused earthquakes]] in the region with [[Moment magnitude scale|magnitude]]s up to 3.6.<ref name="earthquakes">{{in lang|nl}} [http://www.knmi.nl/cms/content/22993/aardbevingen_door_gaswinning_in_noord-nederland Aardbevingen door gaswinning in Noord-Nederland], [[Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute]], 2013. Retrieved on 27 January 2014.</ref>

In the [[Wadden Sea]] of Groningen, a [[World Heritage Site|UNESCO World Heritage Site]] since 2009,<ref>[https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1314/ The Wadden Sea], [[UNESCO World Heritage Centre]]. Retrieved on 14 April 2014.</ref> are the sandbank [[Simonszand]] and the natural reserve [[Rottum (island group)|Rottum]] consisting of the three uninhabited islands [[Rottumeroog]], Rottumerplaat, and [[Zuiderduintjes]]. The national park [[Lauwersmeer National Park|Lauwersmeer]] ([[International Union for Conservation of Nature|IUCN]] category II) is located on the border between Groningen and Friesland.

=== Subdivisions ===
The province of Groningen is also called ''[[Groningen|Stad]] en [[Ommelanden]]'', which means the city of Groningen and its surrounding lands, which are the historical regions of [[Fivelingo]], [[Hunsingo]], [[Oldambt (region)|Oldambt]], [[Westerkwartier]], and [[Westerwolde (region)|Westerwolde]].<ref>Bernardus Mourik, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=g941AAAAMAAJ Staatkundige historie van Holland]'' (in Dutch), 1768, vol. 25, pp. 7–9. Retrieved 2 June 2014.</ref>

The province ([[Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics]] or NUTS level 2) is divided into three [[COROP]] regions (NUTS level 3): East Groningen, Delfzijl and surroundings, and the rest of Groningen. The COROP regions are used for statistical purposes.<ref>[http://www.cbs.nl/NR/rdonlyres/650CB3FA-A552-4809-87F0-3E3B0875C3E9/0/2013corop.pdf Indeling van Nederland in 40 COROP-gebieden] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105233549/https://www.cbs.nl/NR/rdonlyres/650CB3FA-A552-4809-87F0-3E3B0875C3E9/0/2013corop.pdf |date=5 January 2018 }} (in Dutch), [[Statistics Netherlands]]. Retrieved 25 March 2014.</ref>

The province is also divided into ten [[List of municipalities of the Netherlands|municipalities]], each with its own local government. Currently, [[Groningen]] is the most populated and most densely populated municipality,<ref name="munpops"/><ref name="munareas"/> containing the largest city.<ref name="munareas"/>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Municipality !! Population<ref name="munpops">{{Dutch municipality population|dataref}}</ref>!! Total Area<ref name="munareas">{{Dutch municipality total area|dataref}}</ref>!! Population density<ref name="munpops"/><ref name="munareas"/> !! COROP Region
|-
|[[Eemsdelta]] || align="right" | || align="center" | || align="center" | || Delfzijl and surroundings
|-
|[[Groningen]] || align="right" | {{formatnum:{{Dutch municipality population|Groningen}}}} || align="center" | {{convert|{{Dutch municipality total area|Groningen}}|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}} || align="center" | {{convert|{{Dutch municipality population density|Groningen}}|/km2|/sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}} || Rest of Groningen
|-
|[[Het Hogeland]] || align="right" | <!--{{formatnum:{{Dutch municipality population|Het Hogeland}}}}--> || align="center" | <!--{{convert|{{Dutch municipality total area|Het Hogeland}}|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}}--> || align="center" | <!--{{convert|{{Dutch municipality population density|Het Hogeland}}|/km2|/sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}}--> || Rest of Groningen
|-
|[[Midden-Groningen]] || align="right" | <!--{{formatnum:{{Dutch municipality population|Midden-Groningen}}}}--> || align="center" | <!--{{convert|{{Dutch municipality total area|Midden-Groningen}}|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}}--> || align="center" | <!--{{convert|{{Dutch municipality population density|Midden-Groningen}}|/km2|/sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}}--> || Rest of Groningen
|-
|[[Oldambt (municipality)|Oldambt]] || align="right" | {{formatnum:{{Dutch municipality population|Oldambt}}}} || align="center" | {{convert|{{Dutch municipality total area|Oldambt}}|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}} || align="center" | {{convert|{{Dutch municipality population density|Oldambt}}|/km2|/sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}} || East Groningen
|-
|[[Pekela]] || align="right" | {{formatnum:{{Dutch municipality population|Pekela}}}} || align="center" | {{convert|{{Dutch municipality total area|Pekela}}|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}} || align="center" | {{convert|{{Dutch municipality population density|Pekela}}|/km2|/sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}} || East Groningen
|-
|[[Stadskanaal]] || align="right" | {{formatnum:{{Dutch municipality population|Stadskanaal}}}} || align="center" | {{convert|{{Dutch municipality total area|Stadskanaal}}|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}} || align="center" | {{convert|{{Dutch municipality population density|Stadskanaal}}|/km2|/sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}} || East Groningen
|-
|[[Veendam]] || align="right" | {{formatnum:{{Dutch municipality population|Veendam}}}} || align="center" | {{convert|{{Dutch municipality total area|Veendam}}|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}} || align="center" | {{convert|{{Dutch municipality population density|Veendam}}|/km2|/sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}} || East Groningen
|-
|[[Westerkwartier (municipality)|Westerkwartier]] || align="right" | <!--{{formatnum:{{Dutch municipality population|Westerwolde}}}}--> || align="center" | <!--{{convert|{{Dutch municipality total area|Westerwolde}}|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}}--> || align="center" | <!--{{convert|{{Dutch municipality population density|Westerwolde}}|/km2|/sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}}--> || Rest of Groningen
|-
|[[Westerwolde (municipality)|Westerwolde]] || align="right" | <!--{{formatnum:{{Dutch municipality population|Westerwolde}}}}--> || align="center" | <!--{{convert|{{Dutch municipality total area|Westerwolde}}|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}}--> || align="center" | <!--{{convert|{{Dutch municipality population density|Westerwolde}}|/km2|/sqmi|abbr=on|sortable=on}}--> || East Groningen
|}

=== Climate ===
The province of Groningen has an [[oceanic climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]]: Cfb).

{{Weather box <!-- Infobox begins -->
|metric first=yes
|single line=yes
|location=[[Nieuw-Beerta]] (1981–2010 averages)
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|Jan high C=4.7
|Feb high C=5.6
|Mar high C=9.2
|Apr high C=13.9
|May high C=17.3
|Jun high C=20.0
|Jul high C=22.7
|Aug high C=22.7
|Sep high C=18.8
|Oct high C=13.6
|Nov high C=8.5
|Dec high C=4.7
|year high C=13.5
<!-- Mean daily temperature -->
|Jan mean C=2.3
|Feb mean C=2.7
|Mar mean C=5.3
|Apr mean C=8.7
|May mean C=12.2
|Jun mean C=14.9
|Jul mean C=17.4
|Aug mean C=17.4
|Sep mean C=14.2
|Oct mean C=9.8
|Nov mean C=6.0
|Dec mean C=2.4
|year mean C=9.5
<!-- Average low temperatures -->
|Jan low C=-0.2
|Feb low C=-0.2
|Mar low C=1.4
|Apr low C=3.5
|May low C=6.9
|Jun low C=9.4
|Jul low C=12.1
|Aug low C=12.1
|Sep low C=9.9
|Oct low C=6.3
|Nov low C=3.3
|Dec low C=-0.1
|year low C=5.4
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|humidity colour=  <!-- Enter "green" for green humidity colors, "pastel" for pastel humidity colours, "none" for no colours, remove this line for blue coloring. -->
|Jan humidity=90
|Feb humidity=89
|Mar humidity=85
|Apr humidity=80
|May humidity=80
|Jun humidity=82
|Jul humidity=82
|Aug humidity=81
|Sep humidity=85
|Oct humidity=88
|Nov humidity=92
|Dec humidity=92
|year humidity=86
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<!-- Average monthly sunshine hours, monthly totals are preferred, and will produce colours, but percentages are accepted. Use either the monthly or daily sunshine (depending on the source) but not both. -->
|Jan sun=N/A
|Feb sun=N/A
|Mar sun=134.3
|Apr sun=187.2
|May sun=222.4
|Jun sun=208.4
|Jul sun=215.8
|Aug sun=189.9
|Sep sun=149.3
|Oct sun=120.1
|Nov sun=60.3
|Dec sun=59.6
|year sun=N/A
<!-- Average percent of possible sunshine. Number of daylight hours already factored into this number. Note that since this is possible sunshine, nighttime hours should not be included in this calculation. Will produce colors. -->
|Jan percentsun=N/A
|Feb percentsun=N/A
|Mar percentsun=36
|Apr percentsun=45
|May percentsun=45
|Jun percentsun=41
|Jul percentsun=42
|Aug percentsun=42
|Sep percentsun=39
|Oct percentsun=37
|Nov percentsun=23
|Dec percentsun=25
|year percentsun=N/A
<!-- Mandatory fields, source -->
|source 1= [[Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute]]<ref>{{in lang|nl}} [http://www.klimaatatlas.nl/tabel/stationsdata/klimtab_8110_286.pdf Nieuw Beerta, langjarige gemiddelden, tijdvak 1981-2010], [[Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute]]. Retrieved on 25 March 2014.</ref>
}}<!-- Infobox ends -->