Best, Netherlands

Best
Municipality

Chapel in Best

Flag
Coat of arms
Highlighted position of Best in a municipal map of North Brabant
Location in North Brabant
Coordinates: 51°31′N 5°24′E / 51.517°N 5.400°ECoordinates: 51°31′N 5°24′E / 51.517°N 5.400°E
Country Netherlands
Province North Brabant
Government[1]
 • Body Municipal council
 • Mayor Anton van Aert (PvdA)
Area[2]
 • Total 35.10 km2 (13.55 sq mi)
 • Land 34.31 km2 (13.25 sq mi)
 • Water 0.79 km2 (0.31 sq mi)
Elevation[3] 16 m (52 ft)
Population (May 2014)[4]
 • Total 28,655
 • Density 835/km2 (2,160/sq mi)
Demonym Bestenaar
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postcode 5680–5685
Area code 0499
Website www.gemeentebest.nl
Dutch Topographic map of the municipality of Best, March 2014

Best ( Listen ) is a municipality and a village in the southern Netherlands. It is situated northwest of the city Eindhoven, and is also part of the agglomeration of this city.

The headquarters of Europe's largest meat processor Vion NV are located in Best, as are Philips Healthcare and the Bata Shoe Organization's "Bata Protective" operations (B2B).

History

The village used to be a part of Oirschot, a nearby town. But as Best was situated on the state road from Amsterdam to Maastricht, this often created difficulties. Each time the military wanted to quarter troops in Best, they had to request to be stationed in Oirschot, 10 km away, for this to be allowed. Because of this difficulty, the government decided to separate Best from Oirschot in 1819.

Archaeological excavations around the village suggest settlement in the area dating back to the Roman era. The Armenhoef is a monumental farm on the Oirschotseweg 117 in Best. This stable is the oldest still in use within Western Europe. Historical building research in 2009 showed that the wooden frame of the stable dates from 1263. The living part of the farm itself is built in recent times, in 1640 at the earliest, but probably around 1680. The farm is an official monument.[5] The first written text about Best dates back to 1421.[6]

The village itself, however, did not exist until the 19th century. There were three small villages: Naastenbest in the west, Wilhelminadorp in the south and Verrenbest where Oranjestraat is located. They grew together, and formed the village with the name Best.

Best received a train station on the line Rotterdam - Breda - Boxtel - Helmond - Venlo - Maastricht. The line had only one track, but traffic congestion necessitated another track, so it was made double-tracked. In the 1980s, congestion once again became a problem so two more tracks were added in 2002. It is now possible to travel to Best from Utrecht or Eindhoven by train.

The spoken language is North Meierijs (an East Brabantian dialect, which is very similar to colloquial Dutch).[7]

Population centres

Events

Politics

As of March 3 2010:

Transport

For train transport see Best railway station.

One can take a bus (line numbers 144/145) from the Eindhoven central station to Best. Or one can also take a bus (line numbers 141/142) from the Tilburg central station to Best.

Notable residents

References

  1. ↑ "Anton van Aert" (in Dutch). Gemeente Best. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
  2. ↑ "Kerncijfers wijken en buurten" [Key figures for neighbourhoods]. CBS Statline (in Dutch). CBS. 2 July 2013. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
  3. ↑ "Postcodetool for 5683EA". Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (in Dutch). Het Waterschapshuis. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
  4. ↑ "Bevolkingsontwikkeling; regio per maand" [Population growth; regions per month]. CBS Statline (in Dutch). CBS. 26 June 2014. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  5. ↑ http://www.gemeentebest.nl/sport-cultuur-en-recreatie/monumenten/68/de-armenhoef-oirschotseweg-117.html
  6. ↑ "Databank bedevaart en bedevaartplaatsen in Nederland". Meertens.knaw.nl. Retrieved 2010-05-13.
  7. ↑ Jos & Cor Swanenberg: Taal in stad en land: Oost-Brabants, ISBN 9012090105

External links

Boxtel Sint-Oedenrode
Oirschot Son en Breugel
   Best  
Eindhoven