Slochteren (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈslɔxtərə(n)] ) is a village and former municipality with a population of 15,546 in the province of Groningen in the northeast of the Netherlands. On 1 January 2018, Slochteren merged with Hoogezand-Sappemeer and Menterwolde, forming the municipality Midden-Groningen.
Slochteren | |
|---|---|
Village and former municipality | |
 Fraeylemaborg in Slochteren | |
 Flag  Coat of arms | |
.svg) Location in Groningen | |
| Coordinates: 53°13′N 6°48′E / 53.217°N 6.800°E | |
| Country | Netherlands |
| Province | Groningen |
| Municipality | Midden-Groningen |
| Area | |
| • Total | 16.86 km2 (6.51 sq mi) |
| Elevation | −1 m (−3 ft) |
| Population (2021)[1] | |
| • Total | 2,140 |
| • Density | 130/km2 (330/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Slochtenaar |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postcode | 9621[1] |
| Area code | 0598 |
The former municipality can be characterized as a chain of small villages dividing a mostly agricultural landscape. Having an agricultural background for at least a thousand years, the community houses for the most part commuters to nearby towns like Hoogezand, Groningen and Delfzijl. The mansion Fraeylemaborg (a small 'castle', the oldest parts of which are dated in the Middle Ages) is located in Slochteren.
Geography
The population centres in the former municipality are:
- Denemarken
- Froombosch
- Harkstede
- Hellum
- Kolham
- Lageland
- Luddeweer
- Overschild
- Schaaphok
- Scharmer
- Schildwolde
- Siddeburen
- Slochteren
- Steendam
- Tjuchem
- Woudbloem
Topographic map of the municipality of Slochteren, June 2015
Natural gas field
Slochteren is in the center of the giant Groningen gas field, discovered in 1959, ensuring the position of the Netherlands as a major energy exporting country. The estimated gas reserves in 2009 was 2,700 km3 (650 cu mi).[3]
Gallery
Protestant Church
Former courthouse of Slochteren
Town hall
Former post office
References
External links
Media related to Slochteren at Wikimedia Commons
