The Netherlands is divided into 12 different provinces. Each province has its own government which is led by the Governor and its provincial assemblies.

• Friesland: located on the mainland, but also includes the West Friesland Islands.   cities include Dokkum, Heerenveen, Franeker and Sneek.
• Groningen: also a part of the Dutch mainland, includes Simonszand, Zuiderstrand, Rottumeplaat and Rottumeroog,  agricultural region, Dutch Golden Age art and archeological artifacts.The northern region known for water sports.
• North Holland: While Amsterdam may be the biggest and most notable city in North Holland, its capital city is Haarlem, home to more than 100,000 residents and includes four different municipalities,  Large cities, such as Alkmaar, Hoorn and Haarlem are home to many sights and attractions,  Alkmaar is known for cheesemaking.
• Overijssel: central-eastern region of the Netherlands., Notable cities include Kampen, Almelo and Enschede, The historic city is still fortified by its medieval gates, De Weeribben  is revered by the Dutch as the most beautiful village in the country
• Drenthe is primarily an agricultural region and has been sparsely populated since medieval times, dates back to prehistoric times and artifacts found in the region, there are 52 Neolithic monuments in Drenthe whose originsd are a mystery and are simply referred to as ‘hunebedden’ (dolmens). These structures are older than Stonehenge. The famous painter Vincent van Gogh found inspiration in Drenthe  when he painted Dutch farmers hard at work during his stay
• South Holland: Part of the province is located on the Dutch mainland, but also includes the islands of Voorne-Putten, Goeree-Overflakkee, Ijsselmonde and Beijerland-HoekseWaard. The capital of the province is The Hague, which is also the seat of the Dutch parliament and government,  a number of  of seaside resorts, sandy beaches and historic villages.
• Zeeland:  the most western province of the Netherlands and consists of a large number of islands. Its name, “Zeeland,” refers to “sea land,” and a large portion of the region is situated below sea level, tourism is a major part of the local economy in Zeeland, 
• Utrecht: named after its capital city and is one of the most populated areas of the country,  home to a number of historical monuments, buildings, museums and castles
• Limburg:  southernmost province in the Netherlands, diverse landscape with plentiful forests, rolling hills and a number of big rivers, notable towns in the province include Sittard, Arcen, Thorn, Honsroek, Valkenburg and Heerlen. Many castles can be explored by tourists.
• Flevoland:  new Dutch province that was formed in 1988,  This flat region is primarily used for agricultural purposes
• Gelderland: south of the Overijssel province, least populated yet largest region of the country,the capital city of Arnhem is’ most famous for its battle with Nazi Germany during WWII, The Kroller-Muller Museum is a tourist hotspot 
• North Brabant:  is one of the most densely populated provinces in the country. one of its most industrial cities, Eindhoven, has a modern art museum with artwork from Pablo Picasso.