Maastricht

Maastricht

Maastricht , city (1994 pop. 118,102), capital of Limburg prov., SE Netherlands, on the Maas (Meuse) River and on the Albert Canal system. It is an important rail and river transportation point and an industrial center. Manufactures include plastic ware, ceramics, building materials, fabricated metal products, consumer goods, and food processing.

The Maas was forded in Roman times; the city derives its name from the Latin Mosae Trajectum [Maas ford]. An episcopal center from 382 to 721, Maastricht has the oldest church in the Netherlands, the Cathedral of St. Servatius, founded in the 6th cent. In 1284 the city came under the dual domination of the dukes of Brabant and the prince-bishop of Liège .

Maastricht was a strategic fortress and suffered many sieges. The Spanish under Alessandro Farnese captured it (1579) from the Dutch rebels during the revolt of the Netherlands and massacred a large part of the population. In 1632 the Dutch under Prince Frederick Henry recovered the city. It later fell into French hands during the wars of the 17th and 18th cent., notably in 1673 and 1794. The Treaty of European Union (known as the Maastricht Treaty), an important step in the continuing integration of the countries of the European Union , was signed there in 1992.

Among Maastricht's many historic structures are the Romanesque Church of Our Lady (11th cent.), a 13th-century bridge across the Maas, and the town hall (17th cent.). The city is a cultural center, and hosts an annual international fine art fair. The district of Wijk occupies the right bank of the Maas.

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Maastricht

Maastricht City on the River Maas (Meuse), se Netherlands; capital of Limburg province. The city's strategic location, close to the Belgian and German borders, meant frequent occupation by foreign armies. In 1992, the Maastricht Treaty was signed here. The city is the commercial, industrial, and transport centre for a wide region. Industries: dairy products, paper, leather goods, glass. Pop. (2001) 122,235.

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"Maastricht." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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Maastricht

Maastricht, The Netherlands Trajectum ad Mosam ‘Crossing over the (River) Maas’ from the Latin trajectus ‘crossing’ or ‘passage’, referring to the Roman ford here, and the river name which in English is Meuse.

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JOHN EVERETT-HEATH. "Maastricht." Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN EVERETT-HEATH. "Maastricht." Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O209-Maastricht.html

JOHN EVERETT-HEATH. "Maastricht." Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names. 2005. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O209-Maastricht.html

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Maastricht

Maastricht •Kristallnacht • Gaeltacht •Brecht, echt •Fichte • Maastricht

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"Maastricht." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

A Maastricht TREAT; It's not typically Dutch but the town is buzzing, says...
Newspaper article from: The Birmingham Post (England); 12/13/2000
TRAVEL: Winter in Maastricht.
Newspaper article from: Warwick Courier (Leamington Spa, England); 11/7/2011
Holidays: 48 hours in Maastricht.(Features)
Newspaper article from: Sunday Mirror (London, England); 7/10/2005

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