gemeente (municipality), western Netherlands. Zoetermeer is located about 10 miles (16 km) north of Rotterdam and is situated on a polder created during the 17th century. There are a number of local light industries, and many services have relocated from nearby major cities. Oil and gas fields are exploited nearby. Zoetermeer lies on a railway line connecting Amsterdam and The Hague and on a highway between The Hague and Arnhem. Pop. (2007 est.) 118,024.