Leiden (; in English and
archaic Dutch also
Leyden) is a city and municipality in the Dutch province of
South Holland. The municipality of Leiden has a population of 122,000, but the city forms one densely connected agglomeration with its suburbs
Oegstgeest,
Leiderdorp,
Voorschoten and
Zoeterwoude with around 190,000 inhabitants. Leiden is located on the
Old Rhine, at a distance of some from
The Hague to its south and some from
Amsterdam to its north. The recreational area of the Kaag Lakes (
Kagerplassen) lies just to the northeast of Leiden.