Wijdemeren is a municipality in the western Netherlands. It lies in the province of North Holland and is part of the broader Dutch landscape of lakes, lowlands and small towns. The area had about 24,000 inhabitants around 2019 and combines village life with waterside recreation.
Settlements and character
The municipality includes several villages and hamlets such as Loosdrecht, Kortenhoef, 's-Graveland, Nederhorst den Berg and Ankeveen. These places retain distinct identities: some are centred on historic village cores, others grew around peat reclamation and lakes. The mix of built environment and open water gives Wijdemeren a semi-rural character.
Geography and natural features
Wijdemeren is noted for its inland waters, most famously the Loosdrechtse Plassen, a network of lakes and reed beds popular with boaters and birdwatchers. Canals, polders and small woodlands connect the settlements. The municipality benefits from landscapes typical of the Dutch lake district and the nearby Vecht river area.
History and administration
The present municipality was formed by merging smaller municipalities at the start of the 21st century and is governed by a municipal council and mayor. Local heritage includes estate houses, historic churches and traces of older peat-extraction and agricultural use.
Uses, tourism and transport
Wijdemeren is a regional destination for leisure boating, cycling and waterside recreation; marinas and summer facilities support a seasonal visitor economy. It lies within commuting distance of larger towns such as Hilversum and Amsterdam, with road and public transport links serving residents and visitors.
For more administrative and visitor information see the municipal page (Wijdemeren) and regional resources on the Netherlands and the province.