Enkhuizen

History

Enkhuizen, like Hoorn and Amsterdam, was one of the harbour-towns of the VOC, from where overseas trade with the East Indies was conducted. It received city rights in 1356. On 24 June 1572 during the Eighty Years' War, in Enkhuizen five Franciscans from Alkmaar were hanged: known as the martyrs of Alkmaar. In the mid-17th century, Enkhuizen was at the peak of its power and was one of the most important harbour cities in the Netherlands. However, due to various reasons, notably the silting up of the harbours, Enkhuizen lost its position to Amsterdam.

Geography

Enkhuizen is located in the eastern part of the North Holland peninsula, along the northern shore of the Markermeer and near the IJsselmeer. The town forms part of the historical region of West Friesland, which is characterised by low-lying polder landscapes reclaimed from the sea. Apart from the elevated dykes and the historical fortifications, most of the area lies at or below sea level. These dykes protect the built-up area and the surrounding agricultural land from flooding. The town is intersected by canals and harbours that historically facilitated fishing, trade, and transport. The fertile reclaimed soils around Enkhuizen support horticulture and agriculture, including flower bulb cultivation. To the west, the Streekbos recreational area provides functions as a green buffer between Enkhuizen and neighbouring settlements. Enkhuizen has a temperate oceanic climate (Köppen: Cfb), influenced by its proximity to the North Sea and the surrounding inland lakes. Summers are mild to warm, with average high temperatures between June and August of about 20–22 °C. Periods of very warm weather, exceeding 30 °C, are infrequent. Winters are generally mild, with average daytime temperatures in January around 6 °C. The late summer and autumn months tend to be the wettest, while winter is somewhat drier. Wind conditions are also influenced by the open exposure to the Markermeer and IJsselmeer, with frequent westerly winds and stronger gusts common during autumn and winter storms.

Most-observed species

• Eurasian Coot

  Fulica atra Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  11,515
• Mallard

  Anas platyrhynchos Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  9,486
• Tufted Duck

  Aythya fuligula (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  9,367
• Great Crested Grebe

  Podiceps cristatus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  9,237
• Graylag Goose

  Anser anser (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  8,859
• Black-headed Gull

  Chroicocephalus ridibundus (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  8,208
• Great Egret

  Ardea alba Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  7,918
• Eurasian Magpie

  Pica pica (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  7,859

Most recent

• M 2.9 — 2008-10-11
  19 km WNW of Egmond aan Zee, Netherlands
• M 3 — 2004-06-21
  3 km NE of Dwingeloo, Netherlands
• M 2.9 — 2003-10-24
  2 km SE of Niekerk, Netherlands