Bennebroek

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Bennebroek

Flag

Coat of arms

Coordinates: 52°19′N 4°36′E / 52.32, 4.6

Country

Netherlands

Province

North Holland

Government

- Mayor

J.F.C. van Leeuwen (VVD)

Area (2006)

- Total

1.79 km² (0.7 sq mi)

- Land

1.75 km² (0.7 sq mi)

- Water

0.04 km² (0 sq mi)

Population (1 January 2007)

- Total

5,162

- Density

2,950/km² (7,640.5/sq mi)

Source: CBS, Statline.

Time zone

CET (UTC+1)

- Summer (DST)

CEST (UTC+2)

Website: www.bennebroek.nl

Bennebroek (pronunciation (help·info)) is a municipality and a town in the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland. The municipality covers an area of only 1.75 km², making it the smallest municipality in the Netherlands.

On March 29, 2007, the municipal councils of Bennebroek and Bloemendaal agreed to merge into one municipality as of January 1, 2009. The provincial government of North Holland has given this merger its approval.

1 History
2 Local government
3 Attractions
4 References

[edit] History

Bennebroek was probably formed in the 13th century and its development was closely linked to the peat harvesting industry. ^[1]

On May 28, 1653, Bennebroek split off from the Heemstede fiefdom and Adriaan Pauw became its first feudal lord. ^[2] Its population was dependent on animal husbandry and transportation. Later on bulb flower cultivation became an important business here. Yet since the second half of the 20th century, Bennebroek functions primarily as a commuter community for the surrounding cities. ^[1]

[edit] Local government

The municipal council of Bennebroek consists of 11 seats, which are divided as follows:

VVD - 4 seats
CDA - 4 seats
PvdA - 3 seats

[edit] Attractions

Linnaeushof - a recreation park known as Europe's largest children's playground, formerly a botanical garden where Carl Linnaeus acted as hortulanus (lead gardener) in the 18th century.
Hartekamp - an estate (partially in Heemstede) with an extensive public park.
Former railway station Vogelenzang-Bennebroek - railway station from 1842.