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 (Dutch: [ɑlˌblɑsərˈdɑm]) is a town and municipality in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland. It covers an area of 10.06 km² (3.88 sq mi), of which 1.27 km² (0.49 sq mi) is water, and has a population of 19,838 as of 2014. Alblasserdam is officially a part of the Drechtsteden region. A portion of the small village of Kinderdijk, which boasts the largest and most famous concentration of windmills in the Netherlands, is part of Alblasserdam.

Etymology
History
Public transportation
Notable people
Gallery
See also

Etymology

The name Alblasserdam is derived from its location near the creek Alblas where a dam was built. Inhabitants of Alblasserdam are called Alblasserdammers (singular: Alblasserdammer).

History

13th-19th century

The town of Alblasserdam was first mentioned in the chronicles of Melis Stoke in 1299, but the municipality wasn't formed until 1447. Before that, it was part of Oud-Alblas.

Because of its location on the Noord river, one of the busiest waterways in Western Europe, water has played a major role in Alblasserdam's history. The river was important for its development and makes it an advantageous location for industry. Alblasserdam's strategic location also brought it negative consequences. For example, between 1350 and 1821, the Alblasserwaard polder flooded 32 times.

20th century

During World War I, mayor Simon Berman and the local government of Alblasserdam kept busy with 60 Belgian refugees within the municipal boundaries. An ad hoc municipal fund for the unemployed was established.

Alblasserdam suffered during the German raid on Rotterdam on 11 May 1940, when its town centre was severely damaged. The historic Kerkstraat (Church Street) and the characteristic dike construction along the river, however, were spared. The invaders placed the Netherlands under German occupation.

The North Sea flood of 1953 also affected a portion of Alblasserdam. The Delta Works program included reinforcements to the dikes and improvement of the locks. Therefore, water no longer poses a direct danger to Alblasserdam. In 1987, the custom yacht builder Oceanco started building yachts in the 80 metre+ range.

In 1999 the town celebrated its 700th anniversary.

21st century

Bert Blase served as mayor from 1999 to 2014, when he was appointed as mayor of Vlaardingen. Subsequently, the mayor of Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht, Jan Heijkoop, also acted as mayor Alblasserdam. On 1 July 2015 Jaap Paans became mayor of Alblasserdam.

Public transportation

Waterbus route 1:
- Rotterdam Willemskade - Krimpen aan den IJssel Stormpolder - Ridderkerk De Schans - Alblasserdam Kade - Dordrecht Merwekade.

Fop Smit

Notable people

Fop Smit (1777–1866) a Dutch naval architect, shipbuilder and shipowner; founded what became Smit International
Simon Berman (1861–1934) the Mayor of Alblasserdam, 1914-1923
Cornelis van Eesteren (1897-1988) a Dutch architect and urban planner
Koos Schouwenaar (1902–1941) a Dutch rower, competed at the 1928 Summer Olympics
Patrick van Kerckhoven (born 1970) a darkcore or gabber DJ and producer