Zwartewaterland Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Zwartewaterland

Harbour of Genemuiden

Flag	Coat of arms

Location in Overijssel

Established

1 January 2001

Government

• Body

Municipal council

Area

• Total

87.86 km² (33.92 sq mi)

• Land

82.69 km² (31.93 sq mi)

• Water

5.17 km² (2.00 sq mi)

Elevation

1 m (3 ft)

Population

(May 2014)

• Total

22,145

• Density

268/km² (690/sq mi)

Time zone

UTC+1 (CET)

• Summer (DST)

UTC+2 (CEST)

Postcode

8060–8064, 8280–8299

Area code

038

Dutch Topographic map of Zwartewaterland, Sept. 2014

Zwartewaterland is a special area in the eastern Netherlands. It is a municipality, which is like a local government area. It is located in the province called Overijssel.

Geography of Zwartewaterland
Towns and Villages
Places to See
Famous People from Zwartewaterland
- Sports Stars
Images for kids
See also

Geography of Zwartewaterland

This area is mostly countryside with farms and open spaces. It is located south of Steenwijkerland. The name Zwartewaterland comes from the Zwarte Water, which means "Black Water." This is a short river that flows from Zwolle to the Zwarte Meer (Black Lake).

Before 1931, the Black Lake was part of a much larger sea called the Zuiderzee. Another river, the Vecht, also flows into the Zwarte Water.

The town of Hasselt is about 5 kilometers (3 miles) north of Zwolle. The towns of Genemuiden and Zwartsluis are about 5 kilometers further north. They are almost directly across the Zwarte Water from each other. Water sports and tourism are very important for the local economy here.

Towns and Villages

Zwartewaterland has several towns and villages. The most important ones are listed below in bold.

Cellemuiden
De Velde
Genemuiden (population on January 1, 2007: 9,985 people)
Hasselt (population: 6,963 people)
Kamperzeedijk-Oost
Kamperzeedijk-West
Kievitsnest
Mastenbroek
Zwartewatersklooster
Zwartsluis (population: 4,810 people)

Both Hasselt and Zwartsluis have small ports and some local industries. Genemuiden is the largest of these three towns. Most of Zwartewaterland's people and businesses are found in Genemuiden.

Places to See

There are many interesting places to visit in Zwartewaterland:

A small part of the beautiful wetland area and National Park called "De Wieden" is just north of Zwartsluis. Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil, like marshes or swamps.
The old town hall in Hasselt was built a long time ago, between 1550 and 1615.
The Saint Stephen's Church is a Gothic style church. It was built in 1466 and has a very old and impressive design.
Every year, on a special day called Corpus Christi, people go on a Roman Catholic pilgrimage to Hasselt. A pilgrimage is a journey to a holy place. They have a special procession, which is like a parade. A church was built in 1933 just for this purpose.

Famous People from Zwartewaterland

Many interesting people have come from Zwartewaterland.

Kiliaen van Rensselaer (1586 in Hasselt – around 1643) was a merchant who traded in diamonds and pearls. He also helped start the Dutch West India Company, which was a big trading company.
Jan de Koning (1926 in Zwartsluis – 1994) was a politician. A politician is someone who works in government.
Jaap Drupsteen (born 1942 in Hasselt) is a graphic designer. He creates visual designs for things like books and websites.
Eelco Gelling (born 1946 in Zwartsluis) is a blues guitarist.
Afke Schaart (born 1973 in Zwartsluis) was a politician.

Afke Schaart, 2006

Sports Stars

Gerard Nijboer (born 1955 in Hasselt) was a long-distance runner. He competed in the Summer Olympics three times!
Willeke Knol (born 1991 in Hasselt) is a racing cyclist.
Pascal Eenkhoorn (born 1997 in Genemuiden) is also a cyclist.