Meerkerk
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Meerkerk
| settlement_type = Village
| other_name =
| native_name =
| native_name_lang = nl
| image_skyline = File:Nieuwe uitbouw aan Hervormde Kerk Meerkerk.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Protestant Church with extension
| image_flag =
| image_shield =
| nickname =
| motto =
| pushpin_map = Netherlands Utrecht#Netherlands
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in the Netherlands
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = Netherlands
| subdivision_type1 = Province
| subdivision_name1 = Utrecht
| subdivision_type2 = Municipality
| subdivision_name2 = Vijfheerenlanden
| leader_title =
| leader_name =
| leader_party =
| elevation_footnotes = {{cite web |url = http://www.ahn.nl/postcodetool |title = Postcodetool for 4231AA |language = nl |work = Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland |publisher = Het Waterschapshuis |access-date = 26 March 2022 }}
| elevation_m = -0.5
| elevation_min_m =
| elevation_max_m =
| area_total_km2 = 15.27
| 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=26 March 2022 |quote=two entries}}
| population_total = 3,860
| population_as_of = 2021
| population_demonym =
| population_note =
| population_density_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 = 0183
| website =
| footnotes =
| coordinates = {{Coord|51.9172|4.9904|type:city(2281)|display=title}}
}}
Meerkerk is a village in the Dutch province of Utrecht. It is a part of the municipality of Vijfheerenlanden, and lies about 9 km north of Gorinchem.
In 2001, the village of Meerkerk had 2281 inhabitants. The built-up area of the village was 0.71 km², and contained 818 residences.Statistics Netherlands (CBS), [http://www.cbs.nl/nl-NL/menu/themas/milieu-natuur-ruimte/ruimte/publicaties/cartografie-geografie/geografische-data/2001-bevolkingskernen-in-nederland.htm Bevolkingskernen in Nederland 2001] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060319070600/http://www.cbs.nl/nl-NL/menu/themas/milieu-natuur-ruimte/ruimte/publicaties/cartografie-geografie/geografische-data/2001-bevolkingskernen-in-nederland.htm |date=March 19, 2006 }}. (Statistics are for the continuous built-up area).
The statistical area "Meerkerk", which also can include the surrounding countryside, has a population of around 2310.Statistics Netherlands (CBS), [http://statline.cbs.nl/ Statline: Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2003-2005] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990427135052/http://statline.cbs.nl/ |date=1999-04-27 }}. As of 1 January 2005.
History
Not much is known of Meerkerk's early history. According to municipal sources, the town was first mentioned in a clerical document, written in 1266 or 1267AD. The origins of the name 'Meerkerk' (Literally translated: 'Lakechurch') are unclear, though it is probable it derived from 'De Kerk bij het Meer', meaning 'The Church by the Lake', referring to several small strips of land called 'Het Meer' (The Lake).
In the early centuries of its existence the village played an important role in regional traffic, due to its favourable location by the river Viaanse Vaart. During the French occupation of the Netherlands in the early 19th century Napoleon Bonaparte ordered the construction of a major road connection between Paris and Amsterdam, passing through Meerkerk as well. According to local legend, the emperor himself once spent some time in Meerkerk during an official visit to the Netherlands. The main road was made by the army of Napoleon, and it was the first road of stone in the region.
Meerkerk was a separate municipality in the province of South Holland until 1986, when it became part of Zederik.Ad van der Meer and Onno Boonstra, "Repertorium van Nederlandse gemeenten", KNAW, 2006. {{cite web|url=http://www.knaw.nl/cfdata/publicaties/detail.cfm?boeken__ordernr%3D20061061 |title=KNAW > Publicaties > Detailpagina |accessdate=December 3, 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070220041404/http://www.knaw.nl/cfdata/publicaties/detail.cfm?boeken__ordernr=20061061 |archivedate=February 20, 2007 }} When Zederik merged into the new municipality Vijfheerenlanden in 2019, it became a part of the province of Utrecht.{{cite web |url=https://www.ad.nl/rivierenland/fusiegemeente-vijfheerenlanden-in-provincie-utrecht~ad894d4f/ |title=Fusiegemeente Vijfheerenlanden in provincie Utrecht |website=AD.nl |accessdate=12 January 2019}}
Since 1886 the Zederik Channel passes the town, maintaining Meerkerk's importance to regional traffic. By the end World War II the municipality expanded its borders, giving the population a chance to increase to some 2500 souls.
Gallery
File:Meerkerk - Voormalig postkantoor.JPG|Former post office
File:Gorinchemsestraat 21 - Meerkerk (1).jpg|House in Meerkerk
File:De haven van Meerkerk aan het Merwedekanaal (01).JPG|Harbour
File:De zeer landelijke weg Noordseweg.jpg|Country road
References
{{Dutch municipality Vijfheerenlanden}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Former municipalities of South Holland