province of E Netherlands: 1,986 sq mi (5,144 sq km); pop. 1,865,000; cap. Arnhem
See Gelderland in American Heritage Dictionary 4
A province and former duchy of east-central Netherlands. The duchy was formed in 1339 and passed to the Hapsburgs in 1543. It became part of the Netherlands in 1579, although a portion was ceded to Prussia in the 18th century.