Beek (; ) is a town and municipality in the southeastern Netherlands, in the province of Limburg. As of 2012, Beek has a population of about 16,400, of which about 8,800 live in the town of Beek.
The municipality of Beek makes part of the region of South Limburg and lies between the city of Geleen in the north and Maastricht in the south, and lies furthermore southeast of interchange Kerensheide and the chemical industries of Chemelot. It has a slightly hilly landscape with altitudes differing between above sea level, and has two small forests: Kelmonderbos between Beek and Kelmond, and Spaubekerbos near Spaubeek. The Keutelbeek flows through and has its source in the municipality of Beek.
Population centres Settlements in the municipality of Beek (population within brackets on 1 January 2005).
Town: Beek (8,770)
Villages: Genhout (1,320) Groot Genhout Klein Genhout Geverik (430) Neerbeek (2,580) Spaubeek (3,720)Hamlets: Hobbelrade Hoeve Kelmond (170) Looiwinkel Maastricht Aachen Airport (business park) Oude Kerk
History In 1982, Spaubeek merged with Beek and the municipality got his current size. In 2005, an archaeological site was found between Beek and Neerbeek, consisting of the remainings of a settlement from 5,000 BC. Because of this, Beek is considered the eldest village in the Netherlands.
Buildings Noteworthy buildings: Sint-Hubertusmolen, (Mill of Saint Hubertus) in Klein Genhout, dated 1801-1802 Sint-Hubertuskerk, (Church of Saint Hubertus) in Groot Genhout, by architect Alphons Boosten Kasteel Genbroek, a castle near Geverik
Transportation The municipality of Beek is surrounded by A2 motorway (Amsterdam-Belgian border) in the west and A76 motorway (Belgian border-German border) in the north.
The municipality has two railway stations: Beek-Elsloo railway station in the west Spaubeek railway station in the east
Beek also contains an airport: Maastricht Aachen Airport in the south
Economy When KLM exel operated, its head office was on the grounds of Maastricht Aachen Airport in Beek."Directory: World airlines." Flight International. 23–29 March 2004. 94. When V Bird operated, its head office was on the grounds of the airport."Contact." V Bird. 24 June 2004. Retrieved on 18 July 2010.
Politics The municipal council of Beek has 17 seats.
Municipal council seatsParty20102014201820222026CDA 4 4 5 6 6Progressive BeekProgressief Beek, a cooperation of PvdA, GreenLeft, and D66. 4 4 4 4 4BBB-NDB / Beek LokaalBurger Belangen Beek - Nieuwe Democraten Beek (BBB-NDB) is a local party. 7 6 5 4 3Interest of Beek - - - 2 3VVD 2 1 2 1 1Senior Interest Beek - 2 1 0 -Total1717171717
The executive board consists of four persons: Mayor: Christine van Basten-Boddin, (D66) 2016 - current Aldermen: Ralph Diederen (CDA) Marcel Meurkens (BBB-NDB) Rob Schwillens (CDA)
Notable people Pyke Koch (1901–1991), a Dutch artist who painted in a magic realist manner Léon Frissen (born 1950), a Dutch politician, former Queen's Commissioner of the province of Limburg Marc Borghans (born 1960), a Dutch runner Frans Weekers (born 1967), a Dutch politician and lawyer, Mayor of Beek 2015 to 2016 Ralf Krewinkel (born 1974), a Dutch politician, Mayor of Beek 2011 to 2015 Esther de Lange (born 1975), a Dutch politician, Member of the European Parliament since 2007 Vivianne Heijnen (born 1982), a Dutch politician, Minister for the Environment Maud Welzen (born 1993), a Dutch model
Gallery
References Notes
Bibliography Nederland Dichterbij: Limburg, Reader's Digest, 1995
External links