Editing Drenthe

{{short description|Province of the Netherlands}}
{{About|the Dutch province}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->
| name               = Province of Drenthe
| native_name        = {{native name|nl|Provincie Drenthe}}
| settlement_type    = [[Provinces of the Netherlands|Province]]
| image_flag         = Flag of Drenthe.svg
| flag_size          = 
| flag_alt           = 
| image_shield       = Coat of arms of Drenthe.svg
| shield_size        = 
| shield_alt         = 
| nickname           = 
| motto              = 
| anthem             = "Mien Drenthe"<br />"My Drenthe"
| image_map          = Drenthe in the Netherlands.svg
| map_alt            = 
| map_caption        = Location of Drenthe in the Netherlands
| image_map1         = Prov-Drenthe-OpenTopo.jpg
| map_caption1       = Topography map of Drenthe
| pushpin_map        = 
| pushpin_label_position = 
| pushpin_map_alt    = 
| pushpin_map_caption = 
| coordinates        = {{coord|52|55|N|6|35|E|type:adm1st|display=inline,title}}
| coor_pinpoint      = 
| coordinates_footnotes = 
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = [[Netherlands]]
| established_title  = 
| established_date   = 
| founder            = 
| seat_type          = Capital
| seat               = [[Assen]]
| seat1_type         = Largest city
| seat1              = [[Emmen, Netherlands|Emmen]]
| government_footnotes = 
| leader_party       = [[Labour Party (Netherlands)|PvdA]]
| leader_title       = [[King's Commissioner]]
| leader_name        = [[Jetta Klijnsma]]
| leader_title1      = Council
| leader_name1       = [[States of Drenthe]]
| unit_pref          = Metric
| area_footnotes     = &nbsp;(2023)<ref name="AC">[https://allecijfers.nl/provincie/drenthe/#100-onderwerpen Statistieken provincie Drenthe - Gegevens over meer dan 100 onderwerpen!], AlleCijfers.nl</ref>
| area_rank          = [[Provinces of the Netherlands|9th]]
| area_total_km2     = 2680
| area_land_km2      = 2633
| area_water_km2     = 48
| length_km          = 
| width_km           = 
| dimensions_footnotes = 
| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m        = 
| population_footnotes = <ref name="AC"/>
| population_total   = 502051
| population_rank    = [[Provinces of the Netherlands|10th]]
| population_as_of   = 1 January 2023
| population_density_km2 = 191
| population_density_rank = [[Provinces of the Netherlands|12th nationally]]
| population_demonym = 
| population_note    = 
| timezone1          = [[Central European Time|CET]]
| utc_offset1        = +1
| timezone1_DST      = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]
| utc_offset1_DST    = +2
| postal_code_type   = 
| postal_code        = 
| area_code_type     = 
| area_code          = 
| iso_code           = [[ISO 3166-2:NL|NL-DR]]
| demographics_type1 = GDP
| demographics1_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web | url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/databrowser/view/tgs00003/default/table?lang=en | title=EU regions by GDP, Eurostat|access-date=18 September 2023}}</ref>
| demographics1_title1 = Total
| demographics1_info1 = €16.388 billion
| demographics1_title2 = Per capita
| demographics1_info2 = €33,300
| blank_name_sec2    = [[Human Development Index|HDI]] (2021)
| blank_info_sec2    = 0.917<ref name="GlobalDataLab">{{Cite web|url=https://hdi.globaldatalab.org/areadata/shdi/|title=Sub-national HDI – Area Database – Global Data Lab|website=hdi.globaldatalab.org|language=en|access-date=13 September 2018}}</ref><br />{{color|green|very high}} · [[List of provinces of the Netherlands by Human Development Index|10th]]
| website            = {{URL|www.provincie.drenthe.nl}}
| footnotes          = 
| blank_emblem_type  = [[Brandmark]]
| image_blank_emblem = Drenthe.svg
| blank_emblem_size  = 120px
}}

'''Drenthe''' ({{IPA|nl|ˈdrɛntə|-|026 Drenthe.ogg}}) is a [[provinces of the Netherlands|province]] of the [[Netherlands]] located in the northeastern part of the country. It is bordered by [[Overijssel]] to the south, [[Friesland]] to the west, [[Groningen (province)|Groningen]] to the north, and the German state of [[Lower Saxony]] to the east. As of January 2023, Drenthe had a population of about 502,000, and a total area of {{convert|2680|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}.<ref name="AC"/>

Drenthe has been populated for 15,000 years. The region has subsequently been part of the [[Episcopal principality of Utrecht]], [[Habsburg Netherlands]], [[Dutch Republic]], [[Batavian Republic]], [[Kingdom of Holland]] and [[Kingdom of the Netherlands]]. Drenthe has been an official province since 1796. The capital and seat of the provincial government is [[Assen]]. The [[King's Commissioner]] of Drenthe is [[Jetta Klijnsma]]. The [[Farmer–Citizen Movement|Farmer-Citizen Movement]] (BBB) is the largest party in the [[Provincial Council of Drenthe|States-Provincial]], followed by the [[Labour Party (Netherlands)|Labour Party]] (PvdA) and the [[People's Party for Freedom and Democracy]] (VVD).

Drenthe has the lowest population density in the European Netherlands. It is a predominantly rural area, unlike many other parts of the Netherlands; except for the small cities of [[Assen]] (pop. 67,963<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://opendata.cbs.nl/statline/#/CBS/nl/dataset/70072ned/table|title = CBS Statline}}</ref>) and [[Emmen, Netherlands|Emmen]] (pop. 58,130), the land in Drenthe is mainly used for [[agriculture]] and it has a notable amount of [[forest]]s and nature.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Drenthe |title=Drentse loofbossen zijn van topkwaliteit! |url=https://www.provincie.drenthe.nl/onderwerpen/natuur-milieu/natuur/natuur-ontwikkeling/monitoring/drentse-loofbossen/ |access-date=2022-09-16 |website=Provincie Drenthe |language=nl |archive-date=20 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920170721/https://www.provincie.drenthe.nl/onderwerpen/natuur-milieu/natuur/natuur-ontwikkeling/monitoring/drentse-loofbossen/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=wandelverhaal |date=2021-06-03 |title=Drenthe, de oerprovincie van Nederland |url=https://www.wandelverhaal.be/drenthe-de-oerprovincie-van-nederland/ |access-date=2022-09-16 |website=WANDELVERHAAL |language=nl}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:D49 is gedeeltelijk overdekt door een dekheuvel.jpg|thumb|left|[[Papeloze Kerk]], a [[dolmen]] (''hunebed'') near [[Schoonoord, Coevorden|Schoonoord]]]]
[[File:Netherlands, Province of Drenthe, map of 1866.PNG|thumb|left|Map of Drenthe, 1866]]

The name Drenthe is said to stem from Germanic ''thrija hantja'' meaning "three lands".<ref>{{cite book |last1=Everett-Heath |first1=John |title=The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names |publisher=Oxford University Press |url=https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/acref/9780199580897.001.0001/acref-9780199580897-e-1912 |access-date=25 January 2025 |language=en |chapter=Drenthe}}</ref>

Drenthe has been populated by people since prehistory. Artifacts from the [[Wolstonian Stage]] (150,000 years ago) are among the oldest found in the Netherlands. In fact, it was one of the most densely populated areas of the Netherlands until the Bronze Age. The most tangible evidence of this are the [[dolmen]]s (''[[hunebed]]den'') built around 3500 BC. 53 of the 54 dolmens in the Netherlands can be found in Drenthe, concentrated in the northeast of the province. In 2006, the archaeological reserve of [[Strubben-Kniphorstbos]], located between [[Anloo]] and [[Schipborg]], was created to preserve part of this heritage.

Most of the Bronze Age objects found in the Netherlands have been found in Drenthe.{{citation needed|date=March 2023}} One item shows that trading networks during this period extended a far distance. Large bronze ''situlae'' (buckets) found in Drenthe were manufactured somewhere in eastern France or in [[Switzerland]]. They were used for mixing wine with water (a Roman/Greek custom). The many finds in Drenthe of rare and valuable objects, such as tin-bead necklaces, suggest that Drenthe was a trading centre in the Netherlands in the Bronze Age.{{citation needed|date=March 2023}}

Drenthe was first mentioned in a document from 820, it was called ''Pago Treanth'' (Drenthe district). In archives from ''Het Utrechts Archief'', from 1024 to 1025, the "county Drenthe" is mentioned, when Emperor [[Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor|Henry II]] gave it to Bishop [[Adalbold II of Utrecht]]. Subjugation of this region into the [[Holy Roman Empire]] culminated in the [[Drenther Crusade]] launched by the [[Papacy]] around 1228-1232.<ref name="crusade">{{cite encyclopedia |first=Christoph T. |last=Maier |title=Drenthe Crusade (1228–1232) |encyclopedia=The Crusades: An Encyclopedia |editor=A. V. Murray |publisher=ABC-CLIO |year=2006 |volume=4 vols |at=vol. 2, p. 365}}</ref>

After long being subject to the [[Archdiocese of Utrecht (695–1580)|Utrecht diocese]], Bishop [[Henry of the Palatinate (bishop)|Henry of Wittelsbach]] in 1528 ceded Drenthe to Emperor [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles V of Habsburg]], who incorporated it into the [[Habsburg Netherlands]]. When the [[Dutch Republic|Republic of the Seven United Provinces]] was declared in 1581, Drenthe became part of it as the [[County of Drenthe]], although it never gained full provincial status due to its poverty; the province was so poor it was exempt from paying federal taxes and as a consequence was denied representation in the States General. The successor [[Batavian Republic]] granted it provincial status on 1 January 1796.

Shortly before the outbreak of the [[Second World War]], the Dutch government built a camp near the town of [[Hooghalen]] to intern German Jewish refugees. During the [[Second World War]], the German occupiers used the camp (which they named [[Westerbork transit camp|KZ Westerbork]]) as a ''[[Durchgangslager]]'' (transit camp). Many Dutch Jews, [[Sinti]], [[Romani people|Roma]], resistance combatants and political adversaries were imprisoned before being transferred to [[Nazi concentration camp|concentration]] and [[extermination camp]]s in Germany and occupied Poland. [[Anne Frank]] was deported on the last train leaving the Westerbork transit camp on 3 September 1944.

In the 1970s, there were four [[Hostage crisis|hostage crises]] where [[Republic of South Maluku|South Moluccan]] terrorists demanded an independent [[Republic of South Maluku]]. They held hostages in hijacked trains in [[1975 Dutch train hijacking|1975]]<ref>{{in lang|nl}} Marianne van Exel, [http://www.isgeschiedenis.nl/toen/december/molukse_treinkaping_bij_wijster/ Molukse treinkaping bij Wijster] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131223223853/http://www.isgeschiedenis.nl/toen/december/molukse_treinkaping_bij_wijster/ |date=23 December 2013 }}, ''IS Geschiedenis'', 2011. Retrieved on 8 April 2014.</ref> and [[1977 Dutch train hijacking|1977]],<ref name="hostages1977">{{in lang|nl}} Marnix Koolhaas, [http://www.geschiedenis24.nl/nieuws/2007/mei/Herdenking-Molukse-treinkaping-1977.html Herdenking Molukse treinkaping 1977], ''Geschiedenis 24'', 2007. Retrieved on 8 April 2014.</ref> in a [[1977 Dutch school hostage crisis|primary school in 1977]],<ref name="hostages1977"/> and in the [[1978 Dutch province hall hostage crisis|province hall in 1978]].<ref>{{in lang|nl}} [http://www.geschiedenis24.nl/andere-tijden/afleveringen/2000-2001/Molukse-gijzeling-in-Assen.html Molukse gijzeling in Assen], ''Geschiedenis 24'', 2000. Retrieved on 8 April 2014.</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Drenthe 6.58700E 52.89207N.jpg|thumb|Satellite image of Drenthe]]
[[File:Dwingelderveld-2.jpg|thumb|[[Dwingelderveld National Park]]]]
[[File:20170601 Nationaal Park De Drentsche Aa Oudemolensche Diep2.jpg|thumb|[[Nationaal beek- en esdorpenlandschap Drentsche Aa]] national park]]

Drenthe is situated at {{Coord|52|55|N|6|35|E|display=inline}} in the northeast of the Netherlands; with to the north the province [[Groningen (province)|Groningen]], to the west the province [[Friesland]], to the south the province [[Overijssel]], and to the east the German districts [[Emsland]] and [[County of Bentheim (district)|Bentheim]] in the state [[Lower Saxony]].

Drenthe is the [[Provinces of the Netherlands|9th largest province]] of the Netherlands. It has a total area of {{convert|2683|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, with {{convert|2639|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} of land and {{convert|44|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} of water. About 72% of the land or {{convert|1898|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} is used for agriculture.<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>

Drenthe has several [[heath]]lands and no significant rivers or lakes. The national parks [[Drents-Friese Wold National Park|Drents-Friese Wold]] and [[Dwingelderveld National Park|Dwingelderveld]] ([[International Union for Conservation of Nature|IUCN]] category II) and the national landscape [[Drentsche Aa National Landscape|Drentsche Aa]] (IUCN category V) are all (partially) located in the province.

The major urban centers of the province are the capital [[Assen]] in the north and [[Emmen, Netherlands|Emmen]], [[Meppel]], [[Hoogeveen]], and [[Coevorden]] in the south.

=== Climate ===
Drenthe has an [[oceanic climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]]: Cfb).

{{Weather box <!-- Infobox begins -->
|metric first=yes
|single line=yes
|location=[[Groningen Airport Eelde]] ({{coord|53|08|N|06|35|E|display=inline}})
|temperature colour= <!-- Enter "pastel" for pastel temperature colors, "none" for no colours, remove this line for the standard coloring. -->
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<!-- Record high temperatures -->
<!-- Note that record temperatures should be used sparingly in main city articles, and should only be used when the data period is of the greatest length possible. -->
|Jan record high C=14.5
|Feb record high C=15.2
|Mar record high C=22.7
|Apr record high C=27.7
|May record high C=31.5
|Jun record high C=33.5
|Jul record high C=33.1
|Aug record high C=34.7
|Sep record high C=30.5
|Oct record high C=24.8
|Nov record high C=17.4
|Dec record high C=15.4
|year record high C=34.7
<!-- Average high temperatures -->
|Jan high C=4.7
|Feb high C=5.4
|Mar high C=9.0
|Apr high C=13.4
|May high C=17.4
|Jun high C=19.9
|Jul high C=22.2
|Aug high C=22.1
|Sep high C=18.6
|Oct high C=13.9
|Nov high C=8.7
|Dec high C=5.2
|year high C=13.4
<!-- Mean daily temperature -->
|Jan mean C=2.4
|Feb mean C=2.4
|Mar mean C=5.2
|Apr mean C=8.4
|May mean C=12.3
|Jun mean C=14.9
|Jul mean C=17.1
|Aug mean C=16.9
|Sep mean C=13.8
|Oct mean C=10.0
|Nov mean C=6.0
|Dec mean C=2.9
|year mean C=9.3
<!-- Average low temperatures -->
|Jan low C=-0.4
|Feb low C=-0.6
|Mar low C=1.4
|Apr low C=3.4
|May low C=6.9
|Jun low C=9.5
|Jul low C=11.9
|Aug low C=11.6
|Sep low C=9.3
|Oct low C=6.2
|Nov low C=2.9
|Dec low C=0.1
|year low C=5.2
<!-- Record low temperatures -->
<!-- Note that record temperatures should be used sparingly in main city articles, and should only be used when the data period is of the greatest length possible. -->
|Jan record low C=-22.0
|Feb record low C=-16.5
|Mar record low C=-13.2
|Apr record low C=-6.5
|May record low C=-2.3
|Jun record low C=0.1
|Jul record low C=4.1
|Aug record low C=3.2
|Sep record low C=0.8
|Oct record low C=-6.4
|Nov record low C=-13.6
|Dec record low C=-15.4
|year record low C=-22.0
<!-- Minimum wind chill -->
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<!-- Total precipitation, this should include rain and snow. -->
|precipitation colour=green
|Jan precipitation mm=74.2
|Feb precipitation mm=51.4
|Mar precipitation mm=64.3
|Apr precipitation mm=42.1
|May precipitation mm=58.0
|Jun precipitation mm=71.2
|Jul precipitation mm=79.4
|Aug precipitation mm=70.9
|Sep precipitation mm=78.3
|Oct precipitation mm=74.0
|Nov precipitation mm=75.0
|Dec precipitation mm=73.4
|year precipitation mm=812.1
<!-- Rainfall -->
|rain colour= <!-- Enter "green" for green rainfall colours, "none" for no colours, remove this line for blue colouring. -->
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<!-- Average daily % humidity -->
<!-- If entering the average daily % humidity, then the humidex table should be used. As of December 2009, few if any countries other than Canada use the Humidex. -->
|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=88
|Mar humidity=85
|Apr humidity=79
|May humidity=79
|Jun humidity=81
|Jul humidity=82
|Aug humidity=83
|Sep humidity=86
|Oct humidity=89
|Nov humidity=91
|Dec humidity=92
|year humidity=86
<!-- Average number of precipitation days -->
|unit precipitation days= <!-- If entering the average number of days, then the unit requirement should be used, because this varies between countries. E.g. 0.2&nbsp;cm, 0.2 mm. -->
|precip days colour= <!-- Enter "green" for green colors, "pastel" for pastel colours, "none" for no colours, remove this line for blue coloring. Affects rain and snow days as well -->
|Jan precipitation days=
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<!-- Average number of rainy days -->
|unit rain days= <!-- 0 mm -->
|Jan rain days=20
|Feb rain days=16
|Mar rain days=20
|Apr rain days=17
|May rain days=18
|Jun rain days=19
|Jul rain days=20
|Aug rain days=20
|Sep rain days=19
|Oct rain days=20
|Nov rain days=22
|Dec rain days=20
|year rain days=230
<!-- Average number of snowy days -->
|unit snow days= <!-- If entering the average number of days, then the unit requirement should be used, because this varies between countries. E.g. 0.2&nbsp;cm, 0.2 mm. -->
|Jan snow days=8
|Feb snow days=7
|Mar snow days=5
|Apr snow days=2
|May snow days=0
|Jun snow days=N/A
|Jul snow days=N/A
|Aug snow days=N/A
|Sep snow days=N/A
|Oct snow days=0
|Nov snow days=3
|Dec snow days=6
|year snow days=33
<!-- 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=54.2
|Feb sun=78.7
|Mar sun=117.2
|Apr sun=171.6
|May sun=210.0
|Jun sun=187.0
|Jul sun=199.1
|Aug sun=183.9
|Sep sun=137.0
|Oct sun=107.2
|Nov sun=56.5
|Dec sun=47.5
|year sun=1550.0
<!-- 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=21
|Feb percentsun=29
|Mar percentsun=32
|Apr percentsun=41
|May percentsun=43
|Jun percentsun=37
|Jul percentsun=39
|Aug percentsun=40
|Sep percentsun=36
|Oct percentsun=33
|Nov percentsun=22
|Dec percentsun=20
|year percentsun=35
|source 1= [[Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute]]<ref>{{in lang|nl}} [http://www.knmi.nl/klimatologie/normalen1971-2000/stationslijst.html Stationslijst] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616085009/http://www.knmi.nl/klimatologie/normalen1971-2000/stationslijst.html |date=16 June 2008 }}, [[Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute]]. Retrieved on 8 April 2014.</ref><ref>{{in lang|nl}} [http://www.klimaatatlas.nl/tabel/stationsdata/klimtab_8110_280.pdf Eelde, langjarige gemiddelden, tijdvak 1981–2010], [[Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute]]. Retrieved on 2 April 2014.</ref><ref>{{in lang|nl}} [http://www.knmi.nl/klimatologie/normalen1971-2000/per_station/stn280/5-extremen/280_extremen.pdf Eelde extremen tijdvak 1971 t/m 2000]{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, [[Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute]]. Retrieved on 8 April 2014.</ref>
}}

== Subdivisions ==
The province ([[Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics]] or NUTS level 2) is divided into three [[COROP]] regions (NUTS level 3): North Drenthe, Southeast Drenthe, and Southwest Drenthe. The COROP regions are used for statistical purposes.<ref>{{in lang|nl}} [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 }}, [[Statistics Netherlands]]. Retrieved on 2 April 2014.</ref>

The Netherlands underwent a large number of municipal [[Merger (politics)|mergers]] in the past decades and Drenthe was no exception. The most significant simultaneous set of mergers took place in 1998, when 32 municipalities were amalgamated into 10 larger municipalities.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.cbs.nl/nl-NL/menu/methoden/classificaties/overzicht/gemeentelijke-indeling/1998/default.htm |title = Gemeentelijke indeling op 1 januari 1998 |trans-title = Municipal divisions on 1 January 1998 |language = nl |website = cbs.nl |publisher = [[Statistics Netherlands|CBS]] |access-date = 2 April 2014 |archive-date = 24 December 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181224183131/https://www.cbs.nl/nl-NL/menu/methoden/classificaties/overzicht/gemeentelijke-indeling/1998/default.htm |url-status = dead }}</ref> {{As of|2014}} Drenthe consists of 12 [[List of municipalities of the Netherlands|municipalities]]; [[Emmen, Netherlands|Emmen]] is the largest municipality in terms of both population and area, [[Westerveld]] is the least populous and [[Meppel]] covers the smallest area.<ref name="CBS_pop"/><ref name="CBS_key_figs"/>

The municipalities [[Assen]], [[Noordenveld]], and [[Tynaarlo]] are part of the interprovincial Groningen-Assen Region<ref>[http://www.regiogroningenassen.nl/en/over-ons/ About us] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325223750/http://www.regiogroningenassen.nl/en/over-ons/ |date=25 March 2014 }}, Groningen-Assen Region. Retrieved on 6 April 2014.</ref> and the municipalities [[Aa en Hunze]], Assen, [[Borger-Odoorn]], [[Coevorden]], Emmen, [[Midden-Drenthe]], Noordenveld, and Westerveld are part of the international [[Ems Dollart Region]] (EDR).<ref>{{in lang|de}} [http://www.edr.eu/de/site/mitglieder Die Mitglieder der EDR] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203180809/http://www.edr.eu/de/site/mitglieder |date=3 February 2018 }}, [[Ems Dollart Region]], 2014. Retrieved on 6 April 2014.</ref>

{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
! scope="col" |Municipality
! scope="col" |Population<ref name="CBS_pop">{{cite web |url = http://statline.cbs.nl/StatWeb/publication/?DM=SLNL&PA=37230NED&D1=17-18&D2=101-650&D3=l&LA=EN&HDR=T&STB=G1,G2&VW=T |title = Bevolkingsontwikkeling; regio per maand |trans-title=Population growth regions per month |language = nl |author = <!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date = 10 March 2014 |work = CBS Statline |publisher = [[Statistics Netherlands|CBS]] |access-date = 2 April 2014}}</ref>
! scope="col" |Population density<ref name="CBS_key_figs" />
! scope="col" |Total area<ref name="CBS_key_figs">{{cite web |url = http://statline.cbs.nl/StatWeb/publication/default.aspx?DM=SLNL&PA=70904ned&D1=15%2c157&D2=1-50000&D3=l&LA=EN&HDR=T&STB=G1%2cG2&VW=D |title = Kerncijfers wijken en buurten |trans-title=Key figures for neighbourhoods |language = nl |author = <!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date = 20 December 2012 |work = CBS Statline |publisher = [[Statistics Netherlands|CBS]] |access-date = 2 April 2014}}</ref>
! scope="col" |COROP group
|-
! scope="row"|[[Aa en Hunze]]
|{{nts|25333}}
|{{ntsh|93}}93&nbsp;/km<sup>2</sup> (241&nbsp;/sq&nbsp;mi)
|{{ntsh|278.88}}278.88&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> (107.68&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi)
| North Drenthe
|-
! scope="row"|[[Assen]]
|{{nts|67209}}
|{{ntsh|820}}820&nbsp;/km<sup>2</sup> (2,124&nbsp;/sq&nbsp;mi)
|{{ntsh|83.45}}83.45&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> (32.22&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi)
| North Drenthe
|-
! scope="row"|[[Borger-Odoorn]]
|{{nts|25633}}
|{{ntsh|94}}94&nbsp;/km<sup>2</sup> (243&nbsp;/sq&nbsp;mi)
|{{ntsh|277.89}}277.89&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> (107.29&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi)
| South East Drenthe
|-
! scope="row"|[[Coevorden]]
|{{nts|35771}}
|{{ntsh|121}}121&nbsp;/km<sup>2</sup> (313&nbsp;/sq&nbsp;mi)
|{{ntsh|299.69}}299.69&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> (115.71&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi)
| South East Drenthe
|-
! scope="row"|[[Emmen, Netherlands|Emmen]]
|{{nts|108003}}
|{{ntsh|324}}324&nbsp;/km<sup>2</sup> (839&nbsp;/sq&nbsp;mi)
|{{ntsh|346.25}}346.25&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> (133.69&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi)
| South East Drenthe
|-
! scope="row"|[[Hoogeveen]]
|{{nts|54680}}
|{{ntsh|430}}430&nbsp;/km<sup>2</sup> (1,114&nbsp;/sq&nbsp;mi)
|{{ntsh|129.25}}129.25&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> (49.9&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi)
| South West Drenthe
|-
! scope="row"|[[Meppel]]
|{{nts|32875}}
|{{ntsh|585}}585&nbsp;/km<sup>2</sup> (1,515&nbsp;/sq&nbsp;mi)
|{{ntsh|57.03}}57.03&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> (22.02&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi)
| South West Drenthe
|-
! scope="row"|[[Midden-Drenthe]]
|{{nts|33368}}
|{{ntsh|98}}98&nbsp;/km<sup>2</sup> (254&nbsp;/sq&nbsp;mi)
|{{ntsh|345.87}}345.87&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> (133.54&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi)
| North Drenthe
|-
! scope="row"|[[Noordenveld]]
|{{nts|31110}}
|{{ntsh|154}}154&nbsp;/km<sup>2</sup> (399&nbsp;/sq&nbsp;mi)
|{{ntsh|205.32}}205.32&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> (79.27&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi)
| North Drenthe
|-
! scope="row"|[[Tynaarlo]]
|{{nts|32506}}
|{{ntsh|225}}225&nbsp;/km<sup>2</sup> (583&nbsp;/sq&nbsp;mi)
|{{ntsh|147.7}}147.7&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> (57.03&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi)
| North Drenthe
|-
! scope="row"|[[Westerveld]]
|{{nts|18902}}
|{{ntsh|69}}69&nbsp;/km<sup>2</sup> (179&nbsp;/sq&nbsp;mi)
|{{ntsh|282.74}}282.74&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> (109.17&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi)
| South West Drenthe
|-
! scope="row"|{{sortname|De|Wolden}}
|{{nts|23592}}
|{{ntsh|106}}106&nbsp;/km<sup>2</sup> (275&nbsp;/sq&nbsp;mi)
|{{ntsh|226.35}}226.35&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> (87.39&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi)
| South West Drenthe
|}

== Demographics ==

{{Historical populations
|title       = Historical population
|type        = none
|align       = right
|source      = [[Statistics Netherlands|CBS]]<ref>{{in lang|nl}} [http://statline.cbs.nl/StatWeb/publication/?DM=SLNL&PA=7377vt&D1=0-5,15-16,23,31&D2=0&D3=0-11&HDR=T&STB=G1,G2&VW=L Volkstelling 1899; algemene uitkomsten per gemeente], [[Statistics Netherlands]], 1999. Retrieved on 1 April 2014.</ref><ref>{{in lang|nl}} [http://statline.cbs.nl/StatWeb/publication/?VW=T&DM=SLNL&PA=71128NED&D1=0&D2=0&D3=a&D4=0-3&HD=140401-1453&HDR=T,G2&STB=G1,G3 Volkstelling 1930; bewoners naar geslacht en geboorteplaats], [[Statistics Netherlands]], 2006. Retrieved on 1 April 2014.</ref><ref>{{in lang|nl}} [http://statline.cbs.nl/StatWeb/publication/?VW=T&DM=SLNL&PA=37259ned&D1=0&D2=0&D3=7,23-25,710&D4=0,10,20,30,40,50&HD=140401-1449&HDR=T&STB=G2,G1,G3 Bevolkingsontwikkeling; levendgeborenen, overledenen en migratie per regio], [[Statistics Netherlands]], 2013. Retrieved on 1 April 2014.</ref>
|1899 |148,544
|1930 |222,432
|1960 |311,196
|1970 |366,590
|1980 |418,479
|1990 |441,028
|2000 |469,806
|2010 |490,981
|2020 |493,682
}}

On 1 January 2023, Drenthe had a total population of 502,051 and a population density of {{convert|191|/km2|/sqmi|abbr=on}}.<ref name="area"/><ref name="population">{{in lang|nl}} [http://statline.cbs.nl/Statweb/publication/?DM=SLNL&PA=37230ned&D1=0-2,4-5,7-8,13-17&D2=57,85,129,147,189,270,347,351,380,500,551,569&D3=182-194&HDR=G2&STB=G1,T&VW=C Bevolkingsontwikkeling; regio per maand], [[Statistics Netherlands]], 2017. Retrieved on 13 February 2017.</ref> It is the [[Provinces of the Netherlands|3rd least populous and least densely populated province]] of the Netherlands, with only [[Flevoland]] and [[Zeeland]] having fewer people.  [[Emmen, Netherlands|Emmen]] is the most populous municipality in the province.

==Religion==
In 2015, 23.8% of the population belonged to the [[Protestant Church in the Netherlands]] while 9.3% was [[Roman Catholic]], 0.9% was [[Islam|Muslim]] and 3.6% belonged to other churches or faiths. Over half (62.4%) of the population identified as non-religious.
{{Pie chart
|thumb = left
|caption = Religion in Drenthe (2015)<ref name="religieus">[https://www.cbs.nl/nl-nl/nieuws/2016/51/helft-nederlanders-is-kerkelijk-of-religieus Helft Nederlanders is kerkelijk of religieus], CBS, 22 December 2016</ref>
|label1 = Not religious
|value1 = 62.4
|color1 = Gray
|label2 = [[Protestant Church in the Netherlands]]
|value2 = 23.8
|color2 = DodgerBlue
|label3 = [[Catholic Church|Catholicism]]
|value3 = 9.3
|color3 = DarkOrchid
|label4 = Other
|value4 = 3.6
|color4 = Turquoise
|label5 = Islam
|value5 = 0.9
|color5 = Green
}}

==Economy==
{{unreferenced section|date=June 2015}}
Agriculture is an important employer, although industrial areas are found near the cities. The quietness of the province is also attracting a growing number of tourists.

Drenthe is known as the "Cycling Province" of the Netherlands and is an exceptional place for a cycling holiday, having hundreds of kilometers of cycle paths through forest, heath and along canals and many towns and villages offering refreshment along the way. Drenthe exports through the entire [[Netherlands]] and also receives supplies and goods from Germany, making it a good business district. Many Dutch and German [[multinational corporation|multinational]] companies are settled in Drenthe.

The Gross domestic product (GDP) of the province was 15.1&nbsp;billion € in 2018, accounting for 1.9% of the Netherlands economic output. GDP per capita adjusted for purchasing power was 26,700 € or 89% of the EU27 average in the same year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/documents/2995521/10474907/1-05032020-AP-EN.pdf/81807e19-e4c8-2e53-c98a-933f5bf30f58|title=Regional GDP per capita ranged from 30% to 263% of the EU average in 2018|website=Eurostat}}</ref>

== Culture ==

=== Language ===
Over half the population of Drenthe speaks the [[Drents]] dialect.{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}} Each town or village has its own version. All versions are part of the [[Dutch Low Saxon|Low Saxon]] language group. Dutch Low Saxon has been officially recognised by the Dutch government as a regional language and is protected by the [[European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages]].

=== Sports ===
[[FC Emmen]] is the only professional football club in Drenthe. It plays in the [[Keuken Kampioen Divisie]] and its home stadium is [[De Oude Meerdijk]].

The [[Ronde van Drenthe]] is an elite men's and women's professional road bicycle race that takes place annually in early March.

The [[TT Circuit Assen]] hosts the [[Dutch TT]], which is a round of the [[MotoGP]] series of the Motorcycle Road Racing World Championship.

=== Museums ===
[[Drents Museum]] is an [[art museum|art]] and [[history museum]] in Assen. It had 227,000 visitors in 2013.<ref>{{in lang|nl}} "[http://www.metronieuws.nl/nieuws/2013-overzicht-bezoekcijfers-musea-in-nederland/SrZmlA!FEEmFa7GMmw0o/ 2013: Overzicht bezoekcijfers musea in Nederland] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728033936/http://www.metronieuws.nl/nieuws/2013-overzicht-bezoekcijfers-musea-in-nederland/SrZmlA!FEEmFa7GMmw0o/ |date=2014-07-28 }}", ''[[Metro (Dutch newspaper)|Metro]]'', 2013. Retrieved on 20 July 2014.</ref>

[[Museum Collectie Brands]] is a [[local museum]] located in [[Nieuw-Dordrecht]] that houses an extensive collection of rare and curious items collected by Jans Brands.

== Politics ==
[[File:Provinciehuis-Assen---provincie-Drenthe.jpg|thumb|Seat of the provincial government in Assen]]

The [[States of Drenthe]] have 43 seats, and is headed by the [[King's Commissioner]], currently [[Jetta Klijnsma]].  While the provincial council is elected by the people of Drenthe, the Commissioner is appointed by the King and the cabinet of the Netherlands. The daily affairs of the province are taken care of by the {{lang|nl|[[Gedeputeerde Staten]]}}, which are also headed by the Commissioner; its members (''gedeputeerden'') can be compared with ministers.
{| Class="wikitable" style=" text-align:right;" 
|+ Provincial election results
|-style="text-align:center;"
! colspan="3"|
! colspan="3"|2023
|- style="text-align:center;" 
! colspan="3"|Party
! Votes
!  style="text-align:right;"|%
!  style="text-align:right"|Seats
|-
|style="background:{{party color|Farmer–Citizen Movement}};" colspan=2 width=2|
|align=left|[[Farmer–Citizen Movement]]||88,176||33.41||'''17'''
|-
|style="background:{{party color|Dutch Labour Party}};" colspan=2 width=2|
|align=left|[[Labour Party (Netherlands)|Labour Party]]||24,861||9.42||'''4'''
|-
|style="background:{{party color|People's Party for Freedom and Democracy}};" colspan=2 width=2|
|align=left|[[People's Party for Freedom and Democracy]]||20,434||7.74||'''4'''
|-
|style="background:{{party color|Christian Democratic Appeal}};" colspan=2 width=2|
|align=left|[[Christian Democratic Appeal]]||15,563||5.90||'''3'''
|-
|style="background:{{party color|GroenLinks}};" colspan=2 width=2|
|align=left|[[GroenLinks]]||14,756||5.59||'''2'''
|-
|style="background:{{party color|Party for Freedom}};" colspan=2 width=2|
|align=left|[[Party for Freedom]]||13,681||5.18||'''2'''
|-
|style="background:{{party color|Christian Union (Netherlands)}};" colspan=2 width=2|
|align=left|[[ChristianUnion]]||12,803||4.85||'''2'''
|-
|style="background:{{party color|Socialist Party (Netherlands)}};" colspan=2 width=2|
|align=left|[[Socialist Party (Netherlands)|Socialist Party]]||12,534||4.75||'''2'''
|-
|style="background:{{party color|Party for the Animals}};" colspan=2 width=2|
|align=left|[[Party for the Animals]]||11,167||4.23||'''2'''
|-
|style="background:{{party color|Democrats 66}};" colspan=2 width=2|
|align=left|[[Democrats 66]]||9,981||3.78||'''1'''
|-
|style="background:{{party color|Forum for Democracy}};" colspan=2 width=2|
|align=left|[[Forum for Democracy]]||7,888||2.99||'''1'''
|-
|style="background:{{party color|Volt Netherlands}};" colspan=2 width=2|
|align=left|[[Volt Netherlands|Volt]]||7,734||2.93||'''1'''
|-
|style="background:#FCCC14;" colspan=2 width=2|
|align=left|[[Strong Local Drenthe]]||7,485||2.84||'''1'''
|-
|style="background:{{party color|JA21}};" colspan=2 width=2|
|align=left|[[JA21]]||6,368||2.41||'''1'''
|-
|style="background:{{party color|Independent}};" colspan=2 width=2|
|align=left|All other parties||10,451||3.96||'''0'''
|- style="background:#e9e9e9;"
| style="text-align:left;" colspan="3"|'''Total valid votes'''||'''263,882'''||'''100.00'''||'''43'''
|- style="background:#e9e9e9;"
| style="text-align:left;" colspan="3"|Invalid/blank votes||1,155||0.44|| 
|- style="background:#e9e9e9;"
| style="text-align:left;" colspan="3"|'''Total'''||'''265,037'''|||| 
|- style="background:#e9e9e9;"
| style="text-align:left;" colspan="3"|Registered voters/turnout||399,405||66.36|| 
|-
| style="text-align:left;" colspan="12"|Source: Kiesraad<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.kiesraad.nl/verkiezingen/adviezen-en-publicaties/proces-verbalen/2023/3/27/proces-verbaal-uitslag-verkiezing-provinciale-staten-drenthe-2023|title=Proces-verbaal uitslag verkiezing Provinciale Staten Drenthe 2023 |publisher=Kiesraad |language=nl |access-date=19 July 2023}}</ref>
|}

== Transportation ==
[[File:Station Meppel.jpg|thumb|The [[Meppel railway station]] is a [[rijksmonument|national heritage site]]<ref>{{in lang|nl}} [http://monumentenregister.cultureelerfgoed.nl/php/main.php?cAction=show&cOBJnr=1002351&sCompMonNr=508721 Monumentnummer: 508721 – Station Meppel] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407150357/http://monumentenregister.cultureelerfgoed.nl/php/main.php?cAction=show&cOBJnr=1002351&sCompMonNr=508721 |date=7 April 2014 }}, [[Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed]]. Retrieved on 3 April 2014.</ref>]]

The motorways [[A28 motorway (Netherlands)|A28]] ([[European route E232|E232]]), [[A32 motorway (Netherlands)|A32]], [[A37 motorway (Netherlands)|A37]] ([[European route E233|E233]]), and the other major roads N33, [[Provincial road N34 (Netherlands)|N34]], and [[N48 motorway (Netherlands)|N48]] are maintained by the state.<ref>{{in lang|nl}} [http://www.rijkswaterstaat.nl/wegen/feiten_en_cijfers/wegenoverzicht/ Wegenoverzicht] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407063027/http://www.rijkswaterstaat.nl/wegen/feiten_en_cijfers/wegenoverzicht/ |date=7 April 2014 }}, [[Rijkswaterstaat]]. Retrieved on 2 April 2014.</ref>

There are four railways partially in the province of Drenthe:

{| class="wikitable" |
! Trajectory !! Railway stations in Drenthe
|-
|[[Arnhem–Leeuwarden railway|Arnhem–Leeuwarden]]
|''Overijssel'' – [[Meppel railway station|Meppel]] – ''Friesland''
|-
|[[Gronau–Coevorden railway|Gronau–Coevorden]]
|''Germany'' – [[Coevorden railway station|Coevorden]]
|-
|[[Meppel–Groningen railway|Meppel–Groningen]]
|[[Meppel railway station|Meppel]] – [[Hoogeveen railway station|Hoogeveen]] – [[Beilen railway station|Beilen]] – [[Assen railway station|Assen]] – ''Groningen''
|-
|[[Zwolle–Emmen railway|Zwolle–Emmen]]
|''Overijssel'' – [[Coevorden railway station|Coevorden]] – [[Dalen railway station|Dalen]] – [[Nieuw Amsterdam railway station|Nieuw Amsterdam]] – [[Emmen Zuid railway station|Emmen Zuid]] – [[Emmen railway station|Emmen]]
|}

[[Groningen Airport Eelde]] is a minor [[international airport]] located in [[Eelde]] in the province of Drenthe. [[Hoogeveen Airport]] is a [[general aviation]] airport located in [[Hoogeveen]].

== Science and education ==
[[File:Westerbork Synthese Radio Telescoop.JPG|thumb|[[Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope]]]]

[[ASTRON]], the Netherlands institute for [[radio astronomy]], is located near [[Dwingeloo]]. Their single-dish [[radio telescope]] of the [[Dwingeloo Radio Observatory]] was completed in 1956 and is now a national heritage site (''[[rijksmonument]]''). Their [[Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope]] is an array of fourteen dishes near the village of [[Westerbork (village)|Westerbork]] and construction was completed in 1970. Their international [[Low-Frequency Array (LOFAR)|Low-Frequency Array]] with its core near [[Exloo]] was completed in 2012.

In Assen, Emmen, and Meppel are universities of applied sciences (''[[Vocational university#Netherlands|hogescholen]]''). The [[Stenden University of Applied Sciences]] has locations in these three towns, which formed the [[Drenthe University of Applied Sciences]] before a merger in 2008. The [[Hanze Institute of Technology]], part of the [[Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen|Hanze University of Applied Sciences]], is located in Assen. There are no research universities (''universiteiten'') in the province of Drenthe.

== Media ==
[[RTV Drenthe]], the regional radio and television station, is based in Assen. The regional daily newspaper for the provinces of Drenthe and Groningen is ''[[Dagblad van het Noorden]]'', which is based in the city of [[Groningen]].

== See also ==

* [[Hunze]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*{{in lang|nl}} [https://www.drenthe.nl Portal Drenthe], official website
*{{Wikivoyage inline|Drenthe}}

{{Drenthe Province}}
{{Provinces of the Netherlands}}
{{Burgundian Circle}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Drenthe| ]]
[[Category:NUTS 2 statistical regions of the European Union]]
[[Category:Provinces of the Netherlands]]