Leerdam

For the surname, see Leerdam (surname).
Leerdam
Municipality

City walls and Glass Centre

Flag

Coat of arms
Highlighted position of Leerdam in a municipal map of South Holland
Location in South Holland
Coordinates: 51°54′N 5°6′E / 51.900°N 5.100°E / 51.900; 5.100Coordinates: 51°54′N 5°6′E / 51.900°N 5.100°E / 51.900; 5.100
Country Netherlands
Province South Holland
Government[1]
  Body Municipal council
  Mayor Rinus Houtman (SGP)
Area[2]
  Total 34.42 km2 (13.29 sq mi)
  Land 33.79 km2 (13.05 sq mi)
  Water 0.63 km2 (0.24 sq mi)
Elevation[3] 1 m (3 ft)
Population (May 2014)[4]
  Total 20,563
  Density 609/km2 (1,580/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Leerdammer
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
  Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postcode 4140–4145, 4163
Area code 0345
Website www.leerdam.nl
Dutch Topographic map of the municipality of Leerdam, June 2015

Leerdam (Dutch: [leːrˈdɑm]; population: 20,563 in 2014) is a city and municipality in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland.

The municipality covers an area of 34.42 km2 (13.29 sq mi) of which 0.63 km2 (0.24 sq mi) is water. It comprises the town of Leerdam, the rural villages Kedichem, Schoonrewoerd and Oosterwijk. The south border of the town is formed by the river Linge. Leerdam is the most eastern town of the province of South Holland and is situated almost exactly in the middle of the three highways A2, A15 and A27.

History

Leerdam received city rights in 1407. The small river Linge, bordered by beautiful water meadows, defines the atmosphere and tone of the landscape. Several centuries ago Leerdam formed a part of the Vijfheerenlanden domain, before it was raised to the level of County in 1498.

In 1551, Leerdam, together with Acquoy, became property of the House of Orange and part of the County of Holland.

The rich history of Leerdam can be found in well-kept historic buildings such as the Grote Kerk (Great Church), the Hofje van Mevrouw van Aerden (Mrs. Aerden Almshouses, now a museum), the remaining and restored city walls on the Zuidwal and the Oude Raadhuis (Old City Hall).

Gallery

Glass industry

From the 18th century the town culture was strongly influenced by the glass industry and the timber industry. The current glass industry is internationally as known as "Royal Leerdam" and more particularly in respect of designerglass or glass art "Royal Leerdam Crystal". Leerdam is with Royal Leerdam Crystal, the National Glassmuseum, the Glass Centre (glassblowing and demonstration activities) and several art galleries the Glass City of the Netherlands and a major tourist attraction.

From Easter until the end of October international glassblowers work in the Glass Centre [5] in Leerdam, which is open to the public.

Public transportation

The Leerdam railway station is situated on the Elst–Dordrecht railway.

Born in Leerdam

References

  1. "College van burgemeester en wethouders" [Board of mayor and aldermen] (in Dutch). Gemeente Leerdam. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  2. "Kerncijfers wijken en buurten" [Key figures for neighbourhoods]. CBS Statline (in Dutch). CBS. 2 July 2013. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
  3. "Postcodetool for 4141DA". Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (in Dutch). Het Waterschapshuis. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  4. "Bevolkingsontwikkeling; regio per maand" [Population growth; regions per month]. CBS Statline (in Dutch). CBS. 26 June 2014. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  5. "Glass Centre". Glascentrumleerdam.nl. 2013-12-20. Retrieved 2014-01-30.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Leerdam.
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