Midden-Drenthe

Midden-Drenthe (Dutch pronunciation: [ˌmɪdə(n) ˈdrɛntə] ) is a municipality in the northeastern Netherlands. The municipality was created in 1998, in a merger of the former municipalities of Beilen, Smilde, and Westerbork. Between 1998 and 2000, the name of the municipality was Middenveld.

Midden-Drenthe
Canal through Midden-Drenthe
Canal through Midden-Drenthe
Flag of Midden-Drenthe
Coat of arms of Midden-Drenthe
Highlighted position of Midden-Drenthe in a municipal map of Drenthe
Location in Drenthe
Coordinates: 52°52′N 6°31′E / 52.867°N 6.517°E / 52.867; 6.517
CountryNetherlands
ProvinceDrenthe
Established1 January 1998[1]
Renamed1 January 2000[2]
Government
 • BodyMunicipal council
 • MayorMieke Damsma (D66)
Area
 • Total345.87 km2 (133.54 sq mi)
 • Land340.51 km2 (131.47 sq mi)
 • Water5.36 km2 (2.07 sq mi)
Elevation14 m (46 ft)
Population
 (January 2021)[6]
 • Total33,381
 • Density98/km2 (250/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postcode
7938, 9410–9442
Area code0528, 0592, 0593
Websitewww.middendrenthe.nl
Dutch Topographic map of the municipality of Midden-Drenthe, June 2015

Population centres

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Westerbork Synthese Radio Telescoop

The village of Westerbork gives its name to the Westerbork deportation and (later) concentration camp, located about 7 km north of the village, in the forests of Hooghalen.

The Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope (WSRT) array was installed near the site of the camp in 1969.

Education

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There are 16 primary schools in the municipality as of 2023.[7]

There are two secondary schools, both in Beilen:[7]

  • Dr. Nassau College
  • CS Vincent van Gogh

Notable people

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  • Carry van Bruggen (1881 in Smilde - 1932) a Dutch writer
  • Jacob Israël de Haan (1881 in Smilde – 1924 in Jerusalem) a Dutch-Jewish literary writer, jurist and journalist, killed by Haganah
  • Jan Hartman (1887 in Beilen – 1969) a Dutch fascist and collaborator during WWII
  • Hendrikje van Andel-Schipper (1890 in Smilde – 2005 in Hoogeveen) the oldest person ever from the Netherlands
  • Hans Heyting (1918 near Beilen – 1992) a Dutch poet, playwright, radio personality, children's book writer and painter
  • Henk Koning (1933 in Beilen – 2016) a Dutch politician
  • Martin van Hees (born 1964 in Beilen) a Dutch philosopher and academic
  • Eef van Breen (born 1978 in Westerbork) a Dutch jazz trumpeter, singer, arranger and composer

Sport

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References

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