Bussum

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Bussum


mapsize = 280px

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flag_size = 120x100px
image_shield = WapenBussum.gif
shield_size = 120x100px
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Netherlands
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_name1 = North Holland
leader_name = M. Schoenmaker
leader_party = VVD
area_footnotes = (2006)
area_total_km2 = 8.11
area_land_km2 = 8.06
area_water_km2 = 0.05
population_as_of = 1 January, 2007
population_note = Source: CBS, [http://statline.cbs.nl/ Statline] .
settlement_type = Municipality
population_total = 31335
population_density_km2 = 3888
timezone = CET
utc_offset = +1
timezone_DST = CEST
utc_offset_DST = +2
latd = 52.28
latNS = N
longd = 5.20
longEW = E
website = [http://www.bussum.nl www.bussum.nl]

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History

Bussum was first mentioned in 1306. In this time, Bussum was a large heathland with many small farms, sheep pens and forests as is shown on old maps. Since Bussum is situated near the fortified town Naarden, it was governed by Naarden from 1369 onward. In 1470, Bussum was inhabited by about 250 people, which made it the smallest village in het Gooi.

Bussum became independent from Naarden in 1817, yet it was not until the arrival of a railway line in 1874 that Bussum began to flourish. Two train stations were built in the town, that still exist today: Naarden-Bussum and Bussum Zuid (Dutch for Bussum South), both on the connection between Amsterdam and Hilversum. The stations and the road network fostered the town's status as suburb of Amsterdam, allowing for reverse commute also to Hilversum. From 1898 until 1907, Bussum housed the first Dutch socialist colony after the example of Thoreau's Walden, set up by the writer and psychiatrist Frederik van Eeden. In 1951, Bussum hosted the first Dutch national tv broadcast and the national tv-studio's were located there until 1964.

Local government

The municipal council of Bussum consists of 23 seats, which are divided as follows:
* VVD - 7 seats
* PvdA - 5 seats
* CDA - 4 seats
* GroenLinks - 4 seats
* D66 - 2 seats
* CU - 1 seat

Notable people born in Bussum

* Freddy Wittop (1911-2001) international costume designer
* Karel Thole (1914-2000), painter and illustrator
* Paul Biegel (1925-2006), author
* Thierry Veltman (1939), artist
* Tineke Lagerberg (1941), swimmer
* Ronnie Tober (1945), singer and entertainer
* Charles de Lint (1951), Canadian author and musician
* Huub Rothengatter (1954), racing driver
* Raoul Heertje (1963), comedian
* Anneloes Nieuwenhuizen (1963), field hockey defender
* Ruud Hesp (1965), football goalkeeper
* Ellen Elzerman (1971), swimmer
* Thekla Reuten (1975), actress
* EliZe (1982), singer

Transportation

The town of Bussum has two railway stations: Naarden-Bussum and Bussum Zuid.

References

* Statistics are taken from the [http://www.sdu.nl/staatscourant/gemeentes/gem90nh.htm SDU Staatscourant]
* [http://www.bussum.oudeansichten.nl History of Bussum in Old postcards]