Alblasserdam Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Alblasserdam

Church in Alblasserdam

Flag	Coat of arms

Location in South Holland

Government

• Body

Municipal council

Area

• Total

10.06 km² (3.88 sq mi)

• Land

8.79 km² (3.39 sq mi)

• Water

1.27 km² (0.49 sq mi)

Elevation

4 m (13 ft)

Population

(May 2014)

• Total

19,838

• Density

2,257/km² (5,850/sq mi)

Demonym(s)

Alblasserdammer

Time zone

UTC+1 (CET)

• Summer (DST)

UTC+2 (CEST)

Postcode

2950–2954

Area code

078

Topographic map of Alblasserdam, Sept. 2014

Alblasserdam is a town and a municipality in the western part of the Netherlands. It is located in the province of South Holland. The town covers an area of about 10.06 km² (3.88 sq mi), including water. As of 2014, it has a population of around 19,838 people.

Alblasserdam is part of the Drechtsteden region. A small part of the famous village of Kinderdijk is also within Alblasserdam. Kinderdijk is well-known for having the largest group of windmills in the Netherlands.

What's in a Name? The Etymology of Alblasserdam
A Look Back: The History of Alblasserdam
Getting Around: Public Transportation
Famous Faces: Notable People from Alblasserdam
Gallery
See also

What's in a Name? The Etymology of Alblasserdam

The name Alblasserdam comes from its location. It is near a small river or creek called the Alblas. A dam was built on this creek, which gave the town its name. People who live in Alblasserdam are called Alblasserdammers.

A Look Back: The History of Alblasserdam

Alblasserdam has a long and interesting history, shaped a lot by its location near water.

Early Days: 13th to 19th Century

The town of Alblasserdam was first mentioned in old writings in 1299. However, it did not become its own municipality until 1447. Before that, it was part of a nearby area called Oud-Alblas.

The Noord River is one of the busiest waterways in Western Europe. Being located on this river was very important for Alblasserdam's growth. It helped industries develop in the area. But being near the river also brought challenges. For example, between 1350 and 1821, the Alblasserwaard polder (a low-lying piece of land protected by dikes) flooded 32 times.

Modern Times: The 20th Century

During World War I, the mayor of Alblasserdam, Simon Berman, helped about 60 Belgian refugees. The local government also created a special fund to help people who lost their jobs.

Alblasserdam faced difficulties during World War II. On May 11, 1940, the town center was badly damaged during the German attack on Rotterdam. Luckily, the historic Kerkstraat (Church Street) and the special dikes along the river were not destroyed. After the attack, the Netherlands was occupied by Germany.

In 1953, a big flood from the North Sea also affected parts of Alblasserdam. To prevent future floods, the Delta Works program was started. This program made the dikes stronger and improved the locks. Because of these efforts, water no longer poses a direct threat to Alblasserdam.

In 1987, a company called Oceanco started building very large, custom-made yachts in Alblasserdam. In 1999, the town celebrated its 700th anniversary.

Recent Years: The 21st Century

Bert Blase was the mayor of Alblasserdam from 1999 to 2014. After him, Jan Heijkoop served as acting mayor. On July 1, 2015, Jaap Paans became the new mayor of Alblasserdam.

Getting Around: Public Transportation

Alblasserdam has a convenient public transportation option:

Waterbus route 1: This waterbus connects Alblasserdam to several other towns. It travels from Rotterdam Willemskade to Krimpen aan den IJssel Stormpolder, then to Ridderkerk De Schans, Alblasserdam Kade, and finally to Dordrecht Merwekade.

Famous Faces: Notable People from Alblasserdam

Many interesting people have come from Alblasserdam:

Fop Smit (1777–1866): He was a Dutch ship designer and builder. He started a company that later became Smit International, a famous shipping company.
Simon Berman (1861–1934): He served as the Mayor of Alblasserdam from 1914 to 1923.
Cornelis van Eesteren (1897-1988): A Dutch architect and urban planner.
Koos Schouwenaar (1902–1941): A Dutch rower who competed in the 1928 Summer Olympics.
Patrick van Kerckhoven (born 1970): A well-known DJ and music producer in the "darkcore" or "gabber" music styles.