Amstelveen

Amstelveen
—  Municipality  —
Stadshart (Center of Amstelveen).

Flag

Coat of arms
Coordinates:
Country Netherlands
Province North Holland
Area(2009)
 - Total 44.05 km2 (17 sq mi)
 - Land 41.56 km2 (16 sq mi)
 - Water 2.49 km2 (1 sq mi)
Population (26 January 2009)
 - Total 78,980
 - Density 1,903/km2 (4,928.7/sq mi)
  Source: CBS, Statline.
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 - Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Website http://www.amstelveen.nl
Satellite photograph of Amstelveen

Amstelveen is an suburban municipality in the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland. It is part of the metropolitan area of Amsterdam. The municipality of Amstelveen consists of the following villages and/or districts: Amstelveen, Bovenkerk, Westwijk, Nes aan de Amstel, Ouderkerk aan de Amstel (partly). The name Amstelveen comes from 'Amstel', a local river, and 'veen', meaning fen, peat, or moor.

KLM has its headquarters in Amstelveen. In addition Amstelveen has the international headquarters of one of the Big Four auditors, KPMG.

Contents

History

During the French occupation between 1810 and 1814, it was the capital of a canton in the French department Zuiderzee and until 1964, the municipality of Amstelveen was called Nieuwer-Amstel. It is 'technically a large dorp (village), due to the fact that it is not and was not walled. The symbol adopted for Amstelveen was based on the Amsterdam symbol of three crosses, with one additional cross for distinction. The Thijssepark (in full the Dr Jac. P. Thijssepark), was the first heempark in the Netherlands and is one of sixteen heemparks or heemgroen in Amstelveen. Designed by landscape architect C.P.Broerse; following the ideas of the great Dutch naturalist and conservationist Jac. P. Thijsse, it was developed between 1940 and 1972 and covers an area of 5 hectares, and is situated just south of the Amsterdamse Bos. Amstelveen was chosen as an unlikely host of a match in the 1999 Cricket World Cup, for which the Netherlands had not qualified. South Africa played Kenya in the match. Dutch prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende started his political career as member of the council for Amstelveen. The Nihon Ki-in established its European Go and Cultural Centre in Amstelveen. As a result of the vicinity of Schiphol (Amsterdam Airport), and it's links to Amsterdam, Amstelveen has grown and become a cosmopolitan mix of many cultures dwelling in Amstelveen.

Local government

The municipal council of Amstelveen consists of 37 seats, which are divided as follows:

Twinned with

Transportation

Amstelveen has a metro and tram connection with Amsterdam. The Metro is a larger version of the tram in which some bicycles may be taken. It has a good 'point to point' bus connection to other villages, Schiphol International Airport, Amsterdam as well as a local network.

Tourism and attractions

Secondary Education

Other Education

Economy

KLM head office

KLM has its headquarters in Amstelveen.[1][2] KLM Netherlands is also located in Amstelveen. Air France-KLM is represented by the KLM head office.[3]

In addition Amstelveen has the international headquarters of one of the Big Four auditors, KPMG.

References

  1. "Contact." KLM Corporate. Retrieved on 28 September 2009.
  2. "Fact Sheet." SkyTeam. Retrieved on 27 December 2008.
  3. "KLM office, Amsterdam." Air France-KLM. Retrieved on 18 June 2010.

External links