Introducing Eindhoven
Eindhoven received its city rights in 1232. At the end of the nineteenth century, Philips established its lamps factory in Eindhoven, leading to a stream of new workers and at the same time residents of the city. In 1920 the town of Eindhoven was merged with five surrounding villages (now city areas): Gestel, Stratum, Strijp, Tongelre and Woensel. Around 750,000 people live in the Eindhoven region or SRE (Cityregion Eindhoven).
If you're thinking of living in the Eindhoven region, click on Want to work for a list of things to remember.
Facts & Figures
By population Eindhoven is the fifth-largest city in the Netherlands. On 1 January 2005 the city had a population of 208,461 located at 92,464 addresses. On that date 134,000 people were working in Eindhoven.
The Eindhoven region is one of the powerhouses of the Dutch economy, and accounts for fourteen per cent of the Gross Domestic Product. Forty per cent of all investments in research & development in the Netherlands are made in the Eindhoven region. The region holds third place in the European Innovation Scoreboard. Its ambition is to take the No. 1 place in that ranking by 2013 at the latest.
Distances
Eindhoven is relatively near to a number of other cities that are worth visiting
Amsterdam - 125 km
Maastricht - 90 km
Antwerp - 90 km
Brussels - 130 km
Düsseldorf - 110 km
Berlin - 640 km
Cologne - 155 km
Paris - 435 km
Key facts:
- Eindhoven is the largest city in the southern Netherlands and the 5th largest in the country.
- The Eindhoven region has over 725,000 inhabitants.
- Eindhoven is a trend-setting centre of innovation and technology, which scores 4th on the EU's Lisbon index for innovation.
- Eindhoven has a world-class Technical University, and the Design Academy Eindhoven.
- 40% of all R&D activities in the Netherlands take place in the Eindhoven region.
- Eindhoven is sometimes referred to as ‘Light Town' - a reference to Philips Lighting.
- The closest big cities are Antwerp (Belgium) and Düsseldorf (Germany). The Dutch capital Amsterdam is 125 km away.
- Its location on major transport routes and the presence of an airport make the region an important crossroads.
- Eindhoven is a city of sports: besides PSV's football team the area also excels in swimming and horse riding. There are excellent sports facilities, including swimming pools, hockey fields, ice rinks, an indoor ski and snowboard centre, a climbing wall, country clubs, and a spectacular golf course.
- The cultural climate in the Eindhoven region is diverse - the Van Abbe museum is internationally recognised for its modern art collection.
- Eindhoven has a deserved reputation throughout the region for the quality and diversity of its shopping facilities, from weekly markets to top designer boutiques.
- Eindhoven is known for its ‘green' character and has many parks. The surrounding countryside is packed with nature reserves, cycling and hiking routes, and camping and holiday resorts.
