| Buren | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| — Municipality — | |||
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| Coordinates: | |||
| Country | Netherlands | ||
| Province | Gelderland | ||
| Area(2006) | |||
| • Total | 142.93 km2 (55.2 sq mi) | ||
| • Land | 134.66 km2 (52 sq mi) | ||
| • Water | 8.27 km2 (3.2 sq mi) | ||
| Population (1 January 2007) | |||
| • Total | 25,644 | ||
| • Density | 190/km2 (492.1/sq mi) | ||
| Source: CBS, Statline. | |||
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | ||
Buren is a municipality and a city in the eastern Netherlands. It is also a (historical) county; with the Dutch Monarch still holding the title "Count of Buren".
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Population centers include Aalst, Asch, Beusichem, Buren, Eck en Wiel, Erichem, Ingen, Kerk-Avezaath, Lienden, Maurik, Ommeren, Ravenswaaij, Rijswijk, Zoelen and Zoelmond.
The earliest known reference to the settlement dates from 772.[1] The castle built by the Lords of Buren is first mentioned in 1298. The town was granted city rights in 1395 by Sir Alard IV of Buren, which led to the construction of a defensive wall and a moat. Significant parts of these still exist. In 1492 the region was promoted to a county (i.e. ruled by a count), but due to its isolated position it never became very important economically. By 1574 the previously Catholic parish church of Saint Lambert (Dutch: Sint Lambertus) had already become Calvinist Reformed Protestant.
The castle eventually came into the possession of the House of Orange dynasty, the later royal family of the Netherlands. In fact, Queen Beatrix is Countess of Buren. Also, the royals have been known to use the name Van Buren in situations requiring anonymity. The castle was gradually demolished between 1804 and 1883.
The river Korne flows through Buren.
Buren has two museums.