Lopik

Lopik
Municipality
Canal through Polsbroek

Flag
Coat of arms
Highlighted position of Lopik in a municipal map of Utrecht
Location in Utrecht
Coordinates: 51°58′N 4°57′E / 51.967°N 4.950°E / 51.967; 4.950Coordinates: 51°58′N 4°57′E / 51.967°N 4.950°E / 51.967; 4.950
Country Netherlands
Province Utrecht
Government[1]
 • Body Municipal council
 • Mayor Laurens de Graaf (CDA)
Area[2]
 • Total 78.98 km2 (30.49 sq mi)
 • Land 75.75 km2 (29.25 sq mi)
 • Water 3.23 km2 (1.25 sq mi)
Elevation[3] 0 m (0 ft)
Population (August 2017)[4]
 • Total 14,324
 • Density 189/km2 (490/sq mi)
Time zone UTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST) UTC+2 (CEST)
Postcode 3405–3415
Area code 0182, 030, 0348
Website www.lopik.nl

Lopik ( pronunciation ) is a municipality and a town in the Netherlands, in the province of Utrecht, close to the river Lek.

History

Lopik lies within the Lopikerwaard region, which used to be occupied by swamps and forests until the area was cultivated in the eleventh century. Lopik was first mentioned as "Lobeke" in 1155 CE. Most of the population settled along the canals that were used for transport and drainage (and which are still used for the latter purpose). It was not until after World War II that villages in the area were expanded beyond the original ribbons of buildings, and Lopik remains a well-known example of a linear settlement within the Netherlands.

In the Netherlands, "Lopik" is often used as a reference to the broadcasting facilities located in the eastern part of the municipality and in neighbouring IJsselstein. These include the Gerbrandy Tower, a structure that is the tallest structure in the Netherlands, and the world's largest Christmas tree during the period around Christmas.

Location and transport

The entire municipality lies within the Dutch Green Heart and has a rural character. The two main access roads are the N210 and N204 provincial roads, which connect the area with major cities that include Rotterdam and Utrecht.

Public transport in the region primarily consists of bus connections, which are mainly carried out by Syntus. The nearest railway stations are in Gouda and Woerden.

Population centres

The municipality of Lopik consists of the following cities, towns, villages and/or districts: Benschop, Cabauw, Jaarsveld, Lopik, Lopikerkapel, Polsbroek, Polsbroekerdam, Uitweg, Willige Langerak, and Zevender.

Topography

Dutch topographic map of the municipality of Lopik, June 2015

Notable residents

References

  1. ↑ "Burgemeester en Wethouders" [Mayor and aldermen] (in Dutch). Gemeente Lopik. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  2. ↑ "Kerncijfers wijken en buurten" [Key figures for neighbourhoods]. CBS Statline (in Dutch). CBS. 2 July 2013. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
  3. ↑ "Postcodetool for 3411CH". Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (in Dutch). Het Waterschapshuis. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  4. ↑ "Bevolkingsontwikkeling; regio per maand" [Population growth; regions per month]. CBS Statline (in Dutch). CBS. 27 October 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
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