Vijfheerenlanden
Encyclopedia
Vijfheerenlanden (ˈvɛi̯f.ˈɦeː.rə(n)ˌlɑn.də(n)) is an area in the provinces of South Holland
and (since 2002) Utrecht
in the Netherlands
. The area also borders on two other Dutch provinces: Gelderland
to the east, and Noord Brabant to the south. On its western border is the Alblasserwaard
, an area in South Holland, and on its eastern border the Tielerwaard, an area in Gelderland.
Vijfheerenlanden consists of three municipalities: Vianen (Utrecht), Leerdam
(South Holland) and Zederik
(South Holland). The largest city of Vijfheerenlanden is Vianen, which is a major node in the Dutch network of roads and rivers. The second largest city is Leerdam.
The borders on the north and south of the area are formed by rivers, de Lek
in the north and the Waal the south, the east border is formed by the line Haaften
– Rhenoy – Everdingen
, and the west border is formed by the line Ameide – Meerkerk
– Arkel
.
The area takes its name from the Heren van Arkel, van Ter Leede, van Hagestein, van Everdingen, dike builders from Haaften, and the Brederode
s from Vianen, who together, in 1284, took measures to protect the area against the threat of water from the Geldersche
Betuwe
. The most eastern village in Vijfheerenlanden is Haaften, which was the village that was threatened the most by the water, and the villagers there started to heighten the dikes.
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...
and (since 2002) Utrecht
Utrecht (province)
Utrecht is the smallest province of the Netherlands in terms of area, and is located in the centre of the country. It is bordered by the Eemmeer in the north, Gelderland in the east, the river Rhine in the south, South Holland in the west, and North Holland in the northwest...
in the Netherlands
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...
. The area also borders on two other Dutch provinces: Gelderland
Gelderland
Gelderland is the largest province of the Netherlands, located in the central eastern part of the country. The capital city is Arnhem. The two other major cities, Nijmegen and Apeldoorn have more inhabitants. Other major regional centers in Gelderland are Ede, Doetinchem, Zutphen, Tiel, Wijchen,...
to the east, and Noord Brabant to the south. On its western border is the Alblasserwaard
Alblasserwaard
The Alblasserwaard is a polder in the province South Holland in the Netherlands. It is mainly known for the windmills of Kinderdijk, a village in the northwest of the Alblasserwaard.-History:...
, an area in South Holland, and on its eastern border the Tielerwaard, an area in Gelderland.
Vijfheerenlanden consists of three municipalities: Vianen (Utrecht), Leerdam
Leerdam
Leerdam is a city and municipality in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland.The municipality covers an area of 34.32 km² of which 0.53 km² is water. It comprises the town of Leerdam, the rural villages Kedichem, Schoonrewoerd and Oosterwijk. The south border of the...
(South Holland) and Zederik
Zederik
Zederik is a municipality in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland. The municipality covers an area of 76.49 km²...
(South Holland). The largest city of Vijfheerenlanden is Vianen, which is a major node in the Dutch network of roads and rivers. The second largest city is Leerdam.
The borders on the north and south of the area are formed by rivers, de Lek
Lek River
The Lek is a river in the western Netherlands of some 60 km in length. It is the continuation of the Nederrijn after the Kromme Rijn branches off at the town of Wijk bij Duurstede. The main westbound waterway is hereafter called the Lek River...
in the north and the Waal the south, the east border is formed by the line Haaften
Haaften
Haaften is a village in the Dutch province of Gelderland. It is a part of the municipality of Neerijnen, and lies about 25 km south of Utrecht.Haaften was a separate municipality between 1818 and 1978, when it was merged with Neerijnen....
– Rhenoy – Everdingen
Everdingen
Everdingen is a former municipality in the Netherlands. Together with Zijderveld and Hagestein, it has been part of Vianen municipality since 1986. It enjoys a strategic position on the Lekdijk to the south of the river Lek. The eastern limits of Everdingen are marked by the Diefdijk, which also...
, and the west border is formed by the line Ameide – Meerkerk
Meerkerk
Meerkerk is a town in the Dutch province of South Holland. It is a part of the municipality of Zederik, and lies about 9 km north of Gorinchem.In 2001, the town of Meerkerk had 2281 inhabitants...
– Arkel
Arkel
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....
.
The area takes its name from the Heren van Arkel, van Ter Leede, van Hagestein, van Everdingen, dike builders from Haaften, and the Brederode
Brederode
Brederode may refer to:* Dutch ship Brederode, flagship of the Dutch fleet in the First Anglo-Dutch War* Castle Brederode, a ruined castle near Haarlem, in Santpoort-Zuid...
s from Vianen, who together, in 1284, took measures to protect the area against the threat of water from the Geldersche
Gelderland
Gelderland is the largest province of the Netherlands, located in the central eastern part of the country. The capital city is Arnhem. The two other major cities, Nijmegen and Apeldoorn have more inhabitants. Other major regional centers in Gelderland are Ede, Doetinchem, Zutphen, Tiel, Wijchen,...
Betuwe
Betuwe
The Betuwe is an area in the Netherlands in the province of Gelderland...
. The most eastern village in Vijfheerenlanden is Haaften, which was the village that was threatened the most by the water, and the villagers there started to heighten the dikes.