Arkel
Encyclopedia
Arkel is a village in the Dutch
province of South Holland
. It is a part of the municipality of Giessenlanden
, and lies about 3 km north of Gorinchem
.
Arkel is a former municipality. In 1986 it became part of Giessenlanden.
In 2001, the village of Arkel had 2752 inhabitants. The built-up area of the village was 0.42 km², and contained 1125 residences.
The statistical area "Arkel", which also includes the surrounding countryside, has a population of around 3220.
Though there are little places of cultural interest in Arkel, there is a 19th-century domed church and a 19th-century windmill
.
it was the origin of the renowned Lords of Arkel
, who owned considerable territories including the town of Gorinchem
.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
province of South Holland
South Holland
South Holland is a province situated on the North Sea in the western part of the Netherlands. The provincial capital is The Hague and its largest city is Rotterdam.South Holland is one of the most densely populated and industrialised areas in the world...
. It is a part of the municipality of Giessenlanden
Giessenlanden
Giessenlanden is a municipality in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland. The municipality covers an area of 65.12 km² of which 1.55 km² is water....
, and lies about 3 km north of Gorinchem
Gorinchem
Gorinchem , also called Gorkum , is a city and municipality in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland. The municipality covers an area of 21.99 km² of which 3.03 km² is water...
.
Arkel is a former municipality. In 1986 it became part of Giessenlanden.
In 2001, the village of Arkel had 2752 inhabitants. The built-up area of the village was 0.42 km², and contained 1125 residences.
The statistical area "Arkel", which also includes the surrounding countryside, has a population of around 3220.
Though there are little places of cultural interest in Arkel, there is a 19th-century domed church and a 19th-century windmill
Windmill
A windmill is a machine which converts the energy of wind into rotational energy by means of vanes called sails or blades. Originally windmills were developed for milling grain for food production. In the course of history the windmill was adapted to many other industrial uses. An important...
.
History
Although nowadays a modest village, in the Middle AgesMiddle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
it was the origin of the renowned Lords of Arkel
Land van Arkel
The Land van Arkel was a fief of the Counts of Holland, and was managed by the Lords of Arkel until 1412. The territory was bordered by the river Merwede on the south, and the river Linge on the east. The northern border might have reached as far as Everdingen, and the western border to the river...
, who owned considerable territories including the town of Gorinchem
Gorinchem
Gorinchem , also called Gorkum , is a city and municipality in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland. The municipality covers an area of 21.99 km² of which 3.03 km² is water...
.