Appingedam
| Appingedam | |||
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| Municipality | |||
Nicholas Church (left) and renaissance town hall (right) in Appingedam
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.svg) Location in Groningen |
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| Coordinates: 53°19′N 6°52′E / 53.317°N 6.867°ECoordinates: 53°19′N 6°52′E / 53.317°N 6.867°E | |||
| Country | Netherlands | ||
| Province | Groningen | ||
| Government | |||
| • Body | Municipal council | ||
| • Mayor | Rika Pot (PvdA) | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 24.58 km2 (9.49 sq mi) | ||
| • Land | 23.77 km2 (9.18 sq mi) | ||
| • Water | 0.81 km2 (0.31 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 0 m (0 ft) | ||
| Population (May 2014) | |||
| • Total | 12,004 | ||
| • Density | 505/km2 (1,310/sq mi) | ||
| Demonym(s) | Appingedammer | ||
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | ||
| Postcode | 9900–9903 | ||
| Area code | 0596 | ||
| Website | www |
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Appingedam (Dutch pronunciation: [ˌɑpɪŋəˈdɑm]; Gronings: n Daam) is a municipality and a city in the northeastern Netherlands. Although there is no certainty as to the exact age of Appingedam, historical research demonstrates that the place in which the city would eventually be built had been inhabited for over a millennium. Specifically, the area in which the earliest traces of human settlements have been reported is the Wierde, a quarter located in the northern part of the city centre. Today, a narrow, winding street by the same name runs along the waterfront as a living testimony to the times gone by. The characteristic landmarks of the old Wierde are still recognizable today: the historical East-West Canal, called “Diep,” dug to the south of the Wierde, diked on both sides, still defines the unique layout of the downtown Appingedam.
Little is known about the exact age and origin of the name of Appingedam. It came into existence on the banks of the Delf, the present Damsterdiep, around 1200. The name originates from a dam built in the Appe or Apt.
In 1327 Appingedam received city rights from the free Frisians of the Upstalboom near the East Frisian city of Aurich. Appingedam and Aurich still have friendly liaisons via a partnership called the Partnerschaft or Town's bond. Appingedam is located in the region Fivelingo, which in the Middle Ages was a part of Frisia.
In the Late Middle Ages, Appingedam, being a seaport, was an important trading competitor to Groningen. When Groningen received the staple right, Appingedam rapidly lost its trading position. Later on Delfzijl outstripped Appingedam with its newer and bigger seaport.
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Wikipedia