Helmond

Helmond
Municipality

Helmond Castle

Flag
Coat of arms
Highlighted position of Helmond in a municipal map of North Brabant
Location in North Brabant
Coordinates: 51°29′N 5°39′E / 51.483°N 5.650°E / 51.483; 5.650Coordinates: 51°29′N 5°39′E / 51.483°N 5.650°E / 51.483; 5.650
Country Netherlands
Province North Brabant
Government[1]
 • Body Municipal council
 • Mayor Elly Blanksma-van den Heuvel (CDA)
Area[2]
 • Total 54.75 km2 (21.14 sq mi)
 • Land 53.23 km2 (20.55 sq mi)
 • Water 1.52 km2 (0.59 sq mi)
Elevation[3] 18 m (59 ft)
Population (February 2017)[4]
 • Total 89,472
 • Density 1,681/km2 (4,350/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Helmondenaar, Helmonder, Helmonter
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postcode 5700–5709
Area code 0492
Website www.helmond.nl
Dutch Topographic map of Helmond (city), March 2014
View to the canal through the town
The cube houses in Helmond

Helmond (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈɦɛlmɔnt]; called Héllemond in the local dialect) is a municipality and a city in the province of North Brabant in the southern Netherlands.

Helmond has many textile companies. The Vlisco factory is located next to the Zuid-Willemsvaart canal which runs through the city.[5]

The name 'Helmond' can be traced back to a combination of Hel, which means "low-lying" (from Proto-Germanic *haljæ / contemporary Hel), and Mond, which would refer to a higher ground, secure place. The name has nothing to do with the contemporary literal translation of Hell Mouth.[6] In 1241 a first coat of arms was created, containing a helmet as a reference to the word Helmond, since this early in history the historical meaning of the city name was already lost to its inhabitants. This helmet would symbolize the fortified medieval town. Originally a medieval pot helmet, this was later adapted to a new fashion style and is now a tournament helmet. The oak branches symbolizing freedom. The bird in the branches is a medieval decoration and has no meaning.

The spoken language is Helmonds (an East Brabantian dialect).[7]

Geography

Helmond is subdivided into quarters and neighbourhoods:[8]

History

First settlements in the area were around 1000, and Helmond was granted city rights in approximately 1232. The centre of Helmond has a castle which was built by Jan III van Berlaer around 1350.

Transport

Railway stations: Helmond, Helmond Brouwhuis, Helmond Brandevoort, Helmond 't Hout

Politics

Municipal council

The municipal council consists of 37 seats. Below the council since 1998:

Seats
Partij1998200220062010 2014
SDOH-D66-HB*---8 -
CDA8787 6
PvdA7596 3
VVD4545 5
Helder Helmond--23 1
SP3343 6
GroenLinks2112 2
Trots op Nederland---2 -
Helmond Aktief-111 2
Senioren231- 2
D66111-* 3
Helmondse Belangen252-* -
SDH-OH664-* -
Lokaal sterk - - - - 6
Plan! - - - - 1
Total35373737 37

Representatives of the blue colored parliamentary groups form the executive coalition.

Notable residents

Twin towns — sister cities

Helmond is twinned with:

References

  1. ↑ "Mw. Elly Blanksma- Van den Heuvel" (in Dutch). Gemeente Helmond. Retrieved 28 May 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 5707BX". Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (in Dutch). Het Waterschapshuis. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
  4. ↑ "Bevolkingsontwikkeling; regio per maand" [Population growth; regions per month]. CBS Statline (in Dutch). CBS. 7 April 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  5. ↑ Vlisco Véritable Hollandais
  6. ↑ Onder de Biesbosch, Historisch-geografische en naamkundige bouwstenen voor een reconstructie van het in 1421 verdronken middeleeuwse cultuurlandschap van de Groote Waard. Tijdschrift voor Waterstaatsgeschiedenis (2006); webversie 2007. (PDF) In Dutch. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  7. ↑ Jos & Cor Swanenberg: Taal in stad en land: Oost-Brabants, ISBN 9012090105
  8. ↑ "CBS StatLine - Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2004-2010". Statline.cbs.nl. Retrieved 2011-09-16.
  9. ↑ "Eurotowns".
  10. ↑ "Zielona Góra Miasta partnerskie". Urząd Miasta Zielona Góra. Retrieved 2013-06-24.
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