Oostzaan Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Oostzaan

Street in Oostzaan

Flag	Coat of arms

Location in North Holland

Government

• Body

Municipal council

Area

• Total

16.08 km² (6.21 sq mi)

• Land

11.53 km² (4.45 sq mi)

• Water

4.55 km² (1.76 sq mi)

Elevation

0 m (0 ft)

Population

(May 2014)

• Total

9,153

• Density

794/km² (2,060/sq mi)

Time zone

UTC+1 (CET)

• Summer (DST)

UTC+2 (CEST)

Postcode

1510–1511

Area code

075

Map of municipality of Oostzaan, 2022

Oostzaan is a small town and a municipality (like a local government area) in the Netherlands. It is located in the Zaanstreek region, within the province of North Holland. In 2014, Oostzaan had a population of about 9,153 people. The total area of Oostzaan is about 16.08 km² (6.21 sq mi), with 4.55 km² (1.76 sq mi) of that being water.

Oostzaan, along with Westzaan and Assendelft, are known as the "mother towns" of the Zaanstreek. This means they are the three oldest towns in the area around the River Zaan. Oostzaan was also important for shipping and shipbuilding during the time of the VOC and WIC. These were big trading companies that sailed all over the world.

In the 17th century, Oostzaan was home to a famous sailor named Claes Compaen. He started as a privateer for the Dutch Republic. A privateer was like a legal pirate, allowed by the government to attack enemy ships. But Claes soon became a true pirate, capturing hundreds of ships. There is a street in Oostzaan named after him.

The town has a beautiful Reformed church called the Great Church, built in 1760. It has a special cross shape. Inside, you can see two ship models. These models remind everyone of the days when Oostzaan was a very important place for sea travel. In an area of Oostzaan called Oostzijderveld, there is a windmill named De Windjager, which means "The Wind Hunter."

Parts of Oostzaan
Local Businesses
Famous People from Oostzaan
Images for kids
See also

Parts of Oostzaan

Oostzaan is made up of several smaller areas called hamlets. These include:

Achterdichting
De Heul
Kerkbuurt (which means "church neighborhood")
Noordeinde (meaning "North end")
Zuideinde (meaning "South end")

The areas of Kerkbuurt and the northern part of Zuideinde form the main center of Oostzaan.

Local Businesses

The company Meyn Food Processing Technology has its main office in Oostzaan. This company makes machines for processing poultry (like chickens and turkeys).

Famous People from Oostzaan

Jacob Cornelisz, self-portrait, 1533

Many interesting people have come from Oostzaan:

Jacob Cornelisz van Oostsanen (before 1470 – 1533) was a painter and a designer of woodcuts from the Northern Netherlands.
Claes Gerritszoon Compaen (1587 – 1660) was a Dutch sailor who was both a privateer and a pirate.
Albert Heijn (1865 – 1945) was a Dutch businessman who started the well-known supermarket chain named after him.
Grietje de Jongh (1924 – 2002) was a Dutch sprinter. She competed in the 1948 and 1952 Summer Olympics.
Robert Tijdeman (born 1943) is a Dutch mathematician. He is known for his work in number theory, including Tijdeman's theorem.
Trijnie Rep (born 1950) is a Dutch former speed skater. She competed in the 1972 Winter Olympics.
Rosemarijn Dral (born 1985) is a Dutch politician. She has been a member of the Dutch House of Representatives since 2024.