Tiengemeten
| Tiengemeten | |
|---|---|
| Statistical area | |
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 The former village (dark red) and the statistical district (light green) of Tiengemeten in the municipality of Korendijk. |
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| Coordinates: 51°44′N 4°19′E / 51.733°N 4.317°ECoordinates: 51°44′N 4°19′E / 51.733°N 4.317°E | |
| Country | Netherlands |
| Province | South Holland |
| Municipality | Korendijk |
| Population (January 1, 2005) | |
| • Total | 10 |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) |
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) |
Tiengemeten is an island in the Dutch province of South Holland. It is currently a part of the municipality of Korendijk, and lies about 11 km (7 mi) south of Spijkenisse. Before 1984 the island was administratively split between Goudswaard and Zuid-Beijerland. The name refers to an ancient area measurement; one gemet is comparable with one acre so the name means ten-acre island. Ten gemets would be about 100 by 400 metres (330 by 1,310 feet), while the island is actually about 7 km (4 mi) long and 2 km (1 mi) wide.
The statistical area "Tiengemeten", which also can include the surrounding countryside, has a population of around 10.
On 10 May 2007, the island was officially given back to nature; its farming inhabitants were relocated and nature has been allowed to work its way undisturbed.
New nature reserves are rare in the Netherlands, and since its return to nature, Tiengemeten has become a real wilderness with trackless terrain, flowing creeks and gullies, meadows full of flowers and huge populations of migrating birds, including ospreys and egrets. Some of the marshy pastures are grazed by Highland cattle and other hardy animals. The island has cycle paths and tracks, and also a large earthwork which serves well as an elevated outlook post for birdspotters. Tiengemeten is free of cars and accessible only by water via a small pedestrian- and bike-friendly ferry which runs regularly on the ten-minute crossing between the small port at Nieuwendijk and the island. Alternatively, bikes can be hired on the island, particularly during the summer months. There is ample free car parking at the ferry terminal. Once on the island, Margerita Farm is a short walk from where passengers alight from the ferry, and holds an information centre, gallery space, café and toilets. Walking tours are available, and volunteers are on hand to answer questions. There are regular special nature-related events on the island; biodiversity surveys, open days and special tours. Notices are posted in local press and on websites.
The Rien Poortvliet museum is located there.
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Wikipedia