Netherlands, Utrecht

Utrecht city is the capital and most populous city of the Dutch province of Utrecht. It is located in the North-Eastern end of the Randstad, and is the fourth largest city of the Netherlands, with a population of 288,535. The smaller Utrecht agglomeration counts some 420,000 inhabitants, while the larger region counts up to 820,000 inhabitants.

Utrecht's ancient city-centre features many buildings and structures from its earliest origins onwards. It has been the religious centre of the Netherlands since the eighth century CE.

Utrecht is host to Utrecht University, the largest university of the Netherlands, as well as several other institutes for higher education. Due to its central position within the country it is an important transportation hub (rail and road) in the Netherlands.

History

Although there is some evidence of earlier inhabitation in the region of Utrecht, dating back to the Bronze age (app. 1800-800 BCE), the founding date of the city is usually related to the construction of a Roman fortification (castellum), probably built in the year 47 CE.

By the mid of the 7th century, English and Irish missionaries set out to convert the Frisian. The pope appointed their leader, Willibrordus, archbishop of the Frisians; which is usually considered to initation of archbishopric of Utrecht.

When the Frankish rulers established the system of feudalism, the bishops of Utrecht came to exercise worldly power as prince-bishops. The realm of the bishopry included not only land the modern province of Utrecht (Nedersticht, 'lower Sticht') but extended to the northeast.

The location on the banks of the river Rhine allowed Utrecht to become an important trade centre in the Northern Netherlands. The growing town Utrecht received city rights in 1122.

In 1579 the northern seven provinces of these Low Countries signed the Union of Utrecht, in which they decided to join forces against Spanish rule. The Union of Utrecht is seen as the beginning of the Dutch Republic.

In the early 19th century the role of Utrecht as a fortified town became outdated. The old fortifications were outdated and the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie was move east of Utrecht. The ramparts could now be demolished to allow for growth.

During World War II, Utrecht was held by the Germans until the general German surrender of the Netherlands on 5 May 1945. Canadian troops that surrounded the city entered it after that surrender, on May 7, 1945.

Demographics

Utrecht city has a population of 288,732. The total Utrecht agglomeration counts some 620,000 inhabitants. About 68% of the population is Dutch, 9% is Moroccan, 5% is Turkish, 3% Surinamese and 15% of other ethnicities. Utrecht is expected to have 340,000 inhabitants in 2020.

Economy

The economy of Utrecht depends for a large part on the several large institutions located in the city. Production industry has a relatively small influence in Utrecht. Rabobank a large bank has its headquarters in Utrecht.

A large indoor shopping center called Hoog Catharijne (nl) is located between the central railway station and the city center. The corridors have been considered public places like streets, and the main route from station to city center is therefore open all night.

Culture

Utrecht city has an active cultural life, in the Netherlands second only to Amsterdam.

There are several theatres and theatre companies. It hosts an important classical music centre Vredenburg and the rock club Tivoli. Training of young musicians is taking place in the conservatory (a department of the Utrecht School of the Arts).

Sports

Utrecht is home to the FC Utrecht football club, which plays in Stadium Nieuw Galgenwaard. It is also the home of the largest sportsclub of The Netherlands (4.500 members), SV Kampong. Kampong features fieldhockey, soccer, cricket, tennis, squash and jeu de boules.

Transport

Because of its central location, the City of Utrecht is well connected to the rest of the Netherlands, and has a well-developed public transport network.
The station is served by:
Regular Intercity trains to all major Dutch cities, and since March 2006 a direct service to Schiphol airport-railway station. International trains (ICE) to Germany.
Many local trains.

A light-rail (sneltram in Dutch) line runs from the Utrecht Centraal station, through the neighbourhoods of Lombok and Kanaleneiland to Nieuwegein and IJsselstein.