Boskoop

Geschiedenis

Boskoop is a town in the province of South Holland. It was a separate municipality until it merged into Alphen aan den Rijn in 2014. The town had a population of 15,050 in 2012 and covers an area of 7.29km2 of which 1.39km2 is water. It's the world's biggest joined floriculture area.Boskoop is famous for its nurseries, particularly woody plant and perennial nurseries, of which some 774 are situated on long stretches of land, divided by narrow canals. Before World War II almost all transport was conducted using narrow boats. A few exceptionally high footbridges crossing some of the broader (main) canals remain from these days. Between the World Wars the transition was made from fruit culture to decorative garden plants and trees. As a source of technical knowledge about the art of growing decorative plants, Boskoop remains world-renowned and unique.The name "Boskoop" has been given to an apple cultivar and also to a variety of Calluna (Boskoop) and Weigela (Boskoop Glory) and blackcurrant ("Boskoop Giant").GeographyBoskoop is located in the Green Heart of the Randstad, spanning both sides of the river Gouwe between Alphen aan den Rijn and Waddinxveen, both also along the river. The municipality is bordered in the east by Reeuwijk and Bodegraven, and in the west by Rijnwoude. A vertical lift bridge in the centre of the village connects both shores of the Gouwe.