Westerdiepsterdallen
Westerdiepsterdallen is a hamlet, near Groningen. For a long time, it only had 1 inhabitant, when one of the houses was empty. By only having 1 inhabitant, it made it to the 1984 Guinness Book of Records. The hamlet has grown to 5 people.[1]
Westerdiepsterdallen | |
|---|---|
  Westerdiepsterdallen Location of Westerdiepsterdallen in the province of Groningen  Westerdiepsterdallen Westerdiepsterdallen (Netherlands) | |
| Coordinates: 53°4′45″N 6°49′7″E | |
| Country | Netherlands |
| Province | Groningen |
| Municipality | Veendam |
| Population (2007) | 5 |
History
Westerdiepsterdallen was an agricultural community.[2] It used to have three houses, but one burned down in 1956. The fire department had difficulty finding the village, and arrived late.[3] In 1975, one of the farms was squatted by Bonney Brattinga. After three years, he decided to buy the farm.[4] The municipality tried to condemn the village, however Brattinga successfully protested the decision, and remained on his farm even though he had no gas or electricity, and used a water tank.[2] In 1984, Westerdiepsterdallen made the Guinness Book of Records.[1]
The population has grown to five people, and nowadays has the same population as Breezanddijk.[1][5] Westerdiepsterdallen is not a statistical unit, and is considered part of Wildervank.[1] Breezanddijk is a statistical unit with its own postal code.[5]
References
- "Westerdiepsterdallen". Plaatsengids (in Dutch). Retrieved 27 February 2022.
- "Dorp met één bewoner". Algemeen Dagblad (in Dutch). 12 January 1983. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
- "Woning afgebrand te Westerdiepsterdallen". Nieuwsblad van het Noorden (in Dutch). 27 December 1956. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
- "Bioloog woont in kleinste dorpje van Nederlands". Nieuwsblad van het Noorden (in Dutch). 28 May 1994. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
- "Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2021". Central Bureau Statistics. Retrieved 26 February 2022.