Leiden

Leiden, or Leyden (pop. 115,400), city in western Netherlands, center for science and light industry, particularly printing and textiles. It is the seat of Leiden University (est. 1575), the oldest in the Netherlands and important for Protestant theology and scientific research. Leiden is noted for its museums, laboratories, and botanical gardens. It was Rembrandt's birthplace and home to some of the English Pilgrims from 1609 until they sailed for the New World in 1620.

See also: Netherlands.