Heemskerk
( Listen? / I ) Heemskerk is a municipality and town in the Dutch province of North Holland about 22 km northwest of Amsterdam.
Geography
The village is located about six miles east of the North Sea coast eleven kilometers west of Zaanstad, three kilometers north of Beverwijk and 14 kilometers south of Alkmaar. The municipality comprises the city of the same name Heemskerk and of the districts Heemskerkerduin, Waterakkers, Noorddorp, Assumburg, De Maer and Zuidbroek.
On January 1, 2013, it had 39 121 inhabitants and an area of 27.43 km ² of which 1.11 km ² water faces.
The highest elevation is a 25 meter high dune in a good five -mile-wide and partly wooded dune belt between the North Sea beach and the village center.
Infrastructure
Heemskerk has its own railway station on the line Haarlem - Alkmaar; another is located in the neighboring Uitgeest between Alkmaar and Amsterdam. At the community over the A9 runs with connection points in Heemskerk, Beverwijk and Castricum. Schiphol International Airport is only 23 km south.
Economy
In the community, in the past quite a few strawberries were grown, agriculture plays virtually no role, most residents commute to the big cities, in particular to the blast furnaces at Corus in IJmuiden and Amsterdam; other work in the service or work in rather smaller industrial plants. There are also, because of its proximity to the North Sea, some medical institutions.
Since the municipality itself has virtually no undeveloped stretch of beach, tourism is - in contrast to neighboring communities such as Castricum - not a significant economic factor.
History
The first documentary mention of the city took place in 1063. In the 12th and 13th centuries Heemskerk was the scene of many disputes between Frisians and the Count of Holland. It also emerged some castles as a border fortress. The Heemskerk castle still exists as a house Marquette. Also the Assumburg has been preserved. When the IJmuidener blast took up the operation and the farming village began his development to satellite town.
Attractions
- Built in 1546 Assumburg Castle, which is a youth hostel since 1933.
- Another castle, Château Marquette, was built in 1271. It was from 1610 to 1971 in possession of a noble family from Wallonia. Marquette can be visited. A part of the castle is a hotel and restaurant in use.
- The Reformed Church, built in the 16th century with a monument that coming from Heemskerk painter Martin van Heemskerck.
Sons and daughters of the town
- Rolf de Heer, an Australian film director, screenwriter and film producer
- Nicolaas Henneman, (1813 - 1898), Photographer
- Rafael van der Vaart, football player
- Martin van Heemskerck, (1498 - 1574), painter and engraver