Zwijndrecht, Netherlands Facts for Kids

This page is about the Dutch municipality. For the Belgian municipality, see Zwijndrecht, Belgium.

Quick facts for kids

Zwijndrecht

Zwijndrecht across the Oude Maas

Flag	Coat of arms

Location in South Holland

Government

• Body

Municipal council

Area

• Total

22.77 km² (8.79 sq mi)

• Land

20.35 km² (7.86 sq mi)

• Water

2.42 km² (0.93 sq mi)

Elevation

−1 m (−3.3 ft)

Population

(May 2014)

• Total

44,546

• Density

2,189/km² (5,670/sq mi)

Demonym(s)

Zwijndrechter

Time zone

UTC+1 (CET)

• Summer (DST)

UTC+2 (CEST)

Postcode

3330–3336

Area code

078

Dutch Topographic map of Zwijndrecht, Sept. 2014

Watertower from Dordrecht

Zwijndrecht is a town and a municipality (a type of local government area) in the western part of the Netherlands. It is located in the province of South Holland. The town sits at the very end of the IJsselmonde island, where three rivers meet: the Oude Maas, Beneden-Merwede, and Noord.

How Many People Live in Zwijndrecht?
A Look Back: Zwijndrecht's History
- From Farming to Factories
Getting Around: Transportation in Zwijndrecht
Zwijndrecht's Sister Cities
Famous People from Zwijndrecht
- Sports Stars
Images for kids
See also

How Many People Live in Zwijndrecht?

Zwijndrecht is one of the "Drecht" cities, which are a group of towns in this area. It is part of the suburban zone located south of Rotterdam, a much larger city.

The town has grown a lot over the years. In 1960, only about 6,000 people lived there. Today, the population is around 45,000.

Since 2003, the municipality of Zwijndrecht also includes the smaller villages of Heerjansdam and Kleine-Lindt. The total population of the municipality was 44,546 in 2014.

Interestingly, Zwijndrecht has the highest number of people from Estonia living in the Netherlands. The Evangelical Theological Academy, a school for religious studies, is also located here.

A Look Back: Zwijndrecht's History

Zwijndrecht first started to develop during the Middle Ages. It is thought that people could walk across a shallow part of the Oude Maas river to get there from Dordrecht. Zwijndrecht quickly benefited from Dordrecht's strong economy. Dordrecht was a very important economic center in the Netherlands around the 1450s.

The water around Zwijndrecht was very important for its early growth. During the Middle Ages, most people living in the town made their living by catching fish from the nearby rivers.

From Farming to Factories

Starting in the 1600s, Zwijndrecht became well-known for its horticulture products. Horticulture is the art of growing plants, like fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Some of these products were even sent to other countries, such as England and Germany. The Zwijndrechtse vegetable auction, located next to the railroad, was one of the biggest in the whole country.

Later, in the 1800s, Zwijndrecht changed into an industrial town. This means it became a place with many factories. There were glass factories, soap factories, and shipyards. Other products like beer, rice, and chocolate were also made here.

In 2003, the small village of Heerjansdam became part of the Zwijndrecht municipality. This increased the population to about 45,000 people.

Getting Around: Transportation in Zwijndrecht

Zwijndrecht has good ways to travel, both for people and for goods.

Train Travel

The town has its own railway station, called Station Zwijndrecht. From here, you can take a train north to big cities like Rotterdam and The Hague. If you go south, the train can take you to Breda or Roosendaal.

Water Bus and Road Bus

There are also water bus routes (like small ferries) that stop at Zwijndrecht Veerplein. These water buses, routes 21 and 24, connect Zwijndrecht with Dordrecht at Merwekade and Hooikade.

Regular road buses are run by a company called Qbuzz. These bus routes connect Zwijndrecht to Dordrecht, Rotterdam, and other places within the "Drecht" cities area.

Cargo and Freight

Zwijndrecht is also a very important town for moving cargo. It connects major highways, like the A16, and links different rivers, such as the Oude Maas. It is also important for train cargo. There is a huge train yard called Kijfhoek nearby. It is one of the most important and largest train yards in Europe for sorting and moving cargo trains.

Zwijndrecht's Sister Cities

Zwijndrecht has "twin cities" or "sister cities" around the world. These are cities that have a special partnership to promote cultural ties and understanding.

City	Country	Since
Norderstedt	Germany	1981
Poprad	Slovakia	2000
Zwijndrecht	Belgium	2004

Famous People from Zwijndrecht

Many interesting people have come from Zwijndrecht, including:

Peter van Dalen (born 1958) – A politician and a member of the European Parliament.
Mohammed Benzakour (born 1972) – A Moroccan-Dutch writer, poet, and politician.
Nicolay (born Matthijs Rook in 1974) – A music producer known for electronic, R&B, and hip hop music.
Ralph Barendse (born 1977) – A DJ and producer of electronic dance music.
Martijn Lakemeier (born 1993) – An actor.

Sports Stars

Zwijndrecht has also produced several talented athletes:

Michel Valke (born 1959) – A retired Dutch football (soccer) player.
Jeroen Sluijter (born 1975) – A baseball player.
Percy Isenia (born 1976) – A baseball player.
Kevin Vermeulen (born 1990) – A professional football (soccer) player.
Marten de Roon (born 1991) – A professional football (soccer) player.
Nikki de Roest (born 1993) – An educator and former female football (soccer) player.
Jordy van Deelen (born 1993) – A football (soccer) player.
Rogier Dorsman (born 1999) – A blind Paralympic swimmer.