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Alkmaar () is a
city A city is a human settlement of notable size.Goodall, B. (1987) ''The Penguin Dictionary of Human Geography''. London: Penguin.Kuper, A. and Kuper, J., eds (1996) ''The Social Science Encyclopedia''. 2nd edition. London: Routledge. It can be def ...
and
municipality A municipality is usually a single administrative division having corporate status and powers of self-government or jurisdiction as granted by national and regional laws to which it is subordinate. The term ''municipality'' may also mean the ...
in the
Netherlands ) , anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau") , image_map = , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands , established_title = Before independence , established_date = Spanish Netherl ...
, located in the
province A province is almost always an administrative division within a country or state. The term derives from the ancient Roman ''provincia'', which was the major territorial and administrative unit of the Roman Empire's territorial possessions out ...
of
North Holland North Holland ( nl, Noord-Holland, ) is a province of the Netherlands in the northwestern part of the country. It is located on the North Sea, north of South Holland and Utrecht, and west of Friesland and Flevoland. In November 2019, it had a ...
, about 30 km north of
Amsterdam Amsterdam ( , , , lit. ''The Dam on the River Amstel'') is the capital and most populous city of the Netherlands, with The Hague being the seat of government. It has a population of 907,976 within the city proper, 1,558,755 in the urban ar ...
. Alkmaar is well known for its traditional cheese market. For tourists, it is a popular cultural destination. The municipality has a population of 109,896 as of 2021.


History

The earliest mention of the name Alkmaar is in a 10th-century document. As the village grew into a town, it was granted
city rights Town privileges or borough rights were important features of European towns during most of the second millennium. The city law customary in Central Europe probably dates back to Italian models, which in turn were oriented towards the traditio ...
in 1254. The oldest part of Alkmaar lies on an ancient sand bank a couple meters above the surrounding region; it afforded some protection from inundation during
medieval In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire a ...
times. Its vicinage consists of some of the oldest
polders A polder () is a low-lying tract of land that forms an artificial hydrological entity, enclosed by embankments known as dikes. The three types of polder are: # Land reclaimed from a body of water, such as a lake or the seabed # Flood plain ...
in existence. Older spellings include Alckmar. On June 24, 1572, after the Geuzen captured the town, five
Franciscans , image = FrancescoCoA PioM.svg , image_size = 200px , caption = A cross, Christ's arm and Saint Francis's arm, a universal symbol of the Franciscans , abbreviation = OFM , predecessor = , ...
from Alkmaar were taken to Enkhuizen and hanged ( martyrs of Alkmaar).


Siege of Alkmaar

In 1573 the city underwent a
siege A siege is a military blockade of a city, or fortress, with the intent of conquering by attrition, or a well-prepared assault. This derives from la, sedere, lit=to sit. Siege warfare is a form of constant, low-intensity conflict characteriz ...
by Spanish forces under the leadership of Don Fadrique, son of the Duke of Alva. The citizens sent urgent messages for help to the
Prince of Orange Prince of Orange (or Princess of Orange if the holder is female) is a title originally associated with the sovereign Principality of Orange, in what is now southern France and subsequently held by sovereigns in the Netherlands. The titl ...
; he responded by promising to open the floodgates of the dykes and flood the region if the need arose, which despite the protestations of the peasantry, fearful for their harvest, he proceeded to do. Some of his dispatches fell into the hands of Don Fadrique, and, with the waters beginning to rise, the Spaniards raised the siege and fled. It was a turning point in the Eighty Years War and gave rise to the expression ''Bij Alkmaar begint de victorie'' ("Victory begins at Alkmaar"). The event is still celebrated every year in Alkmaar on 8 October, the day the siege ended.


Since the French Revolutionary Wars

In 1799, during the
French Revolutionary Wars The French Revolutionary Wars (french: Guerres de la Révolution française) were a series of sweeping military conflicts lasting from 1792 until 1802 and resulting from the French Revolution. They pitted France against Britain, Austria, Pruss ...
, an Anglo-Russian expeditionary force captured the city but was ultimately defeated in the Battle of Castricum. After that battle, on 18 October 1799, the two opposing sides held the Convention of Alkmaar which met to determine the fate of the defeated Anglo-Russian force. The French victory was commemorated on the
Arc de Triomphe The Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile (, , ; ) is one of the most famous monuments in Paris, France, standing at the western end of the Champs-Élysées at the centre of Place Charles de Gaulle, formerly named Place de l'Étoile—the ''étoile'' ...
in
Paris Paris () is the capital and most populous city of France, with an estimated population of 2,165,423 residents in 2019 in an area of more than 105 km² (41 sq mi), making it the 30th most densely populated city in the world in 2020. Si ...
as "Alkmaer". The
North Holland Canal The Noordhollandsch Kanaal ("Great North Holland Canal") is a canal originally meant for ocean-going ships. It is located in North Holland, Netherlands. The canal was of great significance in Dutch history. Location The canal is about 75 kil ...
, opened in 1824, was dug through Alkmaar. In 1865 and 1867 the railways between Alkmaar and Den Helder and between Alkmaar and Haarlem were built respectively. In the second half of the 20th century, Alkmaar expanded quickly with development of new neighbourhoods. On 1 October 1972, the town of Oudorp and the southern portions of Koedijk and Sint Pancras were added to the municipality of Alkmaar.


Administrative divisions

The municipality of Alkmaar historically consists of the following cities, towns, villages and districts: Alkmaar, Bergermeer, Daalmeer, De Hoef, De Horn, De Nollen, Het Rak, Huiswaard,
Koedijk Koedijk is a village in the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland. It is now a part of Alkmaar and of Dijk en Waard, but before 1972 those two parts were a separate municipality first mentioned in the 14th century. Koedijk is most famous ...
(southeastern part), Overdie, Oudorp and Omval. On 1 January 2015 the municipalities of
Graft-De Rijp Graft-De Rijp () is a former municipality in the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland. Since 2015 it has been a part of Alkmaar. It is twinned with Chalfont St Giles in England. Population centres The municipality of Graft-De Rijp con ...
and Schermer were merged into Alkmaar. The historical village of
De Rijp De Rijp is a village and former island in the Dutch province of North Holland. It is a part of the municipality of Alkmaar, and lies about 10 km northwest of Purmerend, between the Schermer and the Beemster polders. Before the poldering of the ...
is thus since a part of Alkmaar. These once separate villages are now all linked together by the suburban sprawl of buildings that arose between the late 1970s and early 1990s. During this time, the population of Alkmaar almost doubled.


Local government

The municipal council of Alkmaar consists of 39 seats, which are divided as follows after the 2018 elections: * PvdA – 4 seats * OPA – 6 seats * CDA – 4 seats * VVD – 6 seats * GroenLinks – 6 seats * Leefbaar Alkmaar – 2 seats * D66 – 4 seats * BAS – 2 seats * Senior's Party of Alkmaar (Senioren Partij Alkmaar) – 2 seats *
ChristenUnie The Christian Union ( nl, ChristenUnie, CU) is a Christian-democratic political party in the Netherlands. The CU is a centrist party, maintaining more progressive stances on economic, immigration and environmental issues while holding more socially ...
- 1 seat * Partij voor de Dieren - 2 seats


Transport

The A9 motorway runs from
Amsterdam Amsterdam ( , , , lit. ''The Dam on the River Amstel'') is the capital and most populous city of the Netherlands, with The Hague being the seat of government. It has a population of 907,976 within the city proper, 1,558,755 in the urban ar ...
to Alkmaar, then continues on to Den Helder as the N9. There are direct trains to Den Helder,
Hoorn Hoorn () is a city and municipality in the northwest of the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland. It is the largest town and the traditional capital of the region of West Friesland. Hoorn is located on the Markermeer, 20 kilometers ...
, Zaandam,
Amsterdam Amsterdam ( , , , lit. ''The Dam on the River Amstel'') is the capital and most populous city of the Netherlands, with The Hague being the seat of government. It has a population of 907,976 within the city proper, 1,558,755 in the urban ar ...
, Utrecht,
Ede Ede may refer to: Places * Ede, Netherlands * Ede, Osun, Nigeria People * E De people of Vietnam Given name * Ede Dunai (born 1949), Hungarian footballer * Ede Kallós (1866–1950), Hungarian sculptor * Ede Komáromi (1928–2006), ...
, Arnhem,
Nijmegen Nijmegen (;; Spanish and it, Nimega. Nijmeegs: ''Nimwèège'' ) is the largest city in the Dutch province of Gelderland and tenth largest of the Netherlands as a whole, located on the Waal river close to the German border. It is about 6 ...
,
's-Hertogenbosch s-Hertogenbosch (), colloquially known as Den Bosch (), is a city and municipality in the Netherlands with a population of 157,486. It is the capital of the province of North Brabant and its fourth largest by population. The city is south of ...
,
Eindhoven Eindhoven () is a city and municipality in the Netherlands, located in the southern province of North Brabant of which it is its largest. With a population of 238,326 on 1 January 2022,Maastricht Maastricht ( , , ; li, Mestreech ; french: Maestricht ; es, Mastrique ) is a city and a municipality in the southeastern Netherlands. It is the capital and largest city of the province of Limburg. Maastricht is located on both sides of the ...
and
Haarlem Haarlem (; predecessor of ''Harlem'' in English) is a city and municipality in the Netherlands. It is the capital of the province of North Holland. Haarlem is situated at the northern edge of the Randstad, one of the most populated metropoli ...
. For exact details see Alkmaar railway station. Alkmaar has two railway stations: * Alkmaar * Alkmaar Noord The waterway
Noordhollandsch Kanaal The Noordhollandsch Kanaal ("Great North Holland Canal") is a canal originally meant for ocean-going ships. It is located in North Holland, Netherlands. The canal was of great significance in Dutch history. Location The canal is about 75 kil ...
, which opened in 1824, runs through Alkmaar. . it can be crossed (among other ways) using two of the five operating vlotbruggen, Koedijkervlotbrug and Rekervlotbrug.


Main sights

Alkmaar has many medieval buildings that are still intact, most notably the tall tower of the Grote or Sint-Laurenskerk, where many people from Alkmaar hold wedding ceremonies. The other main attraction, especially in the summer months, is Alkmaar's cheese market at the Waagplein, one of the country's most popular tourist attractions. The cheese market traditionally takes place from the first Friday in April through the first Friday in September. Every Friday morning (10:00–12:30) the Waagplein is the backdrop for this traditional cheese market. After the old-fashioned way of the hand clap, traders and carriers will weigh the cheeses. It is one of only four traditional Dutch cheese markets still in existence. The traditional fare of this cheese market is those cheeses made in the local area, as opposed to the well-known brands of Dutch cheeses, including the Edam and
Gouda cheese Gouda (, , ; nl, Goudse kaas, "cheese from Gouda") is a sweet, creamy, yellow cow's milk cheese originating from the Netherlands. It is one of the most popular cheeses worldwide. The name is used today as a general term for numerous similar ...
s. It is not actually possible to buy cheese at the market itself, which is really only a demonstration of how this merchants' market operated in times gone by. However, the demonstration, which takes place in front of the medieval weighing house, is surrounded by many specialized stalls where it is possible to buy all kinds of cheese (and non-cheese) related products. The
Waag A weighhouse or weighing house is a public building at or within which goods are weighed. Most of these buildings were built before 1800, prior to the establishment of international standards for weights, and were often a large and representative ...
is also home to the local tourist office and a cheese museum. Alkmaar has 399 registered
rijksmonument A rijksmonument (, ) is a national heritage site of the Netherlands, listed by the agency Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed (RCE) acting for the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. At the end of February 2015, the Netherlands ...
s, of which most are situated along the city's old canals. Alkmaar has two large theatres and a big cinema (which was originally two cinemas). A red light district is situated at the Achterdam, and Alkmaar has a nightlife scene as well which takes place in the pubs in front of the cheesemarket. Every year, at the end of May Alkmaar hosts the four-day event Alkmaar Pride, which has a canal pride parade on Saturday.


Museums

* Beatles Museum – dedicated to
The Beatles The Beatles were an English Rock music, rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960, that comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the Cultural impact of the Beatles, most influential band of al ...
, as
John Lennon John Winston Ono Lennon (born John Winston Lennon; 9 October 19408 December 1980) was an English singer, songwriter, musician and peace activist who achieved worldwide fame as founder, co-songwriter, co-lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of ...
's first guitar was made in Alkmaar * Holland Cheese Museum – located in the historic weigh house * National Beer Museum "De Boom" * Op ArtMuseum * City Museum Alkmaar – for history of the city


Sports

Alkmaar is home to the professional football team AZ (Alkmaar Zaanstreek). In 2006, the club moved to a new 17,000 capacity stadium, the DSB Stadion, now named the
AFAS Stadion AFAS Stadion is a stadium in Alkmaar, Netherlands. It is used for football matches and is the home stadium of AZ Alkmaar. The stadium is able to hold 19.478 people and bears the name of a Dutch software company. Due to UEFA's sponsorship regulatio ...
. In 2008–2009, AZ won the
Eredivisie The Eredivisie (; ''"Honour Division"'' or ''"Premier Division"'') is the highest level of professional football in the Netherlands. The league was founded in 1956, two years after the start of professional football in the Netherlands. It is ...
, the Dutch football league. It was the second league title for the club after the Eredivisie in 1980/81 with only one league defeat. Notable coaches include former
FC Barcelona Futbol Club Barcelona (), commonly referred to as Barcelona and colloquially known as Barça (), is a professional football club based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, that competes in La Liga, the top flight of Spanish football. Found ...
coach
Ronald Koeman Ronald Koeman (; born 21 March 1963) is a Dutch professional football manager and former player. He is the younger brother of his former international teammate Erwin Koeman and the son of former Dutch international Martin Koeman. Koeman was capab ...
, and
Netherlands national football team The Netherlands national football team ( nl, Nederlands voetbalelftal or simply ''Het Nederlands elftal'') has represented the Netherlands in international men's football matches since 1905. The men's national team is controlled by the Royal ...
coach Louis van Gaal. The city also has a velodrome where the Dutch national
track cycling Track cycling is a bicycle racing sport usually held on specially built banked tracks or velodromes using purpose-designed track bicycles. History Track cycling has been around since at least 1870. When track cycling was in its infancy, it ...
championships are held every year. The city hosted the
2019 European Road Championships The 2019 European Road Cycling Championships was the 25th running of the European Road Cycling Championships, that took place from 7 to 11 August 2019 in Alkmaar, the Netherlands. The event consisted of a total of 6 road races and 7 time trials, ...
.


Notable residents


Public thinking & Public Service

*
Isaac Dorislaus Isaac Dorislaus (1595 in Alkmaar, Holland – 2 May 1649 at The Hague, Holland) was a Dutch Calvinist historian and lawyer who was an important official in Oliver Cromwell's period of rule. He came to England as a historian. His lectures were seen ...
(1595–1649) a Dutch Calvinist historian and lawyer * Jan Janse de Weltevree (1595 in De Rijp – ??) a Dutch sailor, the first Dutchman to visit
Korea Korea ( ko, 한국, or , ) is a peninsular region in East Asia. Since 1945, it has been divided at or near the 38th parallel, with North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) comprising its northern half and South Korea (Republic ...
* Cornelis van der Lijn (1608-1679) Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies 1646-1650 and elected Mayor of Alkmaar in 1668 *
Bernard Nieuwentyt Bernard Nieuwentijt, Nieuwentijdt, or Nieuwentyt (10 August 1654, West-Graftdijk, North Holland – 30 May 1718, Purmerend) was a Dutch philosopher, mathematician, physician, magistrate, mayor (of Purmerend), and theologian. Career As a ph ...
(1654 in West-Graftdijk – 1718) a Dutch philosopher, mathematician, physician and magistrate * Anna Smitshuizen (1751–1775) the victim of a
cause célèbre A cause célèbre (,''Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged'', 12th Edition, 2014. S.v. "cause célèbre". Retrieved November 30, 2018 from https://www.thefreedictionary.com/cause+c%c3%a9l%c3%a8bre ,''Random House Kernerman Webs ...
murder *
Kees Boeke Cornelis "Kees" Boeke (25 September 1884 3 July 1966) was a Dutch reformist educator, Quaker missionary and pacifist. He is best known for his popular essay/book '' Cosmic View'' (1957) which presents a seminal view of the universe, from the ga ...
(1884–1966) a Dutch reformist educator, Quaker missionary and pacifist * Nicolette Bruining (1886–1963) a Dutch theologian, teacher and humanitarian in WWII * Geertruida Wijsmuller-Meijer (1896–1978) a resistance fighter, saved Jewish children * Cornelis Berkhouwer (1919-1992) politician, President of the European Parliament 1973-1975 *
Rudi Vis Rudolf Jan Vis (4 April 1941 – 30 May 2010) was a Dutch-born British Labour politician who served as Member of Parliament (MP) for Finchley and Golders Green from 1997 to 2010. Early life Vis was born in 1941 in the town of Alkmaar, in the ...
(1941–2010) British Labour politician, MP 1997 to 2010 *
Jaap Pop Jacobus Johannes Hermanus (Jaap) Pop (born 23 June 1941, Alphen aan den Rijn) is a former Dutch politician. Pop is a member of the Labour Party. Early life Pop was born as one of three sons in 1941 in Alphen aan den Rijn. His father is Herm ...
(born 1941) a former Dutch politician, Mayor of Alkmaar 1988-1995 * Sybilla Dekker (born 1942) a retired Dutch politician and businesswoman * Ronald Bandell (1946–2015) a Dutch civil servant, politician and Mayor of Alkmaar 1995-2000 * Jos Punt (born 1946) bishop in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Haarlem-Amsterdam *
Patrick Cammaert Major General Patrick Cammaert (, born April 11, 1950, Nijmegen) is a retired
(born 1950) a retired Dutch general and commander of UN peacekeeping missions


The Arts

* Maria Tesselschade Roemers Visscher (1594-1649),
poet A poet is a person who studies and creates poetry. Poets may describe themselves as such or be described as such by others. A poet may simply be the creator ( thinker, songwriter, writer, or author) who creates (composes) poems (oral or w ...
and engraver * Pieter van Schaeyenborgh (1600-1657), painter known for pictures of fish; worked in Alkmaar from 1635 * brothers
Caesar van Everdingen Cesar Pietersz, or Cesar Boetius van Everdingen (1616/17 – buried 13 October 1678), older brother of Allart van Everdingen and Jan van Everdingen, was a Dutch Golden Age portrait and history painter. Biography He was born in Alkmaar and ed ...
(1616/7-1678) &
Allaert van Everdingen Allaert van Everdingen (, bapt. 18 June 16218 November 1675 (buried)), was a Dutch Golden Age painter and printmaker in etching and mezzotint. Biography Van Everdingen was born at Alkmaar, the son of a government clerk. He and his older br ...
(1621–1675)
Dutch Golden Age The Dutch Golden Age ( nl, Gouden Eeuw ) was a period in the history of the Netherlands, roughly spanning the era from 1588 (the birth of the Dutch Republic) to 1672 (the Rampjaar, "Disaster Year"), in which Dutch trade, science, and art and ...
painters *
Emanuel de Witte Emanuel de Witte (1617–1692) was a Dutch perspective painter. In contrast to Pieter Jansz Saenredam, who emphasized architectural accuracy, De Witte was more concerned with the atmosphere of his interiors. Though few in number, de Witte al ...
(1617-1692) a Dutch perspective painter of genre paintings * Willem de Fesch (1687–1761) a virtuoso Dutch
violone The term violone (; literally "large viol" in Italian, " -one" being the augmentative suffix) can refer to several distinct large, bowed musical instruments which belong to either the viol or violin family. The violone is sometimes a fretted ...
player and composer * Geertruida Bosboom-Toussaint (1812–1886) a Dutch novelist * Cécile de Jong van Beek en Donk (1866–1944) a Dutch feminist writer * Dirk Smorenberg (1883–1960) a Dutch
Art Deco Art Deco, short for the French ''Arts Décoratifs'', and sometimes just called Deco, is a style of visual arts, architecture, and product design, that first appeared in France in the 1910s (just before World War I), and flourished in the Unit ...
painter *
Jan Wils Jan Wils (22 February 1891 – 11 February 1972) was a Dutch architect. He was born in Alkmaar and died in Voorburg. Wils was one of the founding members of the De Stijl movement, which also included artists as Piet Mondrian, Theo van Doesburg ...
(1891–1972) a Dutch architect and founding member of the De Stijl movement * Jan Gerrit van Gelder (1903–1980) a Dutch art historian * Ans Wortel (1929–1996) a Dutch painter, poet and writer * Rudi Carrell (1934-2006) entertainer, hosted his own TV show * Dan van der Vat (1939-2019) a journalist, writer and military historian *
Angela Groothuizen Angela Groothuizen (born 28 September 1959) is a Dutch singer, artist and television personality. Her initial fame came as a member of the Dolly Dots. Biography Angela Groothuizen was born in Alkmaar, and has four brothers and sisters. She join ...
(born 1959) a Dutch singer, artist and TV personality * Karin Bloemen (born 1960) is a Dutch actress and singer * Lorena Kloosterboer (born 1962) a Dutch-Argentine artist who paints using trompe-l'œil *
Joost Zwagerman Johannes Jacobus Willebrordus "Joost" Zwagerman (18 November 1963 – 8 September 2015) was a Dutch writer, poet and essayist. Among his teachers was the novelist Oek de Jong. Early life and education Johannes Jacobus Willebrordus Zwager ...
(1963–2015) a Dutch writer, poet and essayist *
Marco Borsato Marco Roberto Borsato (; born 21 December 1966) is a Dutch singer. Born in Alkmaar, North Holland, he started performing in Italian before switching to Dutch in 1994. He has consistently been one of the most successful and biggest grossing arti ...
(born 1966) a Dutch singer *
Edwin Brienen Edwin Brienen (born June 15, 1971 in Alkmaar, Netherlands) is a Dutch film director, actor, producer, journalist and radio moderator. In German press he's often called 'the Dutch Fassbinder' because of the high production-level and style of his ...
(born 1971) a Dutch film director, actor, producer and journalist * Hellen van Meene (born 1972) a Dutch photographer known for her portraits *
Marco Borsato Marco Roberto Borsato (; born 21 December 1966) is a Dutch singer. Born in Alkmaar, North Holland, he started performing in Italian before switching to Dutch in 1994. He has consistently been one of the most successful and biggest grossing arti ...
(born 1966) nederpop * Tom Six (born 1973) a Dutch horror filmmaker, writer and actor * Roderick Teerink (born 1976) a Dutch-Argentine actor and music producer IMDb Database
retrieved 13 April 2021
*
Melissa Venema Melissa Venema (born April 12, 1995, in Alkmaar) is a Dutch trumpeter. Life Melissa started playing recorder at age 6 and moved to trumpet by age 8. When she was 10, she auditioned successfully at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, training under ...
(born 1995) a Dutch trumpet player


Science & Business

* Petrus Forestus (1521–1597) a prominent
physician A physician (American English), medical practitioner (Commonwealth English), medical doctor, or simply doctor, is a health professional who practices medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring health through th ...
of the
Dutch Republic The United Provinces of the Netherlands, also known as the (Seven) United Provinces, officially as the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands ( Dutch: ''Republiek der Zeven Verenigde Nederlanden''), and commonly referred to in historiograph ...
*
Adriaan Anthonisz Adriaan Anthonisz (also known as Adriaen Anthonisz of Alcmaer) (1527–1607) was a Dutch mathematician, surveyor, cartographer, and military engineer who specialized in the design of fortifications. As a mathematician Anthonisz calculated in 1585 ...
(1527–1607) a mathematician, surveyor, cartographer, military engineer and
burgomaster Burgomaster (alternatively spelled burgermeister, literally "master of the town, master of the borough, master of the fortress, master of the citizens") is the English form of various terms in or derived from Germanic languages for the chie ...
of Alkmaar * Willem Blaeu (1571–1638) a Dutch cartographer, atlas maker and publisher * Adriaan Metius (1571–1635) a Dutch geometer and
astronomer An astronomer is a scientist in the field of astronomy who focuses their studies on a specific question or field outside the scope of Earth. They observe astronomical objects such as stars, planets, moons, comets and galaxies – in either ...
* Cornelis Drebbel (1572-1633) a Dutch engineer, in 1620 built the first navigable submarine *
Jan Leeghwater Jan Adriaenszoon Leeghwater (born Jan Adriaenszoon; November 1575 – January 1650) was a Dutch millwright and hydraulic engineer. Biography Leeghwater was born as Jan Adriaanszoon. Only later did he adopt the name Leeghwater, from ''la ...
(1575 in De Rijp – 1650) a Dutch architect, mill builder and hydraulic engineer *
Joan Blaeu Joan Blaeu (; 23 September 1596 – 21 December 1673) was a Dutch cartographer born in Alkmaar, the son of cartographer Willem Blaeu. Life In 1620, Blaeu became a doctor of law but he joined the work of his father. In 1635, they published ...
(1598-1673) a Dutch cartographer * Adriaan Reland (1676 in De Rijp – 1718) a Dutch Orientalist scholar and cartographer * Hendrik Willem Bakhuis Roozeboom (1854–1907) a Dutch chemist who studied phase behaviour in
physical chemistry Physical chemistry is the study of macroscopic and microscopic phenomena in chemical systems in terms of the principles, practices, and concepts of physics such as motion, energy, force, time, thermodynamics, quantum chemistry, statistica ...
*
Alfred Peet Alfred H. Peet (March 10, 1920 – August 29, 2007) was a Dutch- American entrepreneur and the founder of Peet's Coffee & Tea in Berkeley, California, in 1966. Peet is widely credited with starting the specialty coffee revolution in the US. A ...
(1920-2007) founder of American coffee retailer
Peet's Coffee & Tea Peet's Coffee is a San Francisco Bay Area-based specialty coffee roaster and retailer owned by JAB Holding Company via JDE Peet's. Founded in 1966 by Alfred Peet in Berkeley, California, Peet's introduced the United States to its darker roast ...
*
Jacob Gelt Dekker Jacob Gelt Dekker (22 April 1948 – 1 September 2019) was a Dutch businessman, philanthropist, and writer. Born in Oterleek, North Holland, Dekker attended school between 1961 and 1967 in Alkmaar and later studied dentistry in Amsterdam. He re ...
(1948 in Oterleek– 2019) a Dutch businessman, philanthropist and writer * Marije Costerus Dutch scuba diver, UX professional and soccer enthusiast


Sport

* Harm Ottenbros (born 1943) a former Dutch road bicycle racer, 1969 world champion *
Dick Quax Theodorus Jacobus Leonardus "Dick" Quax (1 January 1948 – 28 May 2018) was a Dutch-born New Zealand runner, one-time world record holder in the 5000 metres, and local-body politician. Quax stood for Parliament for the ACT Party in 1999 and 2 ...
(1948–2018) a Dutch-born New Zealand long-distance runner * Hans Nijman (1959–2014) a Dutch former mixed martial artist and professional wrestler * Richard Goulooze (born 1967) a Dutch former professional footballer with 351 club caps * Michel Vonk (born 1968) a Dutch former professional footballer with 342 club caps *
Jakko Jan Leeuwangh Jakko Jan Leeuwangh (born 9 September 1972) is a former speed skater from the Netherlands. He finished fourth in the 1998 Olympic 1000 m event. In January 2000 he broke the 1500 m world record in Calgary, Canada, holding the record until it was b ...
(born 1972) a former speed skater * Macha van der Vaart (born 1972) a Dutch field hockey player, team bronze and silver medallist at the 2000 and 2004 Summer Olympics *
Steven de Jongh Steven de Jongh (born 25 November 1973 in Alkmaar) is a Dutch former road bicycle racer. Biography De Jongh made his professional debut in 1995 at TVM team where he stayed until 1999. From 2000 to 2005 he was part of , while he made the move t ...
(born 1973) a Dutch former road bicycle racer * brothers Yuri Cornelisse (born 1975) & Tim Cornelisse (born 1978) Dutch retired footballers with 371 and 445 club caps * Jochem Verberne (born 1978) rower, team silver medallist in the
2000 Summer Olympics The 2000 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the XXVII Olympiad and also known as Sydney 2000 ( Dharug: ''Gadigal 2000''), the Millennium Olympic Games or the Games of the New Millennium, was an international multi-sport event held from ...
*
Maarten van der Weijden Maarten van der Weijden (born 31 March 1981) is a Dutch long distance and marathon swimmer born in Alkmaar., beijing2008.cn In 2019 Van der Weijden swam the Elfstedentocht for charity. He raised more than €6.1 million. Swimming career Van der ...
(born 1981) a Dutch long distance and marathon swimmer; Dutch Sportsman of the year 2008 * Theo Bos (born 1983) a Dutch road and track cyclist * Wesley Harms (born 1984) a Dutch professional darts player * Gago Drago (born 1985) an Armenian-Dutch welterweight kickboxer *
Dewi Claire Schreefel Dewi Claire Schreefel (born 12 November 1985) is a Dutch professional golfer currently playing on the LPGA Tour and formerly on the Futures Tour. Personal Schreefel was born in Alkmaar, Netherlands on 12 November 1985. She resides in the village ...
(born 1985) a Dutch female professional golfer on the LPGA Tour * Tom Büdgen (born 1985) a Dutch professional wrestler who previously worked in WWE, currently signed to All Elite Wrestling under the ring name Malakai Black * Yvonne Hak (born 1986) a Dutch middle-distance runner, won gold at the 2010 European Athletics Championships * Nycke Groot (born 1988) a Dutch handball player, 141 caps with the women's national team * Joyce Sombroek (born 1990) a Dutch field hockey goalkeeper, team gold and silver medallist at the 2012 and
2016 Summer Olympics ) , nations = 207 (including IOA and EOR teams) , athletes = 11,238 , events = 306 in 28 sports (41 disciplines) , opening = 5 August 2016 , closing = 21 August 2016 , opened_by = Vice President Michel Temer , cauldron = Vanderlei Cordeiro de ...
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Indy Dontje Indy Dontje (born 21 November 1992 in Alkmaar, North Holland) is a Dutch racing driver. After starting in ADAC Formel Masters and ATS Formel 3 Cup Dontje is now a Mercedes-Benz GT3 driver. Career Karting Father Arthur Dontje supported his sons ...
(born 1992) a Dutch racing driver


Twin towns—sister cities

Alkmaar is twinned with:


Gallery

File:Rechtestraat, De Rijp, Netherlands - panoramio (23).jpg, De Rijp File:Alkmaar, toren van het stadhuis RM7282 foto5 2014-12-26 11.41.jpg, Townhall tower File:Kennemerstraatweg 118-126, Alkmaar.jpg, ''Kennemerstraatweg'' File:Alkmaar, de Mient bij het Biermuseum RM7221 foto3 2014-12-26 11.24.jpg, ''De Mient'' near the Biermuseum File:De Rijp Panorama 2.JPG, ''Grote Dam'' File:Alkmaar, straatzicht De Laat met de voormalige Domuskerk foto7 2014-12-26 11.52.jpg, View to a street: ''De Laat'' with its former church File:Cheesemuseum in the Alkmaar Waagbuilding 1582 - panoramio.jpg, Weighing house (''Waag'') and cheese museum


References


Literature

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External links

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Alkmaar's official Web site
{{Authority control Cities in the Netherlands Municipalities of North Holland Populated places in North Holland