Nieuwegein facts for kids
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Nieuwegein | settlement_type = Municipality
| image_skyline = Nieuwegein, Netherlands - panoramio - Ben Bender (25).jpg | image_alt = | image_caption = Canal through Nieuwegein | image_flag = Flag of Nieuwegein.svg | flag_size = 100x67px | flag_alt = | image_shield = Coat of arms of Nieuwegein.svg | shield_size = 100x80px | shield_alt =
| image_map = Map - NL - Municipality code 0356 (2009).svg | map_alt = Highlighted position of Nieuwegein in a municipal map of Utrecht | map_caption = Location in Utrecht | coordinates = 52°2′N 5°5′E / 52.033°N 5.083°E | coordinates_footnotes = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = Netherlands | subdivision_type1 = Province | subdivision_name1 = Utrecht | established_title = Established | established_date = 1 July 1971 | government_footnotes = | governing_body = Municipal council | leader_party = D66 | leader_title = Mayor | leader_name = Marijke van Beukering
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_total_km2 = 25.65
| area_land_km2 = 23.66 | area_water_km2 = 1.99 | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = 1 | elevation_max_footnotes = | elevation_max_m = | elevation_min_footnotes = | elevation_min_m =
| population_footnotes = | population_total = 61011
| population_as_of = May 2014
| population_density_km2 = 2579 | population_demonym = Nieuwegeiner
| timezone = CET | utc_offset = +1 | timezone_DST = CEST | utc_offset_DST = +2 | postal_code_type = Postcode | postal_code = 3430–3439 | area_code_type = Area code | area_code = 030 | website = | footnotes =
Nieuwegein is a city and a municipality (a type of local government area) in the Netherlands. It is located in the province of Utrecht. The city of Utrecht, which is the capital of the province, is just north of Nieuwegein.
To the south, the Lek River separates Nieuwegein from Vianen. To the southwest, it borders IJsselstein, and to the east, it borders Houten. As of December 2021, Nieuwegein has over 64,600 people living there.
Several national sports groups have their offices in Nieuwegein. These include the Dutch volleyball (NeVoBo), swimming (KNZB), basketball (NBb), and cricket (KNCB) federations. The city also has three main secondary schools: the Anna van Rijn College, Oosterlicht College, and Cals College.
Contents
History of Nieuwegein
Nieuwegein was created on July 1, 1971. It was planned as a new city to help with the growing population of Utrecht. The city grew very quickly in the years after it was founded.
How Nieuwegein Was Formed
Nieuwegein was made by combining two older towns: Jutphaas and Vreeswijk. Before these towns merged, there was an old settlement called Geyne (or Gein) in the area between them. Geyne was given city rights in 1295, meaning it had special permissions to govern itself. However, it was destroyed in 1333 during a war. Today, only the Oudegein House remains from that time.
When Jutphaas and Vreeswijk decided to merge, they debated what to name their new municipality. They chose to name it after the old settlement, Geyne. So, "Nieuwegein" means "New Gein."
People and Community
Population Facts
In 2017, Nieuwegein had a poverty rate of 4.7%. This was lower than the national average for the Netherlands, which was 5.7%. This means fewer people in Nieuwegein lived in poverty compared to the rest of the country.
Getting Around Nieuwegein
Nieuwegein is easy to reach because it is surrounded by three major motorways (large highways). These are the A2 to the west, the A12 to the north, and the A27 to the east.
Public Transport and Waterways
The city is connected to Utrecht and IJsselstein by the Sneltram, which is a light rail line. This is like a tram or streetcar system. You can also take a pedestrian ferry across the Lek River to Vianen.
Three canals flow through Nieuwegein: the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal, the Lek River, and the Merwede Canal. These waterways are important for transport and recreation.
Sports Clubs in the City
Nieuwegein is home to several sports clubs. Some of these include KV Koveni, SV Geinoord, VSV Vreeswijk, and JSV Nieuwegein.
Important Buildings
In Nieuwegein, there is a special building called the Vereniging Mandi van de Mandeeërs Gemeenschap in Nederland. This is a mandi, which is a temple for the Mandaean religion.
Twin Towns
Nieuwegein has had partnerships with other cities around the world, known as "twin towns" or "sister cities." These partnerships help cities learn from each other and build friendships.
- Puławy, Lublin Voivodeship, Poland: This city was a twin town of Nieuwegein from 1994 to 2020. In July 2020, Nieuwegein ended the partnership because of decisions made by Puławy that Nieuwegein disagreed with regarding equal rights for all people.
- Rundu, Kavango East Region, Namibia: This city has been a twin town of Nieuwegein since 1994. The city council in Nieuwegein is currently discussing whether to continue this partnership. This is because of concerns about equal rights for all people in Namibia.
Notable People from Nieuwegein
Many interesting people have come from Nieuwegein or the towns that formed it. Here are a few:
- Piet Schrijvers (born 1946 in Jutphaas) – A Dutch football manager and former goalkeeper.
- Veronique Renard (born 1965 in Jutphaas) – A Dutch author and visual artist.
- Jasper van Dijk (born 1971 in Jutphaas) – A Dutch politician.
- Mark Snoeren (born 1974) – A Dutch politician.
- Nine Kooiman (born 1980) – A Dutch politician and former social worker.
- Finne Jager (born 1984), known as Phynn – A Dutch DJ and music producer.
- Manuel "Grubby" Schenkhuizen (born 1986) – A Dutch professional eSports player.
- Sari van Veenendaal (born 1990) – A Dutch football goalkeeper who captains the Dutch national team.
- Robin de Kruijf (born 1991) – A Dutch volleyball player who competed in the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Images for kids
-
Nieuwegein, hospital
-
Nieuwegein, drawbridge
-
Nieuwegein, windmill
-
De Liesbosbrug in Nieuwegein
See also
In Spanish: Nieuwegein para niños
