Hijken
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Hijken
| settlement_type = Village
| other_name =
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| image_skyline = File:Boerderij met bijgebouwen nr. F 102-10 - Hijken - 20492748 - RCE.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption = A farm in Hijken
| image_flag =
| image_shield =
| nickname =
| motto =
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = Netherlands
| subdivision_type1 = Province
| subdivision_name1 = Drenthe
| subdivision_type2 = Municipality
| subdivision_name2 = Midden-Drenthe
| image_map1 = Map NL - Midden-Drenthe - Hijken.png
| map_caption1 = The village centre (dark green) and the statistical district (light green) of Hijken in the municipality of Midden-Drenthe.
| pushpin_map = Netherlands Drenthe#Netherlands
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in the Netherlands
| coordinates = {{Coord|52.8956|6.4967|display=title, inline}}
| elevation_footnotes = {{cite web |url = http://www.ahn.nl/postcodetool |title = Postcodetool for 9415PA |language = nl |work = Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland |publisher = Het Waterschapshuis |access-date = 11 April 2022 }}
| elevation_m = 14
| elevation_min_m =
| elevation_max_m =
| area_total_km2 = 28.12
| area_land_km2 =
| area_water_km2 =
| established_title =
| established_date =
| population_footnotes = {{cite web |url=https://www.cbs.nl/-/media/_excel/2021/48/kwb-2021.xls |title=Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2021 |website=Central Bureau of Statistics |access-date=11 April 2022|quote=two entries}}
| population_total = 930
| population_as_of = 2021
| population_demonym =
| population_note =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_density_urban_km2 = auto
| timezone = CET
| utc_offset = +1
| timezone_DST = CEST
| utc_offset_DST = +2
| postal_code_type = Postal code
| area_code_type = Dialing code
| area_code = 0593
}}
Hijken is a village in the Dutch province of Drenthe. It is a part of the municipality of Midden-Drenthe, and lies about 13 km south of Assen, the province capital of Drenthe.
History
The village was first mentioned in 1370 as "civibus de Hyken". The etymology is unknown.{{cite web|url=https://etymologiebank.nl/trefwoord/hijken |title=Hijken - (geografische naam) |website=Etymologiebank |access-date=11 April 2022 |language=nl}} Hijken developed as an esdorp originally without a church in the Early Middle Ages as a satellite of Beilen. In 1858, the {{ill|Oranjekanaal|nl|Oranjekanaal (Drenthe)}} was dug which cut the village into two halves.{{cite book|url=https://www.dbnl.org/tekst/sten009monu07_01/sten009monu07_01_0046.php |title=Hijken |author=Ronald Stenvert |page=61 |year=2001 |location=Zwolle |publisher=Waanders |isbn=90 400 9454 3 |language=nl |access-date=11 April 2022}} It used be a village of shepherds. In 1563, there were 70 sheep for every building.
Hijken was home to 417 people in 1840.{{cite web|url=https://www.plaatsengids.nl/hijken |title=Hijken |website=Plaatsengids |access-date=11 April 2022 |language=nl}} In 1906, a Reformed Church was built. In 1915, a steam dairy factory which doubled as grist mill was built. Between 1928 and 1960, it was used as a Dutch Reformed church and is nowadays used by a fodder and fertilizer company. In 2018, the municipality wanted to demolished the bridge over the canal, however protests have resulted in the construction of a new bridge in 2019.
The village is also known for its surrounding Neanderthal settlements. Late Neolithic Hat graves have been discovered dating to a Bronze Age settlement near Hijken.Leiden University, [https://leidenuniv.academia.edu/HarryFokkens/Papers/549331/The_prehistory_of_the_Netherlands Fokkens, Harry. The prehistory of the Netherlands].
Education
There is one primary school, ‘t Hieker Nust.{{cite web|url=https://www.middendrenthe.nl/onderwijs/scholen|title=Scholen|language=nl|publisher=Midden-Drenthe|accessdate=2023-04-15}}
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References
{{commons category |position=left}}
{{Midden-Drenthe town}}
{{Authority control}}