Texel
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This article is about the Dutch island Texel. For the meaning in computer graphics, see Texel (graphics)
Texel (pronounced: Tessel; population: 13,735 in 2004) is an island and municipality in the North Sea, part of the Dutch province of North Holland. It is the biggest and most populated of the Frisian Islands in the Wadden Sea and also the westernmost of this archipelago, which extends to Denmark.
The island forms one municipality that includes the seven villages De Cocksdorp, De Koog, De Waal, Den Burg, Den Hoorn, Oosterend, and Oudeschild, and the small townships of Bargen, De Nes, Dijkmanshuizen, Driehuizen, Harkebuurt, 't Horntje, Midden-Eierland, Molenbuurt, Nieuweschild, Noorderbuurt, Ongeren, Oost, Spang, Spijkdorp, Tienhoven, Westermient, Zevenhuizen, and Zuid-Eierland.
The municipality covers an area of 463.28 km² (of which 301.32 km² is water) and also includes the uninhabited sand bar of Noorderhaaks. The island of Texel, which received city rights in 1415, is made up of two islands, Texel proper to the south and Eierland to the northwest, which were connected by shoals. In the seventeenth century, the islands were poldered together.
Texel is known for its wildlife, particularly in winter, when birds of prey and geese take up residence.
There is a ferry to Den Helder on the North Holland mainland. The island has an airstrip at Midden-Eierland.
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Den Burg
Den Burg is the largest and least touristic village of the island, in the middle of the island. The town hall is situated here. Outdoor markets are held each week in the main square.
De Koog
De Koog is the main centre of tourism on the island. The small village is surrounded with many hotels and campgrounds. The village is located on the North Sea coast of the island. Only two narrow lines of dunes separate the village from the beach.
South of the village is a wooded area that is also popular with tourists. The information centre and museum about the Wadden Sea, Ecomare, is located here.
Oudeschild
Oudeschild is the fishing harbour of the island. It is situated at the Wadden Sea dyke. Next to the harbour, the windmill Traanroeier marks the site of the Maritime and Beachcombers Museum, which exhibits an interesting collection of objects found on the beaches of Texel.
In the 17th century, the Dutch East India Company ships sailing from Amsterdam waited for favourable winds at the Reede of Texel, on the sea near Oudeschild.
Close to the village is the Hoge Berg (the so-called "High Mountain"), a 15 meters high hill. Near the Hoge Berg is the Russian's cemetery. Here lie the Georgians who died in their uprising in 1945.
Battles
- 1653 Battle of Scheveningen - During the First Anglo-Dutch War.
- 1673 Battle of Texel - During the Third Anglo-Dutch War.
- 1945 Georgian Uprising of Texel - During the Second World War
External links
- Official Website (http://www.texel.nl)
- http://www.sdu.nl/staatscourant/gemeentes/gem465nh.htm
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