A synopsis is given of the occurrence of the loess and 'Brabantse leem' in the southern part of the Netherlands. The subdivision of the loess into an upper-, middle- and lower part is discussed; the middle- and upper part belonging to the Weichselian and the lower part to the Saalian. A loessthickness map of the region Heerlen, Vaals, Gulpen is given and theories about the origin of the loess are considered.