Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht

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flag_size = 120x100px
image_shield = HendrikIdoAmbacht wapen2.pngshield_size = 120x100px


mapsize = 280px
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Netherlands
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_name1 = South Holland
area_footnotes = (2006)
area_total_km2 = 11.99
area_land_km2 = 10.73
area_water_km2 = 1.26
population_as_of = 1 January, 2007
population_note = Source: CBS, [http://statline.cbs.nl/ Statline] .
settlement_type = Municipality
population_total = 24821
population_density_km2 = 2313
timezone = CET
utc_offset = +1
timezone_DST = CEST
utc_offset_DST = +2
latd = 51.85
latNS = N
longd = 4.63
longEW = E
website = [http://www.h-i-ambacht.nl www.h-i-ambacht.nl]

. The jurisdiction of the municipality covers an area of 11.99 km² (4.63 mile²) of which 1.26 km² (0.49 mile²) is water. It comprises no other population centres.

Until 1855, the town was known as "Hendrik-Ido-Schildmanskinderen-Ambacht en de Oostendam". Then it merged with Sandelingen-Ambacht and its full name for a period of time was "Hendrik-Ido-Oostendam-Schildmanskinderen-Groot-en-Klein-Sandelingen-Ambacht".

History

The area has been populated from circa the year 1000 CE. Agriculture and animal husbandry were the only means of existence for many centuries. All lands were owned by or in control of the nobility of Dordrecht. Not until the Eighty Years' War some industrial activities began to appear along the river dike. Furthermore, horticulture and flax growing also developed.

Because of the rapid industrial growth in Germany and the daily tides, 2 citizens of Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht started a ship breaking yard which grew into an industry resulting in the town becoming worldwide known as the "ship breaking village".

The establishment of industries in the region changed the centuries-old seasonal labour to permanent work opportunities with higher wages. Only a few monumental farms and buildings, including the 14th century Reformed Church, remain as a reminder of its historic past. (Source: [http://www.hendrik-ido-ambacht.nl/gemeente/hia/Navigatie.nsf/home!readform&fl=(SubNavigatie)/002004010.htm&fr=Web/3D7F93B1EE2685F1C1256E0D003BEF26 Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht Official Website] )

External links

* [http://www.h-i-ambacht.nl Official website]
* [http://www.plattegronden.nl/hendrik-ido-ambacht Map of the Village]
*Sophia Rail Tunnel in the Betuwe Route: [http://www.betuweroute.nl/pagina.html?paginaid=55&tid=1] , [http://www.tubecon.nl/]