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Bussum
Town and former municipality
Bussum across from city hall
Bussum across from city hall
Flag of Bussum
Flag
Coat of arms of Bussum
Coat of arms
Highlighted position of Bussum in a municipal map of North Holland
Location in North Holland
Country Netherlands
Province North Holland
Municipality Gooise Meren
Area
 • Total 8.15 km2 (3.15 sq mi)
 • Land 8.09 km2 (3.12 sq mi)
 • Water 0.06 km2 (0.02 sq mi)
Elevation
1 m (3 ft)
Population
 (2019)
 • Total 33,595
 • Density 4,122.1/km2 (10,676/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Bussumer
Time zone UTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST) UTC+2 (CEST)
Postcode
1400–1406
Area code 035
Gem-Bussum-OpenTopo
Map of the former municipality of Bussum, June 2015

Bussum (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈbʏsʏm]) is a commuter town and former municipality in the Gooi region in the south east of the province of North Holland in the Netherlands near Hilversum. Since 2016, Bussum has been part of the new municipality of Gooise Meren.

Bussum had a population of 33,595 in 2019 and covered an area of 8.15 km2 (3.15 sq mi).

History

For a long time Bussum was a hamlet situated in the heathlands of the Gooi and was first mentioned in 1306. At this time, Bussum was shown on maps as a large heathland with many small farms, sheep pens and forests. Since Bussum was situated near the fortified town of Naarden it was governed by Naarden from 1369. In 1470 Bussum had about 250 inhabitants, which made it the smallest village in the Gooi.

Bussum became independent from Naarden in 1817, yet it was not until the arrival of a railway line in 1874 that Bussum began to flourish. Two train stations were built in the town, that still exist today: Naarden-Bussum and Bussum Zuid (Dutch for Bussum South), both on the connection between Amsterdam and Hilversum. The stations and the road network fostered the town's status as a satellite town of Amsterdam, allowing for reverse commute also to Hilversum. From 1898 until 1907, Bussum housed the first Dutch socialist colony after the example of Thoreau's Walden, set up by the writer and psychiatrist Frederik van Eeden. In 1951, Bussum hosted the first Dutch national TV broadcast and the national TV studios were located there until 1964.

Bussum merged with the local municipalities of Naarden, Muiden and Muiderberg on 1 January 2016. In October 2014, the combined town councils chose the name Gooise Meren for the new municipality, the other options being Naarden-Bussum and Naardingerland.

Notable residents

  • Freddy Wittop (1911–2001), international costume designer
  • Karel Thole (1914–2000), painter and illustrator
  • Paul Biegel (1925–2006), author
  • Willem Duys (1928–2011), radio and television presenter and record producer
  • Thierry Veltman (1939–2023), artist
  • Tineke Lagerberg (born 1941), swimmer
  • Ronnie Tober (born 1945), singer and entertainer
  • Charles de Lint (born 1951), Canadian author and musician
  • Huub Rothengatter (born 1954), racing driver
  • Raoul Heertje (born 1963), comedian
  • Anneloes Nieuwenhuizen (born 1963), field hockey defender
  • Ruud Hesp (born 1965), football goalkeeper
  • Ellen Elzerman (born 1971), swimmer
  • Thekla Reuten (born 1975), actress
  • Wopke Hoekstra (born 1975), Dutch politician
  • Joël Drommel (born 1996), football goalkeeper

Transport

The town of Bussum has two railway stations: Naarden-Bussum and Bussum Zuid.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Bussum para niños

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