Steenbergen Facts for Kids

For other uses, see Steenbergen (disambiguation).

Quick facts for kids

Steenbergen

Aerial view of Steenbergen

Flag	Coat of arms

Location in North Brabant

Government

• Body

Municipal council

Area

• Total

159.14 km² (61.44 sq mi)

• Land

146.66 km² (56.63 sq mi)

• Water

12.48 km² (4.82 sq mi)

Elevation

1 m (3 ft)

Population

(May 2014)

• Total

23,717

• Density

162/km² (420/sq mi)

Demonym(s)

Steenbergenaar

Time zone

UTC+1 (CET)

• Summer (DST)

UTC+2 (CEST)

Postcode

4650–4655, 4670–4671, 4680–4681, 4756

Area code

0167

Steenbergen is a town and a municipality in the North Brabant province of the Netherlands. It is located in the southern part of the country.

In 2014, about 23,717 people lived in the municipality. It covers an area of 159.14 km² (61.44 sq mi). A small part of this area, 12.48 km² (4.82 sq mi), is water.

Steenbergen is mostly a farming area. It has a growing number of greenhouse farms. The main town of Steenbergen and nearby Dinteloord also have some light industries. A new part of the A4 motorway is being built. This will make it easier to travel to big cities like Rotterdam in the north and Antwerp in Belgium. It will also improve the connection to the nearby city of Bergen op Zoom.

Towns and Villages in Steenbergen
History of Steenbergen City
Graves of World War II Heroes
Famous People from Steenbergen
Gallery
See also

Towns and Villages in Steenbergen

A map of Steenbergen municipality in 2015

The municipality of Steenbergen includes several smaller towns and villages. Here are some of them and their populations:

Steenbergen (population: 12,440)
Dinteloord (5,680)
Nieuw-Vossemeer (2,400)
Kruisland (2,340)
Welberg (1,118)
De Heen (440)
t'Haantje

History of Steenbergen City

Steenbergen became a city in 1272. This means it was given special rights to govern itself.

Graves of World War II Heroes

The graves of RAF Wing Commanders Guy Gibson and Jim Warwick

Two important pilots from World War II are buried in Steenbergen. They are Guy Gibson and Jim Warwick. Guy Gibson was a leader in the RAF (Royal Air Force). He led the famous "Dam Busters" raid in 1943.

In 1944, Gibson and his navigator, Jim Warwick, were flying a Mosquito plane. They were on a bombing mission. Their plane crashed near Steenbergen on September 19, 1944. For many years, people thought they were shot down. But later, when the plane's wreckage was found, it seemed like the plane might have run out of fuel. An eyewitness said the plane's engines "spluttered and stopped." In 2011, it was also suggested that the plane might have been accidentally shot down by friendly forces.

Both Guy Gibson and Jim Warwick are buried in the Catholic cemetery in Steenbergen. Streets in the area are named after them. A propeller from their plane is also in the city park as a memorial.

Famous People from Steenbergen

Johan Arnold Bloys van Treslong, a Dutch naval officer

Many notable people have come from Steenbergen:

Johan Arnold Bloys van Treslong (1757–1824) was a Dutch naval officer.
Jan Maas (1900–1977) was a Dutch racing cyclist. He competed in the 1924 and 1928 Summer Olympics.
Niel Steenbergen (1911–1997) was a Dutch artist. He was known as a sculptor, painter, and medalist.
Ella Vogelaar (born 1949) is a retired Dutch politician.
Pierre van Hooijdonk (born 1969) is a retired Dutch international footballer. He played in many club games.
Eric Hellemons (born 1971) is a Dutch former footballer and a football coach. He was born in Kruisland, a village in Steenbergen municipality.
Nasrdin Dchar (born 1978) is a Moroccan-Dutch actor and presenter.