Almere is a major city in the Flevoland province of the Netherlands. Built on reclaimed land, the city sits at an elevation of three metres below sea level, bordered by the waters of the Markermeer, the IJmeer, and the Gooimeer. It is a planned municipality that has grown rapidly to become one of the largest urban areas in the country.
The city is divided into several distinct planned districts, with Almere Stad containing the vast majority of the local housing. Other major residential areas include Almere Buiten and Almere Haven, which was the earliest part of the city to be developed. Housing across these districts is generally more affordable than in neighboring Amsterdam, making the city a popular residential alternative within the region.
