Zeewolde

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Zeewolde

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mapsize = 280px
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Netherlands
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_name1 = Flevoland
area_footnotes = (2006)
area_total_km2 = 268.97
area_land_km2 = 248.76
area_water_km2 = 20.20
population_as_of = 1 January, 2007
population_note = Source: CBS, [http://statline.cbs.nl/ Statline] .
settlement_type = Municipality
population_total = 19716
population_density_km2 = 79
timezone = CET
utc_offset = +1
timezone_DST = CEST
utc_offset_DST = +2
latd = 52
latm = 22
latNS = N
longd = 5
longm = 33
longEW = E

Zeewolde (Pronunciation|259 Zeewolde.ogg) is a municipality and a town in the Flevoland province in the central Netherlands. It has a population of approximately 20,000. It is situated in the polder of Flevoland with the small lake called the Wolderwijd to the east. To the south is a large deciduous forest called the Horsterwold. The area to the west is principally agricultural.

Zeewolde is known for its landscape and nature art; the most well-known art work is "Sea Level" by Richard Serra, located in the Landschapspark De Wetering. Newcastle Falcons player Tim Visser comes from Zeewolde.

In the wood Hulkesteinse Bos there is the nudist resort Flevo-Natuur, with recreation bungalows, a camp site, and the possibility of day recreation. [ [http://www.flevonatuur.nl/en/index.lp Flevo-Natuur] ]

History

The municipality of Zeewolde was founded in 1984 and is therefore one of the youngest in the Netherlands. Before 1984, the area was administrated by the "Openbaar Lichaam Zuidelijke IJsselmeerpolders" (OLZIJ) (English: Public Body of Southern IJsselmeer Polders), founded by the Dutch national government after the province of Flevoland was created. The name 'Zeewolde' was always meant to be used during the planning stages, but on various locations.

Zeewolde's first inhabitants were the so-called 'pioneers', moving in from the 'old land' to the newly created polder in 1979. They were mostly farmers and in the beginning stages deprived of amenities such as electricity or tap water. The planned village was then mostly meant to provide services to the neighbouring farmers. Alongside the farmers, two holiday resorts were founded in the area.

In August 1980, the Zeewolde advisory board, headed by Han Lammers who was at the time the head of the OLZIJ, met for the first time. In February 1982, municipal elections were held and the first "structuurplan" (Structural plan) was drawn, envisaging the village to grow to 15.000 inhabitants. The actual village itself was started in 1983, after which in 1984 Zeewolde became a municipality in its own right. On February 23, 1984, the official first inhabitant of the village of Zeewolde was handed the keys of his house.

References

External links

* [http://www.zeewolde.nl Official website]