This book studies the importance that local communities attach to their local identities. In particular, it examines the way in which 'local identities' react to pressure to amalgamate municipalities in the Netherlands, which have often existed independently for hundreds of years. Focusing on two case studies, it provides a detailed analysis of how different stakeholders use and adapt their identity discourses to deal with changing circumstances. This book provides a rich empirical analyses of the use of local identities in the Netherlands and situates the discussion within the wider international context through comparisons with studies from other countries.