What are the Provinces of the Netherlands?

The Netherlands is divided into 12 provinces. Each has an elected council (Provincial States) and a King's Commissioner appointed by the national government, and they are responsible for spatial planning, regional transport, nature and water management. Most provinces date back to the provinces of the Dutch Republic, which declared independence from Spain in 1581: Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Gelderland, Overijssel, Friesland and Groningen, along with Drenthe. North Brabant and Limburg were added later. Holland was split into North Holland and South Holland in 1840. The newest province, Flevoland, was created in 1986 on land reclaimed from the sea.