GeoCoordinate systems used in the Netherlands

Johan Louwers
4 min readSep 15, 2023
Map of the Netherlands

When trying to map something in the Netherlands there are roughly two systems which are commonly used. The internationally known WGS84 system and the Dutch system called “Rijksdriehoek”. Both are used and while WGS84 is gradually becomming the standard a large number of goverment and semi-goverment organisations still use the “Rijksdriehoek” to determine a position on the map.

Rijksdriehoek
The Rijksdriehoek, also known as the Dutch grid system, is a coordinate reference system used in the Netherlands for mapping and geolocation purposes. It was established by the Dutch government in the 19th century to provide a standardized way of describing locations on maps and for surveying land.

The system is based on a grid of coordinates, with each point in the country assigned a unique combination of x and y values. These coordinates are expressed in meters, and they refer to the distance eastward (x) and northward (y) from a specific reference point, known as the “Amersfoort Datum” or the RD origin.

This grid system is widely used in various applications, including cartography, land surveying, navigation, and in the design of infrastructure projects. It provides a precise and consistent way to define locations across the entire Netherlands, making it an essential tool for activities related to…

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Johan Louwers

Johan Louwers is a technology enthousiasts with a long background in supporting enterprises and startups alike as CTO, Chief Enterprise Architect and developer.