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Fergus Falls, Minnesota

Fergus Falls is a city in and the county seat of Otter Tail County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 14,119 at the 2020 census.

History
The falls from which the city gets part of its name were discovered by Joe Whitford (a Scottish trapper) in 1856 and promptly named in honor of his employer, James Fergus. It is not known whether Fergus ever visited the city, but Whitford did not live to see the city develop, as he was killed during the 1862 Dakota war in western Minnesota. In 1867, George B. Wright was at the land office at St. Cloud and found Whitford's lapsed claim, purchased the land, and built what is now the Central Dam in downtown Fergus Falls around 1871. After Wright died in 1882, his son Vernon moved from Boston to Minnesota and took over his father's interests in the town. Vernon Wright was also one of the two people who established the Otter Tail Power Company in 1907. The city was incorporated in the late 1870s and is situated along the dividing line between the former great deciduous forest of the Northwest Territories to the east and the great plains to the west, in a region of gentle hills, where the recent geological history is dominated by the recession of the glaciers from the last great Ice Age, with numerous lakes and small rivers.

Two major tornadoes hit Fergus Falls during the early 20th century, the second, the 1919 Fergus Falls tornado, being the greater. The only church edifice left standing after the great cyclone was the predominantly black Baptist church.

21st century
Fergus Falls features different parks, including tallgrass prairie and eastern woodlands, stores, and other tourist attractions. The Union Avenue Bridge spans the Otter Tail River, and was reconstructed in 2004. Just below the bridge is part of scenic River Walk Park, which spans about a mile of the river. The part nearest the Union Avenue Bridge was redone along with the bridge. The town hall was modeled after Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Its west wing housed the city fire station until the 1970s. Other points of interest include the county museum, Lake Alice, George B. Wright Park, Pebble Lake Golf Course, and Veteran's Memorial Park. Arts in Fergus Falls are booming with a community theater program downtown. Many local and professional artists perform at A Center for the Arts.

The city also lends its name to the song "Fergus Falls" by the band Field Report on its 2012 self-titled album.

Fergus Falls received international coverage in early 2017 and late 2018 after a news article in Der Spiegel falsely claimed there was an anti-Mexican sign at the city's entrance and fabricated other things about the town. The story's author, Claas Relotius, admitted to numerous instances of journalistic fraud. In December 2018 two residents of Fergus Falls, Michele Anderson and Jake Krohn, published a report pointing out the "11 most absurd lies" of the 2017 article. The same month Der Spiegel also sent a reporter to Fergus Falls to investigate and apologize.

Ethnicity
A strong economic division between later Scandinavian immigrant farmers and the earlier English and Scottish war veterans who retained control of the principal businesses of the city center, the banks, and the increasingly important Otter Tail Power Company, persisted for decades until several generations of ethnic intermarriage and continuing inward and outward migration largely erased the divisions along ethnic lines. The small black community, largely Baptist, which clustered in the Southeast section of the city, gradually dwindled as people departed for larger cities.

Growth
The dams built on the Otter Tail River beginning in the 1880s were powerful economic forces that shaped the area's development. Returning soldiers from the American Civil War settled in the region, mostly as farmers (wheat and corn in the western plains and dairy and hogs in the eastern hills and forests). The importance of the Civil War experience to these early settlers is highlighted by the town's street names: the intersecting principal thoroughfares are Lincoln Avenue and Union Avenue. The oldest parts of the town have streets with names such as Sherman, Sheridan, and Vernon. The early English wave of settlement claimed control of the falls along the Otter Tail River and established the first Episcopalian and Presbyterian churches.

Immigration
Almost as soon as the foundational structure of the town was laid, an influx of Norwegian immigrants arrived, by way of the Scandinavian migration of Chicago and Minneapolis, often on the Great Northern Railway. Primarily dairy farmers, they established numerous Lutheran churches in the area. The Lutheran Brethren (Church of the Lutheran Brethren of America) established an academy in Fergus Falls, which today operates a private high school, theological seminary and mission society, with an office in Fergus Falls. The pietistic, low-church Lutherans constituted one cultural center of the Norwegian-German community, while the high-church First Lutheran constituted a separate center, which attracted a more upwardly mobile class of parishioner.

Population growth and loss
After the Interstate Defense Highway System built Interstate 94 along the western edge of Fergus Falls in the late 1950s, population mobility increased dramatically, and high school graduates increasingly left the town to attend colleges in Morris, Fargo-Moorhead, or the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul. As farming declined as an occupation and lifestyle, with large-scale commercial farming gradually replacing the family farm system during the second half of the 20th century, the city appeared increasingly destined to become a retirement and nursing community until a new migration of younger remote workers moved to the city. The bucolic environment, with abundant sporting opportunities that had long attracted summer vacationers. The relatively low cost of real estate, cost of living, and a variety of public school locations has also attracted families to the city.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 15.720 sqmi, of which 14.388 sqmi is land and 1.332 sqmi (8.2%)is water.

Interstate 94, U.S. Highway 59, U.S. Highway 52, and Minnesota State Highway 210 (co-signed), and County Highways 1, 82, and 88 are the main routes in Fergus Falls.

Major highways
The following routes are located within the city of Fergus Falls.

 * I-94.svgUS 52.svg Interstate 94/U.S. Highway 52
 * US 59.svg U.S. Highway 59
 * MN-210.svg Minnesota State Highway 210
 * Otter Tail County Highway 1
 * Otter Tail County Highway 82
 * Otter Tail County Highway 88

2020 census
As of the 2020 census, there were 14,119 people, 6,171 households, and 3,379 families residing in the city. The population density was 981.6 PD/sqmi. There were 6,731 housing units. The racial makeup of the city was 91.2% White, 1.7% African American, 0.9% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.8% from some other races and 4.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.5% of the population. 20.0% of residents were under the age of 18, 5.3% were under 5 years of age, and 24.4% were 65 and older.

2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 13,138 people, 5,814 households, and 3,262 families residing in the city. The population density was 931.0 PD/sqmi. There were 6,342 housing units at an average density of 449.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 95.5% White, 1.1% African American, 0.8% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.6% of the population.

There were 5,814 households, of which 25.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.0% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 43.9% were non-families. 38.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.84.

The median age in the city was 43.4 years. 21.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22% were from 25 to 44; 25.9% were from 45 to 64; and 22.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.0% male and 53.0% female.

2000 census
As of the 2000 census, there were 13,471 people, 5,633 households, and 3,306 families residing in the city. The population density was 1031.5 PD/sqmi. There were 5,909 housing units at an average density of 452.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 97.02% White, 0.62% African American, 0.76% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.20% from other races, and 0.82% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.91% of the population.

There were 5,633 households, out of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.2% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.3% were non-families. 35.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.0% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 24.5% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 22.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,454, and the median income for a family was $44,280. Males had a median income of $32,051 versus $20,841 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,929. About 7.0% of families and 10.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.4% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over.

Economy
Fergus Falls is a micropolitan with a diversified economy that includes healthcare, manufacturing, commercial, agricultural, information technology, and utilities. The largest employer is Lake Region Healthcare, an integrated health system with a 108-bed hospital, cancer research center, assisted living community, and multiple clinics.

Top employers
According to the City's 2022 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the largest employers in the city are:

Education
Fergus Falls Public Schools (Independent School District #544) operates public schools.

Elementary schools

 * Adams Elementary (1-2)
 * Cleveland Elementary (3-4)
 * McKinley Elementary (K-1)
 * Prairie Science Class (4-5)

Middle school

 * School of Choice, Homeschool Co-op (K-8)

Secondary school

 * Kennedy Secondary School (5-12), with separate middle and high school divisions, is the sole public secondary school

Private schools

 * Claire Ann Shover Nursery School (Pre K)
 * Trinity Lutheran Elementary (Pre K)
 * Our Lady of Victory School (K-6)
 * Hillcrest Lutheran Academy (Pre K-12)

Higher education

 * Lutheran Brethren Seminary
 * Minnesota State Community and Technical College
 * Park Region Luther College (no longer exists)

Arts and culture
Fergus Falls is home to several arts and culture organizations and has a reputation of being a cultural hub in West Central Minnesota.

A Center for the Arts building was originally built in 1921 and was home to The Orpheum Theater, producing live theater and vaudeville performances and movies. In the early 1990s, after several decades of change and transition, over $1 million was raised to renovate the theater and A Center for the Arts was founded. The Theater is also home to one of the largest pipe organs in the midwest, the Mighty Wurlitzer Theater Pipe Organ.

The Kaddatz Galleries is a nonprofit art gallery located in historic downtown Fergus Falls, whose mission is to foster visual arts education and appreciation, and to maintain a gallery where the works of Charles Beck and other recognized local artists are accessible to the public. The Kaddatz Galleries were founded in 2001 when Artspace bought The Kaddatz Hotel building in partnership with the Hotel Kaddatz Preservation Association. The upstairs of the Kaddatz Hotel Building is home to artist live/work spaces.

The Lake Region Arts Council serves 9 counties (Becker, Clay, Otter Tail, Wilkin, Traverse, Stevens, Grant, and Pope) and has its main office in the River Inn Building in Fergus Falls. The Lake Region Arts Council's mission is to encourage and support the arts in West Central Minnesota. Their programs and services are made possible through an appropriation from the Minnesota State Legislature, Legacy Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund and the McKnight Foundation.

Springboard for the Arts, a nonprofit artist service organization based in St. Paul, has its only satellite office in the River Inn Building, which serves as an artist resource center.

The band Field Report has a song named after Fergus Falls on their eponymous debut album. Lead singer and songwriter, Chris Porterfield, once dated a woman from the town, but the song is actually about a woman he spotted at a downtown Milwaukee music festival. "I saw a girl who was pregnant, and she was with a guy who looked like an asshole," he said. "She looked like she wanted to get out of there. The song was written from her perspective." The song has received critical acclaim.

Media

 * Television
 * Public, educational, and government access
 * Radio
 * 1020 AM KJJK (AM) (Sports), Leighton Broadcasting
 * 1250 AM KBRF (Talk), Leighton Broadcasting
 * 88.7 FM K204FS (Christian), CSN International
 * 89.7 FM KCMF (Classical), Minnesota Public Radio
 * 91.5 FM KNWF (News), Minnesota Public Radio
 * 96.5 FM KJJK-FM (Country), Leighton Broadcasting
 * 99.5 FM KPRW (Adult Contemporary), Result Radio, Inc.
 * 103.3 FM KZCR (Adult Album Alternative), Leighton Broadcasting
 * Newspaper
 * The Daily Journal
 * The Midweek Inc

Sports
Fergus Falls is the proud home of the Fergus Falls Otters as well as home to M State - Fergus Falls sports and many other local teams and organizations for children, teens, adults and seniors.

Twinning
Fergus falls is twinned with:
 * 🏴 Fife, Scotland, United Kingdom
 * 🇳🇴 Hordaland, Norway

Notable people

 * Elmer Ellsworth Adams, Minnesota newspaper editor and politician
 * Frank Albertson (1909–1964), actor who appeared in over 100 Hollywood movies including It's a Wonderful Life and Psycho.
 * Marcus Borg, theologian; one of the leaders of the Jesus Seminar
 * Peter Brandvold, author
 * Colvin G. Butler, Minnesota state legislator
 * Moses Clapp, Minnesota politician
 * Donald Cressey, (1919–1987) American penologist, sociologist, and criminologist who made innovative contributions to the study of organized crime, prisons, criminology, the sociology of criminal law, white-collar crime. His work is still used in Fraud investigations today.
 * Chad Daniels (b. 1975), comedian, "Comedy Central Presents: Chad Daniels" (2008, 1/2 hour TV special)
 * Roger L. Dell, Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court
 * Richard Edlund, multi-Academy Award-winning visual effects artist for his work on Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Return of the Jedi
 * Clifford L. Hilton, Minnesota Supreme Court justice
 * Chuck Knapp, Radio Broadcaster
 * Charles Lundy Lewis, Minnesota Supreme Court justice
 * Mary MacLane (1881–1929), pioneering feminist author, film-maker, and media personality. Her tomboy youth was spent in Fergus Falls from approximately 1884–1889.
 * Mark W. Olson, former member of Board of Governors of U.S. Federal Reserve
 * Cliff Sterrett (1883–1964), innovative and influential artist and cartoonist
 * Dave Theurer, creator of Atari's Missile Command, Tempest (video game), and I, Robot (video game)
 * Peter Van Santen, Minnesota politician and farmer
 * Walter Wellbrock, Minnesota politician and farmer
 * Ernest J. Windmiller, Minnesota politician and businessman

City Council
The Fergus Falls City Council holds an Open Forum session from 5:20-5:30 pm in the City Council Chambers. Those wishing to address the City Council regarding an item not on the agenda are asked to completely fill out the Open Forum registration form by noon the day of the City Council meeting. Local city positions besides Mayor are up for election every two years as one Council Member from one of the four wards makes up the city council with the whole council being the Mayor and two council members from each ward.

The list below is the recent history of the Mayor of Fergus Falls, MN.

title: Fergus Falls, Minnesota


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Cromstrijen

Cromstrijen (Cromstrien in local dialect) was a municipality on the Hoeksche Waard Island in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland. The municipality covers an area of undefined km2 of which undefined km2 is water. It was formed on 1 January 1984, when the municipalities on the Hoeksche Waard were merged into larger municipalities. On 1 January 2019 it was merged with the municipalities of Binnenmaas, Korendijk, Oud-Beijerland, and Strijen to form the municipality of Hoeksche Waard.

The municipality of Cromstrijen consists of the communities Klaaswaal and Numansdorp (townhall).

Its population was 0 in.

Topography

Dutch topographic map of the municipality of Cromstrijen, June 2015

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Cromstrijen


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De Lier

De Lier is a village in the Dutch province of South Holland. It is a part of the municipality of Westland.

Geography
De Lier lies about 5 km north of Maassluis, and is about 6 ft below sea level. The village got its name from the name of an old river called Lee (De Lier).

History
De Lier used to be a separate municipality. On 26 March 1963, it was granted its own coat of arms, and on 14 April 1965, it adopted the flag it has today. On 1 January 2004, it merged with Naaldwijk, 's-Gravenzande, Monster, and Wateringen to form the municipality of Westland. The former municipality covered an area of 8.93 square kilometres.

Population
In 2001, De Lier had 9415 inhabitants. In 2003, De Lier had 11,400 inhabitants. The built-up area of the village was 2.2 km², and contained 3494 residences. The statistical area "De Lier", which can also include the peripheral parts of the village as well as the surrounding countryside, has a population of around 11,470.

Nearby quarters

 * Nieuwe Tuinen 1.6 nmi west
 * Blaker 1 nmi north
 * Lierhand 1.2 nmi north
 * Oostbuurt 1.2 nmi north
 * Gaag 1 nmi south

title: De Lier


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Fergus Falls Township, Otter Tail County, Minnesota

Fergus Falls Township is a township in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 747 at the 2020 census.

Fergus Falls Township was organized in 1870, and named for James Fergus, an early settler, and a series of rapids on the river.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 28.6 sqmi, of which 27.9 sqmi is land and 0.6 sqmi (2.17%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,051 people, 358 households, and 308 families residing in the township. The population density was 37.6 PD/sqmi. There were 370 housing units at an average density of 13.2/sq mi (5.1/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 99.14% White, 0.29% African American, 0.19% Native American, and 0.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.29% of the population.

There were 358 households, out of which 41.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 78.5% were married couples living together, 4.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 13.7% were non-families. 9.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.92 and the average family size was 3.13.

In the township the population was spread out, with 30.7% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 25.5% from 25 to 44, 26.3% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 108.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 109.8 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $54,345, and the median income for a family was $55,179. Males had a median income of $34,167 versus $21,923 for females. The per capita income for the township was $20,003. About 2.6% of families and 2.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.7% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.


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Dirksland

Dirksland is a village and former municipality on Goeree-Overflakkee Island in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland.

Geography
The former municipality had a population of about 8,000 in 2007, and covered an area of about 74 km2 of which about 19 km2 was water. The former municipality of Dirksland also included the communities of Herkingen, and Melissant. On 1 January 2013, Dirksland merged with Goedereede, Middelharnis, and Oostflakkee into the new municipality of Goeree-Overflakkee.

History
The North Sea flood of 1953 did not have as much of a destructive effect on Dirksland as the rest of the island, because Dirksland is somewhat higher.

Features
Dirksland is the largest of the three communities within the former municipality and also has the only hospital on Goeree-Overflakkee island. The Van Weel-Bethesda Hospital is one of the smallest in the country, but has an excellent reputation. Dirksland can be recognized from a distance by the tallest water tower in the country. The towns are agriculturally focused and have several campgrounds for people who prefer a bit of rest over the busy Ouddorp area but still want to be close to shore. Dirksland has an inland harbor with a newly restored gate complex.

title: Dirksland


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Giessenlanden

Giessenlanden is a former municipality in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland. The municipality covered an area of undefined km2 of which undefined km2 is water, and had a population of 0 as of. The municipality included communities of Arkel, Giessen-Oudekerk, Giessenburg, Hoogblokland, Hoornaar, Noordeloos and Schelluinen.

On 1 January 2019, it merged with Molenwaard to form the new municipality of Molenlanden.

Topography

Dutch topographic map of the municipality of Giessenlanden, June 2015

Public transportation
The Arkel railway station, on the Elst–Dordrecht railway, is situated in the municipality Giessenlanden.

title: Giessenlanden


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Folden Township, Otter Tail County, Minnesota

Folden Township is a township in Otter Tail County, Minnesota. The population was 265 at the time of the 2000 census.

History
Folden Township was organized in 1881, and named after Folden, in Norway.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 35.6 sqmi, of which 34.5 sqmi is land and 1.1 sqmi (3.06%) is water. The highest elevation in Otter Tail County is found in Folden Township, Section 32, northeast of Urbank. Pekan Peak (unofficial name) discovered by John Sandy in February 2022, at coordinates 46°11′54.744″ N 95°30′4.248″ W (DMS), Latitude 46.19854 Longitude -95.50118 (DD), has an elevation of 1,800.05 ft, measured by LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 265 people, 112 households, and 81 families living in the township. The population density was 7.7 PD/sqmi. There were 151 housing units at an average density of 4.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 98.87% White, 0.75% Asian, and 0.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.38% of the population.

There were 112 households, out of which 22.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.9% were married couples living together, 2.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.8% were non-families. 22.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.79.

In the township the population was spread out, with 17.0% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 34.3% from 45 to 64, and 19.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females, there were 107.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 122.2 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $38,333, and the median income for a family was $40,250. Males had a median income of $27,250 versus $26,563 for females. The per capita income for the township was $18,252. About 4.6% of families and 6.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.1% of those under the age of eighteen and 4.8% of those 65 or over.


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Goedereede

Goedereede is a little city and former municipality in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland. The former municipality had a population of about 11,000 in 2010. It consisted of the west part of the island of Goeree-Overflakkee. Goedereede merged with Dirksland, Middelharnis, and Oostflakkee into the new municipality of Goeree-Overflakkee on January 1, 2013. The town have a population of about 2,000 in 2012.

Goedereede received city rights in 1312 from Sir Gereart van Voorne. The future Pope Adrian VI (1459–1523) was at one time pastor of the parish church of Goedereede. During a great fire in Goedereede in 1482 the old "Katharina Church" and its tower were destroyed. A new church was erected in 1512 beside the Toren van Goedereede (Goederede Tower), which still stands today. Goederede went into a long decline, losing trade to better-sited ports. There were insufficient funds to maintain the church. In 1706 the dilapidated building was pulled down, but the tower was preserved.

The former municipality of Goedereede also included the communities of, from west to east, Ouddorp, Goedereede (with Havenhoofd), Oostdijk, and Stellendam.

Noted residents

 * Pietertje van Splunter

title: Goedereede


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Friberg Township, Otter Tail County, Minnesota

Friberg Township' is a township in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 774 at the 2000 census.

Friberg Township was organized in 1874, and named after Freiburg, in Germany.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 35.8 sqmi, of which 32.7 sqmi is land and 3.0 sqmi (8.42%) is water.

Demographics
At the 2000 census, there were 774 people, 292 households and 221 families living in the township. The population density was 23.6 per square mile (9.1/km$2$). There were 361 housing units at an average density of 11.0/sq mi (4.3/km$2$). The racial makeup of the township was 99.48% White, 0.13% Asian, 0.13% from other races, and 0.26% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.52% of the population.

There were 292 households, of which 37.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.4% were married couples living together, 5.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.0% were non-families. 19.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.06.

27.6% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 26.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 109.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 117.9 males.

The median household income was $40,556 and the median family income was $45,625. Males had a median income of $31,389 compared with $20,000 for females. The per capita income for the township was $19,184. About 6.9% of families and 8.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.3% of those under age 18 and 5.3% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Herbert Krause, author (1905–1976)


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Gorinchem

Gorinchem ( or ), also spelled Gorkum, is a city and municipality in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland. The municipality covers an area of undefined km2 of which undefined km2 is water. It had a population of 0 in.

The municipality of Gorinchem also includes the population centre of Dalem.

History
It is generally assumed that Gorinchem was founded c. 1000 AD by fishermen and farmers on the raised land near the mouth of the river Linge at the Merwede. Goriks Heem ("Home of Gorik" in early Middle Dutch) is first mentioned in a document from 1224 in which Floris IV granted people from Gorinchem exemption of toll payments throughout Holland.

Somewhere between 1247 and 1267, Gorinchem became property of the Lords of Arkel. At the end of the 13th century earthen mounds reinforced with palisades were built around the settlement to protect it from domination by the neighboring counties of Holland and Gelre. Half a century later real city walls were built complete with 7 gates and 23 watchtowers. Otto van Arkel granted it city rights on 11 November 1322.

Jan van Arkel had a dispute with Albert I, brother of Willem V of Holland, leading to war and subsequently to the annexation of Gorinchem to Holland in 1417. This resulted in increased trade and Gorinchem grew to be the eighth city of Holland.

Charles the Bold constructed the Blue Tower palace in Gorinchem in 1461. This castle was already demolished in 1578.

On 9 July 1572, the Watergeuzen (Dutch rebels against Spanish rule) conquered the city and captured 19 Catholic priests and monks. Because they refused to renounce their faith, these priests and monks were brought to Brielle where they were hanged and were from then on known among Catholics as the Martyrs of Gorkum.

By the 16th century, the city walls had deteriorated and were replaced with new fortifications and eleven bastions that are still almost completely intact. The new walls were completed in 1609 and were located further from the town centre, making the city twice as large. In 1673, Gorinchem became part of the old Dutch Water Line.

The city walls had four city gates: the Arkel Gate in the north, the Dalem Gate in the east, the Water Gate in the south (where the ferry to Woudrichem was), and the Kansel Gate in the west. Of these four gates, only the Dalem Gate remains. The others were removed in the 19th century to make way for vehicular traffic. A portion of the Water Gate was preserved in the gardens of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.

In the 18th century, the economy went into decline. After the French domination, the retreating French troops established themselves in the bastion fortress of Gorinchem. After a three-month siege they capitulated but the city was heavily damaged.

During the Industrial Revolution, Gorinchem recovered. Increased shipping led to new canals being dug and a railway connection to the city. Its population quickly increased, filling the inner city, and new neighbourhoods had to be built outside the city walls.

At the beginning of the 20th century, expansion took place in the Lingewijk and West neighbourhoods. After World War II, expansion started in the north-western portion of the municipality which was completed in the 1970s. This was followed by development of the neighbourhoods Wijdschild and Laag Dalem east of the city center. In 1986, the town Dalem was added to the municipality.

In August 2021 ANWB named Gorinchem the most beautiful star fort in the Netherlands.

Demographics
Gorinchem had 37,456 inhabitants on 1 January 2021.

Politics
The current mayor of Gorinchem is Reinie Melissant-Briene of the CDA. In 2023 a new municipal executive was agreed, consisting of the City Interest, VVD, CU-SGP, Gorcum Active and SP.

The municipal council of Gorinchem has 25 members, which are directly elected. The composition of the council at the 2022 Dutch municipal elections is shown in the table below.

Transport
The city is crossed by two motorways; the A15 on the northside, and the A27 on the westside.

The city also has a railway station: Gorinchem.

Public service

 * John V, Lord of Arkel (1362–1428) stadtholder of Holland, Zeeland and West Frisia
 * Henry of Gorkum (c. 1378– 1431) a Dutch theologian
 * Willem Hessels van Est (1542–1613) a Dutch Catholic theologian
 * The Martyrs of Gorkum a group of 19 Dutch Catholic clerics who were hanged in 1572
 * Thomas van Erpe (1584–1624) a Dutch Orientalist, published a book of Arabic grammar
 * Dirk Rafelsz Camphuysen (1586–1627) theologian, poet, painter
 * Johannes van Neercassel (1625–1686) Archbishop of Utrecht 1661 to 1686.
 * Hendrik Hamel (1630–1692) seafarer and writer
 * Aegidius van Braam (1758–1822) a Dutch naval vice-admiral
 * Pierre van Paassen (1895–1968) a Dutch–Canadian-American journalist, writer, and Unitarian minister
 * Roger van Boxtel (born 1954) a retired Dutch politician and businessman, lives in Gorinchem

The arts

 * Abraham Bloemaert (1566–1651) Dutch painter and printmaker in etching and engraving
 * Anthonie Verstraelen (1593/1594–1641) a Dutch landscape painter of winter scenes
 * Aert van der Neer (c. 1603–1677) a Dutch Golden Age landscape painter
 * Cornelis Saftleven (ca.1607–1681) a Dutch painter, worked in many genres
 * Jacob van der Ulft (1621–1689) a Dutch painter, glass painter, print artist, architect and Mayor of Gorinchem 1660 to 1679
 * Hendrik Verschuring (1627–1690) a Dutch Golden Age landscape painter
 * Jan van der Heyden (1637–1712) a Dutch Baroque-era painter, glass painter, draughtsman and printmaker
 * Ida Gerhardt (1905–1997) a classicist and Dutch poet of a post-symbolist tradition
 * A. Teeuw (1921–2012) a Dutch critic of Indonesian literature
 * Jan van Munster (1939–2024) a Dutch sculptor and installation artist
 * Dinand Woesthoff (born 1972) a Dutch musician, lead singer with Dutch band Kane
 * Nikos Vertis (born 1976) a Greek singer
 * Boaz de Jong (born 1988) stage name Boaz van de Beatz, a Dutch record producer and DJ
 * Chu Lan-ting (born 1990) stage name Diana Wang, a Dutch-born Taiwanese singer and film actress

Science & business

 * Gerard Boate (1604–1650) physician and author of The Natural History of Ireland and his brother
 * Arnold Boate (1606–1653) a Dutch physician and Hebrew scholar
 * Louis Jérôme Reiche (1799–1890) a French merchant, manufacturer and entomologist
 * Berend George Escher (1885–1967) a Dutch geologist and vulcanologist
 * Frans Michel Penning (1894–1953) a Dutch experimental physicist

Sport

 * Ab Oord (1885–1961) a Dutch weightlifter, competed at the 1924 Summer Olympics
 * Hadriaan van Nes (born 1942) a retired rower, team silver medallist at the 1968 Summer Olympics
 * Ruud Brood (born 1962) a football manager and former player with over 300 club caps
 * Arie Loef (born 1969) a retired speed skater, competed at the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympics
 * Marco van Hoogdalem (born 1972) a retired Dutch football player with over 350 club caps
 * Henk Norel (born 1987) a Dutch basketball player, 79 games with the Netherlands national basketball team
 * Frenkie de Jong (born 1997) a Dutch football player who is currently playing for FC Barcelona.

International relations
Gorinchem is twinned with

title: Gorinchem


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Graafstroom (former municipality)

Graafstroom is a former municipality in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland, and the region of Alblasserwaard. The former municipality had a population of 9,697 in 2004, and covered an area of 69.32 km2 of which 2.21 km2 was water. Since 2013 Graafstroom has been a part of the new municipality of Molenwaard (which ceased to exist in 2019).

The former municipality of Graafstroom consisted of the following population centres: Bleskensgraaf en Hofwegen, Brandwijk, Goudriaan, Molenaarsgraaf, Ottoland, Oud-Alblas, and Wijngaarden.

title: Graafstroom (former municipality)


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Girard Township, Otter Tail County, Minnesota

Girard Township is a township in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 697 at the 2000 census.

Girard Township was organized in 1882.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 35.7 sqmi, of which 25.7 sqmi is land and 10.0 sqmi (27.95%) is water.

Demographics
At the 2000 census there were 697 people, 293 households, and 232 families living in the township. The population density was 27.1 PD/sqmi. There were 876 housing units at an average density of 34.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 99.00% White, 0.14% African American, 0.14% Native American, and 0.72% from two or more races. Of the 293 households 21.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 75.4% were married couples living together, 2.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.8% were non-families. 20.1% of households were one person and 10.2% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.70.

The age distribution was 19.4% under the age of 18, 4.4% from 18 to 24, 17.9% from 25 to 44, 34.3% from 45 to 64, and 24.0% 65 or older. The median age was 52 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.6 males.

The median household income was $41,500 and the median family income was $46,827. Males had a median income of $31,875 versus $26,563 for females. The per capita income for the township was $19,295. About 4.7% of families and 8.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.6% of those under age 18 and 1.4% of those age 65 or over.


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's-Gravendeel

's-Gravendeel is a town and former municipality in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland. 's-Gravendeel is on the eastern side of Hoeksche Waard Island on the river Dordtsche Kil. It is connected to Dordrecht by means of the Kil Tunnel.

The village was first mentioned in 1645 as Schravendeel, and means "settlement of the Count (of Holland)". The village was founded after the new polder Nieuw-Bonaventura was drained in 1593. It used to be property of the States of Holland. In 1731, the village was sold to Dordrecht. 's-Gravendeel developed into the centre of the flax industry.

The Dutch Reformed church is a cruciform church built in 1905 after the 1637 church had burnt down. The tower was destroyed in 1945 and rebuilt in 1951.

's-Gravendeel was home to 928 people in 1840. It was affected by the North Sea flood of 1953. In 1970, the old harbour was filled up and a new harbour was built on the Dordtsche Kil.

The municipality of 's-Gravendeel was merged with Binnenmaas on 1 January 2007. Since 1 January 2019, it is part of the new municipality Hoeksche Waard.

Gallery
 's-Gravendeel, korenmolen het Vliegend Hert RM17406 foto3 2014-04-14 17.10.jpg|Windmill: korenmolen het Vliegend Hert Hervormde kerk in 's-Gravendeel.JPG|Reformed church in 's-Gravendeel with its notable church moat

title: 's-Gravendeel


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's-Gravenzande

's-Gravenzande is a city in the province of South Holland, in the Netherlands. It is a part of the municipality of Westland, and lies about 12 km southwest of The Hague. Until 2004 it was a separate municipality and covered an area of 20.77 km2 (of which 3.38 km2 water).

The town of 's-Gravenzande had 15,241 inhabitants in 2011. The built-up area of the town was 2.7 km2, and contained 5,879 residences. The statistical area "'s-Gravenzande", which also can include the peripheral parts of the village, as well as the surrounding countryside, has a population of around 119,750. As of 1 January 2009, 's-Gravenzande is the largest town in Westland with 19.428 inhabitants.

The former municipality of 's-Gravenzande also included the township of Heenweg.

History
's-Gravenzande is the only place in the Westland with a history as a city. 's-Gravenzande was granted city rights in 1246 by Count William II of Holland who, just like his father Count Floris IV, regularly resided at his estate near the town. It is therefore the only "city" in Westland.

Machteld van Brabant, daughter of Duke Henry I and wife of Floris IV, was responsible for building the town's church, and gave it a Madonna statue to which miraculous powers were attributed. 's-Gravenzande subsequently became a pilgrimage site.

The neighborhood of Gravesend, Brooklyn, New York in the United States is said by some to have been named for 's-Gravenzande. A 1656 Dutch map of Nova Belgica (New Netherland) confirms this, as it shows several Dutch names of towns like Vlissingen (Flushing), Breukelen (Brooklyn), Amersfoort (Flatlands), Heemstee (Hempstead) and Gravesant ('s-Gravenzande).

title: 's-Gravenzande


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Gorman Township, Otter Tail County, Minnesota

Gorman Township is a township in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 398 at the 2000 census.

History
Gorman Township was organized in 1873, and named for John O. Gorman, an early settler.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 35.8 sqmi, of which 32.5 sqmi is land and 3.2 sqmi is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 398 people, 150 households, and 115 families living in the township. The population density was 12.2 PD/sqmi. There were 244 housing units at an average density of 7.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 95.48% White, 0.25% Native American, 2.51% Pacific Islander, and 1.76% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.51% of the population.

There were 150 households, out of which 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.7% were married couples living together, 2.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.3% were non-families. 20.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the township the population was spread out, with 26.6% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 28.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 117.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 113.1 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $48,750, and the median income for a family was $49,464. Males had a median income of $30,833 versus $20,250 for females. The per capita income for the township was $20,466. About 5.3% of families and 4.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.9% of those under age 18 and 13.7% of those age 65 or over.


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Hardinxveld-Giessendam

Hardinxveld-Giessendam is a municipality in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland. It is located about 10 km east of Dordrecht, on the river Beneden-Merwede. The municipality had a population of 0 in and covers an area of undefined km2 of which undefined km2 is water.

The municipality of Hardinxveld-Giessendam consists of the two population centres Giessendam/Neder-Hardinxveld and Boven-Hardinxveld. Until they were merged in 1957, Giessendam and Hardinxveld were two municipalities, consisting of only a few streets and dykes and only a few thousand inhabitants.

The town's economy is for a large part dependent on ship building (e.g. Damen Shipyards Group) and general contracting. Several industry parks are present.

History
The village Hardinxveld is one of the oldest settlements of the Alblasserwaard. It is known that in 1105 a priest was present here, and therefore a church as well. Since 1282, Hardinxveld became a grand fiefdom. Through the centuries it suffered from warfare such as the Gelder Wars and the Eighty Years' War

The name Giessendam first appeared in 1231 and is most likely derived from the dam on the little peat river Giessen. This dam was the boundary between Hardinxveld and Giessendam for a long time.

The municipality was formed in 1957 by the merger of the former municipalities Hardinxveld and half of Giessendam. The rest of Giessendam's territory went to the new municipality of Giessenburg which in turn was merged with Giessenlanden in 1986.

Since the 1960s, the municipality has grown significantly through the development of new neighbourhoods such as De Peulen, de Wielwijk, de Westwijk, and Tienmorgen. In recent years, the municipality had serious fiscal problems, resulting in direct oversight by the Province for a period of time. Considerable savings had to be made, necessitating significant increases to the relative low taxation in the town.

Archeology
Before the construction of the Betuweroute Highspeed Railway, thorough soil research was performed in 1997. During that research in Hardinxveld-Giessendam, some archeological items were found, including a 7500-year-old skeleton of a woman, now named "Trijntje". It is the oldest skeleton found in the Netherlands up to this time. Since December 2003, the reconstructed corpse has been added to the collection of the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden (National Museum of Antiquities) in Leiden. In April 1998, a dugout canoe was found.

Transportation
The Hardinxveld-Giessendam railway station, on the Elst–Dordrecht railway, is situated in the municipality.

Notable people

 * Job de Ruiter (1930 in Giessendam – 2015) a Dutch politician, diplomat and jurist
 * Kommer Damen (born 1944) a Dutch billionaire, and the chairman of Damen Shipyards
 * Bert de Ruijter (born 1952 in Hardinxveld) known as Leigh Blond, is a Dutch composer, singer and songwriter.
 * Erik de Bruin (born 1963 in Hardinxveld-Giessendam) a record-holding retired Dutch discus thrower and shot putter
 * Jaap Wolterbeek (born 1943 in Hardinxveld) Dutch photographer and cinematographer

title: Hardinxveld-Giessendam


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Henning, Minnesota

Henning is a city in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 854 at the 2020 census.

History
Henning was incorporated in 1887, and named for John O. Henning, a pharmacist.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.38 sqmi, of which 3.34 sqmi is land and 0.04 sqmi is water.

Minnesota State Highways 108 and 210 are two of the main routes in the community, and Minnesota State Highway 29 is nearby.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 802 people, 364 households, and 181 families living in the city. The population density was 240.1 PD/sqmi. There were 438 housing units at an average density of 131.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 97.0% White, 0.2% African American, 0.1% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.7% of the population.

There were 364 households, of which 22.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.9% were married couples living together, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 50.3% were non-families. 47.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 32.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 3.03.

The median age in the city was 50.1 years. 21.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 18.8% were from 25 to 44; 22.4% were from 45 to 64; and 32.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.0% male and 54.0% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 719 people, 366 households, and 181 families living in the city. The population density was 232.4 PD/sqmi. There were 406 housing units at an average density of 131.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 98.19% White, 0.42% Native American and 1.39% Asian.

There were 366 households, out of which 19.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.5% were married couples living together, 5.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 50.5% were non-families. 48.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 33.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.95 and the average family size was 2.80.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 19.5% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 18.8% from 25 to 44, 21.7% from 45 to 64, and 33.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49 years. For every 100 females, there were 80.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $21,944, and the median income for a family was $31,932. Males had a median income of $30,417 versus $20,972 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,450. Below the poverty line were 19.0% of people, 8.1% of families, 19.7% of those under 18 and 27.0% of those over 64.

title: Henning, Minnesota


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Heerjansdam

Heerjansdam is a village in the western Netherlands, in the municipality of Zwijndrecht, South Holland. It has a population of 3,590.

History
It was originally called "Heren Heyenland", a name which first appeared in a document from 1323. In 1331, Hendrik of Brederode started to build dikes around the Zwijndrechtse Waard. This project was financed by eight other persons, including Jan of Rosendaele, who subsequently were made landlords of the Waard. On November 25, 1368, Jan of Rosendaele renamed it to Heerjansdam (Dutch for "Lord John's dam"), after the dam on the Waaltje.

In 2003 the municipality of Heerjansdam merged into Zwijndrecht.

Notable people born in Heerjansdam

 * Pieter Beelaerts van Blokland (born 1932), Queen's Commissioner
 * Meindert Leerling (1936–2021), journalist and politician
 * Johan Simons (born 1946), theater director

title: Heerjansdam


text:
Hellevoetsluis

Hellevoetsluis is a town and former municipality in the west of Netherlands. It is located in Voorne-Putten, South Holland. The former municipality covered an area of undefined km2 of which undefined km2 was water and it included the population centres of Nieuw-Helvoet, Nieuwenhoorn, and Oude en Nieuwe Struiten, all former municipalities.

Hellevoetsluis is located on the Haringvliet with the sea, beach, and dunes close by, on the extreme southern edge of the Rijnmond and Europoort areas, close to the broad Zeeland landscape. The name translates as "lock at the foot of the Helle". The Helle was a small local river that disappeared over time.

On 1 January 2023, the municipality of Hellevoetsluis merged with Brielle and Westvoorne into the new municipality of Voorne aan Zee.

History
The area has been settled since before Roman times and was concentrated around a body of water called the "Helle", which was later Latinized by the Romans to "Helinium" and "Helius". The name Hel(le) Voet, Helius' foot or "(land at) the lowest point of Helius", appears in documents from the 13th century and later, such as in 1395, when the Nieuw-Helvoet Polder is issued for inspection. This polder had a drainage sluice (Dutch: "sluis") in the southern dike: the Hellevoetse sluis.

The history of Hellevoetsluis has always been connected with water. During the time of the Eighty Year's War and the forming of the United Provinces Hellevoetsluis was the naval port of the Admiralty of de Maze (Rotterdam) and could accommodate an entire fleet within a special land-enclosed fortress with harbour and dockyard facilities, accessible through a canal. Thanks to its strategic situation the town grew from the beginning of the 17th century to be the homeport for the Dutch war fleet. In later years the port was fortified more and more and Hellevoetsluis, therefore, became a unique combination of a fortified town and a naval port. The Admirals Maarten Tromp, Michiel de Ruyter, and Piet Heyn had their home base here and in 1688 during the Glorious Revolution William III of Orange's invasion fleet departed from the port.

The Voorne Canal Kanaal door Voorne was built in 1830 from Hellevoetsluis to Nieuwesluis (near Heenvliet) and made Hellevoetsluis an outport of Rotterdam. It was a period when the town grew and flourished; the shipping industry provided prosperity. Its neighbourhood Vlotbrug, Hellevoetsluis may have been named after a vlotbrug constructed over the canal.

In the first half of the 20th century, however, Hellevoetsluis went into decline. Ocean-going ships became too large to use the canal and the Nieuwe Waterweg was dug, making the Canal through Voorne redundant. The naval base was relocated to Den Helder in the 1930s, the Government shipyard was closed, and during World War II the Germans destroyed three-quarters of all buildings in 1944. They also used the canal as a base for Biber submarines.

After World War II Hellevoetsluis grew considerably. As a New Town, the population doubled in the 1970s. Today 43,000 inhabitants live in modern houses with abundant green areas nearby. It is home to many commuters working in Europoort or Rotterdam.

During the flood of 1953 Hellevoetsluis was inundated and after this flood, the Netherlands implemented the "Deltawerken", a vast plan that put in place sea-defenses such as dams to protect vulnerable Islands in the Meuse-Rhine river delta.

The twon is home to several buildings from the 16th-19th Centuries that are listed monuments. Among these are the "Admiraliteitsgebouw" (currently used as twon hall), the "de Hoop" windmill, Fort/Bastion Haerlem, "Droogdok Jan Blanken": a historic shipbuilding site and, the Water Tower Hellevoetsluis, designed by architect N. Biezeveld and built in 1896.

Facilities
Hellevoetsluis has many shops: in addition to the various small (community) shopping centres, there is the covered shopping centre De Struytse Hoeck, which has over 120 shops and is partly built over the Canal through Voorne. Education up to secondary school level, a library, community centres, health care, and modern facilities for water sport are all available. Following the construction of the Haringvliet locks, the Haringvliet is ideal water for surfing and sailing. There are also extensive mooring facilities. Close by are the beach and the dunes at Voorne, a nature reserve.

Water sports
Hellevoetsluis is one of the largest water sports centres in the country. There are 2,000 mooring places, spread over five harbours. With such a broad expanse of water as the Haringvliet and the North Sea close by, it is popular with water sports lovers and the Haringvliet is being used increasingly for national and international water sports events.

Entertainment
The old town centre, the fortress, has many terraces that look out upon the busy harbour and plenty of bars and restaurants serving 'international' food. There are also restaurants and bars outside the fortress. A petting zoo, a sailing school, a fitness centre, tennis courts, a sauna, etc., are nearby.

Events
In August the "Fortress Days" (Dutch: "Vestingdagen") are held. During the festivities which includes live music and a market, there are also displays of ships, aeroplane demonstrations, and a big firework display. However due to responsibility issues, the "Fortress Day" organization decided to no longer organize this event.

Every two years, the Dutch Classic Yacht Regatta is held in the harbour. A large number of classic, sharp yachts can be seen.

Museums
The town has well-preserved fortifications in the fortress. A walking tour leads to historical buildings such as the lighthouse, the Prinsehuis, Corn Mill De Hoop, and several museums. The museum Gesigt van 't Dok, situated at Oostzanddijk, contains a replica of the town, fortress, and naval shipyard as it was in 1834. This replica forms the heart of an exhibition on the development of Hellevoetsluis into a modern naval port at the beginning of the previous century.

The National Firefighting Museum, located in what used to be the Kuiperij and Grootmagazijn on Industriehaven, contains a rich collection ranging from the most primitive fire fighting equipment from centuries ago to the highly sophisticated equipment of today. Water buckets, fire hoses, water barrels, uniforms, hand- and steam engines, and many other devices that mark a point in the history of fire fighting are represented.

In the Oudheidskamer, also situated on the Industriehaven, there is a collection of items from the daily life of the past two centuries. It includes items that relate to the past of Hellevoetsluis as a naval port as well as agriculture-related articles.

Hellevoetsluis Dry Dock dates from 1806. It marks a revolutionary development in the history of shipbuilding and ship repair. The dry dock is still operational and has become a major historical and industrial/archaeological monument.

Twin towns — Sister cities
Hellevoetsluis is twinned with Torbay, England because on 5 November 1688 a fleet of 463 ships with 14,000 men landed William III of Orange in Torbay having sailed from Hellevoetsluis to claim thrones of Great Britain, as part of the Glorious Revolution

Born in Hellevoetsluis

 * Jan Pieter Theodoor Huydecoper (1728 in Hellevoetsluis – 1767) an administrator of the Dutch West India Company and Director-General of the Dutch Gold Coast 1764 to 1767
 * Theodoor de Booy (1882 in Hellevoetsluis – 1919) a Dutch-born American archaeologist
 * Jan Greshoff (1888 in Nieuw-Helvoet – 1971) a Dutch journalist, poet, and literary critic
 * Dirk Klop (1906 in Nieuw-Helvoet – 1939) a Dutch Army intelligence officer, killed in the Venlo incident
 * Adriaan Wesselink (1909 in Hellevoetsluis – 1995) a Dutch astronomer, specialising in variable stars
 * Anthony van Kampen (1911 in Hellevoetsluis - 1991) a Dutch writer
 * Ellemieke Vermolen (born 1976 in Hellevoetsluis) a Dutch actress, model and presenter
 * Ronald Brouwer (born 1979 in Hellevoetsluis) a field hockey striker, team silver medallist at the 2004 Summer Olympics
 * Maarten Ketting (born 1983 in Hellevoetsluis) a soccer referee
 * Duncan Laurence (born 1994) a Dutch singer-songwriter, grew up in Hellevoetsluis

title: Hellevoetsluis


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Henning Township, Otter Tail County, Minnesota

Henning Township is a township in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 426 at the 2000 census.

History
Henning Township was originally called East Battle Lake Township, and under the latter name was organized in 1878. The name was changed in 1884, in honor of John O. Henning, a pharmacist.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 32.9 sqmi, of which 32.6 sqmi is land and 0.3 sqmi (0.85%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 426 people, 140 households, and 111 families living in the township. The population density was 13.1 PD/sqmi. There were 175 housing units at an average density of 5.4/sq. mi (2.1/km2). The racial makeup of the township was 99.30% White, 0.47% Asian, 0.23% from other races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 0.47% of the population.

There were 140 households, out of which 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 74.3% were married couples living together, 1.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.7% were non-families. 18.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the township the population was spread out, with 21.8% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 19.5% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 26.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.6 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $31,875, and the median income for a family was $37,578. Males had a median income of $25,278 versus $17,500 for females. The per capita income for the township was $13,215. About 6.0% of families and 9.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.4% of those under age 18 and 14.6% of those age 65 or over.


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Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht

Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht is a town and municipality in the western Netherlands. It is located on the island of IJsselmonde, and borders with Zwijndrecht, Ridderkerk, and the Noord River (with Alblasserdam and Papendrecht on the other side).

The jurisdiction of the municipality covers an area of undefined km2 of which undefined km2 is water. The municipality comprises no other population centres.

Name
Until 1855, the town was known as Hendrik-Ido-Schildmanskinderen-Ambacht en de Oostendam. Then it merged with Sandelingen-Ambacht and its full name for a period of time was said to be Hendrik-Ido-Oostendam-Schildmanskinderen-Groot-en-Klein-Sandelingen-Ambacht. This used to be the longest name of any town on the mainland of Europe.

Topography

Dutch topographic map of the municipality of Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht, June 2015

History
The area has been populated from circa the year 1000 CE. Agriculture and animal husbandry were the only means of existence for many centuries. During these days, the land would often get flooded. Most of the land belonged to the Bishop of Utrecht during this period, except Heyenland (later known as Heerjansdam), which belong to Lord Hendrick I van Brederode (1305-1345). In 1323 the abbey sold its land to William III of Holland.

To combat the floods and utilize the lands more productively, William III and Hendrick van Brederode built up a dike around the land and had it dredged in 1332. To fund this endeavor, they sold parts of the lands to wealthy families (who held high public ranks within other cities) offering lordshiptitles and land ownership in return (as dictated by Zeelandic Laws concerning land ownership). Among these men were Hendrik Ido Wittens and his brother Schiltman Wittens, sons of the municipal executive of Gorinchem, Hendrik Yens Wittens. They received lordship of small pieces of land around the dead arm of the river Wale. The town Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht was made of a fusion of these two lordships. Over the years it expended by annexation and fusion with other lands of different lords.

Not until the Eighty Years' War some industrial activities began to appear along the river dikes, like stonebakery and shipbuilding. Horticulture and flax growing also developed within the polders.

Because of the rapid industrial growth in iron foundries and shipyards in nearby villages (which produced lots of scrap waste), several families opened up ship breaking yards which grew into an industry resulting in the town becoming worldwide known as the "ship breaking village".

The establishment of industries in the region changed the centuries-old seasonal labour to permanent work opportunities with higher wages. These industries were lost in later times when they moved abroad to lower wage countries. Nowadays the village functions as a commuter town, since its citizens mainly work elsewhere.

Several monumental farms and buildings, including the 14th century Reformed Church, remain as a reminder of its historic past.

Politics
The municipal council of Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht has 23 seats. The Christian parties are strong in Ambacht.

 * * SGP-RPF-GPV.
 * ** PvdA-GroenLinks

Sister cities

 * Bergen, Lower Saxony, Germany

Notable people

 * Cornelis Ekkart (1892–1975) was a fencer
 * Flor Silvester (1923–2008) was a graphic designer
 * Henk van Lijnschooten (1928–2006) was a composer
 * Bart Berman (born 1938) is a pianist and composer
 * Wim van Hanegem (born 1944) is a footballer
 * Marco Janssen (born 1969) is a econometrician
 * Wim Jansen (1946–2022) was a footballer
 * Roeland Pruijssers (born 1989) is a chess player

title: Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht


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Hillegom

Hillegom is a town and municipality in the Western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland. Hillegom is part of an area called the Duin- en Bollenstreek ("Dune and Bulb Region"). As such, a large portion of the local economy was traditionally geared to the cultivation of bulb flowers.

The name Hillegom is derived from the abbey named Hijlighem (Old Frankish for "Holy Home"). This abbey no longer exists. The current Lord of Hillegom is Jan Six X.

History
Hillegom was formed on the eastern edge of the coastal dunes where the old Leiden to Haarlem route crossed the Hillegommerbeek (Hillegom's Creek), not far from the shores of the Haarlemmermeer (Haarlem's Lake). Places with the suffix "-heim" (or variant spellings) usually developed before the year 1000 and therefore it is assumed that this may apply to Hillegom as well. In 1150 the abbot of Egmond had the rights to naming priests in Hillegom, indicating that a church or chapel existed there. In 1248 the count Willem II gave the Chapel of Hijllinghem and all its buildings to the Abbot of Egmond.

In the middle of the 14th century, Hillegom gained some prominence when the counts of Holland convened there 3 times for council. In 1369, there were 46 houses with a population of 283, growing to 67 houses and 412 people in 1477.

During the Eighty Years' War, Hillegom found itself several times between the opposing Spanish and Dutch Rebel armies, resulting in its near destruction in 1577. But after the middle of the 17th century, the area became prosperous through the cultivation of fruits and vegetables, growing on the sandy soil of fields dug out the dunes.

In 1722, the rich Amsterdam merchant Jan Six II bought the fiefdom Hillegom and built improvements, including a stone bridge over the Hillegommerbeek and a pump in the village square as well as paving a portion of the main road. In 1749, he purchased Het Hof (The Courtyard), an estate in the centre of Hillegom. At this time, there were many other estates of rich merchants and stadtholders in Hillegom, such as Bethlehem, Oostende, Horstendael, Weeresteyn, Treslong, Duin en Weg, Meer en Dorp, Het Hof, Lapinenburg and Elsbroek (many of these names survive as neighborhood names). The population grew to 930 in 1732 and to 1050 in 1795.

In 1855 Hillegom absorbed the former municipality of De Vennip. During the 19th century, the beauty of the area and its estates slowly began to disappear. Developers bought the estates, cut down the forests, and excavated the sand dunes to create fields for bulb flower cultivation. This process accelerated in 1904 when a lime-sand brick factory was built just south of Hillegom, which needed large amounts of sand. By the early 1920s, all estates had disappeared, except for Het Hof which became Hillegom's town hall. This same period saw the rapid growth of the bulb flower industry and Hillegom's population, up to 8800 in 1916.

Hillegom's convenient location led to another rapid growth period during the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, when many new neighborhoods were built to accommodate families working in either Haarlem, Amsterdam, or Leiden. Its economy became less dependent on the bulb flower trade and more diversified with the establishment of a few business parks.

Geography
Hillegom is bordered by the municipalities of Bloemendaal (and formerly Bennebroek) to the north, Haarlemmermeer to the east, Lisse to the south, and Noordwijk (formerly Noordwijkerhout) to the west. The municipality covers an area of undefined km2 of which undefined km2 is water.

Neighborhoods
• Centrum

• Elsbroek

• De Marel

• Meer en Dorp I and II

• Patrimonium

• Treslong

• De Zanderij

• Hofzicht

• Weerestein

• Amerikabuurt

• Hillegom Zuid

• Vossepolder (under construction)

Demographics
Population on January 1:
 * 1899: 5,361
 * 1930: 10,812
 * 1960: 14,789
 * 1970: 16,963
 * 1980: 17,937
 * 1990: 19,885
 * 2000: 20,664
 * 2004: 20,588
 * 2006: 20,317
 * 2011: 20,627
 * 2017: 21,629
 * Source: Statistics Netherlands

Transportation
Historically, much of the town's transportation was done by water, either canals or streams.

The Hillegommerbeek (Hillegom's Creek) was used to transport goods from the town to Haarlemmermeer (Haarlem's Lake) and, after its reclamation, to the Ringvaart. Several docks and wharfs still line the creek and canal.

The Leidsevaart (Leiden Canal) was completed in 1657 and runs between Leiden and Haarlem just west of Hillegom. This canal has fallen in disuse because of its many non-operable bridges.

Hillegom is served by Provincial Roads 207, 208, and 442.

Railway
Hillegom is served by Hillegom railway station, with direct connections to Haarlem in the north and Leiden and The Hague southward.

Tourism and attractions
The most interesting time to visit is during the spring when the fields around Hillegom are in a colourful bloom. At this time a flower parade, the Bloemencorso, travels through its main streets.

Hillegom was home to the Den Hartogh Ford Museum, which had the world's largest collection of Ford automobiles, until it closed down in 2016. It had over 200 classic cars, all from before World War II.

Notable people

 * Adriaan van der Willigen Pz. (1810 in Hillegom – 1876) a doctor and historian
 * Dr. Willem Pleyte (1836 in Hillegom – 1903) a Dutch Egyptologist and museum director
 * Jacob Cornelis van Slee (1841 in Hillegom – 1929) a Dutch Reformed clergyman and scholar
 * Constantijn Muysken, Dutch Wiki (1843 in Hillegom - 1922), architect
 * Piet van Zeil (1927 in Hillegom – 2012) a Dutch politician and trade union leader
 * Hans 't Mannetje (1944 in Hillegom – 2016) a Dutch sculptor, mostly of gable stones.
 * Wim Turkenburg (born 1947 in Hillegom) an academic on energy and environmental issues
 * Thea de Roos-van Rooden (born 1949 in Hillegom), historian and former politician
 * Annemarie Spilker (born 1980 in Hillegom) a Dutch photographer

Sport

 * Dick van Egmond, Dutch Wiki (born 1961 in Hillegom) soccer referee
 * Jesse Huta Galung (born 1985) a former Dutch professional tennis player, lives in Hillegom
 * Marc Evers (born 1991 in Hillegom) a Dutch Paralympic swimmer

title: Hillegom


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Hobart Township, Otter Tail County, Minnesota

Hobart Township is a township in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 733 at the 2000 census.

Hobart Township was organized in 1871.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 36.0 sqmi, of which 28.8 sqmi is land and 7.2 sqmi (20.02%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 733 people, 291 households, and 222 families living in the township. The population density was 25.5 PD/sqmi. There were 637 housing units at an average density of 22.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 99.05% White, 0.41% African American and 0.55% Asian. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.14% of the population.

There were 291 households, out of which 26.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.8% were married couples living together, 3.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.7% were non-families. 19.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the township the population was spread out, with 21.6% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 32.5% from 45 to 64, and 16.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 113.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 112.2 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $42,115, and the median income for a family was $44,167. Males had a median income of $30,938 versus $17,679 for females. The per capita income for the township was $18,614. About 4.1% of families and 6.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.3% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.


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Jacobswoude

Jacobswoude is a former municipality in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland, now part of municipality Kaag en Braassem. Before the merger with Alkemade, the municipality covered an area of 41.37 km2 of which 4.88 km2 is water, mainly the lakes Braassemermeer and Wijde Aa. It consisted of the communities Bilderdam, Hoogmade, Leimuiden, Rijnsaterwoude, and Woubrugge, all located around the above-mentioned lakes. It had a population of 10,692 on 1 January 2004.

Jacobswoude is located in the center of the Groene Hart (Green Heart), the slightly less densely populated center area of the Randstad. Inhabitants of Jacobswoude depend on Alphen aan den Rijn, Leiden and Amsterdam for facilities not offered in the smaller villages. Most of its inhabitants commute daily to one of the larger cities in the region for work.

Jacobswoude was created on 1 January 1991 by merging the municipalities of Leimuiden, Rijnsaterwoude and Woubrugge. On 1 January 2009, Jacobswoude merged with Alkemade and formed the new municipality of Kaag en Braassem.

The municipality was named after the lost village of Jacobswoude that was located within the former municipal boundaries. The first mention of this village is from 823, when it is thought that Lord Jacob van den Woude was granted the area as a fiefdom from Louis the Pious. The peat surrounding the village was excavated, making Jacobswoude an island by the middle of the 18th century. This caused the village to deteriorate and its population moved to Woubrugge. Only a monument on the site of the original village remains.

Wireless Jacobswoude is a wireless community network under construction, starting in Woubrugge, connected to Wireless Leiden.

title: Jacobswoude


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Katwijk

Katwijk is a coastal municipality and town in the province of South Holland, which is situated in the mid-western part of the Netherlands.

The Oude Rijn ("Old Rhine") river flows through the town and into the North Sea. Katwijk is located on the North Sea, northwest of Leiden and 16 km north of The Hague. It shares its borders with the municipalities of Noordwijk, Teylingen, Oegstgeest, Leiden, and Wassenaar.

In August 2020, Katwijk had a population of 65,929 and covers an area of undefined km2, of which undefined km2 is water.

Katwijk is by far the largest town in the Duin- en Bollenstreek ("Dune and Bulb Region").

Districts
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)
 * Katwijk-Noord (13,845)
 * Rijnsburg (15,450)
 * Valkenburg (3,904)

Lying on the coast, Katwijk aan Zee is (and has always been) the larger town. Katwijk aan den Rijn lies just slightly inland. Rijnsburg is situated east of Katwijk aan den Rijn whereas Valkenburg finds itself to the south. Katwijk-Noord is situated north of Katwijk aan Zee.

Although consisting of historically separate towns (except Katwijk-Noord) that still today maintain separate identities, the towns 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 Roman 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 records.

The history of the modern municipality of Katwijk is essentially the history of its constituent parts, 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 town and Katwijk aan den Rijn had an agricultural character.

During World War II, Katwijk aan Zee was heavily damaged. On 1 May 1942 beach access was no longer permitted and large scale evacuation took place. From October 1943 houses were demolished as part of the construction of the Atlantic Wall.

On 1 January 2006, Rijnsburg and Valkenburg were also merged into the municipality, it's called nowadays Katwijk.

Public transportation
Katwijk is a larger town in the Netherlands without a railway station, and the largest without any railway connection. The nearest railway stations are Voorhout and Leiden. Katwijk is connected by bus with Noordwijk, Leiden, The Hague and Lisse. The public transport by bus is served by Arriva. As of 9 December 2012 new buslines came to Katwijk. In December 2023 Q-Buzz is going to take over the buslines in Katwijk.

Between 2019 and 2023 a lot changed in Katwijk and Leiden. A quick bus line from Katwijk to Leiden, a Q-Liner, numbers 430 and 431, drive from Leiden to Katwijk aan Zee (Boulevard-South) and the other (430) goes to the space agency ESTEC, and returns to Leiden after a short stop. It took years to make the Ir. Tjalmaweg (a part of the N206), a double two-sided road. See here:

Bus transportation

 * Bus 430/432 - Travels from Noordwijk ESTEC (very close to Katwijk, outside built-up areas in Noordwijk) via the Biltlaan and Zeeweg and N206 to Leiden Centraal. During the day, this bus departs every 15 minutes in every direction.

 * Bus 431 - Travels from Katwijk Boulevard-South via Vuurbaak, Boulevard, Tramstraat and Zeeweg to the N206 to Leiden, where it ends at the railway station. During the day, this bus departs every 15 minutes (every 10 minutes during morning rush hour).

 * Bus 35 - Local bus service, running from Duinvallei to Unmanned Valley (centre for asylum seekers)

 * Bus 38 - Travels from Katwijk Raadhuis via Kon. Julianalaan and Zanderij through Valkenburg to Leiden Centraal, once an hour.

 * Bus 90 - Travels from Lisse, Noordwijkerhout, Noordwijk, Katwijk, Rijnsburg, Oegstgeest to Leiden Centraal, twice an hour. Buses on this route have been converted to allow bicycles to be brought onto the bus. Bus 90 took over the route from bus 37 (Katwijk to Leiden and back)

 * Q-liner 385 - Q-liner 385 travels from Sassenheim railway station, via Katwijk to The Hague Central railway station.

Additionally, Rijnsburg and the far northeastern part of Katwijk-Noord are served by bus 20 and 21, running between Noordwijk and Leiden. Peak hour buses connect industrial zones with surrounding municipalities.

Notable people

 * Charley Toorop (1891 in Katwijk – 1955) a Dutch painter and lithographer
 * Esther Ouwehand (born 1976 in Katwijk) a politician, parliamentarian for the Party for the Animals

Sport

 * Willem Driebergen (1892 in Katwijk aan Zee – 1965) a Dutch fencer, competed in the individual and team épée events at the 1928 and 1936 Summer Olympics
 * Cees de Vreugd, (1952 in Katwijk – 1998) a butcher, strongman and powerlifter
 * Jan Siemerink (born 1970 in Rijnsburg) a retired tennis player
 * Petra Grimbergen (born 1970 in Rijnsburg) a female road and track racing cyclist, competed at the 1992 Summer Olympics
 * Jeffrey Talan (born 1971 in Katwijk) a former professional Dutch international footballer with over 250 club caps
 * Marcus van Teijlingen (born 1973 in Rijnsburg) a Dutch dance instructor and professional Latin-American dancer
 * Dirk Kuyt (born 1980 in Katwijk) a Dutch former professional footballer with 636 club caps
 * Petra Hogewoning (born 1986 in Rijnsburg) a Dutch retired football defender
 * Nick Driebergen (born 1987 in Rijnsburg) a Dutch former backstroke swimmer, competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics
 * Jaap van Duijn (born 1990 in Katwijk) a Dutch football striker
 * Dirk van Duijvenbode (born 1992 in Katwijk aan Zee) a Dutch Professional Darts Corporation player
 * Arno Kamminga (born 1995 in Katwijk) a Dutch breaststroke swimmer, competed at the 2020 Summer Olympics

Popular culture

 * The fictional operator 'Iana' from the game Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege is from Katwijk

Tourist attractions
Katwijk is a seaside resort with a wide sandy beach. Its attractiveness is mainly due to its laid-back atmosphere. The boulevard along the shore is not spoiled by large hotels or apartment blocks and has not given in to an excessive commercialisation. Although most buildings lining the boulevard are tourist apartments and pensions, most are just three floors high (and none more than five) and offer a distinctive 'feel' of the 1950s. Besides the beach, there are a few museums in Katwijk, like the old fisherman's museum Katwijks Museum and the Spinoza-museum. A few kilometers inland is the Valkenburg Lake Steam Train, a narrow-gauge railway museum where a scenic steam locomotive driven train ride can be taken around Lake Valkenburg. Katwijk has many hotels and three camping places, mostly situated in the dunes.

title: Katwijk


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Homestead Township, Otter Tail County, Minnesota

Homestead Township is a township in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 371 at the 2000 census.

Homestead Township was organized in 1880, and named for the pioneer homestead farms within its borders.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 36.5 sqmi, of which 36.4 sqmi is land and 0.2 sqmi (0.41%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 371 people, 129 households, and 107 families living in the township. The population density was 10.2 PD/sqmi. There were 149 housing units at an average density of 4.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 95.69% White, 1.35% African American, 0.54% Native American, 1.08% Asian, and 1.35% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.08% of the population.

There were 129 households, out of which 42.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 76.0% were married couples living together, 0.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.3% were non-families. 12.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.88 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the township the population was spread out, with 29.9% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 32.9% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 9.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 108.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 116.7 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $38,036, and the median income for a family was $39,125. Males had a median income of $30,208 versus $20,156 for females. The per capita income for the township was $14,596. About 10.1% of families and 11.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.5% of those under age 18 and 2.7% of those age 65 or over.


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Korendijk

Korendijk was a municipality in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland. The municipality covered an area of undefined km2 of which undefined km2 was water.

With the municipal reorganization of the Hoeksche Waard on 1 January 1984, the municipality of Korendijk was formed out of the former municipalities of Goudswaard, Nieuw-Beijerland, Piershil (location of town hall), Zuid-Beijerland, and the island Tiengemeten. In addition to these villages, it also had the population centres Nieuwendijk and Zuidzijde. On 1 January 2019, it merged into the municipality of Hoeksche Waard.

The municipality of Korendijk was bordered on the southside by the Haringvliet estuary, on the westside by the Spui River, and by the municipalities Oud-Beijerland and Cromstrijen to the north and east.

Topography

Dutch Topographic map of the municipality of Korendijk, June 2015

title: Korendijk


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Krimpen aan den IJssel

Krimpen aan den IJssel is a town and municipality in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland. The municipality had a population of 0 in, and covers an area of undefined km2 of which undefined km2 is water.

History
Krimpen is first mentioned in a document from 1277. Like other hamlets, many different spellings of its name have occurred over time, among which the name Tingenijssel deviated the most from today's spelling. The municipality is on the south shore of the river Hollandse IJssel. For many centuries, the only buildings in Krimpen were farm houses built along the river dike. They formed more or less autonomous communities along the dike.

Before the 20th century, the two principal industrial employers were the brick factory Mijnlieff and the shipyard Van der Giessen de Noord. In the beginning of the 20th century development began inland from the river dikes, and the municipality began to lose its agricultural character.

During the North Sea flood of 1953, the tidal barrier in the river IJssel proved to be inadequate. So in 1954 construction started on a new storm surge barrier, the first installation of the Delta Works. In 1958 it was completed together with the Algera Bridge which connects Krimpen with Capelle aan den IJssel.

In the mid 1960s, Krimpen became a commuter town for people working in Rotterdam, resulting in major expansion. Today most of the municipality has been built up, except for the Krimpenerwaard where the town council aims to retain the rural character.

Public transport

 * Waterbus route 1:
 * Rotterdam Willemskade - Krimpen aan den IJssel Stormpolder - Ridderkerk De Schans - Alblasserdam Kade - Dordrecht Merwekade.

Sister cities
Krimpen aan den Ijssel is twinned with:

Notable people
–
 * Gerard van Walsum (1900–1980), politician (mayor of Delft and Rotterdam)
 * Piet Jan van der Giessen (1918–1993), sailor, competed at the 1952 Summer Olympics
 * Michiel van Lambalgen (born 1954), professor of Logic and Cognitive Science at the University of Amsterdam
 * Hans van Baalen (1960–2021), politician
 * Rik Grashoff (born 1961), engineer and politician (alderman of Delft and Rotterdam)
 * Bart van den Berg (born 1993), tennis player

title: Krimpen aan den IJssel


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Inman Township, Otter Tail County, Minnesota

Inman Township is a township in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 352 at the 2000 census.

Inman Township was organized in 1878, and named for Thomas Inman, an early settler.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 36.6 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 352 people, 117 households, and 91 families living in the township. The population density was 9.6 PD/sqmi. There were 133 housing units at an average density of 3.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 97.73% White, 0.85% from other races, and 1.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.12% of the population.

There were 117 households, out of which 43.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 71.8% were married couples living together, 6.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.2% were non-families. 17.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.01 and the average family size was 3.44.

In the township the population was spread out, with 36.4% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.5 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $26,250, and the median income for a family was $26,375. Males had a median income of $22,500 versus $20,000 for females. The per capita income for the township was $12,351. About 20.4% of families and 20.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.9% of those under age 18 and 19.7% of those age 65 or over.


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Leerdam

Leerdam is a city and former municipality in the western Netherlands, in the province of Utrecht. The municipality was merged with the municipalities of Vianen and Zederik on 1 January 2019. The name of the new municipality is Vijfheerenlanden which is a part of the province Utrecht. The former municipality Leerdam was a part of the province South Holland.

The south border of the town is formed by the river Linge. The name originates from a dam in the river Lede which was a branch from the river Linge towards Meerkerk. Leerdam 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).

In South Africa a fort was built by the Dutch East India Company between 1666 and 1679 in the coastal city Cape Town. It is called Castle of Good Hope. The corners of this fort received names in honour of William of Orange-Nassau and because Leerdam was part of the House of Orange-Nassau one of those corners were named Leerdam.

Glass industry
Since the 18th century, the town's culture has been strongly influenced by the glass industry and the timber industry. The glass currently manufactured in Leerdam is internationally known as Royal Leerdam or (particularly in respect of designer glass and glass art) as Royal Leerdam Crystal. This, with the National Glass Museum, the Glass Centre (with its glassblowing and demonstration activities), and several art galleries, make Leerdam a major tourist attraction in the Netherlands.

Glassblowers work in the Glass Centre in Leerdam, which is open to the public.

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

Born in Leerdam

 * Cornelis Pieter van den Hoek (1921–2015), resistance fighter during World War II
 * Jan van Houwelingen (1939–2013), politician
 * Manon van Rooijen (born 1982), freestyle swimmer

title: Leerdam


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Leiderdorp

Leiderdorp is a town and municipality in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland near the city of Leiden. It had a population of 0 in.

The municipality covers an area of undefined km2 of which undefined km2 is water. Leiderdorp has now become a suburb of the city of Leiden, although the Oude Rijn (Old Rhine) river and the Zijl river separate the two. The HSL-Zuid high-speed rail line between Amsterdam and Brussels crosses Leiderdorp in a tunnel.

It is one of the oldest towns in South Holland province and was a base for the Spanish army in the Eighty Years' War.

History
Excavations have shown that as early as during the Iron Age in the area of current day Leiderdorp hunters and fishers roamed around and lived on the dry places around the river.

Roman Period
The Rhine, which passes through Leiderdorp, functioned as the Northern border of the Roman Empire. Close to Leiderdorp, the Romans built a fort, Matilo. Around the fall of the Western Roman Empire the Romans retreated from the area.

Middle Ages
During the middle ages, the first permanent settlement appeared. The Rhine served as a connection between the sea and the hinterland, and there is evidence of trade taking place. During the late Middle Ages three castles were built in Leiderdorp, Huis ter Zijl (1260), Huis ter Does (around 1300) and Huis Berendrecht (around 1420).

In 1396 the Augustinian monastery Engelendael was founded. The monks copied books, cared for the sick and worked the fields. The monastery was abandoned in 1574, but its legacy is still present as the arterial road of Leiderdorp is called Engelendaal.

Eighty Years' War
In 1492 the first bridge crossing the Rhine was built. In 1514 Leiderdorps population had grown to 500. During the Siege of Leiden Leiderdorp was the headquarters of the Spanish General Francisco de Valdez, who ultimately failed to capture the city. In 1620 the Protestant Dorpskerk (town church) is constructed. The Dorpskerk celebrated its 400th anniversary in 2020 with a series of concerts and exhibitions.

1700-1940
From 1597 till 1795 Leiden had administrative rights over Leiderdorp, which led to the town becoming even more dependent on the larger city. In 1795 Leiderdorp decreases in size as the neighbouring Leiden expands. A rope factory was constructed in 1806, and in 1862 the first school was established on the Hoofdstraat (main street). A shipyard was constructed in 1877, and in 1915 social housing designed by famous Dutch architect Willem Marinus Dudok was erected.

Second World War
During the Second World war a bunker was constructed in the neighbouring fields, and a pen factory and community centre were destroyed to make way for it. The spires of one of the churches was used as a sniper's nest.

Notable people

 * The Reverend Pierre Jacques Smit (1863 – 1960) an illustrator at the British Natural History Museum
 * Gerrit de Blanken (1894 – 1961) a Dutch potter
 * Armin van Buuren (born 1976) trance music producer and DJ, lived in Leiderdorp
 * Carice van Houten (born 1976) a Dutch actress and singer
 * Thomas Erdbrink (born 1976) chief of the Tehran Bureau of The New York Times
 * Dennis Leeflang (born 1979) a Dutch rock drummer, currently lives in Los Angeles
 * Thomas Azier (born 1987) electro-pop singer and musician
 * Robert de Hoog (born 1988) a Dutch actor
 * Daphne Groeneveld (born 1994) a Dutch model

Sport

 * Marcel Vonk (born 1974) poker player and academic researcher in string theory
 * Sylvia Karres (born 1976) a retired field hockey player, team silver medallist at the 2004 Summer Olympics
 * Femke Dekker (born 1979) a Dutch rower, team silver medallist at the 2008 Summer Olympics
 * Taeke Taekema (born 1980) a Dutch field hockey player, team silver medallist at the 2004 Summer Olympics
 * Noeki Klein (born 1983) women's water polo player, team gold medallist at the 2008 Summer Olympics
 * Regina Bruins (born 1986) professional cyclist, lives in Leiderdorp
 * Ted Jan Bloemen, (born 1986) Dutch-Canadian long track speed skater, gold medallist at the 2018 Winter Olympics
 * Jens Toornstra (born 1989) a Dutch footballer with 300 club caps
 * Ilse Paulis (born 1993) a Dutch rower, team gold medallist at the 2016 Summer Olympics
 * Jeroen Kampschreur (born 1999) a Dutch paralympic skier
 * Matthijs de Ligt (born 1999) professional footballer, 23 caps with the Netherlands national team
 * Noussair Mazraoui (born 1997) professional footballer.

Twin towns
Until 2013 Leiderdorp was twinned with

title: Leiderdorp


text:
Leaf Lake Township, Otter Tail County, Minnesota

Leaf Lake Township is a township in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 467 at the 2000 census.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 35.6 sqmi, of which 32.8 sqmi is land and 2.8 sqmi (7.89%) is water.

History
Leaf Lake Township was organized in 1879. This township is named for two lakes, East and West Leaf Lakes, which extend nearly across the township from east to west about the center of the township. Leaf River and Willow Creek flow into East Leaf lake from the north and south ends. Leaf Lake Township was without a railroad until 1902, when the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railroad was built through Otter Tail County.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 467 people, 180 households, and 140 families residing in the township. The population density was 14.2 PD/sqmi. There were 398 housing units at an average density of 12.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 99.14% White and 0.86% African American. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.21% of the population.

There were 180 households, out of which 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.8% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.2% were non-families. 21.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the township the population was spread out, with 25.9% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 20.6% from 25 to 44, 33.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 109.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 109.7 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $32,768, and the median income for a family was $35,179. Males had a median income of $27,500 versus $25,833 for females. The per capita income for the township was $14,634. About 9.7% of families and 16.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.8% of those under age 18 and 12.8% of those age 65 or over.