Maasgouw (Limburgish: Maasgoew) is a municipality in Central Limburg that was created on 1 January 2007 from the municipalities of Heel, Maasbracht and Thorn. These three municipalities have decided on a voluntary municipal reorganization. As of 1 May 2020, the municipality has 24,275 inhabitants, divided over the ten cores: Maasbracht, Ohé en Laak, Stevensweert, Linne, Thorn, Heel and Panheel, Wessem and Beegden. The total area of the municipality is 5,812 hectares.
Historically, the name Maasgouw can be found in the Carolingian
period (750 - 900 AD). Gouw was a Germanic designation for province. The
municipality of Maasgouw is centrally located in the historic Franconian
county of Pagus Mosarium. This Maasgouw covered an area along the Meuse
from Liège to Grave, approximately the Maasland (Limburg-Liège), the
Meuse Valley including the current Dutch province of Limburg, between
Aachen, Wezet and Nijmegen. From 900 AD. the Maasgouw fell apart into
kingdoms and principalities, including Thorn.
The name Maasgouw
for the new municipality was chosen by vote on November 17, 2005 by
councilors of the former three municipalities. It is a name that suits
the current municipalities, given their location on the River Maas.
On June 7, 2006, the House of Representatives canceled the plans for
the municipality of Maasgouw, as the municipality of Maasbracht would
fit better with the municipality of Roermond. This amendment was
introduced by the VVD. This would mean that Heel and Thorn would
probably be added to the also new municipality of Leudal, with Hunsel
moving to Weert as compensation. The municipalities did not agree with
this and took action to allow the original plans to go ahead.
On
June 12, 2006, members of Parliament from the PvdA and GroenLinks
announced during a demonstration in Maasbracht that they would refrain
from supporting the VVD amendment and would also vote in favor of the
original reorganization plan and therefore also the new municipality of
Maasgouw. This made a parliamentary majority a fact.
In the
afternoon of Tuesday, June 13, 2006, the House of Representatives,
including members of the VVD, voted in favor of the original
reorganization plan.
In the evening of September 12, 2006, the
Senate voted on the reorganization proposal. The proposal was adopted,
making the new municipality of Maasgouw a reality on January 1, 2007. At
the same time as the 2006 House of Representatives elections on November
22, votes were cast in the municipalities of Heel, Maasbracht and Thorn
for the first municipal council of the new municipality. The newly
elected council took office on January 1, 2007 when the new municipality
was created.
The name Maasgouw for the new municipality was chosen by vote on
November 17, 2005 by councilors of the former three municipalities. It
is a name that fits the current municipalities, given their location on
the river Maas.
On 7 June 2006, the House of Representatives
scrapped the plans for the municipality of Maasgouw, as the municipality
of Maasbracht would be better suited to the municipality of Roermond.
This amendment was introduced by the VVD. This would mean that Heel and
Thorn would probably be added to the also new municipality of Leudal,
with Hunsel going to Weert as compensation. The municipalities did not
agree with this and have campaigned to allow the original plans to go
ahead.
On 12 June 2006, MPs from the PvdA and GroenLinks
announced during a manifestation in Maasbracht that they were renouncing
their support for the VVD's amendment and would also vote for the
original redivision plan and therefore also for the new municipality of
Maasgouw. This resulted in a parliamentary majority.
In the
afternoon of Tuesday 13 June 2006, the House of Representatives,
including members of the VVD, voted in favor of the original
reclassification plan.
In the evening of 12 September 2006, the
Senate voted on the reclassification proposal. The proposal was adopted,
with which the new municipality of Maasgouw became a fact on 1 January
2007. At the same time as the 2006 parliamentary elections on 22
November, the municipalities of Heel, Maasbracht and Thorn voted for the
first municipal council of the new municipality. The newly elected
council took office on 1 January 2007 when the new municipality came
into existence.
The blue part represents the water, the connecting element in this
municipality. The water of the Meuse, the harbours, the ponds and the
streams. The whimsical shape reflects the bustling character and
symbolizes the inflow and outflow of shipping, traffic and people who
come and go.
The golden triangles symbolize the banks, the
swaying reed collars and the buildings. In addition, the points refer to
the three former municipalities (Heel, Maasbracht and Thorn). The
cut-out triangle symbolizes shipping and tourism and refers to the white
town of Thorn.
The Vastelaovend (carnival) belongs to the culture of Maasgouw. There
are a number of carnival associations in the municipality. The cores
within the municipality of Maasgouw each have their own carnival
association. Complete with Prince Carnival, Council of Eleven and its
own colorful evenings and parades. The carnival associations in the
municipality of Maasgouw are:
Beegden: The Jokers (1960)
Whole: VV
de Gangmaekers (1966)
Linne: VV de Kkkerte (1952)
Maasbracht /
Brachterbeek: MCV de Hoonder (1959), CV Onger 't Viaduct (2003)
Ohé
en Laak: CV de Noatevraeters (1960)
Stevensweert: CV de Leefhöbbers
(1990)
Thorn: VV the Goatbuck (1953)
Wessem: CV de Golfbraekers
(1999)