Hoogezand

Geschiedenis

Hoogezand is a village in the municipality Hoogezand-Sappemeer, located in the principality Groningen in northeast Netherlands.HistoryThe name refers to a higher sanded place in the peatlands cut through when the Winschoterdiep channel was dug. Near this channel in 1618 the village was founded.In the beginning the town was a center of peat briquettes producing. When the peat ran out opened factories for cardboard and plants for potato processing. At the moment Hoogezand is most known for the shipbuilding industry. On the shipyards the vessels are launched sideways, which is uncommon for slipways.In 1821 Hoogezand absorbed former municipality Windeweer. In 1949 Hoogezand and Sappemeer became one city. At the moment Hoogezand-Sappemeer has 34,438 citizens, around 21,000 of them live in Hoogezand.CultureThe Nationaal Bus Museum opened its doors in Hoogzand in 2013.TransportationRailway station: Hoogezand-SappemeerIn Western Hoogezand, Martenshoek railway station may be closer.