Bolsward

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Bolsward

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mapsize = 280px
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Netherlands
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_name1 = Friesland
area_footnotes = (2006)
area_total_km2 = 9.42
area_land_km2 = 9.11
area_water_km2 = 0.31
population_as_of = 1 January, 2007
population_note = Source: CBS, [http://statline.cbs.nl/ Statline] .
settlement_type = Municipality
population_total = 9607
population_density_km2 = 1055
timezone = CET
utc_offset = +1
timezone_DST = CEST
utc_offset_DST = +2

Bolsward (Pronunciation|443 Bolsward.ogg, West Frisian: "Boalsert") is a municipality and a city in the province of Friesland in the Netherlands. Bolsward is just short of a population of 10.000. The town is the only official settlement within the borders of the municipality

History

The town is founded on three artificial dwelling hills, of which the first was built some time before Christ.Bolsward was a trading city with a port in the Middle Ages. The middlesea connected the port to the north sea, but this connection was lost when the middlesea was reclaimed from the sea.As a trading city, Bolsward received city rights in 1455. Bolsward was also a member of the Hanseatic league.

Events

Bolsward is part of the eleven frisian cities where the Elfstedentocht, an ice skating marathon, is held. This is a rare event which depends on the thickness of the ice.

Bolsward is also the host city for the yearly road bicycle racing tour, which is also called the 11-stedentocht.

External links

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

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