Bennebroek

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Bennebroek


imagesize = 230px
image_caption =

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flag_size = 120x100px
image_shield = Wapen bennebroek.jpg
shield_size = 120x100px


mapsize = 280px
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Netherlands
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_name1 = North Holland
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = J.F.C. van Leeuwen
leader_party = VVD
area_footnotes = (2006)
area_total_km2 = 1.79
area_land_km2 = 1.75
area_water_km2 = 0.04
population_as_of = 1 January, 2007
population_note = Source: CBS, [http://statline.cbs.nl/ Statline] .
settlement_type = Municipality
population_total = 5162
population_density_km2 = 2950
timezone = CET
utc_offset = +1
timezone_DST = CEST
utc_offset_DST = +2
latd = 52.32
latNS = N
longd = 4.60
longEW = E
website = [http://www.bennebroek.nl www.bennebroek.nl]

Bennebroek (pronunciation|Nl-Bennebroek.ogg) is a municipality and a town in the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland. The municipality covers an area of only 1.75 km², making it the smallest municipality in the Netherlands.

On March 29, 2007, the municipal councils of Bennebroek and Bloemendaal agreed to merge into one municipality as of January 1, 2009. The provincial government of North Holland has given this merger its approval.

History

Bennebroek was probably formed in the 13th century and its development was closely linked to the peat harvesting industry. cite web |title=Gemeente Bennebroek History |url=http://www.bennebroek.nl/smartsite.dws?id=1804&ct=1 |accessdate=2007-12-11 |language=Dutch]

On May 28, 1653, Bennebroek split off from the Heemstede fiefdom and Adriaan Pauw became its first feudal lord. [cite web |title=Gemeente Bennebroek Coat of Arms |url=http://www.bennebroek.nl/smartsite.dws?id=1805&ct=1 |accessdate=2007-12-11 |language=Dutch] Its population was dependent on animal husbandry and transportation. Later on bulb flower cultivation became an important business here. Yet since the second half of the 20th century, Bennebroek functions primarily as a commuter community for the surrounding cities.

Local government

The municipal council of Bennebroek consists of 11 seats, which are divided as follows:

* VVD - 4 seats
* CDA - 4 seats
* PvdA - 3 seats

Attractions

* acted as "hortulanus" (lead gardener) in the 18th century.
*Hartekamp - an estate (partially in Heemstede) with an extensive public park.
*Former railway station Vogelenzang-Bennebroek - railway station from 1842.

References

* Statistics are taken from the [http://www.sdu.nl/staatscourant/gemeentes/gem48nh.htm SDU Staatscourant]