De Marne

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De Marne
Municipality
Verhildersum castle in Leens

Flag
Coat of arms
Highlighted position of De Marne in a municipal map of Groningen
Location in Groningen
Coordinates: 53°22′N 6°23′E / 53.367°N 6.383°E / 53.367; 6.383Coordinates: 53°22′N 6°23′E / 53.367°N 6.383°E / 53.367; 6.383
Country Netherlands
Province Groningen
Established 1 January 1990
Government[1]
 • Body Municipal council
 • Mayor Koos Wiersma (CDA)
Area[2]
 • Total 240.33 km2 (92.79 sq mi)
 • Land 168.21 km2 (64.95 sq mi)
 • Water 72.12 km2 (27.85 sq mi)
Elevation[3] 1 m (3 ft)
Population (November 2013)[4]
 • Total 10,227
 • Density 61/km2 (160/sq mi)
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postcode 9960–9978
Area code 0519, 0595
Website www.demarne.nl

De Marne ( pronunciation (help·info)) is a municipality in the northeast of the Netherlands.

Population centres

Broek, Eenrum, Hornhuizen, Houwerzijl, Kleine Huisjes, Kloosterburen, Kruisweg, Lauwersoog, Leens, Mensingeweer, Molenrij, Niekerk, Pieterburen, Schouwerzijl, Ulrum, Vierhuizen, Warfhuizen, Wehe-den Hoorn, Westernieland, Zoutkamp, Zuurdijk.

A brief description

The municipality of De Marne lies in the north-western part of the province of Groningen, adjoining the Wadden Sea. It has about 10,000 inhabitants, covers an area of 240 square kilometres and encompasses 21 villages.

De Marne is mainly an agricultural area, focussing on crop growing and cattle farming. The fishing industry also plays an important role. Bulb cultivation is also an up-and-coming commercial endeavour.

Maren

De Marne has a large network of footpaths, cyclepaths, and sailing/canoeing routes. Of particular interest are the so-called 'maren': narrow waterways twisting and turning their way throughout the countryside. They are particularly suitable for recreational sailing and canoeing. The many marked walks, cycle routes and sail and drive routes connect all of the various villages.

Special attractions

Besides the well-known attractions such as the seal crèche in Pieterburen, the centre for mud flat walking and the Lauwersmeer area, there are also some other attractions. For instance, there is the Borg Verhildersum in Leens, Abraham's Mustard Museum in Eenrum and many churches, towers, listed heritage farms, terps and protected village settings. There are also famous church organs built by Arp Schnitger, Lohman (family) and Hinsz.

Pilgrimage

Statue of Our Lady, the Garden Enclosed
The hermitage of Our Lady the Garden Enclosed in Warfhuizen is a popular Marian shrine. Processions go from Wehe-den Hoorn to Warfhuizen four or five times a year. A unique devotional practice is the 'swapping of the handkerchief'. According to Spanish tradition the statue of the crying Virgin usually holds a white handkerchief. The faithful bring a new white handkerchief and give it to the hermit to swap it with the one the Virgin has been holding which, in turn, is then given to someone sick or lonely. Students take it to their exams to calm their nerves.

The Lauwersmeer area

The Lauwersmeer area is a nature area suitable for fishing, bird watching, walking, and cycling. It features a few waters ports. The area covers about 90 square kilometres. The Lauwersmeer area came into existence when the Lauwerszee was closed off in 1969. Over the years the salt has slowly retreated from the water and new countryside has emerged.

Local products

There are a number of typical products of the area. An example of this is the 'Spelt Project'. This project ensures the production of pure local products. Farmers, millers, bakers, upholsterers and distillers work together to produce old-fashioned spelt grain, flour, bread, gin and cushions filled with spelt husks.

Municipal reorganisation

The municipality came into being in 1990 when the smaller municipalities of Eenrum, Kloosterburen, Leens and Ulrum were joined together. The local government employs about 115 people.

References

  1. ↑ "Koos Wiersma" (in Dutch). Gemeente De Marne. Retrieved 25 January 2014. 
  2. ↑ "Kerncijfers wijken en buurten" [Key figures for neighbourhoods]. CBS Statline (in Dutch). CBS. 2 July 2013. Retrieved 11 July 2013. 
  3. ↑ "Postcodetool for 9965TD". Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (in Dutch). Het Waterschapshuis. Retrieved 25 January 2014. 
  4. ↑ "Bevolkingsontwikkeling; regio per maand" [Population growth; regions per month]. CBS Statline (in Dutch). CBS. 23 December 2013. Retrieved 24 December 2013. 

External links

 North Sea
Schiermonnikoog
Wadden Sea		 North Sea
Borkum (DE-NI)
Wadden Sea
Dongeradeel (FR) / Lauwersmeer Eemsmond
   De Marne  
Lauwersmeer, Reitdiep
Kollumerland c.a. (FR)		 Reitdiep
Zuidhorn		 Winsum
   Municipalities of Groningen
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