Kanaleneiland
Place in Utrecht, Netherlands / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kanaleneiland (Dutch pronunciation: [kaːˈnaːlə(n)ɛiˌlɑnt], Utrecht dialect: [kɑːˈnɑːlə(n)aiˌlænt]) is a district within the Southwest section of the Dutch city of Utrecht. It was listed (in 2005) as one of 40 "problem neighborhoods" that required extra attention by the Dutch Ministry of Housing.[1]
Kanaleneiland | |
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Coordinates: 52°04′19″N 5°05′36″E | |
Country | Netherlands |
Province | Utrecht |
City | Utrecht |
Area | |
• Total | 1.27 km2 (0.49 sq mi) |
Population (2007) | |
• Total | 15,614 |
Website | Southwest district (in Dutch) |
Kanaleneiland's residents have low levels of employment, health, and education.[2] Approximately 76% of the population have at least one parent that was not born in the Netherlands, most of them being of (partial) Turkish or Moroccan background.[3] This unique political climate is one that shaped the views of one of its ex-residents, national politician Geert Wilders of the PVV, who lived in the area in the late 1990s.[4] During his time in Kanaleneiland, Geert Wilders lived in an apartment complex on the Marco Pololaan, a busy street overlooking the Columbus park. This apartment complex is located above a Lidl supermarket, and has seen an increase in popularity among right-wingers.[5]