Hellevoetsluis

Hellevoetsluis is a town and former municipality in the province of South Holland, Netherlands. It is located in the western part of the province, near the border with the province of Zeeland. The town is situated on the Hellevoetsluis Lake, which is part of the Haringvliet, a large tidal lake that connects the North Sea to the Nieuwe Waterweg, a major shipping canal.

Hellevoetsluis was founded in the 13th century as a fishing village. It grew in importance in the 17th century when it became a major port for the export of grain. The town's economy was further boosted by the construction of the Haringvlietdam in 1952, which connected Hellevoetsluis to the rest of the Netherlands and facilitated the export of agricultural products.

Today, Hellevoetsluis is a small town with a population of around 10,000 people. It is known for its historic center, which is a designated Rijksmonument, and its annual Hellevoetsluis Flower Show, which attracts thousands of visitors each year. The town is also home to several museums, including the Hellevoetsluis Museum and the Haringvliet Museum.

Hellevoetsluis was a separate municipality until 2015, when it was merged with the neighboring municipalities of Brielle and Westvoorne to form the new municipality of Voorne aan Zee. Despite the merger, Hellevoetsluis retains its own local government and continues to be an important center for the surrounding area.