Katwijk

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Katwijk

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flag_size = 120x100px
image_shield = Wapen katwijk.pngshield_size = 120x100px


mapsize = 280px
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Netherlands
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_name1 = South Holland
area_footnotes = (2006)
area_total_km2 = 31.06
area_land_km2 = 24.65
area_water_km2 = 6.40
population_as_of = 1 January, 2007
population_note = Source: CBS, [http://statline.cbs.nl/ Statline] .
settlement_type = Municipality
population_total = 60910
population_density_km2 = 2471
timezone = CET
utc_offset = +1
timezone_DST = CEST
utc_offset_DST = +2
latd = 52.20
latNS = N
longd = 4.40
longEW = E
website = [http://www.katwijk.nl www.katwijk.nl]

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Location

Katwijk is located on the North Sea, northwest of Leiden and 16 km north of The Hague. The municipality is essentially the area between Leiden and the North Sea. Katwijk lies along the Oude Rijn, which ends at the North Sea in Katwijk aan Zee. It shares its borders with the municipalities of Noordwijk, Teylingen, Oegstgeest, Leiden, and Wassenaar. Katwijk is by far the largest town in the Duin- en Bollenstreek ("Dune and Bulb Region"). The municipality covers an area of 31.06 km² (11.99 mile²), of which 6.41 km² (2.47 mile²) is water.

Composition

The town consists of a number of districts, including namesakes Katwijk aan den Rijn and Katwijk aan Zee. On 1 January 2005 the various districts had the following populations:

:*Katwijk aan den Rijn (5,916):*Katwijk aan Zee (22,405):*Hoornes-Rijnsoever (13,845):*Rijnsburg (15,450):*Valkenburg (3,904)

Lying on the coast, Katwijk aan Zee is (and has always been) the larger village. Katwijk aan den Rijn lies just slighly inland. Rijnsburg is east of Katwijk aan den Rijn and to the south is Valkenburg. Hoornes-Rijnsoever is north of Katwijk aan Zee.

Although consisting of historically separate villages (except Hoornes-Rijnsoever) that still today maintain separate identities, the villages have more or less grown together and merged into a single conurbation. The creation of the municipality of Katwijk is a recognition of that fact. The town hall of the current municipality of Katwijk is located in Katwijk aan den Rijn, near the boundary of Katwijk aan Zee. All these districts lie along the Oude Rijn.

History

The name "Katwijk" probably has its origins in the name of a Germanic tribe called the Chatten (Chatti). The Dutch word "wijk" means "area", so the name probably meant something like "the Chatti area".

In Romans times, Katwijk was a place of strategic importance. It was located at the Roman Empire's northern border, at the mouth of the Rhine river, which in Roman times was larger in this area than it is today. There was a good deal of traffic along the Rhine. Katwijk was also a jumping-off point for the voyage to Britain.

Built during the reign of Emperor Claudius (41-54), the town's name was "Lugdunum Batavorum". The town's name was later associated with the name of the city of Leiden, but this is now thought to be incorrect.

In 1231, the first reference to "Catwijck" appeared in the records.

The history of the modern municipality of Katwijk is essentially the history of its constituent villages, which for each village extends back to Roman times. However, Katwijk aan Zee, Katwijk aan den Rijn and Valkenburg were part of the same heerlijkheid called "Beide de Katwijken en 't Zand" (or something similar). They have been administratively joined for centuries despite their differing characters. Katwijk aan Zee was a fishing village and Katwijk aan den Rijn had an agricultural character.

During World War II, Katwijk aan Zee was heavily damaged. On May 1, 1942, beach access was no longer permitted and large scale evacuation took place. From October 1943 houses were demolished in relation to the construction of the Atlantic Wall. [ [http://home.vianetworks.nl/users/harff/oorlogsboek/kw.htm Katwijk 1940 – 1945 van dag tot dag] ]

On 1 January 2006, Rijnsburg and Valkenburg were also merged into the municipality.

Public transportation

Katwijk is the largest city in the Netherlands without a railway station. The nearest railway stations are Voorhout and Leiden. Katwijk is by bus connected with Voorhout, Leiden, The Hague, Haarlem, Nieuw Vennep and Zoetermeer. The RijnGouweLijn is planned to connect Katwijk with Gouda.

People born in Katwijk

* Dirk Kuyt, famous Dutch footballer, currently Liverpool F.C.
* Esther Ouwehand, Dutch politician, parliamentarian for the Party for the Animals

Tourist Attractions

The most famous part of Katwijk is its beach. On warm summer days, many people go there to take a fresh bath in the sea.

Besides the beach, there are a few museums in Katwijk, like the old fishermans museum Katwijks Museum, the Spinoza-museum and the Space Expo, the museum of the ESA. Also, around the Valkenburg Lake, a museum steam locomotive ride can be taken after a visit to the narrow gauge museum.

The theme park Duinrell is very close to Katwijk and can be reached by direct bus line. Katwijk has many hotels and three campings, mostly situated in the dunes.

Image gallery

Sister Cities

flagicon|Republic of Macedonia Ohrid, Republic of Macedonia

flagicon|England Lowestoft, England (until 1990's)

References

External links

* [http://www.katwijk.nl Official Website]
* [http://www.ovkatwijk.info Public transport information site]
* [http://www.kattuk.nl Site for the youth of Katwijk]
*http://www.sdu.nl/staatscourant/gemeentes/gem255zh.htm
* [http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=52.19919,4.399338&spn=0.060393,0.137672&z=13 Map of the Municipality of Katwijk on Google Maps]
* [http://www.plattegronden.nl/katwijk/index.html Detailed Cito-plan map]
* [http://home.versatel.nl/van.duijvenbode/en/geschkw.htm History of Katwijk]
* [http://www.katwijkermotor.nl Website of Katwijker Motor]