Nieuwkoop Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Nieuwkoop

Nieuwkoopse plassen

Flag	Coat of arms

Location in South Holland

Government

• Body

Municipal council

Area

• Total

91.16 km² (35.20 sq mi)

• Land

78.88 km² (30.46 sq mi)

• Water

12.28 km² (4.74 sq mi)

Elevation

−5 m (−16.4 ft)

Population

(May 2014)

• Total

27,122

• Density

344/km² (890/sq mi)

Time zone

UTC+1 (CET)

• Summer (DST)

UTC+2 (CEST)

Postcode

2420–2441, 2460–2461, 3651–3653

Area code

0172, 0297

Dutch Topographic map of Nieuwkoop, June 2015

Nieuwkoop is a town and a "municipality" in the western Netherlands. A municipality is like a local government area. It is located in the province of South Holland.

On January 1, 2007, the Nieuwkoop municipality became bigger. It joined with two other areas called Liemeer and Ter Aar. Now, the municipality covers about 91.16 km² (35.20 sq mi) of land and water. A large part of this area, about 12.28 km² (4.74 sq mi), is water. In 2014, about 27,122 people lived here.

In 2008, a Dutch newspaper said that Nieuwkoop was the safest municipality in the whole Netherlands.

Communities in Nieuwkoop
History of Nieuwkoop
Famous People from Nieuwkoop
- Artists and Thinkers
- Sports Stars
Images for kids
See also

Communities in Nieuwkoop

The municipality of Nieuwkoop includes several smaller communities. These are like different neighborhoods or villages within the larger area.

Aardam
Korteraar
Langeraar
Nieuwkoop
Nieuwveen
Noordeinde
Noorden
Noordsedorp
Papenveer
Ter Aar
Vrouwenakker
Woerdense Verlaat
Zevenhoven

History of Nieuwkoop

The oldest parts of Nieuwkoop are the buildings found along the Nieuwkoopse Plassen. These are also known as Nieuwkoop's Ponds. Many of these buildings are surrounded by water. You can reach them by crossing individual bridges from the main road.

The Nieuwkoopse Plassen are shallow lakes. They were created in the 16th century. People dug them to harvest peat. Peat is a type of soil made from decayed plants. It was used as fuel. Today, these lakes are protected as a special natural area. After World War II, new neighborhoods were built to the north-west of the main road.

Famous People from Nieuwkoop

Many interesting people have come from Nieuwkoop or nearby communities.

Artists and Thinkers

John of Leiden (1509 in Zevenhoven – 1536): He was a Dutch leader of a religious movement called Anabaptism.
Catharina Oostfries (1636 in Nieuwkoop – 1708): She was a famous glass painter during the Dutch Golden Age.
Daan Roosegaarde (born 1979 in Nieuwkoop): He is a Dutch artist who combines technology with art to create unique works.
Froukje (born 2001 in Nieuwkoop): She is a popular Dutch singer and songwriter.

Sports Stars

Wil Burgmeijer (born 1947 in Ter Aar): A retired Dutch speed skater who competed in the 1968 Winter Olympics.
Jos Valentijn (born 1952 in Ter Aar): Another retired speed skater from the area.
Petra de Bruin (born 1962 in Nieuwkoop): A Dutch former cyclist.
Ralph Schwarz (1967 in Nieuwkoop – 1992): A Dutch rower who competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics.
Arjan van der Laan (born 1969 in Nieuwkoop): A Dutch former footballer who played in many club games. He also managed the Netherlands women's national football team.
Sander Berk (born 1979 in Nieuwveen): A Dutch triathlete.
Laurien van der Graaff (born 1987 in Nieuwkoop): A Swiss cross-country skier who competed for Switzerland in the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Melissa Wijfje (born 1995 in Ter Aar): A Dutch allround speed skater.