Molenwaard

Molenwaard [5](Dutch pronunciation: [ˈmoːlə(ɱ)ˌʋaːrt]) is a former municipality in the western Netherlands, in the southeastern part of the province of South Holland, and the northwestern part of the region of Alblasserwaard. It was the result of a merger of the municipalities of Graafstroom, Liesveld, and Nieuw-Lekkerland on 1 January 2013. On 1 January 2019 it merged with Giessenlanden, together they form the new municipality of Molenlanden.[6] Molenwaard had about 29,000 inhabitants and an area of about 126 km2 (49 sq mi). The largest settlements are Bleskensgraaf, Groot-Ammers, and Nieuw-Lekkerland.

Molenwaard
Former municipality
A view of Kinderdijk at sunrise
A view of Kinderdijk at sunrise
Flag of Molenwaard
Flag
Coat of arms of Molenwaard
Coat of arms
Highlighted position of Molenwaard in a municipal map of South Holland
Location in South Holland
Coordinates: 51°52′N 4°47′E
CountryNetherlands
ProvinceSouth Holland
MunicipalityMolenlanden
Established1 January 2013[1]
Merged2019
Area
[2]
 • Total126.47 km2 (48.83 sq mi)
 • Land118.29 km2 (45.67 sq mi)
 • Water8.18 km2 (3.16 sq mi)
Elevation
[3]
−1 m (−3 ft)
Population
 (January 2021)[4]
 • Totaldata missing
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postcode
2957–2977
Area code0184
Websitewww.gemeentemolenwaard.nl
View of Brandwijk
Windmills near Kinderdijk
Polder and cycling-bridge near Streefkerk

Molenwaard can be characterized as a landscape of polders existing of vast pastures traversed by ditches and canals, like the Groote- of Achterwaterschap, and the Ammersche Boezem. In the outermost northwest one can find the famous windmills of Kinderdijk. About 1.5 m below sea level, the municipality is bordered by the Lek river in the north and briefly the Noord river in the west. On its area flows the Graafstroom or the Alblas.

Religiously, the municipality is part of the Bible Belt, resulting in the dominance of the Christian parties in politics.

Localities

Molenwaard consists of the following settlements:

Topography

Dutch Topographic map of the municipality of Molenwaard, June 2015

Politics

The municipal council of Molenwaard consists of 21 seats, which are divided as follows:

Municipal council seats
Party2013
Reformed Political Party (SGP)5
Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA)5
ChristianUnion (CU)4
Labour Party (PvdA)3
Gemeentebelangen Molenwaard2
People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD)2
Total21

Notable people
Els Veder-Smit, 1978
Corien Wortmann, 2011

References
  1. "Gemeentelijke indeling op 1 januari 2013" [Municipal divisions on 1 January 2013]. cbs.nl (in Dutch). CBS. Retrieved 14 August 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 2971VR". Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (in Dutch). Het Waterschapshuis. Retrieved 14 August 2013.
  4. "Bevolkingsontwikkeling; regio per maand" [Population growth; regions per month]. CBS Statline (in Dutch). CBS. 1 January 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  5. Molenwaard is derived from 'molen' (mill) and 'waard' (flat riverland). The flat municipality of Molenwaard consists of a lot of windmills.
  6. "Herindeling Molenwaard-Giessenlanden". Retrieved 3 January 2019.
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