Alblasserdam

Alblasserdam (Dutch: [ɑlˌblɑsərˈdɑm] ⓘ) is a town and municipality in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland. It covers an area of 10.06 km2 (3.88 sq mi), of which 1.28 km2 (0.49 sq mi) is water, and has a population of 20,136 as of 2021. Alblasserdam is officially a part of the Drechtsteden region. A portion of the small village of Kinderdijk, which boasts the largest and most famous concentration of windmills in the Netherlands, is part of Alblasserdam.

Alblasserdam
Municipality
Church in background white pedestrian bridge in foreground
Church in Alblasserdam
Coat of arms in flag, the flag's top half is yellow, the bottom half red
Flag
Lion rampant, top half yellow on red background, bottom half red on yellow background
Coat of arms
Highlighted position of Alblasserdam in a municipal map of South Holland
Location in South Holland
Coordinates: 51°52′12.6″N 4°40′0″E
CountryNetherlands
ProvinceSouth Holland
Government
[1]
 • BodyMunicipal council
 • MayorJaap Paans (VVD)
Area
[2]
 • Total10.06 km2 (3.88 sq mi)
 • Land8.78 km2 (3.39 sq mi)
 • Water1.28 km2 (0.49 sq mi)
Elevation
[3]
4 m (13 ft)
Population
 (January 2021)[4]
 • Total20,136
 • Density2,293/km2 (5,940/sq mi)
DemonymAlblasserdammer
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postcode
2950–2954
Area code078
Websitewww.alblasserdam.nl
Topographic map of Alblasserdam, Sept. 2014

Etymology

The name Alblasserdam is derived from its location near the creek Alblas where a dam was built. Inhabitants of Alblasserdam are called Alblasserdammers (singular: Alblasserdammer).

History

13th-19th century

The town of Alblasserdam was first mentioned in the chronicles of Melis Stoke in 1299, but the municipality wasn't formed until 1447. Before that, it was part of Oud-Alblas.

Because of its location on the Noord river, one of the busiest waterways in Western Europe, water has played a major role in Alblasserdam's history. The river was important for its development and makes it an advantageous location for industry. Alblasserdam's strategic location also brought it negative consequences. For example, between 1350 and 1821, the Alblasserwaard polder flooded 32 times.

20th century

During World War I, mayor Simon Berman[5] and the local government of Alblasserdam kept busy with 60 Belgian refugees within the municipal boundaries.[6] An ad hoc municipal fund for the unemployed was established.[6]

Alblasserdam suffered during the German raid on Rotterdam on 11 May 1940, when its town centre was severely damaged. The historic Kerkstraat (Church Street) and the characteristic dike construction along the river, however, were spared. The invaders placed the Netherlands under German occupation.

The North Sea flood of 1953 also affected a portion of Alblasserdam. The Delta Works program included reinforcements to the dikes and improvement of the locks. Therefore, water no longer poses a direct danger to Alblasserdam. In 1987, the custom yacht builder Oceanco started building yachts in the 80 metre+ range.

In 1999 the town celebrated its 700th anniversary.

21st century

Bert Blase served as mayor from 1999 to 2014, when he was appointed as mayor of Vlaardingen. Subsequently, the mayor of Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht, Jan Heijkoop, also acted as mayor Alblasserdam.[7] On 1 July 2015 Jaap Paans became mayor of Alblasserdam.

Public transportation
Fop Smit

Notable people
  • Wantij ship Waterbus Alblasserdam
    Wantij ship Waterbus Alblasserdam
  • Kinderdijk
    Kinderdijk
  • Pool side house, kinderdijk
    Pool side house, kinderdijk
  • Windpump at Molens Kinderdijk
    Windpump at Molens Kinderdijk

References
  1. "Portefeuilleverdeling" [Task distribution]. Bestuur en Organisatie (in Dutch). Gemeente Alblasserdam. Archived from the original on 24 June 2013. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
  2. "Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2020" [Key figures for neighbourhoods 2020]. StatLine (in Dutch). CBS. 24 July 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  3. "Postcodetool for 2951 ED". Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (in Dutch). Het Waterschapshuis. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  4. "Bevolkingsontwikkeling; regio per maand" [Population growth; regions per month]. CBS Statline (in Dutch). CBS. 1 January 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  5. "Geinstalleerd" [Installed]. Nieuwe Tilburgsche Courant. Vol. 36, no. 5952. 1914-06-11. Woensdag is de edelachtb. heer S. Berman als burgemeester van Alblasserdam geïnstalleerd. Door den waarnemenden burgemeester en oudste raadslid werden hartelijke woorden gesproken, waarvoor de burgemeester zijn vriendelijken en warmen dank bracht, terwijl hij dén wensch uitsprak, dat even spoedig een geschikte woning gevonden worde, opdat hij als burgervader in Zijne gemeente kan wonen. Van de gelegenheid tot receptie werd druk gebruik gemaakt. Alhoewel de afhaling niet feestelijk geschiedde, was van verscheidene gebouwen toch de driekleur uitgestoken.
  6. Boersma, Pieter (1939). Alblasserdam's heden en verleden, in honderd opstellen beschreven [Alblasserdam's present and past, described in hundred essays]. Gorinchem: Noorduyn. Kort na de in functie treding van Burgemeester S. Berman, brak de wereldoorlog uit. Vele nieuwe vraagstukken ontstonden daardoor en het Gemeentebestuur kwam voor uitzonderlijke moeilijkheden te staan. Zoo waren een 60-tal Belgische vluchtelingen ingekwartierd en in verband met de tijdsomstandigheden dorst Burgemeester Berman het aan om des Zondags de herbergen te sluiten. Het was dezen Burgemeester overigens ernst met het eerbiedigen van Gods heilige ordinantiën. Trouw woonde hij de godsdienstoefeningen der Ned. Herv. Kerk bij, aldus der burgerij het goede voorbeeld gevende. Er werd tijdelijk een gemeentelijk werkloozenfonds gesticht.
  7. "College van burgemeester en wethouders - Bestuur en Organisatie Alblasserdam".
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