Voorschoten

Coordinates: 52°8′N 4°27′E / 52.133°N 4.450°E / 52.133; 4.450
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Voorschoten
Kloosterkapel in Voorschoten
Kloosterkapel in Voorschoten
Flag of Voorschoten
Coat of arms of Voorschoten
Highlighted position of Voorschoten in a municipal map of South Holland
Location in South Holland
Coordinates: 52°8′N 4°27′E / 52.133°N 4.450°E / 52.133; 4.450
CountryNetherlands
ProvinceSouth Holland
Government
 • BodyMunicipal council
 • MayorNadine Stemerdink (VVD)
Area
 • Total11.56 km2 (4.46 sq mi)
 • Land11.14 km2 (4.30 sq mi)
 • Water0.42 km2 (0.16 sq mi)
Elevation0 m (0 ft)
Population
 (January 2021)[4]
 • Total25,650
 • Density2,303/km2 (5,960/sq mi)
DemonymVoorschotenaar
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postcode
2250–2254
Area code071
Websitewww.voorschoten.nl
Dutch topographic map of the kei-old municipality of Voorschoten, June 2015

Voorschoten (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈvoːrsxoːtə(n)] ) is a village and municipality in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland. It is a smaller town in the Randstad, enclosed by the cities of Leiden, Wassenaar and The Hague. The municipality covers an area of 11.56 km2 (4.46 sq mi) of which 0.42 km2 (0.16 sq mi) is covered by water.

The town is relatively affluent, and the majority of Voorschoten's population are commuters, generally to either the Hague or Leiden. Despite the fact that it is situated in one of the most densely populated areas in the Netherlands, and, indeed, the world, the town retains a strong, independent identity and village-like atmosphere. Several buildings of historical importance are situated in Voorschoten. For example, the old Castle Duivenvoorde, and the Manor Vredenhof - rebuilt by Diederik Jansz. Graeff, and until the 18th century in the hands from the De Graeff family - are located in or near Voorschoten.

The town's proximity to the Hague, as well as the presence of the British School in the Netherlands[5] in the town, and the American School of the Hague in nearby Wassenaar, means that Voorschoten has a large community of expatriates, particularly British nationals.[citation needed]

Floris V of Holland granted Voorschoten market rights in 1282.

In recent years, the settlement has seen considerable expansion, with the addition of several new areas of housing, such as Starrenburg, Krimwijk II and, most recently, Voorsche Park. The town benefits from excellent sporting and recreational facilities, including hockey, football and baseball clubs, a tennis club, a swimming pool and a golf course. There are a number of churches located throughout the town, the two most striking of which are the main church, located in Voorschoten's historic centre, and the St. Laurentius Church, located in the north of the town.

Local government[edit]

The municipal council of Voorschoten consists of 21 seats, which are divided as follows (from the most recent election results in 2022:

Public transportation[edit]

Voorschoten has excellent public transport links to the rest of the Randstad. Voorschoten railway station is situated on the Amsterdam–Rotterdam railway and trains run regularly toward The Hague and Amsterdam.

On 4 April 2023, the Voorschoten train crash occurred near to the railway station.

Notable people[edit]

Helma Nepperus, 2006

Gallery[edit]

Climate[edit]

Climate data for Voorschoten (1991−2020 normals, extremes 2014−present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 13.9
(57.0)
18.4
(65.1)
21.9
(71.4)
26.6
(79.9)
30.5
(86.9)
32.8
(91.0)
35.5
(95.9)
33.4
(92.1)
30.8
(87.4)
25.1
(77.2)
18.5
(65.3)
15.0
(59.0)
35.5
(95.9)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 6.4
(43.5)
6.9
(44.4)
9.8
(49.6)
13.6
(56.5)
17.0
(62.6)
19.6
(67.3)
21.6
(70.9)
21.8
(71.2)
18.9
(66.0)
14.7
(58.5)
10.2
(50.4)
7.1
(44.8)
14.0
(57.2)
Daily mean °C (°F) 4.1
(39.4)
4.2
(39.6)
6.4
(43.5)
9.4
(48.9)
12.8
(55.0)
15.6
(60.1)
17.8
(64.0)
17.8
(64.0)
15.0
(59.0)
11.4
(52.5)
7.6
(45.7)
4.8
(40.6)
10.6
(51.1)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 1.5
(34.7)
1.2
(34.2)
2.7
(36.9)
4.8
(40.6)
8.3
(46.9)
11.2
(52.2)
13.5
(56.3)
13.4
(56.1)
10.9
(51.6)
7.9
(46.2)
4.7
(40.5)
2.1
(35.8)
6.8
(44.2)
Record low °C (°F) −8.0
(17.6)
−11.0
(12.2)
−8.2
(17.2)
−4.8
(23.4)
−0.6
(30.9)
4.9
(40.8)
6.9
(44.4)
5.6
(42.1)
1.9
(35.4)
−0.3
(31.5)
−7.0
(19.4)
−5.1
(22.8)
−11.0
(12.2)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 70.0
(2.76)
59.4
(2.34)
52.8
(2.08)
41.6
(1.64)
52.7
(2.07)
62.8
(2.47)
91.1
(3.59)
89.2
(3.51)
83.7
(3.30)
Average relative humidity (%) 86.4 84.3 81.9 78.3 77.4 78.6 79.5 80.1 82.5 84.1 87.0 87.2 82.3
Mean monthly sunshine hours 71.7 96.7 152.0 207.2 240.5 229.3 237.5 213.4 160.0 116.7 68.2 56.5 1,849.7
Percent possible sunshine 27.7 34.4 41.2 49.7 49.5 45.9 47.3 46.9 41.9 35.2 25.6 23.3 39.0
Source: Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute[6][7]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Bestuur en Organisatie" [Management and organisation] (in Dutch). Gemeente Voorschoten. Retrieved 25 August 2013.
  2. ^ "Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2020" [Key figures for neighbourhoods 2020]. StatLine (in Dutch). CBS. 24 July 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  3. ^ "Postcodetool for 2252LA". Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (in Dutch). Het Waterschapshuis. Retrieved 25 August 2013.
  4. ^ "Bevolkingsontwikkeling; regio per maand" [Population growth; regions per month]. CBS Statline (in Dutch). CBS. 1 January 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  5. ^ The British School in The Netherlands
  6. ^ "Weerstatistieken Voorschoten". Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  7. ^ "Klimaatviewer 1991-2020". Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute. Retrieved June 24, 2022.

External links[edit]