# Breda

> city in the province of North Brabant, Netherlands

**Wikidata**: [Q40844](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q40844)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breda)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/breda

## Summary
Breda is a city in the province of North Brabant, Netherlands, with a population of 188,078 as of 2024. It is known for its historical significance, including multiple sieges, and serves as a cultural and administrative hub in the region. The city has been granted town rights since 1205 and is recognized by its anthem, *De Paarse Heide*, adopted in 1991.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Situated in the Netherlands, in the province of North Brabant, at coordinates 51.5889° N, 4.7758° E.
- **Population**: 188,078 (as of 2024), with demonym "Bredanaar" or "Bredaër".
- **Area**: 128.68 km², with 2.05% water coverage.
- **Elevation**: 3 meters above sea level.
- **Anthem**: *De Paarse Heide* (adopted September 26, 1991).
- **Website**: [https://www.breda.nl/](https://www.breda.nl/).
- **Time Zone**: UTC+01:00.
- **Postal Codes**: 4800–4841, 4847, 4850–4854.
- **Dialing Code**: 076.
- **Twinned With**: Wrocław, Poland.
- **Historical Events**: Seven significant sieges, including the Capture of Breda (1590, 1637) and the Siege of Breda (1624–1625, 1672, 1697, 1702, 1747).
- **Territorial History**: Part of the Baronie van Breda from 1167 to 1795.
- **Ownership**: Manages NAC Stadion, Rat Verlegh Stadion, and NAC stadion Heuvelstraat.
- **Borders**: Shares boundaries with Alphen-Chaam, Etten-Leur, Gilze en Rijen, Moerdijk, Oosterhout, and Zundert.

## FAQs
- **Where is Breda located?**  
  Breda is in the southern Netherlands, within the province of North Brabant, at coordinates 51.5889° N, 4.7758° E.

- **What is Breda’s historical significance?**  
  The city endured multiple sieges, notably during the Eighty Years' War and the Franco-Dutch War, reflecting its strategic military importance.

- **What are Breda’s key cultural symbols?**  
  Its anthem, *De Paarse Heide*, and its coat of arms (viewable at [Breda_wapen.svg](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Breda_wapen.svg)).

- **How large is Breda?**  
  The city covers 128.68 km², with 2.05% water, and has a population of 188,078 (2024).

- **Is Breda twinned with any cities?**  
  Yes, it is twinned with Wrocław, Poland.

## Why It Matters
Breda holds historical and cultural significance as a fortified city that played a pivotal role in European conflicts, particularly during the Eighty Years' War. Its well-preserved architecture, strategic location, and enduring municipal identity—evidenced by its 12th-century town rights and modern governance—make it a key city in the Netherlands. Today, it serves as a regional economic and cultural center, blending historical heritage with contemporary infrastructure.

## Notable For
- **Siege History**: Experienced seven documented sieges between 1590 and 1747.
- **Anthem**: One of few Dutch cities with an officially adopted anthem (*De Paarse Heide*).
- **Twinning**: Maintains a long-standing partnership with Wrocław, Poland.
- **Size and Status**: Classified as a "big city" and a "cadastral populated place" in the Netherlands.
- **Sports Infrastructure**: Owns and operates multiple stadiums, including the Rat Verlegh Stadion.

## Body

### History
Breda’s history is marked by territorial and military significance. It was part of the **Baronie van Breda** from 1167 to 1795 and granted town rights in 1205. The city endured seven sieges, including the **Capture of Breda (1590)** by Maurice of Nassau and the **Siege of Breda (1624–1625)** during the Eighty Years' War. These events are chronicled in sources like the *Nordisk familjebok* and *Encyclopædia Britannica*.

### Geography
- **Coordinates**: 51.5889° N, 4.7758° E.  
- **Elevation**: 3 meters above sea level.  
- **Area**: 128.68 km², with 2.05% water coverage.  
- **Borders**: Adjacent to municipalities including **Etten-Leur**, **Moerdijk**, and **Zundert**.

### Demographics
- **Population**: 188,078 (2024), making it a "big city" in the Netherlands.  
- **Demonym**: Residents are called *Bredanaar*, *Bredaër*, or *Bredaënaar*.  
- **Language**: Dutch, with pronunciation audio available via [182_Breda.ogg](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/182_Breda.ogg).

### Governance
- **Website**: Municipal services are accessible at [https://www.breda.nl/](https://www.breda.nl/).  
- **Municipal Codes**: BAG residence ID 3622, CBS municipality code 0758.  
- **Historical Jurisdiction**: Part of the **Baronie van Breda** until 1795.

### Culture
- **Anthem**: *De Paarse Heide*, officially adopted on September 26, 1991.  
- **Symbols**: Coat of arms ([Breda_wapen.svg](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Breda_wapen.svg)) and flag ([Flag_of_Breda.svg](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Flag_of_Breda.svg)).  
- **Museums**: Recognized by *museum_digital_place_id* 11301.

### Economy and Infrastructure
- **Sports**: Owner of **NAC Stadion**, **Rat Verlegh Stadion**, and **NAC stadion Heuvelstraat**.  
- **Postal Codes**: 4800–4841, 4847, 4850–4854.  
- **Dialing Code**: +31 76.  

### International Relations
- **Twinning**: Partnered with **Wrocław**, Poland, fostering cultural and economic ties.

### Digital Presence
- **Wikimedia**: Featured in the **commons_gallery "Breda"** and **commons_category "Breda, Netherlands"**.  
- **Identifiers**: VIAF ID 136043805, GND ID 4234258-2, and MusicBrainz area ID 33e7cec8-9bfc-4e11-ba02-ddd725b60146.  

### Documentation
- **Maps**: Locator map available at [Map_-_NL_-_Municipality_code_0758_(2009).svg](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Map_-_NL_-_Municipality_code_0758_(2009).svg).  
- **Archives**: Referenced in the *Bibliotheek, het Nederlands Instituut voor Militaire Geschiedenis* (BHCL UUID d9b961f3-2594-41ac-80d6-d92ddde75cb7).

## References

1. [Woonplaatsen in Nederland 2021](https://www.cbs.nl/nl-nl/cijfers/detail/84992NED)
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. MusicBrainz
5. [Source](https://opendata.cbs.nl/statline/#/CBS/nl/dataset/03759ned/table?dl=B11AB)
6. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
7. GeoNames
8. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/nl.htm)
9. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
10. [Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands](https://biblio.hiu.cas.cz/records/d9b961f3-2594-41ac-80d6-d92ddde75cb7)
11. museum-digital