What you have always wanted to know about Groningen in 25 facts…

Awards

  1. Second best student city in the Netherlands (after Amsterdam, according to survey October 2007)
  2. Safest City in the Netherlands 2004
  3. Best liked by its inhabitants in a comparable Survey from the EU, July 2007, among inhabitants of 75 cities in the EU, on aspects such as amenities, facilities, safety, pleasant people, clean air. (1. Groningen, 2. Leipzig 2. and 3. Krakow)
  4. Groningen belongs to the top five of best bike cities (57% of all transportation within the city is by bike)
  5. In 2009 the city was awarded the title of Fairtrade town

    History
  6. The first major settlement in Groningen has been traced back to the third century AD
  7. During medieval times, the city steadily became an important trade centre in Northern Europe
  8. The map of the inner city of Groningen dates from the early Middle Ages
  9. Many old buildings in the centre still show Groningen’s great history

    Population
  10. Groningen has a population of 190.146
  11. One in five people in Groningen is a student, which gives Groningen the highest student population density in the Netherlands
  12. Groningen is the youngest city of the Netherlands: most people are between 20-24 years old
  13. According to a survey, the Dutch are, together with the Danish, the most happy people on the planet

    Culture
  14. Because Groningen is the urban centre of the north of the Netherlands and has such a large student population, its cultural scene is remarkably big and diverse
  15. It has a vibrant and famous nightlife, dominated by students. Bars in the centre are allowed to stay open 24 hours a day
  16. Underground pop club Vera has a great reputation among alternative music lovers all over the world. Bands like Nirvana, U2, White Stripes and Sonic Youth performed here in the early days of their career
  17. Do not forget to visit the famous Eurosonic festival is in Groningen every year. It is the largest  European showcase festival
  18. Other museums in Groningen include a comics museum, tobacco museum, and science museum

    Economy
  19. Economic capital of the north of the Netherlands
  20. Largest natural gas-field in Western Europe
  21. World’s largest sugar factory
  22. One of the Netherlands’ largest shipbuilding centres

    Transport
  23. The centre of Groningen is partly closed off for cars, so it is a very safe and comfortable environment for pedestrians and bikers
  24. Only two hours away from Utrecht, two-and-a-half from Amsterdam and Schiphol Airport, and three hours from The Hague and Rotterdam
  25. Groningen is located very close to the German border. It’s only two hours away from Bremen, and three hours from Hamburg

    Bonus
  26. There are direct buses between Groningen and Bremen airport, run by Publicexpress (www.publicexpress.de).  From Bremen Airport you can fly with Ryaniar to many destinations in Europe at a very low price (Milan, Malaga, Barcelona, London, Oslo, Stockholm)

 

Document acties