Hijken

Coordinates: 52°53′44″N 6°29′48″E / 52.8956°N 6.4967°E / 52.8956; 6.4967
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hijken
A farm in Hijken
A farm in Hijken
The village centre (dark green) and the statistical district (light green) of Hijken in the municipality of Midden-Drenthe.
The village centre (dark green) and the statistical district (light green) of Hijken in the municipality of Midden-Drenthe.
Hijken is located in Drenthe
Hijken
Hijken
Location in the Netherlands
Hijken is located in Netherlands
Hijken
Hijken
Hijken (Netherlands)
Coordinates: 52°53′44″N 6°29′48″E / 52.8956°N 6.4967°E / 52.8956; 6.4967
CountryNetherlands
ProvinceDrenthe
MunicipalityMidden-Drenthe
Area
 • Total28.12 km2 (10.86 sq mi)
Elevation14 m (46 ft)
Population
 (2021)[1]
 • Total930
 • Density33/km2 (86/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
9415 & 9416[1]
Dialing code0593

Hijken is a village in the Dutch province of Drenthe. It is a part of the municipality of Midden-Drenthe, and lies about 13 km south of Assen, the province capital of Drenthe.

History[edit]

The village was first mentioned in 1370 as "civibus de Hyken". The etymology is unknown.[3] Hijken developed as an esdorp originally without a church in the Early Middle Ages as a satellite of Beilen. In 1858, the Oranjekanaal [nl] was dug which cut the village into two halves.[4] It used be a village of shepherds. In 1563, there were 70 sheep for every building.[5]

Hijken was home to 417 people in 1840.[5] In 1906, a Reformed Church was built. In 1915, a steam dairy factory which doubled as grist mill was built. Between 1928 and 1960, it was used as a Dutch Reformed church and is nowadays used by a fodder and fertilizer company.[4] In 2018, the municipality wanted to demolished the bridge over the canal, however protests have resulted in the construction of a new bridge in 2019.[5]

The village is also known for its surrounding Neanderthal settlements. Late Neolithic Hat graves have been discovered dating to a Bronze Age settlement near Hijken.[6]

Sheep in Hijken on a street with appropriate warning sign

Education[edit]

There is one primary school, ‘t Hieker Nust.[7]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2021". Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 11 April 2022. two entries
  2. ^ "Postcodetool for 9415PA". Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (in Dutch). Het Waterschapshuis. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
  3. ^ "Hijken - (geografische naam)". Etymologiebank (in Dutch). Retrieved 11 April 2022.
  4. ^ a b Ronald Stenvert (2001). Hijken (in Dutch). Zwolle: Waanders. p. 61. ISBN 90 400 9454 3. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
  5. ^ a b c "Hijken". Plaatsengids (in Dutch). Retrieved 11 April 2022.
  6. ^ Leiden University, Fokkens, Harry. The prehistory of the Netherlands.
  7. ^ "Scholen" (in Dutch). Midden-Drenthe. Retrieved 2023-04-15.