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| leader_party = [[Christian Democratic Appeal|CDA]]
| leader_party = [[Christian Democratic Appeal|CDA]]
| leader_title = [[Mayor]]
| leader_title = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name = [[Gido Oude Kotte]]
| leader_name = Gido Oude Kotte
| leader_title1 = [[Wethouder|Aldermen]]
| leader_title1 = [[Wethouder|Aldermen]]
| leader_name1 = {{Collapsible list
| leader_name1 = {{Collapsible list
|title=List of aldermen
|title=List of aldermen
|1= Robbert-Jan van Duin ([[Christian Democratic Appeal|CDA]])
|1= Robert van Rijn ([[People's Party for Freedom and Democracy|VVD]])
|2= Robert van Rijn ([[People's Party for Freedom and Democracy|VVD]])
|2= Bart Kabout ([[Christian Democratic Appeal|CDA]])
|3= Wilma Scheltema ([[Democrats 66|D66]])
|3= Willem Kikkert ([[Democrats 66|D66]])
}}
}}
<!-- Geographic information -->
<!-- Geographic information -->
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}}
}}


'''Aalsmeer''' ({{IPA-nl|aːlsˈmeːr|lang|Nl-Aalsmeer.ogg}}) is a municipality and a town in the [[Netherlands]], in the province of [[North Holland]]. Its name is derived from the [[Dutch language|Dutch]] for eel (''aal'') and lake (''meer'').<ref name="eb"/> Aalsmeer is bordered by the [[Westeinderplassen]] lake, the largest open water of the [[Randstad]], and the [[Ringvaart]] Canal.<ref name="eb">{{harvnb|Encyclopædia Britannica Online|2013}}</ref> The town is located 13&nbsp;km (8&nbsp;mi) southwest of [[Amsterdam]].
'''Aalsmeer''' ({{IPA|nl|aːlsˈmeːr|lang|Nl-Aalsmeer.ogg}}) is a municipality and a town in the [[Netherlands]], in the province of [[North Holland]]. Its name is derived from the [[Dutch language|Dutch]] for eel (''aal'') and lake (''meer'').<ref name="eb"/> Aalsmeer is bordered by the [[Westeinderplassen]] lake, the largest open water of the [[Randstad]], and the [[Ringvaart]] Canal.<ref name="eb">{{harvnb|Encyclopædia Britannica Online|2013}}</ref> The town is located 13&nbsp;km (8&nbsp;mi) southwest of [[Amsterdam]].


The town is sometimes referred to as the flower capital of the world, as the [[Aalsmeer Flower Auction|largest flower auction in the world]] is based in Aalsmeer, along with numerous [[Nursery (horticulture)|nurseries]] and an experimental station for [[floriculture]].
The town is sometimes referred to as the flower capital of the world, as the [[Aalsmeer Flower Auction|largest flower auction in the world]] is based in Aalsmeer, along with numerous [[Nursery (horticulture)|nurseries]] and an experimental station for [[floriculture]].
Line 83: Line 83:


==Geology==
==Geology==
Aalsmeer is located on the border of the former [[Haarlem Lake]]. The older portion of town is built on peat, and is surrounded by [[polder]]s. The polders consist of loamy soil and are {{convert|9|-|15|ft|m}} below sea level.<ref name=EB>{{harvnb|Hoiberg|2010|p=2}}</ref>
Aalsmeer is located on the border of the former [[Haarlem Lake]]. The older portion of the town is built on peat, and is surrounded by [[polder]]s. The polders consist of loamy soil and are {{convert|9|-|15|ft|m}} below sea level.<ref name=EB>{{harvnb|Hoiberg|2010|p=2}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
Line 91: Line 91:
In its surroundings, large tracts of land were dug up for peat, creating large lakes and ponds such as [[Oosteinderpoel]] (East End Pool), Schinkelpoel (Schinkel Pool), Stommeer (Stom Lake), Hornmeer (Horn Lake), Legmeer (Leg Lake), and the Westeinderplassen (West End Ponds). This left little land for agriculture, causing Aalsmeer's inhabitants to switch to fishery. The land was cultivated intensely, mostly for tree [[Nursery (horticulture)|nurseries]].
In its surroundings, large tracts of land were dug up for peat, creating large lakes and ponds such as [[Oosteinderpoel]] (East End Pool), Schinkelpoel (Schinkel Pool), Stommeer (Stom Lake), Hornmeer (Horn Lake), Legmeer (Leg Lake), and the Westeinderplassen (West End Ponds). This left little land for agriculture, causing Aalsmeer's inhabitants to switch to fishery. The land was cultivated intensely, mostly for tree [[Nursery (horticulture)|nurseries]].


[[File:gem-Aalsmeer-OpenTopo.jpg|{{largethumb}}|Topographic map of Aalsmeer, June 2015]]
[[File:gem-Aalsmeer-OpenTopo.jpg|upright=1.35|thumb|Topographic map of Aalsmeer, June 2015]]
The lack of dry land was countered by reclaiming some of the lakes, starting with Stom Lake in 1650, and followed by Horn Lake in 1674. In 1852, the large [[Haarlemmermeer|Haarlem Lake]], bordering on Aalsmeer, was made into a polder. Then followed Schinkelpoel, Oosteinderpoel, and Legmeer. Peat was no longer dug up and the fishing business declined. Yet horticulture increased, especially strawberry cultivation, which peaked between 1850 and 1885. The strawberry became the symbol for the flag of Aalsmeer: red (fruit), green (leaf), and black (soil). The cultivation of flowers began circa 1880, first with roses in greenhouses.
The lack of dry land was countered by reclaiming some of the lakes, starting with Stom Lake in 1650, and followed by Horn Lake in 1674. In 1852, the large [[Haarlemmermeer|Haarlem Lake]], bordering on Aalsmeer, was made into a polder. Then followed Schinkelpoel, Oosteinderpoel, and Legmeer. Peat was no longer dug up and the fishing business declined. Yet horticulture increased, especially strawberry cultivation, which peaked between 1850 and 1885. The strawberry became the symbol for the flag of Aalsmeer: red (fruit), green (leaf), and black (soil). The cultivation of flowers began circa 1880, first with roses in greenhouses.


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===Post war===
===Post war===
In 1950 Aalsmeer had 12,500 inhabitants. In 1968 the two auction businesses merged and formed the ''[[Aalsmeer Flower Auction|Verenigde Bloemenveilingen Aalsmeer]]'' (United Flower Auctions Aalsmeer). In 1972 a new large auction building was completed in South Aalsmeer and expanded in 1999.
In 1950 Aalsmeer had 12,500 inhabitants. In 1968 the two flower auction businesses merged, and in 1972 a new large auction building was completed in South Aalsmeer and expanded in 1999.


==Local government==
==Local government==
[[File:Raadhuis Aalsmeer.jpg|thumb|Aalsmeer [[Town Hall]]]]
[[File:Raadhuis Aalsmeer.jpg|thumb|Aalsmeer [[Town Hall]]]]


The municipal council of Aalsmeer consists of 23 seats, which since 2018 are divided as follows:
The municipal council of Aalsmeer consists of 23 seats, which since 2022 are divided as follows:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aalsmeer municipal election 2022 |url=https://www.verkiezingsuitslagen.nl/verkiezingen/detail/GR20220316/731373|access-date=22 January 2024|website=www.verkiezingsuitslagen.nl|language=nl}}</ref>
* [[Christian Democratic Appeal]] (CDA) – 8 seats
* [[Christian Democratic Appeal]] (CDA) – 6 seats
* [[People's Party for Freedom and Democracy]] (VVD) – 6 seats
* Absoluut Aalsmeer (AA) – 6 seats
* [[People's Party for Freedom and Democracy]] (VVD) – 5 seats
* Absoluut Aalsmeer (AA) – 4 seats
* [[Democrats 66]] (D66) – 3 seats
* [[Democrats 66]] (D66) – 2 seats
* [[GreenLeft]] (GL) – 2 seats
* [[GreenLeft]] (GL) – 2 seats
* [[Labour Party (Netherlands)|Labour Party]] (PvdA) – 1 seat
* [[Labour Party (Netherlands)|Labour Party]] (PvdA) – 1 seat


The [[college van burgemeester en wethouders|executive board]] consists of CDA, VVD and D66.
The [[college van burgemeester en wethouders|executive board]] consists of CDA, VVD and D66, with Gido Oude Kotte (CDA) as mayor.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Burgemeester Gido Oude Kotte |url=https://www.aalsmeer.nl/bestuur-organisatie/bestuurder/gido-oude-kotte|access-date=22 January 2024|website=www.aalsmeer.nl|language=nl}}</ref>

The current acting mayor is [[Jeroen Nobel]] (PvdA).


==Public transport==
==Public transport==
The bus interchange in Aalsmeer is called the ''Hortensiaplein'', where the buses meet. These services are:
The bus interchange in Aalsmeer is called the ''Hortensiaplein'', where the buses meet. These services are:


* 171 - ''Aalsmeer'' - [[Bovenkerk]] - [[Amstelveen]] - [[Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA railway station|Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA Station]]
* 171 - ''Aalsmeer'' - [[Bovenkerk, Amstelveen|Bovenkerk]] - [[Amstelveen]] - [[Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA railway station|Amsterdam Bijlmer ArenA Station]]
* 198 - ''Aalsmeer'' - [[Amsterdam Schiphol Airport]] ([[Schiphol Sternet]])
* 198 - ''Aalsmeer'' - [[Amsterdam Schiphol Airport]] ([[Schiphol Sternet]])
* 340 - ([[Mijdrecht]] 2x per hour) - [[Uithoorn]] - ''Aalsmeer'' - [[Hoofddorp railway station|Hoofddorp Station]] - [[Hoofddorp]] - [[Heemstede]] - [[Haarlem]] - [[Haarlem railway station|Haarlem Station]]
* 340 - ([[Mijdrecht]] 2x per hour) - [[Uithoorn]] - ''Aalsmeer'' - [[Hoofddorp railway station|Hoofddorp Station]] - [[Hoofddorp]] - [[Heemstede]] - [[Haarlem]] - [[Haarlem railway station|Haarlem Station]]
* 357 - ([[Kudelstaart]] 2x per hour) - ''Aalsmeer'' - [[Amstelveen]] - [[Amsterdam]] City Centre - [[Amsterdam Centraal railway station|Amsterdam Centraal]]
* 357 - ([[Kudelstaart]] 2x per hour) - ''Aalsmeer'' - [[Amstelveen]] - [[Amsterdam]] City Centre - [[Amsterdam Centraal railway station|Amsterdam Centraal]]
* 342 - [[ Schiphol, Airport ]] - [[Schipholgebouw Schiphol,]] - [[ P30 Parkeerterrein Schiphol-Rijk, Beechavenue]] - [[ Aalsmeer, Dorpsstraat]] - [[Aalsmeer, Zwarteweg/N196]] - [[ Uithoorn, Poelweg Uithoorn,]] - [[ Noorddammerweg Uithoorn, ]] - [[Burg. Kootlaan Uithoorn,]] - [[Uithoorn, Busstation ]]
* 342 - [[Schiphol, Airport]] - [[Schipholgebouw Schiphol]], - [[P30 Parkeerterrein Schiphol-Rijk, Beechavenue]] - [[Aalsmeer, Dorpsstraat]] - [[Aalsmeer, Zwarteweg/N196]] - [[Uithoorn, Poelweg Uithoorn]], - [[Noorddammerweg Uithoorn,]] - [[Burg. Kootlaan Uithoorn]], - [[Uithoorn, Busstation]]
* N57 - [[Amsterdam Centraal railway station|Amsterdam Centraal]] - [[Amsterdam]] City Centre - [[Amstelveen]] - [[Bovenkerk]] - ''Aalsmeer'' (Nightbus)
* N57 - [[Amsterdam Centraal railway station|Amsterdam Centraal]] - [[Amsterdam]] City Centre - [[Amstelveen]] - [[Bovenkerk, Amstelveen|Bovenkerk]] - ''Aalsmeer'' (Nightbus)


All of these services are very frequent, half-hourly or more frequent.
All of these services are very frequent, half-hourly or more frequent.
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[[File:Bloemenveiling Aalsmeer1.jpg|thumb|Flower Auction Aalsmeer.]]
[[File:Bloemenveiling Aalsmeer1.jpg|thumb|Flower Auction Aalsmeer.]]


Having {{convert|999000|m2|sqft}} of floor space, the flower auction building of {{Interlanguage link multi|FloraHolland|nl}} is one of the [[List of largest buildings in the world|largest commercial buildings]] in the world. Its close proximity to Schiphol Airport allows the growers access to markets worldwide. Since January 1, 2008 the Aalsmeer flower auction has merged with the united auctions of Naaldwijk and Rijnsburg under the name FloraHolland, and is the largest auction market in the world.<ref>{{harvnb|Munro|1995|p=1}}</ref> The flowers that are grown and sold here are [[carnation]]s, [[rose]]s, [[lilac]]s, [[freesia]]s, [[chrysanthemum]]s, [[cyclamen]]s, and [[begonia]]s.<ref name=EB/>
Having {{convert|999000|m2|sqft}} of floor space, the flower auction building of {{Interlanguage link multi|FloraHolland|nl}} is one of the [[List of largest buildings in the world|largest commercial buildings]] in the world. Its close proximity to Schiphol Airport allows the growers access to markets worldwide. On 1 January 2008 the Aalsmeer flower auction merged with the united auctions of Naaldwijk and Rijnsburg under the name FloraHolland, and is the largest auction market in the world.<ref>{{harvnb|Munro|1995|p=1}}</ref> The flowers that are grown and sold here are [[carnation]]s, [[rose]]s, [[lilac]]s, [[freesia]]s, [[chrysanthemum]]s, [[cyclamen]]s, and [[begonia]]s.<ref name=EB/>


The [[Endemol]] television studios are located in the former Central Auction building. The Bloemenlust building is nowadays a [[convention center|sports, event, and congress centre]]. Dominating the Ringvaart canal are the large building halls of [[Royal De Vries]] Scheepsbouw.
The [[Endemol]] television studios are located in the former Central Auction building. The Bloemenlust building is nowadays a [[convention center|sports, event, and congress centre]]. Dominating the Ringvaart canal are the large building halls of [[Royal De Vries]] Scheepsbouw.
Line 143: Line 141:


===Events===
===Events===
Aalsmeer has always had a number of yearly recurring events and festivals. The most famous event has always been the Flower parade ([[Bloemencorso]]), every first Saturday in September. After 60 years, this tradition has been discontinued in 2007. Other annual events are the "Pramenrace", every second Saturday in September and the Bands Night (Bandjesavond) in June.
Aalsmeer has a number of annual events and festivals. The most famous was the Flower parade ([[Bloemencorso]]), every first Saturday in September. After 60 years, this tradition was discontinued in 2007 as the flower auction stopped its sponsorship. Other annual events are the "Pramenrace", every second Saturday in September and the Bands Night (Bandjesavond) in June.


===Music scene===
===Music scene===
Aalsmeer has always had a rich music scene. The best known groups and artists from Aalsmeer and Kudelstaart since 1970 are:
Aalsmeer has a rich music scene. The best known groups and artists from Aalsmeer and Kudelstaart since 1970 are:
* Eton Crop
* Eton Crop
* Hobo String band
* Hobo String band
Line 165: Line 163:
* [[Fred Borgman]] (1946 in Aalsmeer – 11 May 1996) was a Dutch politician, an alderman of Aalsmeer 1974 to 1978
* [[Fred Borgman]] (1946 in Aalsmeer – 11 May 1996) was a Dutch politician, an alderman of Aalsmeer 1974 to 1978
* [[Theodore van Houten]] (1952 in Aalsmeer – 2016) a Dutch-British writer, journalist and radio-theatre producer
* [[Theodore van Houten]] (1952 in Aalsmeer – 2016) a Dutch-British writer, journalist and radio-theatre producer
* [[Peter R. de Vries]] (born 1956 in Aalsmeer - July 15, 2021) a Dutch investigative journalist and crime reporter murdered in Amsterdam. <ref> [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1719901/ IMDb Database] retrieved 22 January 2020 </ref>
* [[Peter R. de Vries]] (born 1956 in Aalsmeer – July 15, 2021) a Dutch investigative journalist and crime reporter<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1719901/ IMDb Database] retrieved 22 January 2020</ref>
* [[Pieter Litjens]] (born 1968) a Dutch politician, Mayor of Aalsmeer 2007 to 2012
* [[Pieter Litjens]] (born 1968) a Dutch politician, Mayor of Aalsmeer 2007 to 2012

=== Sport ===
=== Sport ===
* [[IJke Buisma]] (1907 in Aalsmeer – 1994) a Dutch high jumper, competed in the [[1928 Summer Olympics]]
* [[IJke Buisma]] (1907 in Aalsmeer – 1994) a Dutch high jumper, competed in the [[1928 Summer Olympics]]
* [[Jan Bol]] (1924 in Aalsmeer - 2010) a Dutch sailor who competed at the [[1968 Summer Olympics]]
* [[Jan Bol]] (1924 in Aalsmeer - 2010) a Dutch sailor who competed at the [[1968 Summer Olympics]]
* [[Jan Jongkind]] (born 1932 in Aalsmeer) a sailor who competed at the [[1964 Summer Olympics]]
* [[Jan Jongkind]] (born 1932 in Aalsmeer) a sailor who competed at the [[1964 Summer Olympics]]
* [[Piet Bon]] (born 1946 in Aalsmeer) a retired Dutch rower, competed at the [[1968 Summer Olympics]]
* [[Piet Bon]] (1946 in Aalsmeer – 2010) a retired Dutch rower, competed at the [[1968 Summer Olympics]]
* [[Michael Buskermolen]] (born 1972) a Dutch retired footballer with 399 club caps with [[AZ Alkmaar]], lives in [[Kudelstaart]]
* [[Michael Buskermolen]] (born 1972) a Dutch retired footballer with 399 club caps with [[AZ Alkmaar]], lives in [[Kudelstaart]]
* [[David Pel]] (born 1991 in Aalsmeer) a Dutch tennis player
* [[David Pel]] (born 1991 in Aalsmeer) a Dutch tennis player
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* {{cite web | author = Encyclopædia Britannica Online | year = 2013 | url = http://search.eb.com/eb/article-9003200 | title = Aalsmeer | website = [[Encyclopædia Britannica]] | access-date = 10 Nov 2013 | publisher = Encyclopædia Britannica Online }}
* {{cite web | author = Encyclopædia Britannica Online | year = 2013 | url = http://search.eb.com/eb/article-9003200 | title = Aalsmeer | website = [[Encyclopædia Britannica]] | access-date = 10 Nov 2013 | publisher = Encyclopædia Britannica Online }}
* {{cite encyclopedia | editor-last = Hoiberg | editor-first = Dale H. | encyclopedia = Encyclopædia Britannica | title = Aalsmeer | edition = 15th | year = 2010 | publisher = Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. | volume = I: A-Ak - Bayes | location = Chicago, Illinois | isbn = 978-1-59339-837-8 | url = https://archive.org/details/newencyclopaedia2009ency }}
* {{cite encyclopedia | editor-last = Hoiberg | editor-first = Dale H. | encyclopedia = Encyclopædia Britannica | title = Aalsmeer | edition = 15th | year = 2010 | publisher = Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. | volume = I: A-Ak - Bayes | location = Chicago, Illinois | isbn = 978-1-59339-837-8 | url = https://archive.org/details/newencyclopaedia2009ency }}
* {{cite web | author = Municipality of Aalsmeer | url = http://www.aalsmeer.nl/web/Bestuur-en-organisatie/College-van-B-en-W.htm | title = College van B en W | trans-title = Board of Mayor and Aldermen | language = nl | date = 13 Jan 2014 | website = Gemeente Aalsmeer | publisher = Gemeente Aalsmeer | access-date = 25 Feb 2014 }}
* {{cite web | author = Municipality of Aalsmeer | url = http://www.aalsmeer.nl/web/Bestuur-en-organisatie/College-van-B-en-W.htm | title = College van B en W | trans-title = Board of Mayor and Aldermen | language = nl | date = 13 Jan 2014 | website = Gemeente Aalsmeer | publisher = Gemeente Aalsmeer | access-date = 25 Feb 2014 }}
* {{cite encyclopedia | editor-last = Munro | editor-first = David | title = Aalsmeer | encyclopedia = The Oxford Dictionary of the World | year = 1995 | publisher = Oxford University Press | location = Oxford, UK | isbn = 0-19-866184-3 | url = https://archive.org/details/oxforddictionary00munr }}
* {{cite encyclopedia | editor-last = Munro | editor-first = David | title = Aalsmeer | encyclopedia = The Oxford Dictionary of the World | year = 1995 | publisher = Oxford University Press | location = Oxford, UK | isbn = 0-19-866184-3 | url = https://archive.org/details/oxforddictionary00munr }}


Latest revision as of 05:09, 1 September 2024

Aalsmeer
Municipality
Aerial photo of Aalsmeer, 2014
Aerial photo of Aalsmeer, 2014
Flag of Aalsmeer
Flag
Coat of arms of Aalsmeer
Coat of arms
Nickname: 
Flower capital of the world
Highlighted position of Aalsmeer in a municipal map of North Holland
Location in North Holland
Aalsmeer is located in Netherlands
Aalsmeer
Aalsmeer
Location in the Netherlands
Coordinates: 52°16′N 4°45′E / 52.267°N 4.750°E / 52.267; 4.750
CountryNetherlands
ProvinceNorth Holland
RegionAmsterdam metropolitan area
Government
[1]
 • BodyMunicipal council
 • MayorGido Oude Kotte (CDA)
 • Aldermen
List of aldermen
  • Robert van Rijn (VVD)
  • Bart Kabout (CDA)
  • Willem Kikkert (D66)
Area
[2]
 • Total32.29 km2 (12.47 sq mi)
 • Land20.12 km2 (7.77 sq mi)
 • Water12.17 km2 (4.70 sq mi)
Elevation
[3]
−0.1 m (−0.3 ft)
Population
 (January 2021)[4]
 • Total31,991
 • Density1,590/km2 (4,100/sq mi)
DemonymAalsmeerder
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postcode
1430–1433
Area code0297
Website(in English) Aalsmeer.nl

Aalsmeer (Dutch: [aːlsˈmeːr] ⓘ) is a municipality and a town in the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland. Its name is derived from the Dutch for eel (aal) and lake (meer).[5] Aalsmeer is bordered by the Westeinderplassen lake, the largest open water of the Randstad, and the Ringvaart Canal.[5] The town is located 13 km (8 mi) southwest of Amsterdam.

The town is sometimes referred to as the flower capital of the world, as the largest flower auction in the world is based in Aalsmeer, along with numerous nurseries and an experimental station for floriculture.

Population centres

[edit]

The municipality of Aalsmeer consists of the following cities, towns, and villages: Aalsmeer, Kudelstaart, Oosteinde, as well as the hamlet Calslagen.

Geology

[edit]

Aalsmeer is located on the border of the former Haarlem Lake. The older portion of the town is built on peat, and is surrounded by polders. The polders consist of loamy soil and are 9–15 feet (2.7–4.6 m) below sea level.[6]

History

[edit]
Aalsmeer in 1866.

Aalsmeer is first referenced in a document from 1133 in which it is called "Alsmar" and is granted to the Abbey of Rijnsburg. Diederik VII van Kleef confirmed this grant in an act in 1199. The area was then a wilderness with alders and willow forests.

In its surroundings, large tracts of land were dug up for peat, creating large lakes and ponds such as Oosteinderpoel (East End Pool), Schinkelpoel (Schinkel Pool), Stommeer (Stom Lake), Hornmeer (Horn Lake), Legmeer (Leg Lake), and the Westeinderplassen (West End Ponds). This left little land for agriculture, causing Aalsmeer's inhabitants to switch to fishery. The land was cultivated intensely, mostly for tree nurseries.

Topographic map of Aalsmeer, June 2015

The lack of dry land was countered by reclaiming some of the lakes, starting with Stom Lake in 1650, and followed by Horn Lake in 1674. In 1852, the large Haarlem Lake, bordering on Aalsmeer, was made into a polder. Then followed Schinkelpoel, Oosteinderpoel, and Legmeer. Peat was no longer dug up and the fishing business declined. Yet horticulture increased, especially strawberry cultivation, which peaked between 1850 and 1885. The strawberry became the symbol for the flag of Aalsmeer: red (fruit), green (leaf), and black (soil). The cultivation of flowers began circa 1880, first with roses in greenhouses.

The growers would sell their strawberries and flowers to distributors who would bring them with barges to the market in Amsterdam. But the trade shifted to Aalsmeer where auctions began to be held in local cafés. In 1912 two auction businesses were established: Centrale Aalsmeerse Veiling (Central Aalsmeer Auction) in the town's centre and Bloemenlust in Aalsmeer East.

World War II

[edit]

During World War 2, Aalsmeer gained a reputation for its Nazi support, mostly because of its fanatical National Socialistic mayor and a handful of fascist supporters. The highest supreme commander of the German Wehrmacht in the Netherlands, Friedrich Christiansen, was a regular visitor. Following the war, more than a hundred court cases were held against Nazi supporters from Aalsmeer.

Post war

[edit]

In 1950 Aalsmeer had 12,500 inhabitants. In 1968 the two flower auction businesses merged, and in 1972 a new large auction building was completed in South Aalsmeer and expanded in 1999.

Local government

[edit]
Aalsmeer Town Hall

The municipal council of Aalsmeer consists of 23 seats, which since 2022 are divided as follows:[7]

The executive board consists of CDA, VVD and D66, with Gido Oude Kotte (CDA) as mayor.[8]

Public transport

[edit]

The bus interchange in Aalsmeer is called the Hortensiaplein, where the buses meet. These services are:

All of these services are very frequent, half-hourly or more frequent.

Economy

[edit]
Flower Auction Aalsmeer.

Having 999,000 square metres (10,750,000 sq ft) of floor space, the flower auction building of FloraHolland [nl] is one of the largest commercial buildings in the world. Its close proximity to Schiphol Airport allows the growers access to markets worldwide. On 1 January 2008 the Aalsmeer flower auction merged with the united auctions of Naaldwijk and Rijnsburg under the name FloraHolland, and is the largest auction market in the world.[9] The flowers that are grown and sold here are carnations, roses, lilacs, freesias, chrysanthemums, cyclamens, and begonias.[6]

The Endemol television studios are located in the former Central Auction building. The Bloemenlust building is nowadays a sports, event, and congress centre. Dominating the Ringvaart canal are the large building halls of Royal De Vries Scheepsbouw.

Agriculture and manufacturing also play an important role in the economy of the locality. Dairy, beef, potatoes, vegetables, and fruit are the areas within agriculture, and the types of manufacturing in the city are farm products, sporting goods, boats, and packaging material.[10]

Culture

[edit]
The Water Tower of Aalsmeer was completed in 1928 in an Art Deco style.
Windmill: stellingmolen De Leeuw

Events

[edit]

Aalsmeer has a number of annual events and festivals. The most famous was the Flower parade (Bloemencorso), every first Saturday in September. After 60 years, this tradition was discontinued in 2007 as the flower auction stopped its sponsorship. Other annual events are the "Pramenrace", every second Saturday in September and the Bands Night (Bandjesavond) in June.

Music scene

[edit]

Aalsmeer has a rich music scene. The best known groups and artists from Aalsmeer and Kudelstaart since 1970 are:

  • Eton Crop
  • Hobo String band
  • The Whatts
  • Livin' at A
  • Madeliefjes
  • Los Boundros
  • Café Blue (later: Koel Bewaren)
  • Ten Beers After
  • Katelijne van Otterloo Group
  • Social Animal

Notable people

[edit]
Peter R. de Vries, 1995
  • Jan de Pous (1920 in Aalsmeer – 1996) a Dutch politician and economist
  • Ada van Keulen (1920 in Aalsmeer – 2010) a Dutch woman participant in the resistance in WWII
  • Joost Hoffscholte (born 1942) a retired Dutch politician, Mayor of Aalsmeer 1985 to 2007, lives in Aalsmeer
  • Fred Borgman (1946 in Aalsmeer – 11 May 1996) was a Dutch politician, an alderman of Aalsmeer 1974 to 1978
  • Theodore van Houten (1952 in Aalsmeer – 2016) a Dutch-British writer, journalist and radio-theatre producer
  • Peter R. de Vries (born 1956 in Aalsmeer – July 15, 2021) a Dutch investigative journalist and crime reporter[11]
  • Pieter Litjens (born 1968) a Dutch politician, Mayor of Aalsmeer 2007 to 2012

Sport

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Footnotes

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  1. ^ Municipality of Aalsmeer 2014
  2. ^ Central Bureau of Statistics 2014
  3. ^ Anon 2013
  4. ^ Central Bureau of Statistics 2014a
  5. ^ a b Encyclopædia Britannica Online 2013
  6. ^ a b Hoiberg 2010, p. 2
  7. ^ "Aalsmeer municipal election 2022". www.verkiezingsuitslagen.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  8. ^ "Burgemeester Gido Oude Kotte". www.aalsmeer.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  9. ^ Munro 1995, p. 1
  10. ^ Cohen 1998, p. 1
  11. ^ IMDb Database retrieved 22 January 2020

References

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  • Anon (2013). "Postcodetool for 1431EH" [Zip Tool for 1431EH]. Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (in Dutch). Het Waterschapshuis. Retrieved 25 Feb 2014.
  • Central Bureau of Statistics (2014). "Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2009-2012" [Key figures and neighborhoods 2009-2012]. Statline.cbs.nl. Archived from the original on 2014-03-04. Retrieved 28 Feb 2014.
  • Central Bureau of Statistics (2014a). "Bevolkingsontwikkeling; regio per maand" [Population Development; region by month]. Statline.cbs.nl. Archived from the original on 2014-04-04. Retrieved 28 Feb 2014.
  • Cohen, Saul B., ed. (1998). "Aalsmeer". The Columbia Gazetteer of the World. New York, NY: Columbia University Press. ISBN 0-231-11040-5.
  • Encyclopædia Britannica Online (2013). "Aalsmeer". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Retrieved 10 Nov 2013.
  • Hoiberg, Dale H., ed. (2010). "Aalsmeer". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. I: A-Ak - Bayes (15th ed.). Chicago, Illinois: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. ISBN 978-1-59339-837-8.
  • Municipality of Aalsmeer (13 Jan 2014). "College van B en W" [Board of Mayor and Aldermen]. Gemeente Aalsmeer (in Dutch). Gemeente Aalsmeer. Retrieved 25 Feb 2014.
  • Munro, David, ed. (1995). "Aalsmeer". The Oxford Dictionary of the World. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-866184-3.
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