Bijbehorde

Bijbehorde is a fictional municipality used in governance studies, case materials, and speculative fiction to illustrate how local government can be organized in a small coastal region. It is described as part of an imaginary archipelago called Verdoria, in which standard municipal structures are practiced for instructional purposes.

Geography and demographics In this construct, Bijbehorde covers about 42 square kilometers and comprises three settlements: Noordpoort, Middelhaven, and Zilverdijk. The landscape includes a coastal edge with cliffs, surrounding farmland, and a modest forested area. The population is presented as around 9,800 residents, with Dutch as the primary language and small communities of speakers of other regional languages used in the exercises.

Government and services The municipal government follows a council–mayor system. A nine-member council is elected to set policy and oversee the executive, while the mayor serves as the head of the administration. The administration is organized into departments such as planning and development, public works, education and culture, and health and welfare. Public services typically include schools, a library, a small hospital outpatient center, and a cultural center that hosts events and exhibitions.

History and economy In the fictional timeline, Bijbehorde emerged in the late 19th century as a harbor settlement, gained municipal status in the early 20th century, and expanded with railway links in the 1930s. The economy is described as mixed, with fishing, agriculture, light manufacturing, and services forming the core. The port and ferry connections to nearby islands are depicted as important infrastructure for trade and mobility.

Notes Bijbehorde, as presented here, is a constructed example for educational purposes; numerical and institutional details are illustrative.