Enkhuizen

Enkhuizen
Municipality
Harbour of Enkhuizen
Harbour of Enkhuizen
Flag of Enkhuizen
Flag
Coat of arms of Enkhuizen
Coat of arms
Highlighted position of Enkhuizen in a municipal map of North Holland
Location in North Holland
Enkhuizen is located in Netherlands
Enkhuizen
Enkhuizen
Location within the Netherlands
Enkhuizen is located in Europe
Enkhuizen
Enkhuizen
Location within Europe
Coordinates: 52°42′N 5°18′E / 52.700°N 5.300°E / 52.700; 5.300
CountryNetherlands
ProvinceNorth Holland
Government
 • BodyMunicipal council
 • MayorEduard van Zuijlen
Area
[1]
 • Total
116.25 km2 (44.88 sq mi)
 • Land12.68 km2 (4.90 sq mi)
 • Water103.57 km2 (39.99 sq mi)
Elevation
[2]
3 m (10 ft)
Population
 (January 2021)[3]
 • Total
18,637
 • Density1,470/km2 (3,800/sq mi)
DemonymEnkhuizer
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postcode
1600–1602
Area code0228
Websitewww.enkhuizen.nl
Map of Enkhuizen, June 2015

Enkhuizen (Dutch pronunciation: [ɛŋkˈɦœyzə(n)] ⓘ) is a municipality and a city in the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland and the region of West-Frisia.

History

Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
13981,900—    
14773,500+0.78%
14943,175−0.57%
15143,600+0.63%
15534,450+0.54%
15575,500+5.44%
15617,750+8.95%
162221,878+1.72%
163219,150−1.32%
173210,420−0.61%
17956,803−0.67%
Source: Lourens & Lucassen 1997, pp. 59–60

Enkhuizen, like Hoorn and Amsterdam, was one of the harbour-towns of the VOC, from where overseas trade with the East Indies was conducted. It received city rights in 1355. On June 24, 1572 during the Eighty Years' War, in Enkhuizen five Franciscans from Alkmaar were hanged: known as the martyrs of Alkmaar.

In the mid-17th century, Enkhuizen was at the peak of its power and was one of the most important harbour cities in the Netherlands. However, due to a variety of reasons, notably the silting up of the harbours, Enkhuizen lost its position to Amsterdam.

Tourism

Enkhuizen has one of the largest marinas in the Netherlands. The Zuiderzee Museum is located in Enkhuizen. The Drommedaris is the oldest building in Enkhuizen, dating from 1540. Tourists can take boat trips to and from the port to Medemblik.[4]

Industry

Industrially, Enkhuizen is home to a number of seed production companies, Enza Zaden, Syngenta, Bayer Crop Science, as well as a plastics factory. Tourism is also a large part of the economy.

Population centres

The municipality of Enkhuizen consists of the city of Enkhuizen and the settlements of Oosterdijk and Westeinde.

Local government

After the 2022 local election, the 17 seats of Enkhuizen municipal council divided as follows:[5]

  • Enkhuizen Forward! – 3 seats
  • SP – 3 seats
  • CDA – 2 seats
  • D66 – 2 seats
  • PvdA – 2 seats
  • Enkhuizer Alternative – 1 seat
  • Nieuw Enkhuizen – 1 seat
  • No party (C.H.Segerius) – 1 seat
  • Pirate Party – 1 seat
  • VVD – 1 seat

Transport

Enkhuizen station offers direct rail service to Hoorn, Amsterdam and Maastricht/Heerlen, with the journey to Amsterdam Centraal of around an hour.

During the summer, ferries for pedestrians and cyclists operate between Enkhuizen and Stavoren, Medemblik and Urk.

It is also possible to drive or cycle across the Houtribdijk to Lelystad, passing under a naviduct near the Krabbersgat lock.

Notable buildings

Notable residents

Jacob Mossel, ca.1755
Stef Blok, 2015
Wijda Mazereeuw, 1975

Public thought and public service

The arts

Science and business

  • Jan Verbruggen (1712–1781) Dutch master gun-founder and an artist
  • David de Gorter (1717–1783) Dutch physician, botanist and academic
  • Gerbrand Bakker (1771–1828) physician, professor at the University of Groningen
  • Harm Bart (born 1942) Dutch mathematician, economist and academic

Sport

  • Enkhuizen, railway station
    Enkhuizen, railway station
  • Enkhuizen, gate: de Koepoort
    Enkhuizen, gate: de Koepoort
  • Enkhuizen, town gate: de Drommedaris
    Enkhuizen, town gate: de Drommedaris
  • Enkhuizen in winter
    Enkhuizen in winter

References

Citations

  1. ^ "Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2020" [Key figures for neighbourhoods 2020]. StatLine (in Dutch). CBS. 24 July 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  2. ^ "Postcodetool for 1601KA". Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (in Dutch). Het Waterschapshuis. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  3. ^ "Bevolkingsontwikkeling; regio per maand" [Population growth; regions per month]. CBS Statline (in Dutch). CBS. 1 January 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  4. ^ DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: The Netherlands: The Netherlands. DK Publishing. 1 August 2011. p. 178. ISBN 978-0-7566-8476-1.
  5. ^ "Enkhuizen municipal election 2022". www.verkiezingsuitslagen.nl (in Dutch). 16 March 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  6. ^ "Steendam, Jacob" . Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography. Vol. V. 1900. p. 661.

Sources

  • Lourens, Piet; Lucassen, Jan (1997). Inwonertallen van Nederlandse steden ca. 1300–1800. Amsterdam: NEHA. ISBN 9057420082.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Enkhuizen.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Enkhuizen.