Herkingen is a village in the Dutch province of South Holland. It is located on the south coast of the island Goeree-Overflakkee, in the municipality of Goeree-Overflakkee.
Herkingen | |
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Village | |
![]() Windmill De Dankbaarheid | |
![]() ![]() Herkingen Location in the province of South Holland in the Netherlands Show map of South Holland![]() ![]() Herkingen Location in the Netherlands Show map of Netherlands | |
Coordinates: 51°42′36″N 4°5′14″E | |
Country | Netherlands |
Province | South Holland |
Municipality | Goeree-Overflakkee |
Area | |
• Total | 9.71 km2 (3.75 sq mi) |
Elevation | 0.8 m (2.6 ft) |
Population (2021)[1] | |
• Total | 1,250 |
• Density | 130/km2 (330/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
Postal code | 3249[1] |
Dialing code | 0187 |
Herkingen was first mentioned in 1420 or 1421 as "Herkinghe", and means "settlement of Herke (person)".[3] Herkingen is a dike village which developed after the Oud-Herkingen polder was created in 1483. In 1511, it was flooded and a new dike was constructed around the village in 1604.[4]
The Dutch Reformed church is a modest aisleless church parallel to the dike which was constructed in 1788.[4] The grist mill De Dankbaarheid was built in 1841. It was in service until 1960, and in 1966, it was used as a holiday home. It was restored in the 1990s, and operational in 2000. The windmill is frequently in service on a voluntary basis.[5]
Herkingen was home to 628 people in 1840.[6] Herkingen was severely damaged during the North Sea flood of 1953.[4]
Herkingen was a separate municipality between 1817 and 1966, when it merged with Dirksland.[7] In 2013, it became part of the municipality of Goeree-Overflakkee.[6]
Herkingen lies on the south side of the island and borders the Grevelingenmeer, which is a saltwater lake that has been disconnected directly from the North Sea by the Brouwersdam, but still connects to the Oosterschelde which is saltwater. The Grevelingenmeer has quite a large size yachting marina and is a large water sports area with the main recreational areas on Schouwen-Duiveland. The town of Herkingen currently hosts several of the largest modern windmills in the country.
Populated places in the municipality of Goeree-Overflakkee | |
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Towns | |
Villages |
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Hamlets |
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List of cities, towns and villages in South Holland |