There were 17 in total : from these unified Netherlands , seven northern provinces formed from 1588 the Republic of the Seven United Provinces in the 17th century , namely Holland , Zeeland , Gelderland , Utrecht , Friesland , Overijssel and Groningen .
From these unified Netherlands , seven northern provinces formed the Republic of the Seven United Provinces in the 16th century . These were Holland , Zeeland , Gelderland , Utrecht , Friesland , Overijssel and Groningen .