North Holland (Dutch: Noord-Holland) is a province of the Netherlands, located in the northwest part of the country. Its capital is Haarlem. Other cities include the country's capital Amsterdam, Hilversum, Alkmaar, Zaandam and Hoorn.
North Holland forms a peninsula between the North Sea and the IJsselmeer. More than half of the province consists of reclaimed land in the form of polders and is below sea level. The island of Texel is also part of North Holland.
The province North Holland was formed in 1840, when the province Holland was split in to a northern and southern part (South Holland). In 1940, the islands Vlieland and Terschelling were ceded to the province Friesland. In 1950, the former island Urk was ceded to the province Overijssel.
