Leiden

Leiden
City and municipality
Rapenburg Koornbrug Aalmarkt Steenschuur Tophograpic map
Flag Coat of arms
Nickname:  Sleutelstad (Key City)
Location in South Holland
Leiden Location within the Netherlands Show map of Netherlands Leiden Location within Europe Show map of Europe
Coordinates: 52°10′N 4°29′E / 52.16°N 4.49°E / 52.16; 4.49
Country	Netherlands
Province	South Holland
Government [1]
• Body	Municipal council
• Mayor	Peter van der Velden (PvdA)
Area [2]
• Municipality	23.27 km2 (8.98 sq mi)
• Land	21.91 km2 (8.46 sq mi)
• Water	1.36 km2 (0.53 sq mi)
Elevation [3]	0 m (0 ft)
Population  (Municipality, January 2021; Urban and Metro, May 2014)[4][5]
• Municipality	124,093
• Density	5,664/km2 (14,670/sq mi)
• Urban	238,493
• Metro	344,299
Demonym	Leidenaar
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postcodes	2300–2334
Area code	071
Website	Official website
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Leiden (/ˈlaɪdən/ LY-dən,^[6] 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),^[7] 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.