Limburgis the southernmost of the 12provinces of the Netherlands. It is in the southeastern part of the country, stretched out from the north, where it touches the province ofGelderland, to the south, where it internationally bordersBelgium. Its northern part has theNorth Brabantprovince to its west. Its long eastern boundary is the international border with the German state ofNorth Rhine-Westphalia. Much of the west border runs along theRiver Maas, bordering theFlemishprovince of Limburg, and a small part of theWalloonprovince ofLiège. On the south end, it has borders with the Flemish exclave of Voerenand its surrounding part of Liège, Wallonia. TheVaalserbergis on the extreme south-eastern point, marking the tripointof Netherlands, Germany and Belgium.
Limburg's major cities are the provincial capitalMaastricht,Sittard-GeleenandHeerlenin the south,RoermondandWeertin the middle, andVenloin the middle-north, all upon theMeuse river. InSouth Limburg, there are also urban agglomerations atSittard-GeleenandParkstad Limburg, which includes the city ofHeerlen.
Limburg has a highly distinctive character. The social and economic trends that affected the province in recent decades generated a process of change and renewal which has enabled Limburg to transform its peripheral location into a highly globalized regional nexus, linking the Netherlands to theRuhrmetro area and the southern part of theBeneluxregion.
