Noorderkwartier
The Northern Quarter, formerly known as North Holland, is that part of the current province of North Holland, which consists of everything north of the old IJ (the present IJ in Amsterdam and the North Sea Channel). The Noorderkwartier can be subdivided into Kennemerland (the dune area), Zaanstreek (industrial area and polder area), Waterland and the Kop van Noord-Holland, of which the West Friesland region is also part of. The capital of the Noorderkwartier was Hoorn.
In the 16th and 17th centuries, the Noorderkwartier was an area with many lakes and sea arms that were largely dry. Examples include the Beemster, the Wormer and the Wormerland, the Schermer and the Purmer. The part of the province of Holland south of the city of Amsterdam was known as the Zuiderkwartier at that time.
The Water Board for the whole area has been the Hoogheemraadschap Hollands Noorderkwartier since 2003.
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