| Oss | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| — Municipality — | |||
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| Coordinates: | |||
| Country | Netherlands | ||
| Province | Noord Brabant | ||
| Area(2006) | |||
| • Total | 104.42 km2 (40.3 sq mi) | ||
| • Land | 101.98 km2 (39.4 sq mi) | ||
| • Water | 2.44 km2 (0.9 sq mi) | ||
| Population (1 January, 2007) | |||
| • Total | 76,626 | ||
| • Density | 751/km2 (1,945.1/sq mi) | ||
| Source: CBS, Statline. | |||
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | ||
Oss () is a municipality and a city in the southern Netherlands, in the province of Noord Brabant.
Contents |
| Name | Population |
|---|---|
| Berghem | 6900 |
| Haren | 785 |
| Macharen | 722 |
| Megen | 1686 |
| Oss | 57 980 |
| Ravenstein | 3724 |
| Lith | 6724 |
There is archaeological evidence that humans have lived in and around Oss for 4,000 years. Major archaeological finds were the Vorstengraf burial sites and the indigenous-Roman burial fields of Oss-Ussen.
Oss was first mentioned in a letter by Pope Alexander II on 6 May 1069. Oss was granted city rights in 1399 by Hertogin (Duchess) Johanna van Brabant. Present-day Oss has several chemical and pharmaceutical industries like Merck & Co. (previously Schering-Plough, Organon and Diosynth). Oss is also host to the professional football team FC Oss, and is the birthplace of former Manchester United and Real Madrid star Ruud van Nistelrooy, although he did not play for the local side, but for rivals FC Den Bosch.
The gothic metal/alternative rock band The Gathering, formed in 1989, originally hails from Oss.
Today there is only one coffeeshop left, called "The Jungle".
Berghem is a small town east of Oss (population: 6,900). Berghem is currently being expanded with many new houses in the Piekenhoef.
Megen is a small city (population: 1,686) close to the river Maas.
Megen used to be the 'capital' of the county Megen (including Haren, Macharen and Teeffelen) that was founded around 1145. City rights were obtained in 1357. In 1810, the County Megen became a municipality to which Haren and Macharen also belonged. It became part of the municipality of Oss in 1994.
Currently, there are two monasteries in Megen. One is inhabited by the Clarissas (also called the Poor Clares), followers of St. Clare of Assisi. The other is occupied by the Franciscans, followers of St. Francis of Assisi. Of the two castles Megen used to have, only one tower remains.
Ravenstein (population: 3,728) is a city and was a municipality until 2003, when it was added to the Oss municipality. The municipality covered an area of 42.68 km² and also included villages: Demen, Dennenburg, Deursen, Dieden, Herpen, Huisseling, Keent, Koolwijk, Neerlangel, Neerloon, Overlangel.
Ravenstein received city rights in 1380.