Molenhoek is a hamlet located within the municipality of Druten in the province of Gelderland, the Netherlands. It lies in the eastern part of the country, near the banks of the River Waal. The hamlet is part of the statistical district of Druten and is administratively governed by the Druten municipal council.
Geography
- Province: Gelderland
- Municipality: Druten
- Coordinates: Approximately 51°53′N 5°44′E (based on topographic mapping)
Etymology
The name Molenhoek is derived from the Dutch words molen (“mill”) and hoek (“corner” or “angle”). Such place names historically indicate the former presence of a windmill or watermill situated at a bend or corner of a roadway or waterway.
Historical Context
- The settlement is noted as a small agricultural community.
- Historical records from regional archives reference a mill that operated in the vicinity during the 18th and 19th centuries, which likely gave the hamlet its name.
- No significant urban development has occurred; the area remains predominantly rural.
Demographics
Detailed population statistics for Molenhoek are not separately published by the Dutch Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS); demographic data are aggregated at the municipal level for Druten.
Infrastructure
- The hamlet consists mainly of residential farms and limited local road connections to the nearby village of Druten.
- Public services (schools, postal services, etc.) are accessed in Druten.
References
- Topografische Dienst Nederland (Dutch Topographic Service) maps.
- Gemeente Druten (Druten municipal) official publications.
- Historical land registers from the Gelderland provincial archive.
Note: Information is derived from publicly available geographic and municipal sources. No extensive encyclopedic entry specific to Molenhoek, Druten exists; the details above reflect the extent of verifiable data.
