Oegstgeest facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Oegstgeest
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|
Wind mill Oudenhofmolen in Oegstgeest
|
|||
|
|||
.svg)
Location in South Holland
|
|||
| Country | Netherlands | ||
| Province | South Holland | ||
| Government | |||
| • Body | Municipal council | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 7.97 km2 (3.08 sq mi) | ||
| • Land | 7.30 km2 (2.82 sq mi) | ||
| • Water | 0.67 km2 (0.26 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 0 m (0 ft) | ||
| Population
(May 2014)
|
|||
| • Total | 22,903 | ||
| • Density | 3,137/km2 (8,120/sq mi) | ||
| Demonym(s) | Oegstgeestenaar | ||
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) | ||
| Postcode |
2340–2343
|
||
| Area code | 071 | ||
Oegstgeest is a town and a local government area (called a municipality) in the western part of the Netherlands. It is located in the province of South Holland. In 2014, about 22,903 people lived there.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The name Oegstgeest has two parts. The word geest refers to "geest lands." These were special sandy areas that were dug up in the 1600s. This digging helped the nearby city of Leiden grow.
The meaning of "Oegst" is a bit of a mystery. Some people think it comes from "Oostgeest," meaning "east of the geest lands." This would describe where the village is located. However, the oldest known spelling, from the 900s, was "Osgeresgeest." This might mean the land once belonged to a person named Osger.
In the Middle Ages, people sometimes called the local church the "Church of Kerckwerve." Today, it is known as the Green Church.
A Look Back in Time
Oegstgeest is one of the oldest places where people lived along the Dutch coast. In 1946, signs of a Batavian settlement from the 2nd century were found. This shows that people were living here a very long time ago.
By the 9th century, a small church already stood where the Little Green Church is today. Legend says that Willibrord, an important saint, dedicated this church. Having a church suggests that a community lived there.
From the 11th to the 14th century, Oegstgeest grew and did well. But this changed when Leiden became a city. New rules meant that certain jobs and building projects were not allowed too close to Leiden. In 1399, Oegstgeest and a nearby area called Poelgeest joined together. Their populations had shrunk, and they could no longer afford to pay taxes to the Count of Holland.
Until the 1800s, Oegstgeest reached right up to Leiden's city walls. But over the 19th and 20th centuries, Oegstgeest gave up more and more land to Leiden. This helped Leiden grow quickly.
Before the early 1900s, Oegstgeest was mostly countryside. It didn't have one main town center. Instead, it had several small, separate settlements. After 1900, new neighborhoods were built between these settlements. Some of the first were Wilhelminapark and Prins Hendrikpark. Later, areas like Haaswijk, Morsebel, and Poelgeest were built. In 2006, work began on a new neighborhood called Nieuw Rhijngeest.
Where is Oegstgeest?
The municipality of Oegstgeest covers an area of about 7.97 km2 (3.08 sq mi). A small part, about 0.67 km2 (0.26 sq mi), is water. Oegstgeest is just north of Leiden. They are so close that they form one large urban area. Oegstgeest is its own municipality, but it acts like a suburb of Leiden.
To the west of Oegstgeest is the municipality of Katwijk. To the north is Teylingen. The beautiful Kaag Lakes (Kagerplassen) are to the northeast. And to the east, you'll find Leiderdorp.
Sports and Fun
Oegstgeest has many sports clubs for young people and adults.
- There are two football (soccer) clubs: FC Oegstgeest and ASC.
- At ASC, you can also play cricket.
- FIKS is the local korfball team. Korfball is a sport similar to basketball and netball, played with two teams.
- LOHC is where people play hockey.
- OLTC, founded in 1886, is the tennis club.
- VCO is the local volleyball club.
Famous Faces from Oegstgeest
Many interesting people have connections to Oegstgeest.
- Gustaaf Schlegel (1840–1903) was a Dutch expert on China and a naturalist.
- Jan van Gilse (1881–1944) was a Dutch composer and conductor.
- Carel Polak (1909–1981) was a Dutch politician and legal expert.
- Johan Ferrier (1910–2010) was a Surinamese politician. He was the first President of Suriname from 1975 to 1980.
- Kees Bol (1916–2009) was a Dutch painter and art teacher.
- Edzo Toxopeus (1918–2009) was a Dutch politician, diplomat, and legal expert.
- Dick Blok (1925–2019) was a Dutch scholar who studied names.
- Jan Wolkers (1925–2007) was a Dutch author, sculptor, and painter.
- Aad Kosto (born 1938) is a retired Dutch politician and legal expert.
- Ram Lakhina (born 1939) is an Indian business owner and community leader who lives in Oegstgeest.
- Hans Blokland (born 1943) is a former Dutch politician and a former member of the European Parliament.
- Harold Goddijn (born 1960) is the CEO of the Dutch electronics company TomTom.
- Theo Maassen (born 1966) is a Dutch comedian and actor.
Sports Stars
- Boudewijn Binkhorst (born 1942) is a sailor who competed in the 1968 Summer Olympics.
- Freek van de Graaff (1944–2009) was a Dutch rower who won a bronze medal at the 1964 Summer Olympics.
- Jan Smeets (born 1985) is a Dutch chess grandmaster.
Gallery
-
Klein Curium
-
Oegstgeest
-
Torenvelt
-
Hoofdgebouw Rhijngeest
-
Hol Maren
.jpg)
See also
In Spanish: Oegstgeest para niños
