South Limburg (Netherlands)


South Limburg is both a COROP region as well as a landstreek of the Netherlands located in the province of Limburg. The Dutch term landstreek, literally translated "land area/region", means that the area is not an administrative region but an area that displays cohesion with regard to culture and landscape. With regards to South Limburg this deals with its hilly landscape, especially in the Heuvelland region, sunken lanes, an abundance of castles, and the regional language Limburgish spoken by a significant part of the population alongside Dutch. The region also contains the highest point above sea level in mainland Netherlands, the Vaalserberg being above sea level.
The region South Limburg in addition, although extended a little further north to Roermond, forms a constituent part of the Euroregion Meuse-Rhine.

''Estate region'' Maastricht-Meerssen

The estate region Maastricht-Meerssen is the name for an area stretching from the northeastern parts of Maastricht to the south of Meerssen that is characterised by a large number of estates. The area is crossed by three rivers. A majority of said estates have been built by the 19th century Maastrichtian industrialist Petrus Regout and his descendants. Challenges to transforming the entire region into a recreational area are posed by the crossing of the A2 motorway and various railways through the area as well as the industrial area of Beatrixhaven.
The region spans six neighbourhoods of Maastricht namely:
And in Meerssen:
The South Limburg contains 18 administrative municipalities :

  • Maastricht
  • Meerssen
  • Simpelveld
  • Sittard-Geleen
  • Stein
  • Vaals
  • Valkenburg aan de Geul
  • Voerendaal

    • Cities

    NamePopulation
    2011/2012    		Notes
    Maastricht121,000
    Heerlen89,000Does not have historical city rights
    Kerkrade47,000Does not have historical city rights
    Sittard38,000-
    Geleen32,000-
    Stein26,000Does not have historical city rights
    Valkenburg6,000-

    Impressions of South Limburg