Netherlands, Apeldoorn

Apeldoorn is a municipality and a town in the province of Gelderland, about 60 miles east of Amsterdam, in central Netherlands. It is a regional centre. The western half of the municipality lies on the Veluwe ridge, the eastern half lies in the IJssel valley; the neighbourhood is very picturesque and well wooded. Fred de Graaf of the VVD is the major of Apeldoorn.

The town of Apeldoorn

The oldest known reference to Apeldoorn, then called Appoldro, dates from the 8th century. The settlement came into being at the point where the old road from Amersfoort to Deventer crossed that from Arnhem to Zwolle.

Close by is the favourite country-seat of the royal family of the Netherlands called the palace het Nieuwe Loo (now Het Loo). It was originally a hunting-lodge of the dukes of Gelderland, but in its present form dates chiefly from the time of the then Stadtholder William III of England (1685-1686).

Apenheul is a zoo which hosts a number of different types of apes and monkeys, some of which are free to walk around the visitors. It is situated at the western edge of the city and can easily be reached by local bus.

There's also an amusement park situated in Apeldoorn, called the Koningin Juliana Toren (Queen Juliana Tower). It is sited nearby the Apenheul and lies on the road to Hoog Soeren.

Miscellaneous information

The southwestern corner of the municipality is part of the Hoge Veluwe National Park. It is the final Battle Honour of The Royal Canadian Regiment who took part in the towns liberation in World War II.

The highest hill in the municipality of Apeldoorn is de Torenberg, which is 107, 1 metres high.

The City of Burlington, Canada is a partnercity of Apeldoorn.

There has been signed an agreement for economic coöperation with the city of Yichang in China.

Sport

Apeldoorn houses the professional footballclub AGOVV Apeldoorn (Jupiler League), that plays his matches in the Sportpark Berg&Bos stadium in the western part of Apeldoorn. But the most successful club in Apeldoorn is the Piet Zoomers/Dynamo volleybalteam, who are the last years' champion in the Dutch A-League.