GilzeRijen

Gilze en Rijen is a municipality in the southern Netherlands, located in the province of North Brabant. It comprises the towns of Gilze and Rijen and sits in the Breda–Tilburg region, between the cities of Breda and Tilburg. The area features a mix of agricultural land and suburban development and has an economy based on agriculture, small-scale industry, and services. A major facility in the municipality is the Gilze-Rijen Air Base, which plays an important role in regional defense and aviation activities.

History and formation followed a common pattern in North Brabant, with Gilze and Rijen historically functioning as separate communities. In the mid-20th century the two municipalities were merged to form the current municipality of Gilze en Rijen, a change that helped coordinate local planning, services, and development for the area.

Gilze-Rijen Air Base is one of the Royal Netherlands Air Force’s largest installations. It serves as a base for training, transport operations, and international exercises, reflecting its dual military and strategic significance. The adjacent civilian Gilze-Rijen Airport operates for general aviation and some charter traffic, making the site a shared civil-military facility and a notable component of the regional transport network.

Local government is headed by a mayor and a municipal council, which oversee services such as housing, education, infrastructure, and cultural activities. The municipality maintains a presence in regional planning and aims to balance growth with the preservation of its rural and suburban character.