Introduction
City and Municipality in Zeeland, NetherlandsHulstCity and MunicipalityBasilica of Hulst in 2006
FlagCoat of armsHulstLocation in the province of Zeeland in the NetherlandsShow map of ZeelandHulstHulst (Netherlands)Show map of NetherlandsCoordinates: 51°17′N 4°3′E / 51.283°N 4.050°E / 51.283; 4.050CountryNetherlandsProvinceZeelandGovernment • BodyMunicipal council • MayorIlona Jense-van Haarst (VVD)Area • Total251.82 km2 (97.23 sq mi) • Land201.71 km2 (77.88 sq mi) • Water50.11 km2 (19.35 sq mi)Elevation3 m (9.8 ft)Population (January 2021) • Total27,575 • Density137/km2 (350/sq mi)DemonymHulstenaarTime zoneUTC+1 (CET) • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)Postcode4560–4569, 4580–4589Area code0114Websitewww.gemeentehulst.nl
Hulst (Dutch pronunciation: [ɦʏlst] ⓘ) is a municipality and city in southwestern Netherlands in the east of Zeelandic Flanders.
History
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Map of the star fort
Hulst received city rights in the 12th century.
Hulst was captured from the Spanish in 1591 by Maurice of Orange but was recaptured by Archduke Albert in 1596.
In 1640, the Dutch forces tried to conquer the city, but they were defeated in battle by the Spanish Army under Cardinal-Infante Ferdinand, and Frederick Henry was forced to retreat.
In 1645, the Siege of Hulst (to control the left bank of the Schelde river) occurred. It was led by Prince of Orange Frederick Henry, during the Eighty Years' War (1568–1648) with Spain.
In 1702 Vauban attacked the town, but failled to capture it, which makes it the only fortress to successfully resist that great engineer. In 1747 it was taken by the French after incompetent defence by Lt. General Pieter de la Rocque.
In the seventeenth century, a star fort was constructed.
The fortifications, constructed during that time, are historic examples of Dutch fortress architecture.
The name Hulst (Holly in English) would appear to come from the shape of the battlements. Holly is depicted growing around the towns crest.
Geography
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Dutch Topographic map of the municipality of Hulst, June 2015
Hulst is located at 51°17′N 4°3′E / 51.283°N 4.050°E / 51.283; 4.050 in the south of the province of Zeeland in the southwest of the Netherlands. It is situated in the east of the region Zeelandic Flanders, which is connected by land only to Belgium, on the Dutch-Belgian border.
Hulst is neighbouring the municipalities of Terneuzen in the west, Stekene (Belgium) and Sint-Gillis-Waas (B) in the south, Beveren (B) in the east, and Reimerswaal in the north. The river Western Scheldt separates the land of Reimerswaal and Hulst.
The Drowned Land of Saeftinghe (Verdronken land van Saeftinghe) is a natural reserve in the north of the municipality. Its name refers to the Saeftinghe legend.
The population centers in the municipality are:
Absdale
Clinge
Graauw
Heikant
Hengstdijk
Hulst
Kapellebrug
Kloosterzande
Kuitaart
Lamswaarde
Nieuw-Namen
Ossenisse
Sint Jansteen
Terhole
Vogelwaarde
Walsoorden
Zandberg