Drachten

Drachten is a village in the municipality of Smallingerland in the Netherlands ( province of Friesland ). On 1 January 2006 Drachten had 44 264 inhabitants.

Location and economic

Drachten is located in the east of the province, at the Amsterdam - Groningen highway. Railroads do not exist in this region. Drachten has as the economic center of the region's many small and medium-sized industrial and commercial enterprises of all kinds in Drachten is a cultural center with a concert hall and theater, as well as a hospital and many schools.

Drachten participates in the EU project Shared Space. As a result, all traffic lights and traffic signs have been removed in the downtown area. The only traffic rules are " right before left " and a general speed limit of 30 km / h Since the beginning of the project the number of accidents has fallen so drastically that there are hardly any accidents today. Under the slogan " signs free city " take on other European cities participating in the project. These are Ejby in Denmark, the English Ipswich, the Belgian city of Oostende and Bohmte in Lower Saxony.

History

The village was established, as from 1641 for the peat canals were dug, and along these waterways some business appeared. Drachten had a heyday until the mid- 19th century. It also became the economic and administrative center of the surrounding villages. Still is the town hall of Smallingerland in Drachten.

Sons and daughters of the town

  • Arjan hat (born 1976 ), poet and author
  • Wim Stroetinga ( born 1985 ), cyclist
  • Anne Woudwijk ( born 1952 ), sculptor
  • Ferry Doedens (* 1990), actor and singer

Partnerships

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