West-Graftdijk is a village in the Dutch province of North Holland. It is a part of the municipality of Alkmaar, and lies about 10 km south of the city of Alkmaar. The village has a small historical church, and to the north there is the bird area Eilandspolder.
West-Graftdijk | |
|---|---|
Village | |
 Farm houses at the Dwarsweg and Ringdijk | |
  West-Graftdijk Location in the Netherlands  West-Graftdijk Location in the province of North Holland in the Netherlands | |
| Coordinates: 52°33′N 4°48′E / 52.550°N 4.800°E | |
| Country | Netherlands |
| Province | North Holland |
| Municipality | Alkmaar |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.01 km2 (1.16 sq mi) |
| Elevation | −1.7 m (−5.6 ft) |
| Population (2021)[1] | |
| • Total | 745 |
| • Density | 250/km2 (640/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 1486[1] |
| Dialing code | 072 |
History
The village was first mentioned in 1578 as "Graefdyeck ofte Vuylen Graft", and means "dike on (de Vuylen) Graft River". West- has been added to distinguish from Oost-Graftdijk.[3] West-Graftdijk developed on the former island Schermereiland in the second half of the 16th century after a dike was built around the lake.[4]
The Dutch Reformed church is an aisleless church with wooden tower which was built on a terp (artificial living hill) in 1651. The church was extensively modified in 1792.[4] West-Graftdijk was home to 465 people in 1840.[5]
Gallery
Farm in West-Graftdijk
Dutch Reformed church
House in West-Graftdijk
Houses in West-Graftdijk
