Veenendaal
Municipality
Church in Veenendaal
Church in Veenendaal
Flag of Veenendaal
Flag
Coat of arms of Veenendaal
Coat of arms
Highlighted position of Veenendaal in a municipal map of Utrecht
Location in Utrecht
Coordinates: 52°1′N 5°33′E / 52.017°N 5.550°E / 52.017; 5.550
CountryNetherlands
ProvinceUtrecht
Government
[1]
 • BodyMunicipal council
 • MayorGert-Jan Kats
Area
[2]
 • Total19.72 km2 (7.61 sq mi)
 • Land19.46 km2 (7.51 sq mi)
 • Water0.26 km2 (0.10 sq mi)
Elevation
[3]
6 m (20 ft)
Population
 (January 2021)[4]
 • Total66,912
 • Density3,438/km2 (8,900/sq mi)
DemonymVeenendaler
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postcode
3900–3907
Area code0318
Websitewww.veenendaal.nl
Topographic map of Veenendaal (town), as of March 2014

Veenendaal (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈveːnə(n)ˌdaːl] ⓘ) is a municipality and a town in central Netherlands, located in the province of Utrecht. Veenendaal is the only population centre within its administrative borders. The municipality had a population of 67.601 inhabitants on 1 january 2022 and covers an area of 19.72 km2 (7.61 sq mi).

History

The original village was founded in the middle of the 16th century as a peat colony from which it got its name. Veen is the Dutch word for fen and daal for dale.

The village was administratively part of two nearby towns, which were themselves part of two different provinces of the Dutch Republic. The southern half belonged to Rhenen in Utrecht, the northeastern half to Ede in Guelders. In 1795, with the arrival of French troops in the country and inspired by the ideas of the French Revolution, the citizens declared their independence. When turmoil of the Napoleonic era was settled and the Netherlands was reformed as a monarchy, only the southern part would retain its independence.

In the 19th century, wool and tobacco industry became Veenendaal's largest source of income. Big factories dominated the otherwise small rural town.

In 1855, Veenendaal was hit by a flood, which caused many residents to flee to Utrecht. A monument was erected near the railway station.

In 1960 the northern part of town, still controlled by Ede, was merged with the self-governing part of town. Further lands of Rhenen and also Renswoude were ceded to allow for new housing developments. The population grew rapidly from about 10,000 in the 1920s, to 23,000 in 1960, to the 68,000+ inhabitants of today.

In 1997 the town was elected the greenest city in Europe and in 2004 of the Netherlands.

Like most Dutch cities, Veenendaal is well adapted to the high number of cyclists. A large network of bike paths make it convenient to cycle to various destinations and within the town, the bike is a popular mean of transportation. In 2000 and 2020, Veenendaal was chosen as Fietsstad of the year, recognised as being the top city for cycling in the Netherlands.[5]

Religion

The city is known for being one of the bigger cities within the Dutch Bible Belt (together with Ede and Kampen), as it is inhabited by a considerable number (though not a majority) of conservative Protestants.

Notable residents

Linda Faber, 1976

Sport

References

  1. ↑ "Burgemeester Gert-Jan Kats" (in Dutch). Gemeente Veenendaal.
  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 3901GA". Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (in Dutch). Het Waterschapshuis. Retrieved 10 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. ↑ "Veenendaal is de beste Fietsstad van Nederland". De Gelderlander (in Dutch). Retrieved 2020-05-29.
  6. ↑ "Kees Stip". dbnl.org (in Dutch). DBNL (Digital Library for Dutch Literature). Retrieved 5 September 2015.
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