Middelburg, Zeeland

Middelburg
Location in Zeeland
Middelburg
Location within the Netherlands
Middelburg
Location within Europe
Coordinates: 51°30′N 3°37′E / 51.500°N 3.617°E / 51.500; 3.617
CountryNetherlands
ProvinceZeeland
City HallMiddelburg City Hall
Government
  BodyMunicipal council
  MayorYvonne van Maastrigt
Area
  Total
53.04 km2 (20.48 sq mi)
  Land48.42 km2 (18.70 sq mi)
  Water4.62 km2 (1.78 sq mi)
Elevation
3 m (10 ft)
Population
 (January 2021)
  Total
48,964
  Density1,011/km2 (2,620/sq mi)
DemonymMiddelburger
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
  Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postcode
4330–4341
Area code0118
Websitewww.middelburg.nl

Middelburg (Dutch: [ˈmɪdəlbʏr(ə)x] ) is a city and municipality in the south-western Netherlands serving as the capital of the province of Zeeland. Situated on the central peninsula of the Zeeland province, Midden-Zeeland (consisting of former islands Walcheren, Noord-Beveland and Zuid-Beveland), it has a population of about 48,000.

In terms of technology, Middelburg played a role in the Scientific Revolution at the early modern period. The town was historically a center of lens crafting in the Golden Age of Dutch science and technology. The invention of the microscope and telescope is often credited to Middelburg spectacle-makers (including Zacharias Janssen and Hans Lipperhey) in the late 16th century and early 17th century.