Lopik
Municipality
Canal through Polsbroek
Canal through Polsbroek
Flag of Lopik
Flag
Coat of arms of Lopik
Coat of arms
Highlighted position of Lopik in a municipal map of Utrecht
Location in Utrecht
Coordinates: 51°58′N 4°57′E / 51.967°N 4.950°E / 51.967; 4.950
CountryNetherlands
ProvinceUtrecht
Government
[1]
 • BodyMunicipal council
 • MayorLaurens de Graaf (CDA)
Area
[2]
 • Total78.98 km2 (30.49 sq mi)
 • Land75.57 km2 (29.18 sq mi)
 • Water3.41 km2 (1.32 sq mi)
Elevation
[3]
0 m (0 ft)
Population
 (January 2021)[4]
 • Total14,456
 • Density191/km2 (490/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postcode
3405–3415
Area code0182, 030, 0348
Websitewww.lopik.nl

Lopik (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈloːpɪk] ⓘ) is a municipality and a town in the Netherlands, in the province of Utrecht, close to the Lek river.

History

Lopik lies within the Lopikerwaard region, which used to be occupied by swamps and forests until the area was cultivated in the eleventh century. Lopik was first mentioned as "Lobeke" in 1155 CE. Most of the population settled along the canals that were used for transport and drainage (and which are still used for the latter purpose). It was not until after World War II that villages in the area were expanded beyond the original ribbons of buildings, and Lopik remains a well-known example of a linear settlement within the Netherlands.

In the Netherlands, "Lopik" is often used as a reference to the broadcasting facilities located in the eastern part of the municipality and in neighbouring IJsselstein. These include the Gerbrandy Tower, a structure that is the tallest structure in the Netherlands, and the world's largest Christmas tree during the period around Christmas.

Geography

The entire municipality lies within the Dutch Green Heart and has a rural character. The two main access roads are the N210 and N204 provincial roads, which connect the area with major cities that include Rotterdam and Utrecht. The river Lek lies behind a high dike, which is visible from most of the south of the Lopik municipality. In the end of the eighties and early nineties the dike was strengthened and extra height was added in preparation for increasingly high water levels. Ambitious planning for continued improvement to the dikes continues.[5][6]

Population centres

The municipality of Lopik consists of the following towns, villages and/or districts:

Topography

Dutch topographic map of the municipality of Lopik, June 2015

Transport

Public transport in the region primarily consists of bus connections, which are mainly carried out by Syntus. The nearest railway stations are in Gouda and Woerden.

Notable residents

Mineke Schipper, 2012

References

  1. ↑ "Burgemeester en Wethouders" [Mayor and aldermen] (in Dutch). Gemeente Lopik. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  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 3411CH". Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (in Dutch). Het Waterschapshuis. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  4. ↑ "Bevolkingsontwikkeling; regio per maand" [Population growth; regions per month]. CBS Statline (in Dutch). CBS. 1 January 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  5. ↑ Utrecht, Provincie. "Waterveiligheid". Provincie Utrecht (in Dutch). Retrieved 2019-10-14.
  6. ↑ Rijnlanden, Hoogheemraadschap De Stichtse. "Sterke Lekdijk". HDSR (in Dutch). Retrieved 2019-10-14.
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