Gorinchem

Gorinchem
Municipality
Lingehaven in Gorinchem
Flag Coat of arms
Location in South Holland
Coordinates: 51°50′N 4°59′E / 51.833°N 4.983°E / 51.833; 4.983Coordinates: 51°50′N 4°59′E / 51.833°N 4.983°E / 51.833; 4.983
Country	Netherlands
Province	South Holland
Government
• Body	Municipal council
• Mayor	Govert Veldhuijzen (acting) (CDA)
Area
• Total	21.93 km2 (8.47 sq mi)
• Land	18.92 km2 (7.31 sq mi)
• Water	3.01 km2 (1.16 sq mi)
Elevation	2 m (7 ft)
Population (May 2014)
• Total	35,271
• Density	1,864/km2 (4,830/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Gorkumer
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
• Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postcode	4200–4208
Area code	0183
Website	www.gorinchem.nl

Gorinchem (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈɣɔrɪnˌxɛm]), also called Gorkum ([ˈɣɔrkɵm] or [ˈɣɔrkəm]), is a city and municipality in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland. The municipality covers an area of 21.93 km² (8.47 sq mi) of which 3.01 km² (1.16 sq mi) is water. It had a population of 35,271 in 2014.

The municipality of Gorinchem also includes the population centre of Dalem.

It is assumed that Gorinchem was founded circa the year 1000 by fishermen and farmers on the raised land near the mouth of the river Linge at the Merwede. "Goriks Heem" is first mentioned in a document from 1224 in which Floris IV granted people from Gorinchem exemption of toll payments throughout Holland.

Somewhere between 1247 and 1267, Gorinchem became property of the Lords of Arkel. At the end of the 13th century earthen mounts reinforced with palisades were built around the settlement to protect it from domination by the neighboring counties of Holland and Gelre. Half a century later real city walls were built complete with 7 gates and 23 watchtowers. Otto van Arkel granted it city rights on 11 November 1322.

Jan van Arkel had a dispute with Albert I, brother of Willem V of Holland, leading to war and subsequently to the annexation of Gorinchem to Holland in 1417. This resulted in increased trade and Gorinchem grew to be the eighth city of Holland.