Meerkerk
Encyclopedia
Meerkerk is a town in the Dutch
province of South Holland
. It is a part of the municipality of Zederik
, and lies about 9 km north of Gorinchem
.
In 2001, the town of Meerkerk had 2281 inhabitants. The built-up area of the town was 0.71 km², and contained 818 residences.
The statistical area "Meerkerk", which also can include the surrounding countryside, has a population of around 2310.
In the early centuries of its existence the village played an important role in regional traffic, due to its favourable location by the river Viaanse Vaart. During the French occupation of the Netherlands in the early 19th century Napoleon Bonaparte ordered the construction of a major road connection between Paris
and Amsterdam
, passing through Meerkerk as well. According to local legend, the emperor himself once spent some time in Meerkerk during an official visit to the Netherlands. The main road was made by the army of Napoleon, and it was the first road of stone in the region.
Meerkerk was a separate municipality until 1986, when it became part of Zederik
.
Since 1886 the Zederik Channel passes the town, maintaining Meerkerk's importance to regional traffic. By the end World War II the municipality expanded its borders, giving the population a chance to increase to some 2500 souls.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
province of South Holland
South Holland
South Holland is a province situated on the North Sea in the western part of the Netherlands. The provincial capital is The Hague and its largest city is Rotterdam.South Holland is one of the most densely populated and industrialised areas in the world...
. It is a part of the municipality of Zederik
Zederik
Zederik is a municipality in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland. The municipality covers an area of 76.49 km²...
, and lies about 9 km north of Gorinchem
Gorinchem
Gorinchem , also called Gorkum , is a city and municipality in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland. The municipality covers an area of 21.99 km² of which 3.03 km² is water...
.
In 2001, the town of Meerkerk had 2281 inhabitants. The built-up area of the town was 0.71 km², and contained 818 residences.
The statistical area "Meerkerk", which also can include the surrounding countryside, has a population of around 2310.
History
Not much is known of Meerkerk's early history. According to municipal sources, the town was first mentioned in a clerical document, written in 1266 or 1267AD. The origins of the name 'Meerkerk' (Literally translated: 'Lakechurch') are unclear, though it is probable it derived from 'De Kerk bij het Meer', meaning 'The Church by the Lake', referring to several small strips of land called 'Het Meer' (The Lake).Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
and Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
, passing through Meerkerk as well. According to local legend, the emperor himself once spent some time in Meerkerk during an official visit to the Netherlands. The main road was made by the army of Napoleon, and it was the first road of stone in the region.
Meerkerk was a separate municipality until 1986, when it became part of Zederik
Zederik
Zederik is a municipality in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland. The municipality covers an area of 76.49 km²...
.
Since 1886 the Zederik Channel passes the town, maintaining Meerkerk's importance to regional traffic. By the end World War II the municipality expanded its borders, giving the population a chance to increase to some 2500 souls.