Moordrecht is a town and a former municipality in the 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...

, the Netherlands

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...

, situated along the river Hollandse IJssel

Hollandse IJssel

The Hollandse IJssel is a branch of the Rhine delta that flows westward from Nieuwegein on river Lek through IJsselstein, Gouda and Capelle aan den IJssel to Krimpen aan den IJssel, where it ends in the Nieuwe Maas. Another branch called Enge IJssel flows southwest from Nieuwegein...

.

In September 2006, 93% of the population of Moordrecht choose by referendum to pursue a merger with the neighboring municipalities Nieuwerkerk aan den IJssel

Nieuwerkerk aan den IJssel

Nieuwerkerk aan den IJssel is a town and former municipality in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland...

 and Zevenhuizen-Moerkapelle

Zevenhuizen-Moerkapelle

Zevenhuizen-Moerkapelle is a former municipality in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland.The municipality was formed on January 1, 1991, through the merger of Moerkapelle and Zevenhuizen...

. Only 7% choose to merge with Gouda

Gouda

Gouda is a city and municipality in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland. Gouda, which was granted city rights in 1272, is famous for its Gouda cheese, smoking pipes, and 15th-century city hall....

. Based on this result, the town council decided to form the new municipality Zuidplas

Zuidplas

Zuidplas is a new municipality by 1 january 2010.Joining of Moordrecht, Nieuwerkerk aan den IJssel and Zevenhuizen-Moerkapelle....

in 2010 with Nieuwerkerk aan den IJssel and Zevenhuizen-Moerkapelle.