- Alblasserdam
Infobox Settlement
official_name = Alblasserdam
flag_size = 120x100px
image_shield = Coat of arms of Alblasserdam.gif
shield_size = 120x100px
mapsize = 280px
mapsize1 = 280px
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name =Netherlands
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_name1 =South Holland
area_footnotes = (2006)
area_total_km2 = 9.96
area_land_km2 = 8.78
area_water_km2 = 1.18
population_as_of = 1 January 2007
population_note = Source: CBS, [http://statline.cbs.nl/ Statline] .
settlement_type = Municipality
population_total = 18676
population_density_km2 = 2127
timezone = CET
utc_offset = +1
timezone_DST = CEST
utc_offset_DST = +2
latd = 52.87
latNS = N
longd = 4.67
longEW = E
website = [http://www.alblasserdam.nl www.alblasserdam.nl]. The municipality covers an area of 9.96 km² (3.85 mile²) of which 1.18 km² (0.46 mile²) is water.
The name is derived from its location near the creek
Alblas where a dam was built.History
The history of Alblasserdam goes back some 700 years. The name is first mentioned in the chronicles of Melis Stoke in 1299, but the municipality was formed in 1447. Before that time it was part of
Oud-Alblas .Because of its location on the
Noord River , one of the busiest waterways in Western Europe, water has played a major role in Alblasserdam's history. The river was important for its development and makes it an advantageous location for industry. This strategic location also brought negative consequences: between 1350 and 1821 theAlblasserwaard polder has been flooded 32 times. It also suffered during the German raid on Rotterdam on May 11, 1940, when its town center was seriously hit. However, the historic Kerkstraat (Church Street) and the characteristic dike construction along the river were spared. And also theNorth Sea flood of 1953 affected a portion of Alblasserdam.Today, because of reinforcements to the dikes and improvements to the locks, water does not pose a direct danger any more. In 2004 its population was 18,386.
Public transportation
*Fast
Ferry :
**Rotterdam Willemskade -Krimpen aan den IJssel Stormpolder -Ridderkerk De Schans - Alblasserdam Kade -Dordrecht Merwekade.External links
* [http://www.alblasserdam.nl Official website]
* [http://www.alblasserdam.net Alblasserdam News in Dutch]
* http://www.plattegronden.nl/alblasserdam
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