De Bilt Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

De Bilt

Vollenhoven, De Bilt

Flag	Coat of arms

Location in Utrecht

Government

• Body

Municipal council

Area

• Total

67.13 km² (25.92 sq mi)

• Land

66.30 km² (25.60 sq mi)

• Water

0.83 km² (0.32 sq mi)

Elevation

4 m (13 ft)

Population

(May 2014)

• Total

42,097

• Density

635/km² (1,640/sq mi)

Demonym(s)

Biltenaar(s)

Time zone

UTC+1 (CET)

• Summer (DST)

UTC+2 (CEST)

Postcode

3615, 3720–3732, 3737–3739

Area code

030, 0346

De Bilt is a special place in the Netherlands. It is both a municipality (like a local government area) and a town. You can find it in the province of Utrecht. In 2014, about 42,097 people lived there.

One of the most important things in De Bilt is the main office of the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI). This is where Dutch weather experts work! They study the weather and climate.

Did you know that the famous Vanderbilt family from the United States got their name from this town? Their name means 'from De Bilt'.

Towns and Villages in De Bilt
Where is De Bilt Located?
Famous People from De Bilt
Gallery
See also

Towns and Villages in De Bilt

The municipality of De Bilt is made up of several smaller places. These include:

Bilthoven
De Bilt (the main town)
Groenekan
Hollandsche Rading
Maartensdijk
Westbroek

Each of these places has its own unique feel and history.

Where is De Bilt Located?

De Bilt is located in the central part of the Netherlands. It's a green area with lots of nature. The land is mostly flat, which is common in the Netherlands. The highest point is only about 4 meters (13 feet) above sea level.

Dutch Topographic map of the municipality of De Bilt, June 2015.

This map shows the different parts of the municipality. You can see how the towns and villages are spread out.

Famous People from De Bilt

Many interesting people have come from De Bilt or lived there. They have made a mark in different fields, from sports to science and art.

Artists and Writers

Erik van der Wurff, 1979

Erik van der Wurff (1945–2014) was a talented musician. He was a pianist, composer, and even a conductor. He created a lot of music for TV shows and films.
Madelon Hooykaas (born 1942) is an artist who works with video, photography, and film. Her art often explores how people connect with nature and technology.
Madelon Vriesendorp (born 1945) is another artist from Bilthoven. She helped start a famous architecture office. Her work often looks at cities and buildings in a fun way.
Bas Haring (born 1968) is a writer who makes science easy to understand. He writes popular science books, including some for children! He also appears on TV to explain tricky ideas.

Sports Stars

Hans van Breukelen, 2011

Hans van Breukelen (born 1956) is a very famous former football goalkeeper. He played in many club games and was known for his amazing saves. He grew up right here in De Bilt.
Martijntje Quik (born 1973) is a former coxswain in rowing. She won a silver medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics, which is a huge achievement!
Lisa Westerhof (born 1981) is a sailor who competed in the Olympics in 2004 and 2012. She is a great example of dedication in sports.
Thierry Brinkman (born 1995) is a current Dutch field hockey player. He is part of the national team and plays at a very high level.

Other Notable People

Nicolaas van Nieulandt, 1559

Nicolaas van Nieuwland (1510–1580) was an important religious leader in the past. He was a bishop and an abbot.
Joan Gideon Loten (1710–1789) worked for the Dutch East India Company, a very powerful trading company long ago. He even became a governor in a place called Zeylan (now Sri Lanka).
Johan Beyen (1897–1976) was a politician who played a big role in creating the European Economic Community. This group helped bring European countries closer together after World War II.
Els Borst (1932–2014) was a Dutch politician, a smart academic, and a doctor. She held important positions in the government.
Frederik de Groot (born 1946) is a Dutch actor. You might have seen him in movies or on TV.
Jetske van den Elsen (born 1972) is a well-known Dutch television presenter.