Onderbanken

( Listen? / I ) Onderbanken is a municipality in the Dutch province of Limburg. Their total area is 21.21 km ², on 1 January 2013 it had 7908 inhabitants.

Villages

• Bingelrade
• Jabeek
• Merkelbeek
• Schinveld (about 5,600 inhabitants, the municipal offices )

Location and economic

The municipality is located in South Limburg, between Sittard -Geleen and Brunssum, north of Heerlen, near the border with Germany. Directly north there is the place Gangelt, further east the town of Geilenkirchen. The villages have preserved well its rural character, direct connection to highways or railroad does not exist. Due to its peaceful location, it has attracted sculptors, painters and other artists.

The inhabitants of Onderbanken are partly commuters who work in the surrounding towns. Agriculture, too, is important. By the community together with Gangelt a German-Dutch nature reserve ( Rode Beek / Rodebach: wetland, forest, bird sanctuary ) developed, they tried to promote the gentle tourism.

Origin of the name

In the late Middle Ages, a so-called " Onderbanken " (lower court positions) to the " right bank", court, under stood in Heerlen, in Schinveld their headquarters as of 1981, the four villages were merged into one municipality, headed one from the place name of this old court system.

Schinveldse Bos

The municipality also includes the forest " Schinveldse Bos ", which is also in the approach route stationed near AWACS aircraft. For security reasons, a trail was beaten in the woods in January 2006 for the landing aircraft, while the inhabitants of Onderbanken and the adjacent Brunssum fought unsuccessfully.

Attractions

• The remaining part of Schinveldse Bos and half-timbered farmhouse " Nonke Buusjke " with a small museum and restaurant
• The area is full of old farms, small streams and woodland.

Pictures

Merkelbeek, church: Sint Clemenskerk