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Nieuwegein

Nieuwegein
Municipality
Canal through Nieuwegein
Canal through Nieuwegein
Flag of Nieuwegein
Flag
Coat of arms of Nieuwegein
Coat of arms
Highlighted position of Nieuwegein in a municipal map of Utrecht
Location in Utrecht
Coordinates: 52°2′N 5°5′E / 52.033°N 5.083°E / 52.033; 5.083Coordinates: 52°2′N 5°5′E / 52.033°N 5.083°E / 52.033; 5.083
Country Netherlands
Province Utrecht
Established 1 July 1971
Government
 • Body Municipal council
 • Mayor Frans Backhuijs (VVD)
Area
 • Total 25.65 km2 (9.90 sq mi)
 • Land 23.66 km2 (9.14 sq mi)
 • Water 1.99 km2 (0.77 sq mi)
Elevation 1 m (3 ft)
Population (May 2014)
 • Total 61,011
 • Density 2,579/km2 (6,680/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Nieuwegeiner
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postcode 3430–3439
Area code 030
Website www.nieuwegein.nl

Nieuwegein [ˌniwəˈɣɛi̯n] is a municipality and city in the Dutch province of Utrecht. It is bordered on the north by the city of Utrecht, the provincial capital. It is separated from Vianen to the south by the river Lek and borders on IJsselstein in the southwest and Houten in the east.

Nieuwegein was founded on 1 July 1971 as a planned city, following the merger of the former municipalities of Jutphaas and Vreeswijk. The new town was built for the expanding population of the city of Utrecht, and grew rapidly during the decades following its foundation.

Nieuwegein is surrounded by three motorways (Dutch: autosnelweg), the A2 to the west, the A12 to the north and the A27 to the east.

Nieuwegein is connected to Utrecht and IJsselstein by the Sneltram (light rail) line. There is a pedestrian ferry across the river Lek to Vianen. Three canals flow through Nieuwegein: the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal, the Lek River and the Merwede Canal. There are also a few sports clubs in Nieuwegein, such as: SV Geinoord, VSV Vreeswijk and JSV Nieuwegein.

Several national sports federations are housed in Nieuwegein, including the NeVoBo (volleyball), KNZB (swimming) and NBb (basketball).


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