Overijssel borders Germany in the east and the IJsselmeer in the west. The province has a lovely landscape with forests, ancient towns and beautiful castles. The capital is Zwolle and other known cities are Deventer, Enschede and Zutphen. Also located in Overijssel, is the picturesque Giethoorn, called 'Venice of the North' for its amazing network of narrow waterways, sugar-loaf houses, thatched cottages and wooden footbridges.

Zwolle, capital of Overijssel province, was established in the 9th century. A large number of monumental buildings date from the 15th century 'the Golden Age'. Zwolle used to be a busy port of transport for sandstone, grain and fish from the Baltic Sea and the former Zuyderzee (now IJsselmeer).