View source for Groningen

{{Short description|City and municipality in the Netherlands}}
{{About|the Dutch city and municipality|the province|Groningen (province)||Groningen (disambiguation)}}
{{Redirect|OOG}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Groningen
| official_name      = 
| native_name        = '''{{native name|gos|Grunnen, Grunn}}'''
| settlement_type    = [[List of cities in the Netherlands by province|City]] and [[List of municipalities of the Netherlands|municipality]]
| image_skyline      = {{multiple image
  | total_width            = 280
  | border                 = infobox
  | perrow                 = 2/2/2/1¨
  | caption_align          = center
  | image1                 = Martini Toren.JPG
  | alt1                   = Martini Tower
  | caption1               = [[Martinitoren|Martini Tower]]
  | image2                 = Grote markt zuidzijde.jpg
  | alt2                   = Grote Markt Square
  | caption2               = Grote Markt Square
  | image3                 = Stadsschouwburg Groningen.jpg
  | alt3                   = Groningen City Theater
  | caption3               = Groningen City Theater
  | image4                 = Groningen, Korenbeurs foto2 2009-06-28 10.27.JPG
  | alt4                   = Aa Church/Korenbeurs
  | caption4               = [[Der Aa-kerk|Aa Church]]/Korenbeurs
  | image5                 = Gasuniegebouw.jpg
  | alt5                   = Gasunie building
  | caption5               = Gasunie building
  | image6                 = Goudkantoor Groningen Netherlands.JPG
  | alt6                   = Goudkantoor
  | caption6               = [[Goudkantoor]]
  | image7                 = Groninger Museum 2.jpg
  | alt7                   = Groninger Museum
  | caption7               = [[Groninger Museum]]
  }}
| image_flag         = Flag of Groningen City.svg
| flag_size          = 100px
| flag_alt           = White flag with a horizontal green band in the middle
| image_shield       = Groningen stad wapen.svg
| shield_size        = 100px
| shield_alt         = Two black eagles holding a crowned yellow shield
| image_blank_emblem = Groningen logo (municipality).svg
| blank_emblem_type  = [[Logo|Brandmark]]
| image_map          = Map - NL - Municipality code 0014 (2019).svg
| map_alt            = Highlighted position of Groningen in a municipal map of Groningen
| map_caption        = Location in Groningen
| pushpin_map        = Netherlands#Europe
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within the Netherlands##Location within Europe
| pushpin_relief     = 1
| coordinates        = {{coord|53|13|08|N|06|34|03|E|region:NL-GR|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_footnotes = 
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = [[Netherlands]]
| subdivision_type1  = [[Provinces of the Netherlands|Province]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Groningen (province)|Groningen]]
| seat_type          = [[Seat of local government|City Hall]]
| seat               = [[City Hall, Groningen|Groningen City Hall]]
| government_footnotes = <ref name="mayor_now">{{cite web |url=http://gemeente.groningen.nl/burgemeester |title=Burgemeester |trans-title=Mayor |language=nl |publisher=Gemeente Groningen |access-date=22 December 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131222071017/http://gemeente.groningen.nl/burgemeester |archive-date=22 December 2013}}</ref>
| governing_body     = [[Municipal council (Netherlands)|Municipal council]]
| leader_party       = [[People's Party for Freedom and Democracy|VVD]]
| leader_title       = [[Burgomaster|Mayor]]
| leader_name        = [[Roelien Kamminga]]<ref>[https://archief28.sitearchief.nl/archives/sitearchief/20180223220341/https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/gemeenten/nieuws/2025/05/23/benoeming-burgemeester-groningen Benoeming burgemeester Groningen], Rijksoverheid, 23 mei 2024. [https://archive.today/20250630224915/https://archief28.sitearchief.nl/archives/sitearchief/20180223220341/https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/gemeenten/nieuws/2025/05/23/benoeming-burgemeester-groningen Gearchiveerd] op 30 juni 2025.</ref>
| total_type         = Municipality
| unit_pref          = Metric
| area_footnotes     = <ref>{{Dutch municipality total area|dataref}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = {{Dutch municipality total area|Groningen}}
| area_land_km2      = {{Dutch municipality land area|Groningen}}
| area_water_km2     = {{Dutch municipality water area|Groningen}}
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name="AHN">{{cite web |url=http://www.ahn.nl/postcodetool |title=Postcodetool for 9712HW |language=nl |work=Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland |publisher=Het Waterschapshuis |access-date=22 December 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921053543/http://www.ahn.nl/postcodetool |archive-date=21 September 2013}}</ref>
| elevation_m        = 7
| elevation_max_m    = 12
| elevation_min_footnotes = 
| elevation_min_m    = 
| population_footnotes = 
| population_total   = 244,807<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://allecijfers.nl/gemeente/groningen/ |title=AlleCijfers Groningen |website=allecijfers.nl}}</ref>
| population_as_of   = January 1st 2023
| population_density_km2 = {{Dutch municipality population density|Groningen}}
| population_urban   = {{Dutch municipality population urbanmetro|Groningen Urban}}
| population_metro   = {{Dutch municipality population urbanmetro|Groningen Metro}}
| population_demonym = Groninger, Stadjer
| timezone1          = [[Central European Time|CET]]
| utc_offset1        = +1
| timezone1_DST      = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]
| utc_offset1_DST    = +2
| postal_code_type   = [[Postal codes in the Netherlands|Postcode]]
| postal_code        = 9700–9747
| area_code_type     = [[Telephone numbers in the Netherlands|Area code]]
| area_code          = 050
| website            = {{URL|1=https://gemeente.groningen.nl/en}}
| mapframe = yes
| mapframe-zoom = 9
}}
'''Groningen'''{{efn|{{IPAc-en|ˈ|ɡ|r|oʊ|n|ɪ|ŋ|ə|n}} {{respell|GROH|ning|ən}}, {{IPAc-en|UKalso|ˈ|ɡ|r|ɒ|n|ɪ|ŋ|ə|n}} {{respell|GRON|ing|ən}};<ref>{{Cite American Heritage Dictionary|Groningen|access-date=1 May 2019}}</ref><ref>[https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/us/Groningen "Groningen"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501201340/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/us/Groningen |date=1 May 2019 }} (US) and {{Cite Oxford Dictionaries|Groningen|access-date=1 May 2019}}</ref> {{IPA|nl|ˈɣroːnɪŋə(n)|lang|Nl-Groningen 2.oga}}; {{langx|gos|'''Grunn'''}} or {{lang|gos|'''Grunnen'''}} ({{lang|gos|χrʏnn̩}})}} is the capital city and main municipality of [[Groningen (province)|Groningen province]] in the [[Netherlands]]. Dubbed the "capital of the north", Groningen is the largest city as well as the economic and cultural centre of the northern part of the country;<ref>{{Cite web |title=Minicruises to Groningen |url=https://hollandnorwaylines.com/minicruises-to-groningen/ |access-date=2022-09-15 |website=Holland Norway Lines |language=en-US |archive-date=15 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915230556/https://hollandnorwaylines.com/minicruises-to-groningen/ |url-status=usurped}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-09-19 |title=Groningen: Small City, Full of Life |url=https://www.rug.nl/feb/organization/work-with-us/living-groningen/ |access-date=2022-09-15 |website=University of Groningen |language=en}}</ref> as of January 2025, it had 244,807 inhabitants,<ref>[https://allecijfers.nl/gemeente/groningen/ AlleCijfers - Groningen population data]</ref> making it the sixth largest city/municipality in the Netherlands and the second largest outside the [[Randstad]]. The Groningen metropolitan area has a population of about half a million inhabitants.

Groningen was established more than 980 years ago but never gained [[City rights in the Low Countries|city rights]]. Due to its relatively isolated location from the successive Dutch centres of power ([[Utrecht]], [[The Hague]], [[Brussels]]), Groningen was historically reliant on itself and nearby regions. As a [[Hanseatic League|Hanseatic]] city, it was part of the North German trade network, but later it mainly became a regional market centre. At the height of its power in the 15th century, Groningen could be considered an independent [[city-state]] and it remained autonomous until the late 18th century, when it was incorporated into the [[Napoleon|Napoleonic]] [[Batavian Republic]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=van de Broek |first=Jan |title=Groningen, een stad apart : over het verleden van een eigenzinnige stad (1000-1600) |publisher=Assen: Koninklijke Van Gorcum |year=2007 |pages=71}}</ref>

Today Groningen is a university city, home to some of the country's leading higher education institutes; [[University of Groningen]] (''Rijksuniversiteit Groningen''), which is the Netherlands's second oldest university, and [[Hanze University of Applied Sciences]] (''Hanzehogeschool Groningen'').<ref>{{Cite web |last=administrator |title=Study in Groningen, The Netherlands |url=http://www.studyinholland.co.uk/city/study_in_groningen.html |access-date=2022-09-15 |website=Study In Holland |language=en}}</ref> Students comprise an estimated 25% of its total population, making it the country's demographically youngest city<ref>{{Cite web |title=Groningen: student city |url=https://groningen.nl/en/study/discover-student-life/groningen-student-city |access-date=2022-09-15 |website=Groningen.nl |language=en-GB |archive-date=9 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230809100718/https://groningen.nl/en/study/discover-student-life/groningen-student-city |url-status=dead }}</ref> (although [[Urk]] is the youngest municipality overall).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Waar wonen de meeste jongeren en ouderen? |url=https://www.allianzdirect.nl/blog/jongste-oudste-Nederlanders/ |access-date=2025-08-25 |website=Allianz Direct |language=nl-NL}}</ref>

==Etymology==
The origin and meaning of 'Groningen' and its older variant, 'Groeningen', are uncertain. A folk origin story relates the idea that, in 453 BC, exiles from [[Troy]] who were guided by a mythical figure called Gruno (or Grunius, Gryns or Grunus), along with a group of [[Phrygians]] from Germany, founded a settlement in what is now Groningen, and built a castle on the bank of the [[Hunze]], which they called 'Grunoburg', and which was later destroyed by the Vikings.<ref>{{cite book |title=''De Navorscher: Een middel tot gedachtenwisseling en letterkundig verkeer, tusschen allen die iets weten: iets te vragen hebben, of iets kunnen oplossen ...'' |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e0sWAAAAYAAJ |year=1855 |publisher=J.C. Loman, Jr. |language=nl |pages=44–45}}</ref><ref name="Motley1867" />

One modern theory is that 'Groningen' meant 'among the people of Groni' ('Groningi' and 'Groninga' in the 11th century), derived from ''Gronesbeke'', which was the old name for a small lake near the Hunze (on the northern border of [[Zuidlaarderveen]]).<ref>{{cite book |title=Nieuwe Groninger encyclopedie |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j_RKAAAACAAJ |year=1999 |publisher=REGIO-PRoject uitgevers |language=nl |isbn=978-90-5028-132-4 |page=317}}</ref> As the name Grone (variant Groene) is an old Frisian personal name, the origin may very well be in a settlement originally founded by the family of Grone and their followers, which in Frisian would be called Groninga. Another theory is that the name was derived from the word ''groenighe'', meaning 'green fields'.<ref name="Motley1867">{{cite book |author=John Lothrop Motley |title=History of the United Netherlands, from the Death of William the Silent to the Synod of Dort: With a Full View of the English-Dutch Struggle Against Spain, and of the Origin and Destruction of the Spanish Armada |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=upDBc7E_2bEC&pg=PA270 |year=1867 |publisher=John Murray |page=270}}</ref> 

In [[Frisian languages|Frisian]], it is called ''Grins''.<ref>[http://gtb.inl.nl/iWDB/search?wdb=WFT&actie=article&id=35345 "Grins (II)”], in ''Wurdboek fan de Fryske taal'' (in Dutch), 2011</ref> In [[Groningen (province)|Groningen province]], it is called ''{{ill|Groot Loug|nl|Loug}}''. Regionally, it is often simply referred to as ''Stad'' (the "city"),<ref>{{cite book |title=Onze taaltuin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0vI7AAAAIAAJ |volume=5-6 |year=1936 |language=nl |page=187}}</ref><ref name="Molema1887">{{cite book |author=Helmer Molema |title=Woordenboek der Groningsche volkstaal in de 19de eeuw |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JdAvAAAAYAAJ |year=1887 |publisher=Mekel |language=nl |page=398}}</ref> and its inhabitants are referred to as ''Stadjers'' or ''Stadjeder''.<ref name="Conference1995">{{cite book |author=Association for History and Computing. International Conference |title=Structures and Contingencies in Computerized Historical Research: Proceedings of the IX International Conference of the Association for History & Computing, Nijmegen, 1994 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K_XBi0i23XYC&pg=PA94 |year=1995 |publisher=Uitgeverij Verloren |isbn=90-6550-142-8 |page=94}}</ref> The Dutch sometimes refer to it as "the Metropolis of the North",<ref name="HagueJenkins2005">{{cite book |author1=Cliff Hague |author2=Paul Jenkins |title=Place Identity, Participation and Planning |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=njjk7N1e_UwC&pg=PA109 |year=2005 |publisher=Psychology Press |isbn=978-0-415-26242-2 |page=109}}</ref> or ''Martinistad'' (after the ''[[Martinitoren]]'' tower).<ref name="HagueJenkins2005" />

==History==
{{For timeline}}
The city was founded at the northernmost point of the ''[[Hondsrug]]'' area.<ref name="Roggema2012">{{cite book |author=Rob Roggema |title=Swarming Landscapes: The Art of Designing For Climate Adaptation |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UVuO8k2wO28C&pg=PA8 |date=2 December 2012 |publisher=Springer Science & Business Media |isbn=978-94-007-4378-6 |page=8}}</ref> While the oldest document referring to Groningen's existence dates from 1040, the area was occupied by [[Saxons]] centuries prior.<ref name="Kruit2014">{{cite book |author=Pieter C. van der Kruit |title=Jacobus Cornelius Kapteyn: Born Investigator of the Heavens |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aqJ3BQAAQBAJ&pg=PA85 |date=18 November 2014 |publisher=Springer |isbn=978-3-319-10876-6 |page=85}}</ref> The oldest archaeological evidence of a settlement in the region stems from around 3950–3650 BC,<ref name="BarclayField2020">{{cite book |author1=Alistair Barclay |author2=David Field |author3=Jim Leary |title=Houses of the Dead |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MFHPDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT270 |date=30 April 2020 |publisher=Oxbow Books |isbn=978-1-78925-411-2 |page=270}}</ref> and the first major settlement in Groningen trace back to the year 3 AD.<ref>{{cite book |author=A.A. Balkema |title=Palaeohistoria |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lDErAQAAIAAJ |volume=32 |year=1982 |publisher=A.A. Balkema |page=111|isbn=9789054101369 }}</ref>

[[File:Martini2.jpg|thumb|170px|[[Martinitoren|Martini Tower]]|left]]
[[File:Groningen 1565.jpg|thumb|right|Groningen in the 16th century]]
In the 13th century Groningen was an important trade centre and its inhabitants built a [[city wall]] to underline its authority.<ref name="DunfordLee2007">{{cite book |author1=Martin Dunford |author2=Phil Lee |title=The Rough Guide to the Netherlands |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V8uPoIHShRwC&pg=PT556 |date=1 March 2007 |publisher=Rough Guides Limited |isbn=978-1-84836-843-9 |pages=556–575}}</ref> The city had a strong influence on its surrounding lands and the [[Gronings dialect]] became common.<ref name="BreivikJahr2011">{{cite book |author1=Leiv E. Breivik |author2=Ernst H. Jahr |title=Language Change: Contributions to the Study of its Causes |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7FYd9CWvYtMC&pg=PA267 |date=1 June 2011 |publisher=Walter de Gruyter |isbn=978-3-11-085306-3 |pages=267–270}}</ref> The city's most influential period was at the end of the 15th century, when the nearby province of [[Friesland]] was administered from Groningen.<ref name="Eyewitness2020">{{cite book |author=DK Eyewitness |title=DK Eyewitness The Netherlands |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UyDQDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT448 |date=7 May 2020 |publisher=Dorling Kindersley Limited |isbn=978-0-241-46459-5 |pages=448–456}}</ref> During these years the ''[[Martinitoren]]'' was built which is considered to be the city's most significant landmark.<ref>E.O. van der Werff, ''Martini. Kerk en toren''. Assen, 2003, p. 53; F. Westra, ''Martinitoren''. Groningen, 2009, p. 29. According to an improbable myth, the tower would have been 127 m high</ref>

In 1536, Groningen accepted [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Emperor Charles V]], the King of Spain and the Habsburg ruler of the other Netherlands as its ruler, thus ending the region's autonomy.<ref name="Cruttwell1808">{{cite book |author=Clement Cruttwell |title=The New Universal Gazetteer, or, Geographical Dictionary: Containing a Description of All the Empires, Kingdoms, States, Provinces, Cities, Towns, Forts, Seas, Harbours, Rivers, Lakes, Mountains, and Capes in the Known World ; with the Government, Customs, Manners, and Religion of the Inhabitants ... ; with Twenty-eight Whole Sheet Maps |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8S8Ne7f0jhUC&pg=PP331 |year=1808 |publisher=Longman, Hurst, Rees and Orme |page=331}}</ref> The city was captured in the [[Siege of Groningen (1594)|Siege of Groningen]] (1594) by the Dutch and English forces led by [[Maurice of Nassau]].<ref name="RosseBlair1859">{{cite book |author1=J. Willoughby Rosse |author2=John Blair |title=An Index of Dates: Comprehending the Principal Facts in the Chronology and History of the World, from the Earliest to the Present Time. Alphabetically Arranged. Being a Complete Index to the Enlarged Edition of Blair's Chronological Tables |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3HE-AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA871 |year=1859 |publisher=Bell & Daldy |page=871}}</ref> After the siege, the city and the province joined the [[Dutch Republic]].<ref name="Prokhovnik2004">{{cite book |author=R. Prokhovnik |title=Spinoza and Republicanism |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E1GHDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA68 |date=31 March 2004 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan UK |isbn=978-0-230-00090-2 |page=68}}</ref>

During the 17th century, Groningen served as a crucial hub for the [[Dutch West India Company]] (WIC). This powerful trading company was responsible for maritime trade, colonization, and the transportation of goods and people.

The WIC transported over 300,000 slaves from the African coast to the Dutch colonies between 1621 and 1792. Warships like the ''Groeningen'' sailed from Groningen's shipyards to Africa's west coast, carrying enslaved Africans to plantations in Brazil, Suriname, and the Antilles.<ref name="linksto">{{Cite web |date=2019-03-25 |title=Groningen's links to the Dutch Slave Trade |url=https://northerntimes.nl/groningens-links-to-the-dutch-slave-trade/ |access-date=2024-03-15 |website=The Northern Times |language=en-US}}</ref> These same ships returned to Europe laden with valuable commodities such as sugar, coffee, and tobacco.

The [[University of Groningen]] was founded in 1614 with initial course offerings in law, medicine, theology and philosophy.<ref>{{cite news |title=Groningen, University of |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/student/study-abroad/universities/groningen-university-of-2248629.html |website=The Independent |access-date=5 August 2020 |date=22 March 2011}}</ref> During this period the city expanded rapidly and a new city wall was built.<ref name="Army2014">{{cite book |author=Major Jeffrey D. Noll U.S. Army |title=Restraint In Urban Warfare: The Canadian Attack On Groningen, Netherlands, 13-16 April 1945 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GpxvCwAAQBAJ&pg=PT32 |date=15 August 2014 |publisher=Lucknow Books |isbn=978-1-78289-810-8 |pages=32–66}}</ref>

[[File:Lambert-van-den-Bos-Schauplatz-des-Krieges MG 9498.tif|thumb|[[Siege of Groningen (1672)|Siege of Groningen]] by Bishop of Münster in 1672]]
The [[Siege of Groningen (1672)|Siege of Groningen]] (1672) led by the bishop of [[Bishopric of Münster|Münster]], [[Bernhard von Galen]], during the [[Third Anglo-Dutch War]] failed and the city walls resisted;<ref name="Troost2005">{{cite book |author=Wouter Troost |title=William III the Stadholder-king: A Political Biography |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H0_sYPHETj0C&pg=PA92 |year=2005 |publisher=Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. |isbn=978-0-7546-5071-3 |page=92}}</ref> an event that is celebrated annually with music and fireworks on 28 August as "''{{interlanguage link|Gronings Ontzet|nl}}''" or "''Bommen Berend''" ("Bombing Bernard").<ref name="Archer-Antiquaries1969">{{cite book |author=Society of Archer-Antiquaries |title=Journal of the Society of Archer-Antiquaries |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=P4IdAQAAMAAJ |year=1969 |publisher=Society of Archer-Antiquaries |page=126}}</ref><ref>[http://toerisme.groningen.nl/english/agenda/bommen-berend Groningen tourism site] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210073357/http://toerisme.groningen.nl/english/agenda/bommen-berend |date=2008-12-10 }}</ref> In the early 19th century when the kingdom of Holland under king Jerôme Bonaparte was founded, Groningen was integrated into the French system of administration, and then annexed in 1811 into the French Empire under emperor Napoleon I (until 1813). During the French administration of the area, Groningen was called ''Groningue''.<ref name="Malte-Brun1834">{{cite book |author=Conrad Malte-Brun |title=A System of Universal Geography: Or A Description of All the Parts of the World, on a New Plan, According to the Great Natural Divisions of the Globe |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rqYgAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA1095 |year=1834 |publisher=S. Walker |page=1095}}</ref> 

During [[World War II]], the main square and the Grote Markt were largely destroyed in the [[Battle of Groningen]] in April 1945.<ref name="Army2014" /> However, the church ''Martinitoren'', the ''[[Goudkantoor]]'', and the city hall were undamaged.<ref name="Ashworth2017">{{cite book |author=G.J. Ashworth |title=The Construction of Built Heritage: A North European Perspective on Policies, Practices and Outcomes |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Qe1HDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT90 |date=22 November 2017 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-1-351-74212-2 |pages=87–96}}</ref>

==Geography==
There is a town named after Groningen in [[Saramacca District]], Suriname, a former Dutch colony. It was named after the hometown of Dutch governor-general of Suriname [[Jan Wichers]], who established the town as a fort in 1790.

===Canals===
Numerous canals ({{lang|nl|[[Gracht|grachten]]}}) surround the city, locally called {{lang|nl|diep}}. The major canals that travel from the city are the [[Van Starkenborgh Canal]], [[Eems Canal]], and Winschoterdiep. Groningen's canals, no longer used for commercial goods transport, were once vital hubs in trade and transport. The rivers crossing close to the Binnenstad have been used for trade for at least a {{interlanguage link|Geschiedenis_van_Groningen#Vroege_middeleeuwen|nl|lt=thousand years}}. The Dutch West India Company and foreign investors established their Groningen headquarters in Reitemakersrijge. Additional warehouses were strategically built along the canals at Noorderhaven to store colonial produce.<ref name="linksto"/> These warehouses often held goods obtained from plantations in the Dutch colonies.

===Climate===
Groningen has an oceanic temperate climate, like all of the Netherlands, although slightly colder in winter than other major cities in the Netherlands due to its northeasterly position.<ref>{{cite web |title=The weather and surroundings of Groningen |url=https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/dutch/0/steps/2052 |publisher=FutureLearn |access-date=14 August 2020}}</ref> Weather is influenced by the North Sea to the north-west and its prevailing north-western winds and gales.<ref name="Homans1859">{{cite book |author=J. Smith Homans |title=A Cyclopedia of Commerce and Commercial Navigation, with Maps and Engravings: To which is Now Added a Chart of the Bay and Harbor of New York, with the Soundings of East River, North River, Harlem River, Newark Bay, and New York Bay |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xHZQAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA976 |year=1859 |publisher=Harper & Brothers |pages=970–990}}</ref>

Summers are somewhat warm and humid.<ref name="encyclopedia1879">{{cite book |author=Popular encyclopedia |title=The popular encyclopedia; or, 'Conversations Lexicon': &#91;ed. by A. Whitelaw from the Encyclopedia Americana&#93;. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PVhbdonnwj0C&pg=PA468 |year=1879 |pages=468–470}}</ref> Temperatures of {{cvt|30|°C|0}} or higher occur sporadically; the average daytime high is around {{cvt|22|°C|0}}. Very rainy periods are common, especially in spring and summer. Average annual precipitation is about {{cvt|800|mm|0}}. Annual sunshine hours vary, but are usually below 1600&nbsp;hours, giving much cloud cover similar to most of the Netherlands. Climate in this area has mild differences between highs and lows, and there is adequate rainfall year-round. The [[Köppen Climate Classification]] subtype for this climate is "[[Köppen climate classification#Group C: Temperate/mesothermal climates|Cfb]]". (Marine West Coast Climate/[[Oceanic climate]]).<ref name="weatherbase1">{{Cite web |url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=592559&cityname=Groningen,+Groningen,+Netherlands&units= |title=Groningen, Netherlands Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase) |website=Weatherbase |access-date=14 August 2020}}</ref>

Winters are cool; on average above freezing, although frosts are common during spells of easterly winds.<ref name="Brechin.)(F.R.S.)1794">{{cite book |author1=William GUTHRIE (of Brechin.) |author2=James FERGUSON (F.R.S.) |author3=William Herschel |title=A new geographical, historical, and commercial Grammar. Fourteenth edition, illustrated with a correct set of maps |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9rNfAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA449 |year=1794 |pages=449–451}}</ref> Night-time temperatures of {{cvt|-10|°C|0}} or lower are not uncommon during cold winter periods. The lowest temperature ever recorded is {{cvt|-26.8|°C|1}} on 16 February 1956. Snow often falls, but rarely stays long due to warmer daytime temperatures, although white snowy days happen every winter.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Meteorological Magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8A4eAQAAIAAJ |volume=119 |year=1990 |publisher=H.M. Stationery Office |page=28}}</ref>
{{Weather box
| location=Groningen ([[Groningen Airport Eelde]]), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1906–present
| metric first=y
| single line=y
| collapsed=

| Jan record high C=14.5
| Feb record high C=18.9
| Mar record high C=24.0
| Apr record high C=28.8
| May record high C=32.8
| Jun record high C=33.8
| Jul record high C=36.9
| Aug record high C=36.3
| Sep record high C=32.6
| Oct record high C=27.4
| Nov record high C=19.4
| Dec record high C=15.4
| year record high C=36.9

| Jan high C=5.2
| Feb high C=6.0
| Mar high C=9.5
| Apr high C=14.2
| May high C=17.6
| Jun high C=20.4
| Jul high C=22.7
| Aug high C=22.6
| Sep high C=19.0
| Oct high C=14.2
| Nov high C=9.0
| Dec high C=5.9
| year high C=13.9

| Jan mean C=2.8
| Feb mean C=3.0
| Mar mean C=5.5
| Apr mean C=9.0
| May mean C=12.5
| Jun mean C=15.4
| Jul mean C=17.5
| Aug mean C=17.3
| Sep mean C=14.1
| Oct mean C=10.3
| Nov mean C=6.3
| Dec mean C=3.5
| year mean C=9.8

| Jan low C=0.1
| Feb low C=-0.1
| Mar low C=1.4
| Apr low C=3.7
| May low C=7.0
| Jun low C=9.9
| Jul low C=12.2
| Aug low C=11.9
| Sep low C=9.6
| Oct low C=6.3
| Nov low C=3.2
| Dec low C=0.8
| year low C=5.5

| Jan record low C=-22.0
| Feb record low C=-22.9
| Mar record low C=-18.4
| Apr record low C=-8.1
| May record low C=-3.4
| Jun record low C=0.1
| Jul record low C=2.5
| Aug record low C=3.2
| Sep record low C=-1.0
| Oct record low C=-6.9
| Nov record low C=-13.6
| Dec record low C=-22.0
| year record low C=-22.9

| precipitation colour=green
| Jan precipitation mm=72.7
| Feb precipitation mm=54.7
| Mar precipitation mm=54.1
| Apr precipitation mm=41.3
| May precipitation mm=57.9
| Jun precipitation mm=65.0
| Jul precipitation mm=85.0
| Aug precipitation mm=77.8
| Sep precipitation mm=75.4
| Oct precipitation mm=71.4
| Nov precipitation mm=70.0
| Dec precipitation mm=79.4
| year precipitation mm=804.7
| unit precipitation days=1&nbsp;mm
| Jan precipitation days=13.3
| Feb precipitation days=10.6
| Mar precipitation days=10.3
| Apr precipitation days=8.5
| May precipitation days=9.5
| Jun precipitation days=10.3
| Jul precipitation days=11.7
| Aug precipitation days=11.5
| Sep precipitation days=11.1
| Oct precipitation days=12.1
| Nov precipitation days=13.2
| Dec precipitation days=14.0
| year precipitation days=136.1

| Jan snow days=8
| Feb snow days=7
| Mar snow days=5
| Apr snow days=2
| May snow days=0
| Jun snow days=0
| Jul snow days=0
| Aug snow days=0
| Sep snow days=0
| Oct snow days=0
| Nov snow days=3
| Dec snow days=6
| year snow days=33

| 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

| Jan sun=60.7
| Feb sun=86.1
| Mar sun=139.0
| Apr sun=188.7
| May sun=218.0
| Jun sun=198.6
| Jul sun=212.3
| Aug sun=196.3
| Sep sun=150.7
| Oct sun=112.9
| Nov sun=63.4
| Dec sun=56.1
| year sun=1682.8
| source=[[Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute]]<ref>
{{cite web |url=http://www.klimaatatlas.nl/tabel/stationsdata/klimtab_8110_280.pdf |title=Klimaattabel Eelde, langjarige gemiddelden, tijdvak 1981–2010 |publisher=[[Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute]] |access-date=19 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://weerstatistieken.nl/eelde/1906/januari |title=Eelde, gehomogeniseerde langjarige extremen, tijdvak 1906–2022 |publisher=Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute |access-date=19 May 2022}}</ref>
|date=November 2014}}

==Economy==
Hotel and catering industries constitute a significant part of the economy in Groningen.<ref>{{cite news |title=Number of overnight tourists up to 46 million in 2019 |url=https://www.cbs.nl/en-gb/news/2020/10/number-of-overnight-tourists-up-to-46-million-in-2019 |access-date=7 August 2020 |work=Statistics Netherlands |date=9 March 2020}}</ref> Focus on business services has increased over time and areas such as IT, life sciences, tourism, energy, and environment have developed.<ref name="OECD2020">{{cite book |author=OECD |title=OECD Urban Studies The Circular Economy in Groningen, the Netherlands |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ps7ZDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA16 |date=31 March 2020 |publisher=OECD Publishing |isbn=978-92-64-72442-6 |pages=14–24}}</ref>

Until 2008 there were two major [[Beet sugar factory|beet sugar factories]] within the city. The [[Suiker Unie]] plant was constructed in the outskirts of Groningen, but became a part of the city due to expansion. The factory had 98 employees before it was closed in 2008 due to a reduction in demand.<ref>{{cite news |title=Suiker Unie to Concentrate Sugar Production in Dinteloord and Hoogkerk |url=https://www.foodingredientsfirst.com/news/suiker-unie-to-concentrate-sugar-production-in-dinteloord-and-hoogkerk.html |date=17 January 2008 |access-date=7 August 2020 |work=FoodIngredientsFirst.com |publisher=CNS Media}}</ref> As of 2017, [[Vierverlaten sugar factory]] in [[Hoogkerk]] remains the only beet sugar production plant in the city.<ref>{{cite news |title=CSM beet plant a victim of EU sugar reform |url=https://www.confectionerynews.com/Article/2005/01/07/CSM-beet-plant-a-victim-of-EU-sugar-reform |access-date=7 August 2020 |work=ConfectioneryNews |date=16 March 2017}}</ref> Other notable companies from Groningen include publishing company [[Noordhoff Uitgevers]],<ref name="Koopmans2015">{{cite book |author=Joop W. Koopmans |title=Historical Dictionary of the Netherlands |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GU-xCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA67 |date=5 November 2015 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield Publishers |isbn=978-1-4422-5593-7 |pages=67–100}}</ref> tobacco company [[Niemeyer (tobacco)|Niemeyer]],<ref>{{cite book |title=International Brands and Their Companies |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f_jsAAAAMAAJ |year=1991 |publisher=Gale Research |isbn=978-0-8103-6946-7 |page=641}}</ref> cooperative health insurance company {{Interlanguage link|Menzis|nl}},<ref name="Leeuwen2007">{{cite book |author=Sjors van Leeuwen |title=Zorgmarketing in de praktijk |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Blsywu9OjKkC&pg=PA11 |year=2007 |publisher=Uitgeverij Van Gorcum |language=nl |isbn=978-90-232-4325-0 |page=11}}</ref> distillery [[Hooghoudt distillery|Hooghoudt]],<ref name="Eyewitness2020" /> and natural gas companies [[GasUnie]] and [[GasTerra]].<ref name="InkpenMoffett2017">{{cite book |author1=Andrew C. Inkpen |author2=Michael H. Moffett |author3=Kannan Ramaswamy |title=The Global Oil & Gas Industry: Stories From the Field |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=phxpDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA88 |date=14 June 2017 |publisher=PennWell Corporation |isbn=978-1-59370-381-3 |pages=87–88}}</ref>

==Demographics==

===Immigration===
{| class="wikitable floatright" style="float:right;"
|+ City of Groningen population by country of origin (2020)<ref>{{Cite web |title=CBS StatLine – Bevolking; leeftijd, herkomstgroepering, geslacht en regio, 1 januari |url=http://statline.cbs.nl/Statweb/publication/?DM=SLNL&PA=37713&D1=0-8&D2=0&D3=1-2,6-55&D4=603&D5=l&HDR=T,G4&STB=G1,G3,G2&VW=T |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630224048/http://statline.cbs.nl/Statweb/publication/?DM=SLNL&PA=37713&D1=0-8&D2=0&D3=1-2,6-55&D4=603&D5=l&HDR=T,G4&STB=G1,G3,G2&VW=T |archive-date=30 June 2017 |access-date=30 August 2015}}</ref>
! Country/territory || Population
|-
|{{flagicon|NED}} [[Netherlands]] || style="text-align:right;"|175,249
|-
|{{flagicon|GER}} [[Germany]] || style="text-align:right;"|6,427		
|-
|{{flagicon|IDN}} [[Indonesia]] || style="text-align:right;"|5,847 
|-
|{{flagicon|NED}} [[Dutch Caribbean]] || style="text-align:right;"|3,959 
|-
|{{flagicon|SUR}} [[Suriname]] || style="text-align:right;"|3,401
|-
|{{flagicon|SOV}} [[Former Soviet Union]] || style="text-align:right;"|2,321	
|-
|{{flagicon|PRC}} [[China]] || style="text-align:right;"|2,172
|-
|{{flagicon|TUR}} [[Turkey]] || style="text-align:right;"|1,774
|-
|{{flagicon|UK}} [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|United Kingdom]] || style="text-align:right;"|1,768
|-
|{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Italy]] || style="text-align:right;"|1,401
|-
|{{flagicon|YUG}} [[Yugoslavia]] || style="text-align:right;"|1,391
|-
|{{flagicon|MAR}} [[Morocco]] || style="text-align:right;"|1,266
|-
|{{flagicon|IRN}} [[Iran]] || style="text-align:right;"|1,157
|-
|{{flagicon|IRQ}} [[Iraq]] || style="text-align:right;"|1,050
|-
|Other || style="text-align:right;"|11,992
|}
As of 2020, Groningen had a total population of 232,874 people.
{| class="wikitable"
!2020<ref>{{Cite web |title=CBS Statline |url=https://opendata.cbs.nl/statline/#/CBS/nl/dataset/37713/table |access-date=2023-11-18 |website=opendata.cbs.nl |language=nl}}</ref>
!Numbers
!%
|-
!Dutch natives
|175,249
|75.2%
|-
!Western migration background
|29,365
|12.6%
|-
!Non-Western migration background
|28,260
|12.1%
|-
|[[Indonesia]]
|5,847
|2.51%
|-
|[[Netherlands Antilles]] and [[Aruba]]
|3,959
|1.7%
|-
|[[Suriname]]
|3,401
|1.46%
|-
|[[Turkey]]
|1,774
|0.76%
|-
|[[Morocco]]
|1,266
|0.54%
|-
|Total
|232,874
|100%
|}
{{Expand section|1=prose, examples, and citations|section=1|date=July 2018|small=no|talksection=}}

===Religion===
The majority of people in Groningen, slightly more than 70%, are non-religious.<ref>{{Cite web |title=De religieuze kaart van Nederland, 2010-2015 |url=https://www.cbs.nl/-/media/_pdf/2016/51/religie-regionaal-2010-2015.pdf |access-date=2021-06-17 |website=[[Statistics Netherlands]]}}</ref> With 25.1%, the largest religion in Groningen is [[Christianity]].
{{Pie chart
|thumb=right
|caption=Religions in Groningen (2013)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbs.nl/nl-nl/maatwerk/2014/40/kerkelijkheid-en-kerkbezoek-2010-2013 |publisher=Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek |title=Kerkelijkheid en kerkbezoek, 2010/2013|date=2 October 2014 }}</ref>
|label1=[[Irreligion|No affiliation]]
|value1=71.7
|color1=Honeydew
|label2=[[Protestant Church in the Netherlands]]
|value2=14.1
|color2=DodgerBlue
|label3=[[Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]]
|value3=6.3
|color3=DarkOrchid
|label4=Other Christian denominations 
|value4=4.7
|color4=Turquoise
|label5=[[Islam in the Netherlands|Islam]]
|value5=2.1
|color5=Green
|label6=[[Hinduism]]
|value6=0.6
|color6=Orange
|label7=[[Buddhism]]
|value7=0.3
|color7=Yellow
|label8=[[Judaism]]
|value8=0.2
|color8=Blue
}}

===Population growth===
{{Historical populations
| title= Historical population
| align= right
| width= 280px
| percentages=pagr
| source= {{Harvnb|Lourens|Lucassen|1997|pp=30–31}}
| 1400 | 5000
| 1560 | 12500
| 1600 | 16600
| 1721 | 20680
| 1770 | 23296
| 1787 | 22000
| 1795 | 23770
}}
{{Historical populations|1950|160709|1960|171318|1970|190983|1980|187342|1990|192896|2000|198955|2010|213241|2020|232874|align=right|cols=1|source=[[Statistics Netherlands]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Population dynamics; birth, death and migration per region
|url=https://opendata.cbs.nl/statline/#/CBS/en/dataset/37259eng/table?ts=1742391441388|publisher=[[Statistics Netherlands]]}}</ref>}}The municipality of Groningen has grown rapidly. In 1968 it expanded by mergers with Hoogkerk and Noorddijk,<ref name="Groningen1987">{{cite book |author=Historisch Genootschap te Groningen |title=De Historie herzien: vijfde bundel "Historische avonden" |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yPdMVMhVIboC&pg=PA73 |year=1987 |publisher=Uitgeverij Verloren |language=nl |isbn=90-6550-309-9 |page=73}}</ref> and in 2019 it merged with Haren and Ten Boer.<ref name="OECD2020" />
All historical data are for the original city limits, excluding Hoogkerk, Noorddijk, Haren and Ten Boer.

It has a land area of {{cvt|168.93|km2|sqmi}}, and a total area, including water, of {{cvt|180.21|km2|sqmi}}. Its population density is 1,367 residents per km<sup>2</sup> (3,540 per square mile). On 1 January 2019, it was merged with the municipalities of [[Ten Boer]] and [[Haren, Groningen|Haren]]. The [[Groningen-Assen metropolitan area]] has about half a million inhabitants.
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==Culture==
Groningen is nationally known as the "Metropolis of the North".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mah |first1=Kenny |title=Dutch haven: A day in Groningen |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/life/2018/09/30/dutch-haven-a-day-in-groningen1/1677720 |access-date=8 August 2020 |work=Malay Mail |date=30 September 2018}}</ref> The city is regarded as the main urban centre of the Northern part of the country, particularly in the fields of education, business,<ref name="KaynakUysal2012">{{cite book |author1=Erdener Kaynak |author2=Muzaffer Uysal |title=Global Tourist Behavior |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FJUt5PJNs-gC&pg=PA16 |date=12 November 2012 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-136-58641-5 |page=16}}</ref> music and other arts.<ref>{{cite web |title=Culture |url=https://www.groningenlife.nl/en/culture#:~:text=There's%20a%20reason%20Groningen%20is,has%20a%20great%20historical%20atmosphere. |publisher=GroningenLife! |access-date=8 August 2020}}</ref> It is also known as "''Martinistad''", referring to the tower of the ''[[Martinitoren]]'',<ref name="HagueJenkins2005" /> which is named after Groningen's [[patron saint]] [[Martin of Tours]].<ref name="DrijversMacDonald1995">{{cite book |author1=Hendrik Jan Willem Drijvers |author2=Alasdair A. MacDonald |title=Centres of Learning: Learning and Location in Pre-Modern Europe and the Near East |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3_J7rbzsVeMC&pg=PA326 |year=1995 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=90-04-10193-4 |page=326}}</ref> The large student population also contributes to the very diverse cultural scene for a city of its size.<ref name="HagueJenkins2005" />

Since 2016 Groningen has been host of the [[International Cycling Film Festival]], an annual film festival for bicycle related films. It takes place in the art house cinema of the old Roman Catholic Hospital.<ref>{{cite news |title=What, where, when: New tips for Groningen and Leeuwarden |url=https://northerntimes.nl/what-where-when-new-tips-for-groningen-and-leeuwarden/ |access-date=8 August 2020 |work=The Northern Times |publisher=Persbureau Tammeling BV |date=31 May 2019}}</ref>

The first major international chess tournament after World War II was held in Groningen in 1946. The tournament, won by [[Mikhail Botvinnik]] of the USSR, was the first time the Soviet Union had sent a team to a foreign event. An international chess "Schaakfestival Groningen tournament" has been held in the city in most years since 1946.<ref name="Groningen (1946)">{{cite web |author=<!--User: number 23 Nber  --> |url=https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chess.pl?tid=79918 |title=Groningen (1946) |work=chessgames.com |date=2021-01-01 |access-date=4 June 2021}}</ref>

===Museums===
[[File:Groninger Museum 2.jpg|left|thumb|[[Groninger Museum]] (2006)]]
[[File:Groninger_Forum.jpg|right|thumb|Forum Groningen]]
Groningen is home to the [[Groninger Museum]].<ref name="Vries2010">{{cite book |author=Marietta de Vries |title=Present |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=c1-r9WXOUggC&pg=PA278 |year=2010 |publisher=010 Publishers |isbn=978-90-6450-708-3 |page=278}}</ref> Its new building designed by [[Alessandro Mendini]] in 1994 echoes the Italian post-modern concepts and is notable for its futuristic and colourful style.<ref name="Maidment2000">{{cite book |author=Fred Maidment |title=International Business: 01/02 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UajkWiB4j1sC |date=November 2000 |publisher=McGraw-Hill/Dushkin |isbn=978-0-07-243344-9 |page=201}}</ref><ref name="Ashworth2017" /> The city has a [[maritime museum]], a [[university museum]], a comics museum and a graphics museum.<ref>{{cite book |title=The north and the Frisian Islands Rough Guides Snapshot Netherlands (includes Leeuwarden, Harlingen, Hindeloopen, Makkum, Sneek and Groningen) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vrfiqM00FIwC&pg=PT31 |date=25 April 2013 |publisher=Rough Guides Limited |isbn=978-1-4093-3543-6 |pages=29–36}}</ref> Groningen is also the home of [[Noorderlicht]], an international photographic platform that runs a photo gallery and organizes an international photo festival.<ref name="Karatzogianni2013">{{cite book |author=Athina Karatzogianni |title=Violence and War in Culture and the Media: Five Disciplinary Lenses |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5K_t15wRTNEC&pg=PA75 |date=17 June 2013 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-136-50021-3 |page=75}}</ref> The [[Forum Groningen]] that opened in 2019 is a cultural center consisting of a museum, art cinema, library, bars, rooftop terrace and tourist information office.<ref name="Guides2019">{{cite book |author=Rough Guides |title=The Rough Guide to the Netherlands (Travel Guide eBook) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g0OWDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT355 |date=1 March 2019 |publisher=Apa Publications (UK) Limited |isbn=978-1-78919-527-9 |page=355}}</ref>

===Theatre and music===
[[File:Stadsschouwburg Groningen - links.jpg|right|thumb|Theatre building Groningen]]
Groningen has a city theatre called the Stadsschouwburg, located on the Turfsingel,<ref name="ToonderHoven2012">{{cite book |author1=Jeanette M. L. den Toonder |author2=Bettina van Hoven |title=Re-exploring Canadian Space |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bQDhNRLWggQC&pg=PR13 |year=2012 |publisher=Barkhuis |isbn=978-94-91431-05-0 |page=13}}</ref> a theatre and concert venue called Martini Plaza,<ref name="Gazaleh-WeeversAgudo2007">{{cite book |author1=Gazaleh-Weevers |first=Sheila |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eWgeTv6runIC&pg=PA261 |title=Here's Holland |author2=Shirley Agudo |author3=Connie Moser |date=June 2007 |publisher=Eburon Uitgeverij B.V. |isbn=978-90-5972-141-8 |page=261}}</ref> and a cultural venue on the Trompsingel, called the Oosterpoort.<ref name="ToynbeeDueck2011">{{cite book |author1=Jason Toynbee |author2=Byron Dueck |title=Migrating Music |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2A3JBQAAQBAJ&pg=PT371 |date=31 March 2011 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-136-90093-8 |page=371}}</ref> Vera is located on the Oosterstraat,<ref>{{cite book |title=Living Blues |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hxraAAAAMAAJ |edition=42-44 |year=1979 |publisher=Living Blues Publications |page=16}}</ref> the Grand Theatre on the Grote Markt,<ref name="MeerTilman2005">{{cite book |author1=Karelse Van der Meer |author2=Harm Tilman |author3=De Zwarte Hond |author4=Raimond Wouda |title=Dutch Realist |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ogZQAAAAMAAJ |year=2005 |publisher=NAi Publishers |isbn=978-90-5662-405-7 |page=187}}</ref> and Simplon on the [[Boterdiep]].<ref name="DunfordHolland2000">{{cite book |author1=Martin Dunford |author2=Jack Holland |author3=Phil Lee |title=The Rough Guide to Holland |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vwSWOWmCBhUC |year=2000 |publisher=Rough Guides |isbn=978-1-85828-541-2 |page=256}}</ref> Several cafés feature live music, a few of which specialize in jazz music, including the ''Jazzcafe De Spieghel'' on the Peperstraat.<ref name="DunfordHolland1997">{{cite book |author1=Martin Dunford |author2=Jack Holland |author3=Phil Lee |title=Holland |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cxy8OHEtQjAC |year=1997 |publisher=Rough Guides |isbn=978-1-85828-229-9 |page=230}}</ref> Groningen is the host city for [[Eurosonic Noorderslag]], an annual music showcase event for bands from across Europe.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=About Eurosonic Noorderslag |url=http://www.eurosonic-noorderslag.nl/en/info/about/ |website=Eurosonic Noorderslag |access-date=1 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018042514/http://www.eurosonic-noorderslag.nl/en/info/about/ |archive-date=18 October 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Nightlife===
Groningen's active nightlife depends largely on its student population, with the Grote Markt, Vismarkt, Poelestraat and Peperstraat crowded nightly, most bars not closing until five in the morning.<ref name="DunfordLee2007" /> From 2005 to 2007, Groningen was named "best city centre" of the Netherlands.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.debestebinnenstad.nl/winnaars/winnaars-2005-2007/grote-binnenstad/ |language=nl |title=Winnaars 2005 – 2007 -- Verkiezing Beste Binnenstad |trans-title=Winners 2005 – 2007 -- Election Best City Centre |publisher=debestebinnenstad.nl |access-date=15 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019072119/http://www.debestebinnenstad.nl/winnaars/winnaars-2005-2007/grote-binnenstad |archive-date=19 October 2012}}</ref> Groningen has a [[red-light district]], called ''Nieuwstad''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wind |first1=Chris |title=Life behind red lights in Groningen |url=https://hanzemag.com/life-behind-red-lights-in-groningen/ |website=HanzeMag |access-date=9 August 2020 |date=13 February 2015}}</ref>

===Sports===
[[File:Groningen_-_Voetbalstadion_Euroborg_in_vogelvlucht.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Euroborg]] football stadium]]
[[File:Donar - Landstede Basketbal (2016).jpg|thumb|right|A [[Donar Groningen|Donar]] basketball game in [[MartiniPlaza]]]] 
[[FC Groningen]], founded in 1971, is the local [[association football|football]] club, as of 2026 they play in the [[Eredivisie]], the highest football league of the Netherlands.<ref>{{cite web |title=Standings |url=https://eredivisie.nl/en-us/Standings |website=eredivisie.nl |publisher=Eredivisie |access-date=10 August 2020 |archive-date=25 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425213654/https://eredivisie.nl/en-us/Standings |url-status=dead }}</ref> Winners of the [[KNVB Cup]] in the [[2014–15 KNVB Cup|2014–15 season]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nu.nl/voetbal/4042767/fc-groningen-pakt-eerste-knvb-beker-in-clubhistorie-koste-van-pec.html |title=FC Groningen pakt eerste KNVB-beker in clubhistorie ten koste van PEC – NU – Het laatste nieuws het eerst op NU.nl |language=nl |date=4 May 2015 |work=nu.nl |access-date=10 August 2020}}</ref> their best Eredivisie result was in the 1990–91 season when they finished third.<ref>{{cite web |title=Netherlands 1990/91 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesn/ned91.html |access-date=10 August 2020 |publisher=The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation.}}</ref> Their current stadium which opened in January 2006 has 22,525 seats.<ref>[http://www.imtech.eu/eCache/DEF/1/579.bGFuZz1FTg.html 10 million Euro orders for Olympic Stadium in Berlin and Euroborg Stadium in Groningen] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101228184900/http://www.imtech.eu/eCache/DEF/1/579.bGFuZz1FTg.html |date=28 December 2010 }} Imtech, 8 April 2004</ref><ref name="StadiumCapacity">{{cite web |url=https://www.fcgroningen.nl/club/info |title=Club Info – FC Groningen |work=FC Groningen |date=27 October 2008 |language=nl |access-date=28 June 2016}}</ref> It is called the [[Euroborg|Hitachi Capital Mobility Stadion]]; it was known as the "Euroborg stadium" before 2016, and "Noordlease Stadion" from 2016 to 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nu.nl/groningen/5336906/naam-stadion-fc-groningen-gaat-veranderen-in-hitachi-stadion.html |title=Naam stadion FC Groningen gaat veranderen in Hitachi Stadion |date=28 June 2018 |work=NU |access-date=17 March 2020}}</ref>

American sports are fairly popular in Groningen; it has [[American football]], [[baseball]], and [[basketball]] clubs. Groningen's professional basketball club [[Donar (basketball club)|Donar]] play in the highest professional league, the [[Dutch Basketball League]], and have won the national championship seven times.<ref name=jdus>{{Cite web |url=http://j-dus.com/landskampioenen-bekerwinnaars-en-competitiewinnaars/ |title=Landskampioenen, bekerwinnaars en competitiewinnaars |access-date=16 March 2018 |publisher=J-dus.com |language=nl}}</ref> The [[Groningen Giants]] are the American football team of the city who play in the premier league of the [[AFBN]] and are nicknamed as the "Kings of the North".<ref name="Coutinho2018">{{cite book |author=Steven W. Coutinho |title=Breaking Rank: How to lead change when yesterday's stories limit today's choices |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=T_BlDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA285 |date=24 May 2018 |publisher=Steven Coutinho |pages=285–295 |id=GGKEY:DZLXX5LE9CR}}</ref>

The running event called [[4 Miles of Groningen]] takes place in the city on the second Sunday of October every year with over 23,000 participants.<ref>{{cite web |title=4 Mile of Groningen |url=https://campus.groningen.nl/en/events/4-mile-of-groningen |publisher=Campus Groningen |access-date=10 August 2020 |date=14 October 2018}}</ref> The [[2002 Giro d'Italia]] began in Groningen, including the prologue and the start of the first stage.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Jeff |title=85th Giro d'Italia (GT) |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2002/giro02/ |access-date=10 August 2020 |work=cyclingnews.com}}</ref> The city hosted the start and finish of the fifth stage of the [[2013 Energiewacht Tour]].<ref name=technicalguide>{{cite news |url=http://www.energiewachttour.nl/images/stories/tg-ewt-el.pdf |work=energiewachttour.nl |access-date=2 April 2013 |title=Technical Guide Elite |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130905091513/http://www.energiewachttour.nl/images/stories/tg-ewt-el.pdf |archive-date=5 September 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
{{Further|Groninger Studenten Rugby Club}}

==Education==
[[File:Gymmnasium school Groningen at 23 April 2014 - panoramio.jpg|thumb|left|[[Praedinius Gymnasium]] in Groningen is one of the two [[Gymnasium (school)|gymnasium schools]] in the city.]]
[[File:Academy Building of RUG on May 27, 2019.jpg|thumb|right|Academy Building of the [[University of Groningen]] in 2019]]

As of 2020, around 25% of the 230,000 inhabitants in Groningen are students. The city has the highest density of students and the lowest mean age in the Netherlands.<ref>{{cite web |title=Groningen: Student City |publisher=Accord of Groningen |url=https://groningen.nl/en/study/discover-student-life/groningen-student-city |website=groningen.nl |access-date=10 August 2020 |archive-date=9 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230809100718/https://groningen.nl/en/study/discover-student-life/groningen-student-city |url-status=dead }}</ref>

There are also Middle Schools, such as [[H.N. Werkman College]]

The [[University of Groningen]] (in Dutch: ''[[Rijksuniversiteit Groningen]]''), established in 1614 is the second oldest university in the Netherlands (after the [[University of Leiden]]).<ref name="Essen2013">{{cite book |author=Arthur Joseph van Essen |title=E. Kruisinga: A Chapter in the History of Linguistics in the Netherlands |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ly74CAAAQBAJ&pg=PA37 |date=11 November 2013 |publisher=Springer |isbn=978-94-017-5618-1 |page=37}}</ref> The university educated the country's first female student, [[Aletta Jacobs]],<ref>{{cite book |last1=Jacobs |first1=Aletta |editor1-last=Feinberg |editor1-first=Harriet |translator-last=Wright |translator-first=Annie|title=Memories: My Life as an International Leader in Health, Suffrage, and Peace |date=1996 |publisher=Feminist Press |location=New York, New York |page=15 |isbn=978-1-558-61138-2 |edition=English |url=https://archive.org/details/memoriesmylifeas00jaco/page/7}}</ref> the first Dutch national astronaut, [[Wubbo Ockels]],<ref name="Agency2014">{{cite book |author=European Space Agency |title=Bulletin Agence Spatiale Européenne |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JeI24Mn9ou8C |edition=157-160 |year=2014 |publisher=ESA Publications Division |page=84}}</ref> the first president of the [[European Central Bank]], [[Wim Duisenberg]],<ref name="Koopmans2015" /> and two [[Nobel laureates]]; [[Heike Kamerlingh Onnes]] (in Physics) and [[Ben Feringa]] (in Chemistry).<ref name="Agarwal2008">{{cite book |author=Arun Agarwal |title=Nobel Prize Winners in Physics |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XyOBx2R2CxEC&pg=PA80 |year=2008 |publisher=APH Publishing |isbn=978-81-7648-743-6 |page=80}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=http://dissertations.ub.rug.nl/faculties/science/1978/b.l.feringa/ |title=Asymmetric oxidation of phenols. Atropisomerism and optical activity |access-date=6 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150106103147/http://dissertations.ub.rug.nl/faculties/science/1978/b.l.feringa/ |archive-date=6 January 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The university has about 31,000 students 22% of whom are international.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.rug.nl/about-us/where-do-we-stand/facts-and-figures/?lang=en |title=Key figures |website=rug.nl |date=14 July 2004 |publisher=University of Groningen |access-date=11 August 2020}}</ref>

The [[Hanze University of Applied Sciences]] (in Dutch: ''[[Hanze University of Applied Sciences|Hanzehogeschool Groningen]]'') was founded in 1986 and is more focused on the practical application of knowledge, offering bachelor and master courses in fields like Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Communication and Multimedia Design, and Renewable Energy.<ref name="hanzeuniversity1">{{cite web |url=http://www.hanze.nl/home/International/About+Us/About+Hanze+University+Groningen/History+Hanze+University+Groningen.htm |title=History – Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen |publisher=Hanze University of Applied Sciences |access-date=27 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130126092759/http://www.hanze.nl/home/International/About+Us/About+Hanze+University+Groningen/History+Hanze+University+Groningen.htm |archive-date=26 January 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.hanze.nl/eng/organisation/overviews/programmes?owstaxIdHanzeEducationType=6e4b7c29-bab8-4111-bc03-56dc6c60790d&owstaxIdHanzeEducationType=7cba9c13-4940-4214-ab5e-ec5f2f0256ba |title=Programmes |website=hanze.nl |publisher=Hanze University of Applied Sciences |language=en-GB |access-date=18 October 2019}}</ref> With around 8.1% international students, Hanze hosts more than 28,000 students and is one of the largest universities of applied sciences by enrollment in the Netherlands.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.hanze.nl/eng/organisation/hanze-uas/facts-figures |title=Facts & Figures |publisher=Hanze University of Applied Sciences |website=hanze.nl |language=en-GB |access-date=18 October 2019}}</ref>

==Politics==
The Groningen municipal council has 45 members which, after the [[2022 Dutch municipal elections|2022 local elections]], was made up as follows:<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 March 2022|title=Groningen municipal election 2022 |url=https://www.verkiezingsuitslagen.nl/verkiezingen/detail/GR20220316/731368 |access-date=24 June 2024 |website=www.verkiezingsuitslagen.nl|language=nl}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|+Groningen municipal council<ref>{{Cite web|author=GemeenteOplossingen |title=Raadsleden, Gemeente Groningen |url=https://gemeenteraad.groningen.nl/raadsleden/ |access-date=2023-12-16 |website=gemeenteraad.groningen.nl |language=nl}}</ref>
!Party name
!Seats
|-
|[[GroenLinks]]
|9
|-
|[[Labour Party (Netherlands)|PvdA]]
|6
|-
|[[Democrats 66|D66]]
|5
|-
|[[Party for the Animals]]
|4
|-
|Stadspartij 100% voor Groningen
|4
|-
|[[Socialist Party (Netherlands)|Socialist Party]]
|4
|-
|[[VVD]]
|3
|-
|[[Student en Stad]]
|3
|-
|[[ChristenUnie|Christian Union]]
|2
|-
|[[Christian Democratic Appeal]]
|2
|-
|[[Party for the North]]
|2
|-
|[[Party for Freedom]]
|1
|}
From 2022, the ruling municipal coalition consisted of GroenLinks, PvdA, Party for the Animals, the Socialist Party and ChristenUnie.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Coalitieakkoord {{!}} Gemeente Groningen |url=https://gemeente.groningen.nl/coalitieakkoord |access-date=2023-12-16 |website=gemeente.groningen.nl}}</ref>

===International relations===
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in the Netherlands}}
Groningen is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with the following cities:<ref name="Groningen">{{cite web |url=http://www.groningen.nl/functies/pagfunctie.cfm?parameter=1285 |title=''Groningen – Partner Cities'' |publisher=2008 Gemeente Groningen, Kreupelstraat 1,9712 HW Groningen |access-date=8 December 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926211207/http://www.groningen.nl/functies/pagfunctie.cfm?parameter=1285 |archive-date=26 September 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Kadernota Internationalisering 2013–2016 |url=https://gemeente.groningen.nl/sites/default/files/kadernota-internationalisering-2013-2016.pdf |website=gemeente.groningen.nl |publisher=Groningen |page=8 |language=nl |access-date=13 August 2020 |archive-date=22 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122023856/https://gemeente.groningen.nl/sites/default/files/kadernota-internationalisering-2013-2016.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
{| cellpadding="10"
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
|
*{{flagicon|UK}} [[Newcastle-Upon-Tyne]], England, UK
*{{flagicon|DEN}} [[Odense]], Denmark
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Oldenburg (city)|Oldenburg]], Germany
*{{flagicon|AUT}} [[Graz]], Austria<ref name="Graz">{{cite web |url=http://www.graz.at/cms/beitrag/10045157/606819/ |title=Twin Towns – Graz Online – English Version |publisher=graz.at |access-date=5 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091108153010/http://www.graz.at/cms/beitrag/10045157/606819/ |archive-date=8 November 2009}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|CZE}} [[Zlín]], Czech Republic
*{{flagicon|POL}} [[Katowice]], Poland
*{{flagicon|EST}} [[Tallinn]], Estonia
*{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Kaliningrad]], Russia<ref name="Kaliningrad">{{cite web |url=http://www.klgd.ru/en/search/index.php?q=partner+cities&where= |title=''Kaliningrad – Partner Cities'' |publisher=2000–2006 Kaliningrad City Hall |access-date=8 December 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211114532/http://www.klgd.ru/en/search/index.php?q=partner+cities&where= |archive-date=11 December 2008}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Murmansk]], Russia
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Holland, Michigan|Holland]], Michigan, US
*{{flagicon|NCA}} [[San Carlos, Río San Juan|San Carlos]], Nicaragua
*{{flagicon|PRC}} [[Tianjin]], China

|}
Groningen also has a trilateral partnership with the nearby northern German cities of [[Bremen]] and [[Oldenburg (city)|Oldenburg.]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=International relations and development cooperation - Senatskanzlei UNESCO-Welterbe Rathaus Bremen |url=https://www.rathaus.bremen.de/international-relations-and-development-cooperation-89301 |access-date=2022-09-15 |website=www.rathaus.bremen.de}}</ref>

==Transport==
===Cycling and walking===
[[File:Herestraat Groningen.JPG|thumb|''Herestraat'', the main shopping street (2004)]]
Groningen is known as the "World Cycling City"; around 57% of its residents use a bicycle for regular commute within the city.<ref name="G2013">{{cite book |author=Pooley, Colin G |title=Promoting Walking and Cycling: New Perspectives on Sustainable Travel |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vWamAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT71 |date=21 August 2013 |publisher=Policy Press |isbn=978-1-4473-1010-5 |page=71}}</ref> In 2000, Groningen was chosen as the ''Fietsstad 2002'', the top cycle-city in the Netherlands for 2002.<ref name="Tolley2003">{{cite book |author=R Tolley |title=Sustainable Transport |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hbmkAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA522 |date=29 August 2003 |publisher=Elsevier |isbn=978-1-85573-861-4 |page=522}}</ref> Similar to most [[Cycling in the Netherlands|Dutch cities]], Groningen has developed to accommodate a large number of cyclists.<ref name="BruntlettBruntlett2018">{{cite book |author1=Melissa Bruntlett |author2=Chris Bruntlett |title=Building the Cycling City: The Dutch Blueprint for Urban Vitality |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=f-FdDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA48 |date=28 August 2018 |publisher=Island Press |isbn=978-1-61091-879-4 |pages=43–55}}</ref> An extensive network of bike paths were planned to make it more convenient to cycle to various destinations instead of taking a car.<ref name="BeckerLampe2018">{{cite book |author1=Annette Becker |author2=Stefanie Lampe |author3=Lessano Negussie |author4=Peter Cachola Schmal |title=Ride a Bike!: Reclaim the City |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LoxsDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA12 |date=23 April 2018 |publisher=Birkhäuser |isbn=978-3-0356-1525-8 |page=12}}</ref>

The city has segregated cycle-paths, public transport, and a large pedestrianised zone in the city centre.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Environmental Assessment of Traffic Management Schemes: A Literature Review |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RgdRAQAAMAAJ |year=1995 |publisher=Transport Research Laboratory |page=49}}</ref> Groningen's city centre was remodeled into a "pedestrian priority zone" to promote walking and biking.<ref name="Beatley2012">{{cite book |author=Timothy Beatley |title=Green Urbanism: Learning From European Cities |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dlMuQxpjCgsC&pg=PA45 |date=26 September 2012 |publisher=Island Press |isbn=978-1-61091-013-2 |page=45}}</ref> This was achieved by applying the principle of [[Permeability (spatial and transport planning)|filtered permeability]]—the network configuration favours [[active transportation]] and selectively "filters out" traveling in a car by reducing the number of streets that run through the centre.<ref name="Appleby2012">{{cite book |author=Paul Appleby |title=Integrated Sustainable Design of Buildings |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VKgeBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA175 |date=12 October 2012 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-136-53985-5 |page=175}}</ref> The streets that are discontinuous for cars connect to a network of pedestrian and bike paths which permeate the entire centre.<ref name="Spotswood2016">{{cite book |author=Fiona Spotswood |title=Beyond Behaviour Change: Key Issues, Interdisciplinary Approaches and Future Directions |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cvOfCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA102 |date=26 February 2016 |publisher=Policy Press |isbn=978-1-4473-1756-2 |pages=102–104}}</ref> In addition, these paths go through public squares and open spaces, increasing aesthetic appeal and encouraging participation.<ref name="Communities1994">{{cite book |author=Commission of the European Communities |title=City and Environment |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VnNPAAAAMAAJ |year=1994 |publisher=The Commission |isbn=978-92-826-5902-1 |page=58}}</ref> The logic of filtering a mode of transport is fully expressed in a comprehensive model for laying out neighbourhoods and districts—the [[fused grid]].<ref>Melia, S. (2012). ''Filtered and unfiltered permeability: The European and Anglo-Saxon approaches''. Project, 4.</ref>

===Public transport===
====Trains====
[[File:20080430_Hoofdstation_Groningen_NL.jpg|thumb|[[Groningen railway station|Railway station]] Groningen (2008)]]
[[Groningen railway station]] (in Dutch: ''Hoofdstation'') is the main railway station and has regular services to most of the major cities in the country.<ref name="Ashworth2017" /> The city's remaining two railway stations are [[Groningen Europapark railway station|Europapark]] and [[Groningen Noord railway station|Noord]].<ref>[http://stationsweb.nl/station.asp?station=groningenkempkensberg Halte Groningen Europapark] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207170506/http://stationsweb.nl/station.asp?station=groningenkempkensberg |date=7 February 2021 }} {{in lang|nl}}, Stationsweb. Retrieved on 25 May 2015.</ref><ref>[http://www.stationsweb.nl/station.asp?station=groningennoord Station Groningen Noord] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121141715/http://www.stationsweb.nl/station.asp?station=groningennoord |date=21 January 2021 }} {{in lang|nl}}, Stationweb. Retrieved 8 December 2015.</ref>

Groningen has six railway routes:<ref name="trains">{{cite web |title=Spoorkaart 2020: hier te downloaden |url=https://nieuws.ns.nl/spoorkaart-2020-hier-te-downloaden/ |publisher=Nieus |access-date=12 August 2020 |date=23 January 2020 |language=nl}}</ref>
*Groningen – [[Delfzijl]]
*Groningen – [[Roodeschool]] / [[Eemshaven]]
*Groningen – [[Leeuwarden]]
*Groningen – [[Veendam]]
*Groningen – [[Weener]] / [[Leer, Lower Saxony|Leer]]
*Groningen – [[Meppel]] / [[Zwolle]]

On those six routes, ten lines stop at:<ref name="trains" />
*[[Groningen railway station|Groningen]] – [[Groningen Noord railway station|Groningen North]] – [[Sauwerd railway station|Sauwerd]] – [[Bedum railway station|Bedum]] – [[Stedum railway station|Stedum]] – [[Loppersum railway station|Loppersum]] – [[Appingedam railway station|Appingedam]] – [[Delfzijl West railway station|Delfzijl West]] – [[Delfzijl railway station|Delfzijl]] 
*[[Groningen railway station|Groningen]] – [[Groningen Noord railway station|Groningen North]] – [[Sauwerd railway station|Sauwerd]] – [[Winsum railway station|Winsum]] – [[Baflo railway station|Baflo]] – [[Warffum railway station|Warffum]] – [[Usquert railway station|Usquert]] – [[Uithuizen railway station|Uithuizen]] – [[Uithuizermeeden railway station|Uithuizermeeden]] – [[Roodeschool railway station|Roodeschool]] – (Low Service) [[Eemshaven railway station|Eemshaven]]
*[[Groningen railway station|Groningen]] – [[Zuidhorn railway station|Zuidhorn]] – [[Grijpskerk railway station|Grijpskerk]] – [[Buitenpost railway station|Buitenpost]] – [[De Westereen railway station|De Westereen]] – [[Feanwâlden railway station|Feanwâlden]] – [[Hurdegaryp railway station|Hurdegaryp]] – [[Leeuwarden Camminghaburen railway station|Leeuwarden Camminghaburen]] – [[Leeuwarden railway station|Leeuwarden]]
*[[Groningen railway station|Groningen]] – [[Buitenpost railway station|Buitenpost]] – [[Leeuwarden railway station|Leeuwarden]]
*[[Groningen railway station|Groningen]] – [[Groningen Europapark railway station|Groningen Europapark]] – [[Kropswolde railway station|Kropswolde]] – [[Martenshoek railway station|Martenshoek]] – [[Hoogezand-Sappemeer railway station|Hoogezand-Sappemeer]] – [[Zuidbroek railway station|Zuidbroek]] – [[Veendam railway station|Veendam]]
*[[Groningen railway station|Groningen]] – [[Groningen Europapark railway station|Groningen Europapark]] – [[Kropswolde railway station|Kropswolde]] – [[Martenshoek railway station|Martenshoek]] – [[Hoogezand-Sappemeer railway station|Hoogezand-Sappemeer]] – [[Zuidbroek railway station|Zuidbroek]] – [[Scheemda railway station|Scheemda]] – [[Winschoten railway station|Winschoten]] – (lower service) [[Bad Nieuweschans railway station|Bad Nieuweschans]] – [[Weener railway station|Weener]] (Due to a broken bridge, trains do not go on to [[Leer railway station|Leer]]. Take a bus from Groningen or [[Weener]].) 
*[[Groningen railway station|Groningen]] – [[Groningen Europapark railway station|Groningen Europapark]] – [[Haren (NL) railway station|Haren]] – [[Assen railway station|Assen]] – [[Beilen railway station|Beilen]] – [[Hoogeveen railway station|Hoogeveen]] – [[Meppel railway station|Meppel]] – [[Zwolle railway station|Zwolle]]
*[[Groningen railway station|Groningen]] – [[Assen railway station|Assen]] – [[Zwolle railway station|Zwolle]] – [[Amersfoort railway station|Amersfoort Centraal]] – [[Utrecht Centraal railway station|Utrecht Centraal]] – [[Gouda railway station|Gouda]] – [[Rotterdam Alexander railway station|Rotterdam Alexander]] – [[Rotterdam Centraal railway station|Rotterdam Centraal]]
*[[Groningen railway station|Groningen]] – [[Assen railway station|Assen]] – [[Zwolle railway station|Zwolle]] – [[Lelystad Centrum railway station|Lelystad Centrum]] – [[Almere Centrum railway station|Almere Centrum]] – [[Amsterdam zuid railway station|Amsterdam South]] – [[Schiphol railway station|Schiphol]] – [[Leiden Centraal railway station|Leiden Centraal]] – [[Den Haag Centraal railway station|Den Haag Centraal / The Hague Centraal]]

====Buses====
Groningen has bus lines and Q-Link—a network of buses similar to a tram/metro network.<ref name="BijlOort2018">{{cite book |author1=Rob van Der Bijl |author2=Niels Van Oort |author3=Bert Bukman |title=Light Rail Transit Systems: 61 Lessons in Sustainable Urban Development |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t31gDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA178 |date=29 June 2018 |publisher=Elsevier Science |isbn=978-0-12-814785-6 |pages=166–186}}</ref>
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City & Q-Link lines:<ref name="buses">{{cite web |title=Kaarten en plattegronden |url=https://gd.qbuzz.nl/gd/reis-plannen/kaarten-en-plattegronden |publisher=Qbuzz |access-date=21 August 2025 |language=nl}}</ref>
*1: [[Groningen railway station|Main Station]] – City Center – [[University Medical Center Groningen|UMCG]] North – [[Groningen Noord railway station|Station Groningen North]] – [[University of Groningen|Zernike]] – P+R Reitdiep
*2: [[Groningen Europapark railway station|Groningen Europapark]] – [[University Medical Center Groningen|UMCG]] Main Entrance – [[University Medical Center Groningen|UMCG]] North – [[Groningen Noord railway station|Station Groningen North]] – [[University of Groningen|Zernike]] – [[Zuidhorn railway station|Station Zuidhorn]]
*3: [[Lewenborg]] – P+R Kardinge – [[Groningen railway station|Main Station]] – P+R [[Hoogkerk]] – [[Leek, Netherlands|Leek]]
*4: [[Beijum]] – P+R Kardinge – [[Groningen railway station|Main Station]] – P+R [[Hoogkerk]] – [[Peize]] – [[Roden, Drenthe|Roden]]
*5: [[Harkstede]] – P+R [[Meerstad]] – [[University Medical Center Groningen|UMCG]] Main Entrance – City Centre – [[Groningen railway station|Main Station]] – P+R [[Haren, Groningen|Haren]] – [[Zuidlaren]] – [[Annen]]
*6: P+R [[Haren, Groningen|Haren]] – [[Groningen railway station|Main Station]] – [[University Medical Center Groningen|UMCG]] Main Entrance – [[Ten Boer]] – [[Appingedam]] – [[Delfzijl]]
*7: [[Groningen railway station|Main Station]] – Westerhaven – Vinkhuizen – Paddepoel
*8: P+R [[Hoogkerk]] – [[Hoogkerk]] – Westerhaven – [[Groningen railway station|Main Station]] – De Wijert – [[Groningen Europapark railway station|Groningen Europapark]]
*9: [[Eelde]] – [[Paterswolde]] – Martini hospital – Corpus den Hoorn – De Wijert – [[Groningen railway station|Main Station]] – Westerhaven – Paddepoel – [[University of Groningen|Zernike]]
*10: P+R [[Hoogkerk]] – Martini hospital – Corpus den Hoorn – De Wijert – [[Groningen railway station|Main Station]] – Korrewegwijk – Selwerd – [[Groningen Noord railway station|Station Groningen North]]
*15: [[Groningen railway station|Main Station]] – Paddepoel – [[University of Groningen|Zernike]]
*18: P+R [[Hoogkerk]] – Vinkhuizen – Paddepoel – [[University of Groningen|Zernike]]
*19: [[Groningen railway station|Main Station]] – Westerhaven – Paddepoel

Q-Liner lines:<ref name="buses" />
*300: [[Groningen railway station|Groningen]] – P+R Westlaren ([[Zuidlaren]]) – P+R [[Gieten]] – P+R [[Borger (Drenthe)|Borger]] – Emmen
*304: [[Groningen railway station|Groningen]] – P+R [[Hoogkerk]] – [[Drachten]]
*309: [[Groningen railway station|Groningen]] – [[Assen]] Busstation Marsdijk – Kloosterveen
*312: [[Groningen railway station|Groningen]] – P+R [[Haren, Groningen|Haren]] – P+R [[Annen]] – P+R [[Gieten]] – [[Gasselte]] – [[Stadskanaal]]
*314: [[Groningen railway station|Groningen]] – [[Drachten]]
*315: [[Groningen railway station|Groningen]] – [[Heerenveen]] – [[Emmeloord]]
*324: [[Groningen railway station|Groningen]] – [[Emmeloord]]

Night lines:<ref name="buses" />
*404: [[Groningen railway station|Groningen]] – P+R [[Hoogkerk]] – [[Marum]] – [[Drachten]]
*406: [[Groningen railway station|Groningen]] – [[Ten Boer]] – [[Appingedam]] – [[Delfzijl]]
*409: [[Groningen railway station|Groningen]] – [[Assen]] Busstation Marsdijk – [[Assen railway station|Station Assen]]
*410: [[Groningen railway station|Groningen]] – [[Vries, Netherlands|Vries]] – [[Assen]] Busstation Marsdijk – [[Assen railway station|Station Assen]]
*417: [[Groningen railway station|Groningen]] → P+R [[Hoogkerk]] → [[Peize]] → [[Roden, Drenthe|Roden]] → [[Leek, Netherlands|Leek]] → P+R [[Hoogkerk]] – [[Groningen railway station|Groningen]]
*418: [[Groningen railway station|Groningen]] → [[Haren, Groningen|Haren]] → [[Zuidlaren]] → [[Annen]] → P+R [[Gieten]] → P+R [[Annen]] → P+R Westlaren → P+R [[Haren, Groningen|Haren]] → [[Groningen railway station|Groningen]] 
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Regional lines:<ref name="buses" />
*35: [[Groningen railway station|Groningen]] – [[Aduard]] – [[Oldehove, Groningen|Oldehove]]
*39: [[Groningen railway station|Groningen]] – Vinkhuizen – [[Zuidhorn]] – [[Grootegast]] – [[Surhuisterveen]]
*50: [[Groningen railway station|Groningen]] – [[Haren, Groningen|Haren]] – [[Glimmen]] – [[Vries, Drenthe|Vries]] – [[Assen railway station|Station Assen]]
*51: [[Groningen railway station|Groningen]] – [[Haren, Groningen|Haren]] – [[Zuidlaren]] – [[Annen]] – [[Loon]] – [[Assen railway station|Station Assen]]
*61: [[Groningen railway station|Groningen]] – [[Bedum]] – [[Middelstum]] – [[Uithuizen]]
*65: [[Groningen railway station|Groningen]] – [[Winsum]] – [[Zoutkamp]]
*76: [[Groningen railway station|Groningen]] – [[Hoogezand]]
*85:[[Groningen railway station|Groningen]] – [[Leek, Netherlands|Leek]] – [[Oosterwolde, Friesland|Oosterwolde]] 
*107: [[University of Groningen|Zernike]] – P+R Kardinge – [[Gasselte]] – [[Stadskanaal]]
*109: [[University of Groningen|Zernike]] – P+R [[Hoogkerk]] – [[Assen]]
*133: [[Groningen railway station|Groningen]] – P+R [[Hoogkerk]] – Via [[A7 motorway (Netherlands)|A7]] – [[Grootegast]] – [[Surhuisterveen]]
*139: [[Groningen railway station|Groningen]] – [[Hoogkerk]] – [[Grootegast]] – [[Surhuisterveen]]
*163: [[Groningen railway station|Groningen]] – [[Winsum]] – [[Lauwersoog]] (connecting with the ferry to [[Schiermonnikoog (island and municipality)|Schiermonnikoog]])
*171: [[University of Groningen|Zernike]] – Via [[A7 motorway (Netherlands)|A7]] – [[Hoogezand]] – [[Veendam]]
*178: [[Groningen railway station|Groningen]] – [[Slochteren]] – [[Siddeburen]] – [[Appingedam]] (limited Service to [[Appingedam]])
Other lines:<ref name="buses" />
*563: [[Winsum]] – [[Bedum]] – [[Ten Boer]]
*564: [[Ten Boer]] – [[Woltersum]] – [[Appingedam]]
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Direct bus routes from Groningen to [[Bremen]], [[Hamburg]], [[Berlin]], and [[Munich]] are also available.

===Motorways===
The [[A28 motorway (Netherlands)|A28 motorway]] connects Groningen to [[Utrecht (city)|Utrecht]] (via [[Assen]], [[Zwolle]] and [[Amersfoort]]).<ref name="Eyewitness2017">{{cite book |author=DK Eyewitness |title=DK Eyewitness The Netherlands |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2KXDDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA309 |date=6 July 2017 |publisher=Dorling Kindersley Limited |isbn=978-0-241-45190-8 |page=309}}</ref> The [[A7 motorway (Netherlands)|A7 motorway]] connects it to [[Friesland]] and [[Zaandam]] (West), and [[Winschoten]] and [[Leer, Lower Saxony|Leer]] (East).<ref name="DoddGrace1989">{{cite book |author1=Vincent A. Dodd |author2=Patrick M. Grace |title=Agricultural Engineering: Proceedings of the 11th International Congress, Dublin, 4-8 September 1989 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XIrxAOPL9tsC&pg=PA176 |date=1 June 1989 |publisher=CRC Press |isbn=978-90-6191-980-3 |pages=176–181}}</ref>

===Airport===
[[File:Boeing_737-8K2,_Transavia_Airlines_JP5966774.jpg|thumb|Groningen Airport Eelde]]
[[Groningen Airport Eelde]] is an international airport located near [[Eelde]], in [[Drenthe]], with scheduled services to [[Guernsey]], [[Gran Canaria]], [[Antalya]], [[Crete]], [[Mallorca]] and [[Bodrum]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Destinations |url=https://www.groningenairport.nl/bestemmingen-overzicht |publisher=Groningen Airport Eelde |access-date=12 August 2020}}</ref>

==Notable people==
{{Main|List of people from Groningen}}
[[File:Dirk Jan de Geer.jpg|100px|thumb|Dirk Jan de Geer, 1926]]
*[[Abel Janszoon Tasman]] (1603–1659), explorer, seafarer, merchant for the [[Dutch East India Company]]
*[[Albert Dominicus Trip van Zoudtlandt]] (1776–1835), lieutenant-general at the [[Battle of Waterloo]]
*[[Geert Adriaans Boomgaard]] (1788–1899), soldier, first validated&nbsp;supercentenarian
*[[Heike Kamerlingh Onnes]] (1853–1926), physicist, Nobel laureate
*[[Dirk Jan de Geer]] (1870–1960), statesman and [[Prime Minister of the Netherlands|Dutch Prime Minister]] (1926–1929, 1939–1940), advocated peace settlement between the Netherlands and [[Nazi Germany]] in 1940
*[[Jantina Tammes]] (1871–1947), botanist and geneticist
*[[Alidius Tjarda van Starkenborgh Stachouwer|A. W. L. Tjarda van Starkenborgh Stachouwer]] (1888–1978), last colonial [[Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies|Governor-General]] of the [[Netherlands East Indies]]
*[[Michel Velleman]] (1895–1943), Jewish magician
*[[Jan Wolthuis]] (1903–1983), lawyer and collaborator, active in [[far-right politics]] after WWII
*[[Esmée van Eeghen]] (1918–1944), [[Dutch resistance]] member executed by the Nazis in Paddepoel, Noorddijk
*[[Pete Hoekstra]] (born 1953), [[United States ambassador to the Netherlands]] and [[Canada]], former [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[member of Congress]] representing [[Michigan's 2nd congressional district]]
*[[Gerard Kemkers]] (born 1967), [[speed skating]] bronze medalist at [[1988 Winter Olympics]]
*[[Anda Kerkhoven]] (1919–1945), Dutch resistance member executed by the Nazis near Glimmen
*[[Bauke Mollema]] (born 1986), cyclist
*[[Kim Feenstra]] (born 1985), model
*[[Ben Woldring]] (born 1985), internet entrepreneur
*[[Luit Bieringa]] (1942–2022), New Zealand Art Historian
*[[Luciano Valente (footballer, born 2003)|Luciano Valente]] (born 2003), professional footballer
*[[Noisia]], music producers
*[[Vicetone]], DJ and music producer duo
*[[Lois Abbingh]], handball player and world champion

==See also==
*[[Sint Geertruidsgasthuis]], a ''[[hofje]]'' in Groningen
*[[Hunze]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

===Bibliography===
*{{cite book |last1=Lourens |first1=Piet |last2=Lucassen |first2=Jan |title=Inwonertallen van Nederlandse steden ca. 1300–1800 |year=1997 |location=Amsterdam |publisher=NEHA |isbn=9057420082}}

==External links==
{{Sister project links |wikt=Groningen |commons=Groningen |n=no |voy=Groningen |Groningen |b=no|q=no|species=no}}
*[http://gemeente.groningen.nl/ Official website] {{in lang|nl}}

{{Navboxes|titlestyle=background:#ccccff|title=Groningen|list1=
{{Groningen Province}}
{{Dutch capital cities}}
{{Hanseatic League}}
{{Geographic location
|Centre    = Groningen
|North     = [[Het Hogeland]]
|Northeast = [[Eemsdelta]]
|East      = [[Midden-Groningen]]
|South     = [[Tynaarlo]]{{space}}([[Drenthe|DR]])
|Southwest = [[Noordenveld]]{{space}}([[Drenthe|DR]])
|West      = [[Westerkwartier (municipality)|Westerkwartier]]}}
}}
{{Dutch municipality Groningen}}
{{Groningen Province}}
{{Hanseatic League}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Groningen (City)}}
[[Category:Groningen (city)| ]]
[[Category:Cities in the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Members of the Hanseatic League]]
[[Category:Municipalities of Groningen (province)]]
[[Category:Populated places in Groningen (province)]]
[[Category:Provincial capitals of the Netherlands]]