Alkmaar, Netherlands LGBTQ+ Facts
Being part of the LGBTQ+ community may not always be accepted in every culture. In Alkmaar, there are various resources for the LGBTQ+ community. For example, the organization Veilige Haven Alkmaar (Safe Haven Alkmaar) aims to help and support LGBTQ+ people living in Alkmaar. To learn more, you can visit their website.
Mental Health in Alkmaar, Netherlands
Recently, it was determined that 12 percent of the Dutch population ages 12 years and older had experienced mental health issues. This number has been consistent over the past four years, even with a slight year-on-year increase in mental health problems. In addition, mental health problems are a bit more prevalent for people ages18 to 39 compared to older and younger population groups. Single people under 65 and single parents were also more likely to experience mental health distress. These results are from Statistics Netherlands (CBS), who reported these numbers based on newly released figures from the most recent Health Survey.
At LGBTQ and ALL, we have a list of psychologists for kids in the Alkmaar region. So, be sure to access our listings if you are looking for mental health care for young people in your area.
Top Features
Alkmaar is a city and municipality in the Netherlands, in the North Holland province. This city is renowned for its world-class traditional cheese market. Outside of the cheese market, it is also a destination for culture. For example, it has a stunning old centre with various historical monuments, shopping districts, terraces, and cafes and restaurants. There are also many museums like the Stedelijk Museum, Beer Museum, Beatles Museum and, of course, the Cheese Museum. If you want to venture outside the city, there are impressive beaches and dunes only a short distance away, about fifteen minutes.
Facts
Alkmaar’s primary manufacturing industry includes furniture, clothing, paper, and church organs.
This city lies along the North Holland Canal and 6 miles east of the North Sea.
An older spelling of this city was “Alckmar.”
Alkmaar’s cheese market at the Waagplein is one of the country’s most popular tourist attractions, in particular, during the summer months. It is only one of four traditional Dutch cheese markets still operating today.
The cheese market is best known for showcasing famous Dutch cheeses, like Edam and Gouda. However, you cannot actually buy cheese at the market; it is instead a demonstration of how this merchants’ market previously operated back in the day. The demonstration is surrounded by specialized stalls, though, where you can purchase various types of cheese.
The Waag also contains the local tourist office and a cheese museum.
History/Data
Alkmaar was first mentioned in a 10th-century document. It started as a village that emerged into a town. In addition, it was granted city rights in 1254.
The oldest part of Alkmaar is found on an old sandbank a couple of meters above the surrounding area. During medieval times, this region was received protection from inundation.
In more recent history, during the second half of the 20th century, Alkmaar developed rapidly with the creation of new neighbourhoods. In 1972, the city of Oudorp and the southern areas of Koedijk and Sint Pancras were added to Alkmaar’s municipality.
In 2015, there were 107,106 residents in Alkmaar.