Middelburg, Zeeland

This is about the city in the Netherlands. For other uses, see Middelburg (disambiguation).

Middelburg
Municipality
Flag Coat of arms
Country	Netherlands
Province	Zeeland
Area (2006)
• Total	53.05 km2 (20.48 sq mi)
• Land	48.64 km2 (18.78 sq mi)
• Water	4.41 km2 (1.70 sq mi)
Population  (1 January, 2007)
• Total	47,310
• Density	973/km2 (2,520/sq mi)
	Source: CBS, Statline.
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)

Middelburg () is a municipality and a city in the south-western Netherlands and the capital of Zeeland province situated on the peninsula of Walcheren.

History of Middelburg

The city of Middelburg (population: about 46.588 ) dates back to the early 9th century or possibly the late 8th century. The first mention of Middelburg was as one of three defensive points (the burg 'in the middle') erected on the island of Walcheren to guard against Viking raids. In 844 an abbey was built there, which remained in use until the Eighty Years' War, when the northern Netherlands won their independence from Spain. Today, the abbey is used both as a museum and as the seat of the provincial government. Middelburg was granted city rights in 1217.

The city became an important trading centre. During the middle ages, it played an important role in the trade between England and the cities of Flanders. Later, in the 17th century (the Dutch Golden Age), it became an important trading city for the Dutch East India Company. Hundreds of thousands of African slaves were transported from Middelburg to North and South America, thus enriching local traders. The houses in parts of the center are the same kind of lavish mansions of rich merchants that can be found in cities like Amsterdam. There are also many storehouses dating back to the 17th century along the canals. The old city moats are still there, as is one of the city gates, the Koepoort gate. Part of the 18th century moat and defence works however were demolished in the 19th century to make way for a Canal which crosses Walcheren from Vlissingen to Veere.

Much of the old city centre was bombed flat on May 17, 1940 by the German Luftwaffe, to force the surrender of the Dutch armies in Zeeland. After the war, the centre was rebuilt as much as possible along prewar lines. The city's archives, however, were lost to the flames.

Education

In 2004 the prestigious Roosevelt Academy opened its doors in Middelburg. This international oriented liberal arts and sciences college is an honors college of Utrecht University and is the only university in the province of Zeeland.

Transportation

Middelburg has a railway station with IC connections to Vlissingen, Goes, Roosendaal, Rotterdam, The Hague, Leiden, Schiphol International Airport and Amsterdam, among others.

Sports

Middelburg has a fieldhockey club, MMHC, and four football (soccer) clubs: MZVC, Zeelandia Middelburg, Jong Ambon and FC Dauwendaele. Jong Ambon is translated Young Ambon, and consists of mostly Ambonese players. FC Dauwendaele is the main club in Dauwendaele (d side).

Population centres

• Arnemuiden
• Kleverskerke
• Middelburg
• Nieuw- en Sint Joosland
• Sint Laurens

Zuid

Zuid ("South") is a neighbourhood in Middelburg. It lies adjacent to Dauwendaele. The neighbourhood consists mostly of residential building projects. The town of Oost-Souburg lies to the north, as does Vlissingen.

The West part of Zuid was built in the mid 1970's, the East part was built later, mainly in the late 1980's and early 1990's. There are significant changes in architecture between the West and East parts.

There are educational and recreational facilites available. There numerous Sports teams in positioned in the neighborhood, mainly soccer teams, but also a couple of basketball and hockey teams.

Twin cities

• Vilvoorde, Belgium
• Nagasaki, Japan
• Glogow, Poland
• Simeria, Romania
• Teius, Romania

External links

• Official city website (in Dutch with a limited English section)
• municipal data (in Dutch)
• Website Roosevelt Academy
• Map