Noordwijkerhout

History

The coastal dunes where Noordwijkerhout is located have been inhabited since prehistoric times. Archaeological digs in the area just north outside of town have found items and implements from before Christ. During the Roman era, this region was inhabited by a Germanic tribe, called Cananefates by the Roman writer Tacitus.

Recreation and tourism

Noordwijkerhout is about 5 kilometers from the North Sea and provides access to the beach and nearby hiking opportunities through the dunes. Just north of town is the Oosterduinse meer (Eastern Dune's Lake) which is used for swimming and windsurfing. The center is also historical and have a church Witte kerkje.

Noordwijkerhout is located in an area called the "Dune and Bulb Region" (Duin- en Bollenstreek). In the spring when the bulb flower fields are in bloom, many tourist come to the region to admire them. The town's fair is held during the first week of September.

Dutch topographic map of the municipality of Noordwijkerhout, June 2015

Notable residents

• Bill Vander Zalm, 28th Premier of British Columbia, Canada

International relations

Twin towns – Sister cities

Noordwijkerhout has one sister city in Japan

• JPN Hirado, Nagasaki, Japan (Sister city)

References

References

1. {{Dutch municipality total area. dataref
2. {{Dutch municipality population. dataref
3. "Gemeentelijke indeling op 1 januari 2019". [[Statistics Netherlands.
4. "The Canadian Encyclopedia".
5. "Exchange programmes between Hirado and China, Hirado and Holland and other exchange programmes in Hirado City, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan". City of Hirado, Nagasaki Official Website.