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Oude IJsselstreek facts for kids

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Oude IJsselstreek
Municipality
Huis Landfort
Huis Landfort
Flag of Oude IJsselstreek
Flag
 Coat of arms of Oude IJsselstreek
Coat of arms
Highlighted position of Oude IJsselstreek in a municipal map of Gelderland
Location in Gelderland
Country Netherlands
Province Gelderland
Established 1 January 2005
Government
 • Body Municipal council
Area
 • Total 137.94 km2 (53.26 sq mi)
 • Land 136.40 km2 (52.66 sq mi)
 • Water 1.54 km2 (0.59 sq mi)
Elevation
15 m (49 ft)
Highest elevation
33 m (108 ft)
Population
 (May 2014)
 • Total 39,582
 • Density 290/km2 (800/sq mi)
Time zone UTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST) UTC+2 (CEST)
Postcode
7050–7084
Area code 0315

Oude IJsselstreek is a special area in the eastern Netherlands. It's located in the province of Gelderland. This place became a single municipality (like a town or city area with its own local government) on January 1, 2005. It was formed when two smaller areas, Gendringen and Wisch, joined together.

Discovering Oude IJsselstreek

Oude IJsselstreek is a unique place where rivers from Germany, like the Rhine and Issel, meet the sandy lands of the eastern Netherlands. This mix creates a beautiful landscape.

Towns and Villages

This municipality is home to 15 different towns and villages. Some of these used to be part of the old Gendringen area:

  • Breedenbroek
  • Etten
  • Gendringen
  • Megchelen
  • Netterden
  • Ulft
  • Varsselder
  • Voorst (Be careful not to confuse this with another place called Voorst in Gelderland!)

Other towns and villages were once part of the Wisch area:

  • Bontebrug
  • Heelweg-Oost and Heelweg-West
  • Silvolde
  • Sinderen
  • Terborg
  • Varsseveld
  • Westendorp

Terborg is the only place here that has "city rights," which means it was officially recognized as a city a long time ago. However, the biggest town is Ulft, with about 10,000 people living there.

The municipality is often thought of in three main parts:

  • The urban belt includes towns along the Oude IJssel river like Ulft, Gendringen, Etten, Silvolde, and Terborg.
  • Varsseveld, in the east, is a more rural village.
  • The other smaller places are considered the "external territories."

The local government plans to make Ulft the main center for the whole area.

Gem-OudeIJsselstreek-OpenTopo
Map of the municipality of Oude IJsselstreek, June 2015

How Oude IJsselstreek is Governed

Like other places in the Netherlands, Oude IJsselstreek has a local government called a Municipal council. This council makes decisions for the community.

The Municipal Council

After the elections in 2022, 25 people were chosen to be part of the Oude IJsselstreek municipal council. These people represent different political groups. The group with the most seats was Lokaal Belang (which means "Local Interests"), with 10 seats.

The Mayor of Oude IJsselstreek

The mayor is the leader of the municipality. The first mayor of Oude IJsselstreek was Hans Alberse, who started in 2006. Over the years, there have been a few changes. In July 2016, Otwin van Dijk became the mayor. He left in 2024, and Mirjam Maasdam took over as the acting mayor.

Culture and History

Even though Oude IJsselstreek is mostly a rural area, it has a history of iron mining and processing.

The DRU Industriepark

One of the biggest iron companies was called DRU (Diepenbrock en Reigers te Ulft). It closed its factory in Ulft in 2003. But the story didn't end there! Since 2009, the old DRU factory has been turned into a lively cultural center called the DRU Industriepark.

2024-06-06 Industriepark DRU in Ulft ZvD 02
The former DRU factory in Ulft, now a cultural center.

This cool place now has the local library, a theater, a special school for job training, and other useful facilities. Even the municipal council meetings are held in its conference room!

International Connections

Oude IJsselstreek is part of a group called the Ring of the European Cities of Iron Works. This means it connects with other cities in Europe that also have a history of iron production. In 2010, Oude IJsselstreek even hosted the group's yearly meeting.

Famous People from Oude IJsselstreek

Many interesting people have come from Oude IJsselstreek, including historical figures and famous athletes.

Historical Figures

  • Frederik van den Bergh (1559–1618): Born in Ulft, he was a soldier who fought in the Eighty Years' War.
  • William Maurice, Prince of Nassau-Siegen (born 1649): An important noble who was born in Terborg.
  • Countess Sophie Amalie of Nassau-Siegen (1650–1688): Born in Terborg, she later became a Duchess by marriage.
Duchess Sophie Amelie of Courland
Countess Sophie Amalie of Nassau-Siegen was born in Terborg, Oude IJsselstreek.
  • Hendrik Jan Elhorst (1861–1924): A teacher and minister from Wisch.
  • Willem Berkhoff (1863–1953): A famous pastry chef from Varsseveld.
  • Henry Eric Maudslay (1921–1943): A pilot during World War II who died near Klein-Netterden.

Sports Stars

Oude IJsselstreek has produced many talented athletes, especially in football and cycling.

Guus Hiddink 2012
Footballer and coach Guus Hiddink was born in Varsseveld.
  • Johannes van der Vegte (1892–1945): A rower who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.
  • Herman Suselbeek (born 1943): A retired rower who won a silver medal at the 1968 Summer Olympics.
  • Henk Overgoor (1944–2020): A former football player from Gendringen.
  • Guus Hiddink (born 1946): A very famous football manager and former player from Varsseveld.
  • Hans Westerhof (born 1948): A football coach from Terborg.
  • René Hiddink (born 1955): A football coach who grew up in Varsseveld.
  • Mile Pajic (born 1955): A retired motorcycle racer from Terborg.
  • Bram Schmitz (born 1977): A retired cyclist from Terborg.
  • Bram Som (born 1980): An 800-meter runner who competed in the 2000 and 2004 Summer Olympics.
  • Sjoerd Ars (born 1984): A retired Dutch football player from Terborg.
  • Robert Gesink (born 1986): A professional cyclist from Varsseveld.
  • Lonneke Slöetjes (born 1990): A volleyball player from Varsseveld.
  • Koen Bouwman (born 1993): A professional cyclist from Ulft.
  • Jurre Vreman (born 1998): A football player from Gendringen.
  • Dione Housheer (born 1999): A handball player from Gendringen.
  • Steven Theunissen (born 1999): A football defender from Ulft.

Images for kids

  • 2005-05-01 18.24 Gereformeerde Kerk Varsseveld, gelegen in Sinderen

    Keurhosterkerk in Sinderen.

  • Varsseveld-doetinchemseweg-185260

    Witte Kerkje in Varsseveld.

  • 2010-09-11 om oij landfort 27

    Landfort in Megchelen.

  • 2004 Varsseveld De Engel 03

    Mill De Engel in Varsseveld.

  • Varsselder, de Martelaren van Gorcumkerk GM1509-193 IMG 5386 2020-05-09 11.48

    Church in Varssevelder

  • Ulft, het Heilig Hartbeeld (van Leo Jungblut) voor de Antonius van Paduakerk IMG 5393 2020-05-09 12.13

    Statue in Ulft

  • Etten, de Sint-Maartenskerk RM16068 IMG 5406 2020-05-09 12.38

    Church in Etten

  • Silvolde, de Gerritsens Molen RM39086 IMG 5415 2020-05-09 13.19

    Windmill in Silvolde

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Oude IJsselstreek para niños

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