Alphen aan den Rijn

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Alphen aan den Rijn

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flag_size = 120x100px
image_shield = Coat of arms of Alphen aan den Rijn.jpg
shield_size = 120x100px




mapsize = 280px
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Netherlands
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_name1 = South Holland
area_footnotes = (2006)
area_total_km2 = 57.68
area_land_km2 = 55.06
area_water_km2 = 2.61
population_as_of = 1 January 2007
population_note = Source: CBS, [http://statline.cbs.nl/ Statline] .
settlement_type = Municipality
population_total = 71004
population_density_km2 = 1290
timezone = CET
utc_offset = +1
timezone_DST = CEST
utc_offset_DST = +2
latd = 52.13
latNS = N
longd = 4.65
longEW = E

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The municipality of Alphen aan den Rijn also includes the communities of Aarlanderveen and Zwammerdam. The town is located in what is called the 'Green Heart' of the Netherlands, which is a somewhat less densely populated center area of the Randstad.

The name "Alphen" is probably derived from the name of the Roman castellum "Albanianae", meaning "settlement at the white water".

History

The area around Alphen aan den Rijn has been inhabited for 2000 years. In the Roman era, the Oude Rijn was the main branch of the Rhine River and formed the north border of the Roman Empire. Since the rule of Emperor Claudius (41-54 CE), divisions of the Roman army were stationed here. Consequently, several Roman fortifications were located along the Oude Rijn, including castellum "Albanianae" in the centre of Alphen. The Romans had also built the first bridge over the Oude Rijn. Alphen was therefore an important commercial site in the area until Germanic raids ended that in 240 CE.

After recurring problems with flooding, especially in Utrecht and Leiden, the Oude Rijn was dammed at Wijk bij Duurstede in 1122, thereby making the Lek River the main branch of the Rhine. The Oude Rijn has not flooded since. During the Middle Ages, Alphen was a fiefdom called Alphen en Rietveld.

In the 17th century, Alphen became prominent again as a hub for commerce. The Oude Rijn was used for boat traffic; there are still portions along the river where the towpath is present.

The current municipality was formed in 1918 through the amalgamation of the smaller municipalities of Alphen, Aarlanderveen, and Oudshoorn. In 1964, the municipality of Zwammerdam was added as well.

During the Second World War, the majority of Jews from Alphen were deported and subsequently murdered, only a few survived. After the war, the Jewish congregation was disbanded and merged with the one in Leiden.

Since 1950, the city began to grow rapidly. A large new neighbourhood was built on the north side. And since the 1990s, a similar new development was built at the city's south side. Now Alphen aan den Rijn is mostly a commuter city.

During the past five years, a large part of the town centre has undergone a full urban renewal. Many older buildings built in the 1950s and earlier have been demolished to make place for modern architecture. This "masterplan" includes the addition of a new public square next to the riverbank, the construction of a performing arts theatre/cinema, an upgrade of local shops and the creation of pedestrian streets. As of 2006, all of these projects have been finished.

Tourism

Alphen aan den Rijn has the following attractions:
*Avifauna Bird Park - the world's first bird park, opened in 1950.
*Archeon - a theme park about Dutch History, with 43 replica buildings from prehistoric, Roman, and Medieval eras. It opened in 1994.
*Zegersloot Recreation Park - park with an artificial lake, popular for hiking, cycling, windsurfing, and water skiing.

Events

* 20 van Alphen, International 20 kilometers run. Held every year (since 1952) on the 2^nd Sunday of March. The 2006 event was marked by a world record when Haile Gebrselassie posted a time of 1 hour 11 minutes 37 seconds for 25k. This was his 22^nd world record breaking performance.
* Year market, 3^th Wednesday in September. Regional products.
* Old timer day, 2^nd Saturday of September. Old cars, tractors, steam engines.
* LAURA, Four days bicycle event Leiden, Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam and Alphen aan den Rijn which is the start and finish place, is held the first week of July.
* Tean International, Challenger level ATP Tour tennis tournament, played at the Alphense Tennis Club, from August 30 to September 8, 2008.

Public transportation

Notable natives

*J.C. Bloem (1887-1966), poet
*Petrus Wernink (1895-1971), sailor
*Matthijs van Heijningen (born 1944), film producer
*Wouter van Pelt (born 1968), hockey player
*Arjan van Heusden (born 1972), footballer
*Evert-Jan 't Hoen (born 1975), baseball player
*Wilbert Pennings (born 1975), high jumper
*Jeannette Pennings (born 1977), athlete
*Martin Verkerk (born 1978), tennis player
*Salah Edin (born 1981), rapper
*John Heitinga (born 1983), footballer

External links

* [http://www.alphenaandenrijn.nl Official website]
* [http://www.sdu.nl/staatscourant/gem/gem13zh.htm Basic data]
* [http://www.plattegronden.nl/gemeentealphenadrijn/ Map]
* [http://teaninternational.nl/ Tean International Tennis Tournament]