Overview
Westland is a municipality located on the western coast of the Netherlands. It lies within the Dutch urbanized province and forms part of the greater conurbation between The Hague and Rotterdam. The municipality had about 108,603 residents in 2019 and combines small towns, villages and large greenhouse complexes.
Characteristics and settlements
Westland is largely low-lying, flat and built on reclaimed land (polders). Its landscape is dominated by glasshouses and nursery plots. Principal population centres include Naaldwijk (the municipal centre), 's-Gravenzande, Monster, Wateringen and De Lier, together with smaller hamlets and industrial zones.
Economy and uses
The local economy is strongly oriented toward horticulture and agribusiness. Extensive greenhouse cultivation produces vegetables, cut flowers and ornamental plants for national and export markets. Supporting activities include processing, distribution, logistics and trade services that link growers to Dutch and international supply chains.
History and development
Historically the area was formed by polders reclaimed from the sea and inland waters, a process that shaped much of the Dutch coast. Over the 19th and 20th centuries small-scale market gardening evolved into high-density protected cultivation. Modern consolidation of municipalities and infrastructure has further integrated the region into the Randstad urban network.
Transport, culture and notable facts
Westland is well connected by road and public transport to surrounding cities, enabling swift movement of horticultural goods to ports and airports. The area also hosts seasonal horticultural events and flower shows that reflect its role in Dutch floriculture. It is often cited as one of the most intensive greenhouse horticultural regions in the world.
For administrative context see the province entry: province and regional references: South Holland. The combination of small urban centres and large-scale glasshouse production gives Westland a distinctive economic and landscape profile within the Netherlands.