Sluis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sluis
Sluus (Zeeuws)
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Skyline of Sluis
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Location in Zeeland
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| Country | Netherlands | ||
| Province | Zeeland | ||
| Government | |||
| • Body | Municipal council | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 307.16 km2 (118.60 sq mi) | ||
| • Land | 279.67 km2 (107.98 sq mi) | ||
| • Water | 27.49 km2 (10.61 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 2 m (7 ft) | ||
| Population
(May 2014)
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| • Total | 23,801 | ||
| • Density | 85/km2 (220/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) | ||
| Postcode |
4500–4519, 4524–4529
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| Area code | 0117 | ||
Sluis (pronounced "slooice") is a cool city and a group of towns (called a municipality) located in the western part of Zeelandic Flanders. This area is in the southwestern Zeeland province of the Netherlands.
The current municipality of Sluis was formed on January 1, 2003. This happened when two smaller municipalities, Oostburg and Sluis-Aardenburg, joined together. Before that, Sluis-Aardenburg was created in 1995 by combining the old Sluis municipality with Aardenburg.
Contents
History of Sluis
Sluis became a city in 1290, which means it gained special rights to govern itself. In 1340, a big sea battle called the Battle of Sluys happened nearby during the Hundred Years' War. This was a major event in history!
Did you know that Sluis held one of the very first lotteries where people could win money? It happened on May 9, 1455. The prize was 1,737 florins, which would be a lot of money today!
During the Eighty Years' War, Sluis was captured by Spanish troops in 1587. But don't worry, it was taken back in 1604 by Dutch and English forces.
From 2006 to 2013, Sluis was home to a very famous restaurant called Oud Sluis. It was one of only two restaurants in the whole country to earn three stars from the Michelin Guide, which is a huge honor for food!
Geography of Sluis
The municipality of Sluis includes the main town of Sluis and many other smaller towns and villages. These are:
- Aardenburg
- Breskens
- Cadzand
- Draaibrug
- Eede
- Groede
- Heille
- Hoofdplaat
- IJzendijke
- Nieuwvliet
- Oostburg
- Retranchement
- Schoondijke
- Sint Anna ter Muiden
- Sint Kruis
- Terhofstede
- Waterlandkerkje
- Zuidzande
- Zwindorp
One interesting village is Sint Anna ter Muiden. It's very small, with only about 50 people living there in 2001. It's located about 1 kilometer west of Sluis and is actually the westernmost point of the entire Netherlands!
Getting Around Sluis
There's a ferry that connects Breskens (a town in Sluis municipality) to Vlissingen across the Westerschelde water. Before 2003, this ferry carried cars. But after the Western Scheldt Tunnel opened, the ferry now mostly carries people walking or riding bicycles. It's a great way to see the water!
Famous People from Sluis
Many interesting people have come from Sluis and the surrounding areas:
- John Crabbe (before 1305 – 1352) was a merchant, and soldier.
- Joost de Soete (around 1510/1520 – 1589) was a Dutch nobleman and a Field Marshal, a very high military rank.
- Jacob van Loo (1614 – 1670) was a famous painter during the Dutch Golden Age.
- Joan Blasius (1639 – 1672) was a Dutch poet, writer, and translator.
- Johanna Jacoba van Beaumont (around 1752 – 1827) was a journalist and editor who was active in politics.
- Johan Hendrik van Dale (1828 – 1872) was a Dutch teacher and lexicographer, which means he created dictionaries.
- Ernst Oppler (1867–1929) was a German impressionist painter who lived in Sluis for several years.
- Jan Eekhout (1900 – 1978) was a Dutch writer, poet, and translator.
- Herman Wijffels (born 1942) is a retired Dutch politician and businessman.
- Hans Wijers (born 1951) is also a retired Dutch politician and businessman.
- Ate de Jong (born 1953) is a Dutch film director.
Sports Stars
- Willem van Hanegem (born 1944) is a famous Dutch former football (soccer) player who played in many top-level games.
- Annabel Kosten (born 1977) is a retired freestyle swimmer who won a bronze medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics.
Images for kids
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The town hall and the Belfort in Sluis
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The channel and the Catholic church in Sluis
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A street of the village Sint Anna ter Muiden
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Retranchement, de Retranchementse Molen
