Best, Netherlands

Coordinates: 51°31′N 5°24′E / 51.517°N 5.400°E / 51.517; 5.400
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Best
Chapel in Best
Chapel in Best
Flag of Best
Coat of arms of Best
Highlighted position of Best in a municipal map of North Brabant
Location in North Brabant
Coordinates: 51°31′N 5°24′E / 51.517°N 5.400°E / 51.517; 5.400
CountryNetherlands
ProvinceNorth Brabant
Government
 • BodyMunicipal council
 • MayorHans Ubachs (acting) (D66)
Area
 • Total35.10 km2 (13.55 sq mi)
 • Land34.30 km2 (13.24 sq mi)
 • Water0.80 km2 (0.31 sq mi)
Elevation16 m (52 ft)
Population
 (January 2021)[4]
 • Total30,216
 • Density881/km2 (2,280/sq mi)
DemonymBestenaar
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postcode
5680–5685
Area code0499
Websitegemeentebest.nl
Topographic map of the municipality of Best, June 2015

Best (Dutch pronunciation: [bɛst] ) is a municipality and a village in the province of North Brabant, southern Netherlands. It is situated northwest of the city Eindhoven, and is part of Brabant's city region.

The headquarters of one of Europe's largest meat processors, Vion NV, are located in Best, as are Philips Healthcare and the Bata Corporation's "Bata Protective" operations (B2B).

History[edit]

The village used to be a part of Oirschot, a nearby town. But as Best was situated on the state road from Amsterdam to Maastricht, this often created difficulties. Each time the military wanted to quarter troops in Best, they had to request to be stationed in Oirschot, 10 km away, for this to be allowed. Because of this difficulty, the government decided to separate Best from Oirschot in 1819.[citation needed]

Archaeological excavations around the village suggest settlement in the area dating back to the Roman era. The Armenhoef is a monumental farm on the Oirschotseweg 117 in Best. This stable is the oldest still in use within Western Europe. Historical building research in 2009 showed that the wooden frame of the stable dates back to 1263. The residential part of the farm is more recent, and was built in 1640 at the earliest, but probably around 1680. The farm is an official monument.[5] The first written text about Best dates back to 1421.[6]

The village itself, however, did not exist until the 19th century. There were three small villages: Naastenbest in the west, Wilhelminadorp in the south and Verrenbest where Oranjestraat is located. They grew together, and formed the village with the name Best.[citation needed]

Best received a railway station on the line Rotterdam – Breda – Boxtel – Helmond – Venlo – Maastricht. The line had only one track, but traffic congestion necessitated another track, so it was made double-tracked. In the 1980s, congestion once again became a problem so two more tracks were added in 2002. It is now possible to travel to Best from Utrecht or Eindhoven by train.[citation needed]

The spoken language is North Meierijs (an East Brabantian dialect, which is very similar to colloquial Dutch).[7]

Population centres[edit]

  • Aarle
  • Batadorp
  • De Vleut
  • Dijkstraten
  • Heikant
  • Heivelden
  • Heuveleind
  • Hoge Akker
  • Kantonnier
  • Koekoeksbos
  • Naastenbest
  • Oud-Best
  • Salderes
  • Speelheide
  • Steegsche velden (Construction)
  • Wilhelminadorp

Politics[edit]

Parties Seats 2002-06 Seats 2006-10 Seats 2010-14 Seats 2014-18 Seats 2018-22 Seats 2022-26
CDA 6 5 6 4 3 3
D66 1 1 4 4 2 4
VVD 3 3 3 3 6 4
Best Open 4 4 3 2 3 3
PvdA 3 5 2 2 1 3
Youth Party JO 2 2 2 2 3 4
Local Interests 2 1 1 2 2 1
ChristianUnion - - - 1 1 1
Local Best - - - 1 - -
Total 21 21 21 21 21[8] 23[9]

Transport[edit]

For train transport, see Best railway station.

One can take bus number 9 from Eindhoven central station to Best, or bus numbers 141/142 from Tilburg central station to Best.[citation needed]

Notable people[edit]

José Hoebee, 1979

Sport[edit]

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Anton van Aert" (in Dutch). Gemeente Best. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
  2. ^ "Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2020" [Key figures for neighbourhoods 2020]. StatLine (in Dutch). CBS. 24 July 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  3. ^ "Postcodetool for 5683EA". Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (in Dutch). Het Waterschapshuis. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
  4. ^ "Bevolkingsontwikkeling; regio per maand" [Population growth; regions per month]. CBS Statline (in Dutch). CBS. 1 January 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  5. ^ "Monumenten – Gemeente Best".
  6. ^ "Databank bedevaart en bedevaartplaatsen in Nederland". Meertens.knaw.nl. Retrieved 13 May 2010.
  7. ^ Jos & Cor Swanenberg: Taal in stad en land: Oost-Brabants, ISBN 9012090105
  8. ^ "Best municipal election 2018". www.verkiezingsuitslagen.nl (in Dutch). 21 March 2018. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  9. ^ "Best municipal election 2022". www.verkiezingsuitslagen.nl (in Dutch). 16 March 2022. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  10. ^ IMDb Database retrieved 22 December 2019
  11. ^ IMDb Database retrieved 22 December 2019

External links[edit]