Huizen

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Huizen


mapsize = 280px


flag_size = 150x75px
image_shield = Gemeentewapenhuizen.gif
shield_size = 150x75px
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Netherlands
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_name1 = North Holland
leader_name = F.W. van Gils
leader_party = VVD
area_footnotes = (2006)
area_total_km2 = 23.28
area_land_km2 = 15.77
area_water_km2 = 7.51
population_as_of = 1 January, 2007
population_note = Source: CBS, [http://statline.cbs.nl/ Statline] .
settlement_type = Municipality
population_total = 41888
population_density_km2 = 2656
timezone = CET
utc_offset = +1
timezone_DST = CEST
utc_offset_DST = +2
latd = 52.30
latNS = N
longd = 5.23
longEW = E
website = [http://www.huizen.nl www.huizen.nl]

.

The name "Huizen" is Dutch for "houses" and this usage has been linked to the belief that the first stone houses in the region appeared here.

Huizen originally was a coastal village, with a thriving fishing industry. After the damming of the Zuider Zee by the Afsluitdijk in 1932, the old sea was degraded to a mere freshwater lake, and economical activities shifted towards industry and commerce.

In the 1960s the town was designated to build substantially large residential areas, to overcome the housing shortage in the region. From that moment on, the town took on an influx of people and grew rapidly.

Local government

The municipal council of Huizen consists of 27 seats, which are divided as follows:

* VVD - 6 seats
* CDA - 5 seats
* PvdA - 5 seats
* GroenLinks - 3 seats
* ChristenUnie - 2 seats
* Dorpsbelangen - 2 seat
* Leefbaar Huizen - 2 seats
* D66 - 1 seats
* SGP - 1 seat

Transport

With its population of 42,000, Huizen is one of the larger towns without railway connection. On a national level, it's preceded by Drachten and Oosterhout only.

References

* Statistics are taken from the [http://www.sdu.nl/staatscourant/gemeentes/gem245nh.htm SDU Staatscourant]

External links

* [http://www.plattegronden.nl/huizen/index.html A map of Huizen]