Zierikzee

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The town centre (dark green) and the statistical district (light green) of Zierikzee in the municipality of Schouwen-Duiveland.

Zierikzee (51°39′N 3°55′E) is a small city, located on the former island of Duiveland in the Dutch province of Zeeland. It is a part of the municipality of Schouwen-Duiveland, and lies about 26 km southwest of Hellevoetsluis.

Zierikzee received city rights in 1248 and was an independent municipality until 1997. The city is connected to the Oosterschelde by a 2 km long canal.

In 2001, the town of Zierikzee had 10313 inhabitants. The built-up area of the town was 3.0 km², and contained 4295 residences.^[1] The statistical area "Zierikzee", which also can include the surrounding countryside, has a population of around 10730.^[2]

In the early 1950s, Zierikzee was damaged by catastrophic floods. The English town of Hatfield sent help and the friendship has developed. The two towns have been twinned.

View of Zierikzee (1618), by Esaias van der Velde

The Church of Zierikzee was planned to be twice as high as it was eventually built.

The channel that connects Zierikzee is mainly used by tourist boats. The one on the image is an old ship refurnished to make day trips on the Oosterschelde.

[edit] References

1. ^ Statistics Netherlands (CBS), Bevolkingskernen in Nederland 2001. (Statistics are for the continuous built-up area).
2. ^ Statistics Netherlands (CBS), Statline: Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2003-2005. As of January 1, 2005.

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