Zaanstad (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈzaːnstɑt] ⓘ) is a Dutch municipality in the province of North Holland, situated northwest of Amsterdam.

It is part of the conurbation and metropolitan area of Amsterdam.

The municipality of Zaanstad is a conurbation consisting of the cities, towns and villages of: Assendelft, Koog aan de Zaan, Krommenie, Westzaan, Wormerveer, Zaandam and Zaandijk.

However, being surrounded by countryside and due to its relatively protracted shape that follows the river Zaan, a rural atmosphere is always nearby.

The municipal council of Zaanstad consists of 39 seats, which at the 2022 local elections divided as follows:[5] Zaanstad is twinned with: