Schouwen-Duiveland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Schouwen-Duiveland
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Zierikzee city centre
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Location in Zeeland
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| Country | Netherlands | ||
| Province | Zeeland | ||
| Established | 1 January 1997 | ||
| Government | |||
| • Body | Municipal council | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 488.21 km2 (188.50 sq mi) | ||
| • Land | 230.07 km2 (88.83 sq mi) | ||
| • Water | 258.14 km2 (99.67 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 0 m (0 ft) | ||
| Population
(May 2014)
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| • Total | 33,833 | ||
| • Density | 147/km2 (380/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) | ||
| Postcode |
4300–4329
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| Area code | 0111 | ||
Schouwen-Duiveland is an island and a municipality (like a local government area) in the southwestern part of the Netherlands. It is located in the province of Zeeland. About 33,700 people live here (as of 2016). The total area is about 489 square kilometers, with a large part of that being water.
The island is connected to other areas by several important structures. To the north, the Brouwersdam and the Grevelingen connect it to Goeree-Overflakkee. To the south, the Oosterschelde (a sea arm) is crossed by the Stormvloed Kering (part of the Delta Works) and the Zeeland Bridge, leading to North Beveland.
Most of the island is flat and lies below sea level. There is a small dune area on the western tip, which is about 42 meters above sea level. Schouwen-Duiveland is very popular with tourists, especially in the summer. The Renesse area is a favorite holiday spot for young people.
The Brouwersdam is a large dam that is part of the famous Delta Works. It connects Schouwen-Duiveland to the island of Goeree-Overflakkee.
Contents
Island History
The island of Schouwen-Duiveland was not always one piece of land. It used to be four separate islands: Schouwen, Duiveland, Dreischor, and Bommenede. Over many centuries, these islands grew together naturally and with human help. For example, the dam connecting Schouwen and Duiveland was built in 1610.
A steam tram line used to run on the island for public transport. It opened in 1900 but stopped running after the big floods in 1953. Buses replaced the tram service.
During World War II, Schouwen-Duiveland was the only island in Zeeland that remained under German control until May 1945. In December 1944, the Germans planned to deport all local men aged 17 to 40. Local resistance fighters tried to stop this by stealing important records. Sadly, ten local men were captured and executed.
After the Brouwersdam was finished in 1972, the island became a popular place for water sports. Activities like surfing, sailing, and diving are common on the North Sea beaches and in the Grevelingenmeer lake.
Geography and People
Island Map
Main Towns and Villages
The main towns and villages on Schouwen-Duiveland are listed below (as of 2021).
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Zierikzee and Brouwershaven are two places on the island that used to have "city rights" in the past. The main town hall for the municipality is located in Zierikzee. There isn't a village called Schouwen-Duiveland; the municipality is named after the island itself.
Nature and Wildlife
Schouwen-Duiveland has many beautiful nature reserves. Most of these areas are managed by Staatsbosbeheer, a Dutch organization that looks after nature. Many reserves are open for visitors to explore. They are especially great for birdwatching and cycling.
In these nature areas, you can find special European birds like the Avocet, Curlew, and Plover. Boswachterij Westerschouwen is the largest forest in the entire province of Zeeland. Besides the nature around the Grevelingenmeer lake, here are some other nature reserves on Schouwen-Duiveland:
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Local Government
The municipality of Schouwen-Duiveland was formed on January 1, 1997. This happened when six smaller municipalities joined together. These were Brouwershaven, Bruinisse, Duiveland, Middenschouwen, Westerschouwen, and Zierikzee. These six had also been formed by earlier mergers in 1961.
Municipal Council
The local government is run by a council with 23 seats. Here's how the different political parties have been represented in the council since 1997:
| Partij | 1997¹ | 2002 | 2006 | 2010 | 2014 | 2018 | 2022 |
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| Leefbaar Schouwen-Duiveland | - | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
| VVD | 7 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| CDA | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| SGP | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| SP | - | - | - | - | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| PvdA | 4 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| ChristenUnie | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| D66 | 2 | - | - | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Independent Schouwen-Duiveland | - | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | - | - |
| GroenLinks | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - | - | - |
| Total | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 |
¹ Elections for the new combined municipality were held on November 13, 1996. The first council started on January 1, 1997.
Mayor and Aldermen
The daily running of the municipality is handled by the Mayor and Aldermen.
- Mayor: Jack van der Hoek
- Aldermen: Jacqueline Burg, Daniël Joppe, Paula Schot, Ankie Smit, Hanno Canters
- Secretary: Simone Bronsveld
Culture and Memorials
There are several important national monuments in the municipality. These include a war memorial in Renesse and a Jewish Memorial in Zierikzee. The war memorial remembers the ten local resistance fighters who were executed by the Germans in December 1944. It also honors all local citizens who died during World War II and during the "police actions" in the Dutch East Indies.
A famous local story is the saga of the Westenschouwen mermaid. This old tale explains why the village of Westenschouwen, which was once very rich, declined. The mermaid's prophecy said that only the village tower would remain. After the original tower was taken down in 1845, the Plompe Tower became known as the remaining tower. Visitors can go inside the Plompe Tower and hear the mermaid's story played automatically. The mermaid is even shown on the local coat of arms!
Famous People from Schouwen-Duiveland
Many interesting people have come from Schouwen-Duiveland.
Public Service and Thinkers
- John III, Lord of Renesse (1249–1304): A nobleman and warrior from Zeeland.
- Jacob Cats (1577–1660): A famous Dutch poet, humorist, and politician.
- Bonifacius de Jonge (1567–1625): A very important official in Zeeland.
- Hugo de Jonge (born 1977): A Dutch politician who has served as Deputy Prime Minister.
- Rutger Bregman (born 1988): A popular Dutch historian and author.
Arts and Creativity
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- Henry Van der Weyde (1838–1924): A Dutch-born English painter and photographer.
- Digna Sinke (born 1949): A Dutch film director, producer, and screenwriter.
- Ester Naomi Perquin (born 1980): A Dutch poet.
Science and Business
- Levinus Lemnius (1505–1568): A Dutch doctor and writer.
- Pieter Zeeman (1865–1943): A Dutch physicist who won the Nobel Prize for discovering the Zeeman effect.
Sports
- Adrie Koster (born 1954): A Dutch football manager.
- Nelli Cooman (born 1964): A world champion sprinter in the 60 meters.
Gallery
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Street in the fishing village of Buinisse
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Zonnemaire
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Aan de Korte Ring in Brunisse
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View of the city, seen from the Havendijk - Zierikzee
See also
In Spanish: Schouwen-Duiveland para niños
