Wijdemeren Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Wijdemeren

Loosdrechtse Plassen

Flag	Coat of arms

Location in North Holland

Established

1 January 2002

Government

• Body

Municipal council

Area

• Total

76.36 km² (29.48 sq mi)

• Land

47.86 km² (18.48 sq mi)

• Water

28.50 km² (11.00 sq mi)

Elevation

1 m (3 ft)

Population

(May 2014)

• Total

23,223

• Density

485/km² (1,260/sq mi)

Time zone

UTC+1 (CET)

• Summer (DST)

UTC+2 (CEST)

Postcode

1230–1244, 1394, 3625

Area code

0294, 035

Wijdemeren (pronounced like "WYE-duh-meer-un") is a special area in the Netherlands. It is a type of local government called a municipality. You can find it in the province of North Holland, right on the edge of a region called the Gooi.

This area is famous for its many beautiful lakes. Some of these lakes include Spiegelplas and Ankeveense Plassen in the north, and Loosdrechtse Plassen in the southwest. These lakes are great for water sports and enjoying nature.

Wijdemeren was formed on January 1, 2002. It was created when three smaller municipalities joined together. These were 's-Graveland, Loosdrecht, and Nederhorst den Berg. Before this, Loosdrecht was part of a different province, Utrecht.

Towns and Villages in Wijdemeren
- Where Wijdemeren is Located
Famous People from Wijdemeren
- Artists and Thinkers
- Leaders and Athletes
Images for kids
See also

Towns and Villages in Wijdemeren

The municipality of Wijdemeren is made up of several charming small towns and villages. Each one has its own unique feel and history.

Here are some of the places you can find in Wijdemeren:

Ankeveen
Boomhoek
Breukeleveen
's-Graveland
Kortenhoef
Muyeveld
Nederhorst den Berg
Nieuw-Loosdrecht
Oud-Loosdrecht.

Where Wijdemeren is Located

Map of the municipality of Wijdemeren, 2013.

This map shows you exactly where Wijdemeren is located. It helps you see the different towns and the many lakes that make up this municipality.

Famous People from Wijdemeren

Many interesting people have come from or lived in Wijdemeren. They have made important contributions in different fields, from art to science and sports.

Artists and Thinkers

Jan Jacob Spöhler (1811–1866) was a talented painter.
Hendrik Jan Schimmel (1823–1906) was a well-known poet and novelist.
Barend Klaas Kuiper (1877–1961) was a history professor and author. He wrote about the history of the Dutch Calvinist church.
Tjalling Koopmans (1910–1985) was a Dutch-American mathematician and economist. He won the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 1975.
Gustav Leonhardt (1928–2012) was a famous keyboard player and conductor. He was also a music expert and teacher.

Leaders and Athletes

Feike Sijbesma (born 1959) is a successful business leader. He was the CEO of a company called DSM.
Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert (born 1973) is a politician and diplomat. She has held important roles in government.
Nelleke Penninx (born 1971) is a retired rower. She competed in the 1996 Summer Olympics and won a silver medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics.
Jip Vastenburg (born 1994) is a long-distance runner. She competed in the 2016 Summer Olympics.