Why does the Netherlands have two capitals?

I have (jokingly) heard it said that one capital is where all the laws are made and the other one where they are all broken. This is perhaps a bit harsh on Amsterdammers, but yes there is also a bit of truth to that. read more

According to the Dutch constitution, Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands, although the parliament and the Dutch government have been situated in The Hague since 1588, along with the Supreme Court and the Council of State. read more

So the province of Noord-Holland can be said to have two capitals (state capital Amsterdam and its own capital Haarlem), but only if you artificially mix up levels. And the province of Zuid-Holland can be said to have two capitals (both The Hague), but only if you mix the concept of a capital city and the seat of government. read more

The only capital city for the Netherlands is Amsterdam. For historical reasons the government is not in the capital city, but in the Hague, but that is no national capital. The country has 12 provinces and each of those has a capital, the Hague is one of those provincial capitals, but not the National one. read more