Velsen
( Listen? / I ) Velsen is a municipality in the Dutch province of North Holland with 67 145 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2013).
Geography
The municipality is situated on the North Sea, at the mouth of the North Sea Canal. In the IJmuiden locks, the North Sea Canal complete with four lock chambers from the North Sea and in IJmuiden is also a lighthouse are.
The municipality of Velsen consists of the districts Driehuis, Santpoort- Noord, Santpoort -Zuid Velsen -Noord Velsen- Zuid, Spaarndammerpolder, Velserbroek and IJmuiden.
History
In the field of Velsen was in Roman times a fortified port facility called Flevum ( Felisan ).
Until the 19th century Velsen and IJmuiden were quite insignificant.
The economic boom of the community began in 1871 after the opening of the North Sea Canal was as IJmuiden to the seaport of Amsterdam and settled for this reason many industrial companies. At the time of the German occupation of 1940-1945 IJmuiden IJmuiden to the fortress was expanded.
Economy
IJmuiden has a large fishing fleet and is the main port of entry for sea fish of the Netherlands. Therefore, the fish processing industry in this region is very important. Significantly, the port of IJmuiden is also the basis for utilities that supply from here the oil rigs in the North Sea with material. There is also from here daily boat connection with the ferry "Princess Seaways " and " King Seaways " the Danish shipping company DFDS Seaways into English - Newcastle.
In Velsen is the large industrial area of the blast furnace operation of " Hoogovens ". This aluminum and steel plant belongs to the Anglo- Dutch group Corus.
The port facilities in the municipality of Amsterdam serve as a seaport. In the Amsterdam IJmuiden level is measured, which is the reference point for all heights in Germany.
Twinning
- Bergisch Gladbach in Germany, since 1956
Attractions
- Old village church of Velsen:
- National Park Kennemerduinen: Velsen borders the National Park
Pictures
Velsen- Noord, electricity power plant
Driehuis, Church: en Sint Engelmundskerk
Santpoort- Zuid, the station
Recreation and Sports
- Marina: Velsen offers in IJmuiden aan Zee a marina.
- Sand beach: At IJmuiden aan Zee and IJmuiderslag there is a wide sandy beach, the beach is often used by sailors.
- Wijk aan Zee Zandvoort beach resorts and: The seaside resorts are near Velsen.
Regular events
- Chess: Each year, the Corus Group organized a big chess tournament in which to participate some of the strongest grandmasters in the world again and again.
Personalities
Sons and daughters of the city
- Pim Fortuyn (1948-2002), Dutch politician, journalist and sociologist
- Ingrid Haringa (born 1964 ), Dutch cyclist and speed skater train
- Peter Klashorst ( b. 1957 ), Dutch photographer, painter and sculptor
- Loona ( born 1974 ) (actually Marie -José van der Kolk ), Dutch singer
- Joël Veltman (* 1992), Dutch footballer
- Gerrit Voor Ting ( b. 1923 ), Dutch cyclist