Enkhuizen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Enkhuizen
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Harbour of Enkhuizen
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Location in North Holland
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 Enkhuizen
Location in Netherlands
Enkhuizen
Location in Europe
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| Country | Netherlands | ||
| Province | North Holland | ||
| Government | |||
| • Body | Municipal council | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 116.25 km2 (44.88 sq mi) | ||
| • Land | 12.42 km2 (4.80 sq mi) | ||
| • Water | 103.83 km2 (40.09 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 3 m (10 ft) | ||
| Population
(May 2014)
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| • Total | 18,383 | ||
| • Density | 1,480/km2 (3,800/sq mi) | ||
| Demonym(s) | Enkhuizer | ||
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) | ||
| Postcode |
1600–1602
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| Area code | 0228 | ||
Enkhuizen is a charming city and a municipality in the Netherlands. You can find it in the province of North Holland, which is part of the West-Frisia region. It's a place with a rich history and a strong connection to the water.
Contents
Enkhuizen's Past
Enkhuizen has a long and interesting history. It became an official city in 1355, which means it was given special rights to govern itself.
A Golden Age Port
During the 17th century, Enkhuizen was a very important port city. It was one of the main towns, along with Hoorn and Amsterdam, where the Dutch East India Company (VOC) operated. The VOC was a huge trading company that sailed all the way to the East Indies (parts of Asia) to trade for spices and other valuable goods. This made Enkhuizen very wealthy and powerful.
Challenges and Changes
However, over time, the harbors of Enkhuizen started to get filled with sand and mud. This made it harder for big ships to come and go. Because of this, Enkhuizen slowly lost its top spot as a trading hub to Amsterdam. Even so, it remained an important place with a unique character.
What to See and Do
Enkhuizen is a popular spot for visitors, especially those who love boats and history.
Harbors and Museums
The city has one of the biggest marinas in the Netherlands, full of boats and yachts. If you visit, you should definitely check out the Zuiderzee Museum. This museum shows you what life was like in the old fishing villages around the former Zuiderzee (a large inland sea).
Historic Buildings
The oldest building in Enkhuizen is the Drommedaris, a cool tower built in 1540. It used to be part of the city's defenses. You can also take fun boat trips from Enkhuizen's port to other nearby towns like Medemblik.
Local Economy
Enkhuizen has a mix of industries that help its economy thrive.
Seed Production and Plastics
The city is home to several companies that specialize in producing seeds for plants and crops, such as Enza Zaden, Syngenta, and Bayer Crop Science. There's also a factory that makes plastic products.
Tourism's Role
Tourism plays a big part in Enkhuizen's economy. Many people come to enjoy the historic atmosphere, the museums, and the beautiful waterfront.
Towns and Villages
The municipality of Enkhuizen includes the main city itself, plus two smaller settlements: Oosterdijk and Westeinde.
Getting Around Enkhuizen
It's easy to travel to and from Enkhuizen.
Train and Ferry Services
The train station offers direct trips to cities like Hoorn, Amsterdam, and even as far as Maastricht or Heerlen. A train ride to Amsterdam Centraal usually takes about an hour.
During the summer, you can also take special ferries that carry people and bikes. These ferries connect Enkhuizen to other places across the water, like Stavoren, Medemblik, and Urk.
The Houtribdijk
You can also drive or cycle across the Houtribdijk, a long dike that connects Enkhuizen to Lelystad. Along the way, you'll pass under a special structure called a naviduct near the Krabbersgat lock, which allows boats to pass over the road.
Famous Buildings
Enkhuizen has some beautiful and historic churches:
- Evangelical Lutheran Church (Enkhuizen)
- St Francis Xavier Church, Enkhuizen
Notable People from Enkhuizen
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Many interesting people have come from Enkhuizen over the years. Here are a few:
- Lucas Janszoon Waghenaer (around 1534–1606) was a famous mapmaker who created detailed sea charts.
- Jan Huyghen van Linschoten (1563–1611) was a merchant and explorer who wrote important books about his travels to Asia.
- Jacob Mossel (1704–1761) became the Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies, a very important position in the Dutch trading empire.
- Gerrit Zalm (born 1952) is a well-known banker and was once the Minister of Finance for the Netherlands.
- Stef Blok (born 1964) is a Dutch politician who has served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
- Wijda Mazereeuw (born 1953) is a Dutch swimmer who competed in the Olympic Games.
Gallery
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Enkhuizen, railway station
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Enkhuizen, gate: de Koepoort
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Enkhuizen, town gate: de Drommedaris
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Enkhuizen in winter
See also
In Spanish: Encusa para niños
