Enkhuizen

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Enkhuizen


mapsize = 280px


flag_size = 125px
image_shield = Enkhuizen wapen.pngshield_size = 125px
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Netherlands
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_name1 = North Holland
leader_name = J.G.A. Baas
area_footnotes = (2006)
area_total_km2 = 116.04
area_land_km2 = 12.42
area_water_km2 = 103.62
population_as_of = 1 January, 2007
population_note = Source: CBS, [http://statline.cbs.nl/ Statline] .
settlement_type = Municipality
population_total = 17833
population_density_km2 = 1436
timezone = CET
utc_offset = +1
timezone_DST = CEST
utc_offset_DST = +2
latd = 52.72
latNS = N
longd = 5.28
longEW = E
website = nl [http://www.enkhuizen.nl www.enkhuizen.nl]

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Enkhuizen was one of the harbour-towns of the VOC, just like Hoorn and Amsterdam, from where overseas trade with the East Indies was conducted. It received city rights in 1355. In the mid-17th century, Enkhuizen was at the peak of its power and was one of the most important harbour cities in the Netherlands. However, due to a variety of reasons, including the silting up of the harbours, Enkhuizen lost its position to Amsterdam.

Nowadays, Enkhuizen continues the maritime tradition and has one of the largest marinas of the Netherlands. It is also the location of the Zuiderzeemuseum, an open-air museum reflecting life in the villages around the Zuiderzee throughout history. Most of the buildings in the museum come from other locations in the Netherlands, such as Purmerend and Amsterdam.

Industrially, Enkhuizen is home to a number of seed production companies, as well as a plastic factory. Tourism, however, is one of the most important businesses as large parts of the inner city are still intact. This includes two magnificent 15th century churches, the largely intact 17th century city walls, gates and tower (the Drommedaris, see picture) and the 17th century city hall.

Population centres

The municipality of Enkhuizen consists of the following cities, towns, villages and/or districts: Enkhuizen, Oosterdijk, Westeinde.

Local government

The municipal council of Enkhuizen consists of 17 seats, which are divided as follows:

*Nieuw Enkhuizen - 4 seats
*PvdA - 4 seats
*VVD/D66- 2 seats
*SP - 1 seats (after august 19th 2007)
*Fractie Quasten - 1 seat (after august 19th 2007)
*CDA - 2 seats
*ChristenUnie - 2 seats
*GroenLinks - 1 seats

Public transportation

Enkhuizen has a railway station - Enkhuizen - which offers a direct service to Hoorn and Amsterdam, with the journey to Amsterdam Centraal of around an hour.

Furthermore, during summer ferries for pedestrians and cyclists operate between Enkhuizen and Stavoren; between Enkhuizen and Medemblik; and between Enkhuizen and Urk.

Born in Enkhuizen

* Lucas Janszoon Waghenaer (1533), Chief Officer / Cartographer
* Paulus Potter (1625), Painter
* Gerrit Zalm (1952), former Minister of Finances.
* Wijda Mazereeuw (1953), Dutch swimmer
* Raph Levien (1970), American genius

References

* Statistics are taken from the [http://www.sdu.nl/staatscourant/gemeentes/gem149nh.htm SDU Staatscourant]

External links

*nl [http://www.zzm.nl/4/museum/?language=en Zuiderzeemuseum Official Website]
*nl [http://enkhuizen.bruist.nu Digital City Enkhuizen]
*nl [http://www.jazzfestivalenkhuizen.nl Jazzfestival Enkhuizen ]
* [http://www.schickert.info/enkhuizen Images from Enkhuizen]
*nl [http://enkhuizen.nu Old Pictures from Enkhuizen]
*nl [http://enkhuizen.net Enkhuizen City Guide]
*nl [http://www.klassieke-schepen.nl Classic Boat Show ]