Editing Nijmegen

{{short description|City and municipality in Gelderland, Netherlands}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->
<!-- Name and transliteration -->| name               = Nijmegen
| settlement_type    = [[List of cities in the Netherlands by province|City]] and [[Municipalities of the Netherlands|municipality]]
| native_name        = ''Nimwèège'' ([[Kleverlandish|Nijmeegs]])
<!-- Images, nickname, motto -->| image_skyline      = Skyline Nijmegen. Gelderland. Netherlands.jpg
| image_alt          = 
| image_caption      = Nijmegen city view from the north-west
| image_flag         = Flag of Nijmegen.svg
| flag_size          = 100x67px
| flag_alt           = 
| image_shield       = Coat of arms of Nijmegen.svg
| shield_size        = 100x80px
| shield_alt         = <!-- Maps, coordinates -->
| nickname           = {{lang|nl|Havana aan de Waal}} ([[Havana]] on the [[Waal (river)|Waal]])
| image_map          = Map - NL - Municipality code 0268 (2009).svg
| map_alt            = Highlighted position of Nijmegen in a municipal map of Gelderland
| map_caption        = Location in Gelderland
| pushpin_map        = Netherlands#Europe
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within the Netherlands##Location within Europe
| pushpin_relief     = 1
| coordinates        = {{coord|51|50|51|N|05|51|45|E|region:NL|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_footnotes = 
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = {{flag|Netherlands}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[Provinces of the Netherlands|Province]]
| subdivision_name1  = {{flag|Gelderland}}
| established_title  = Founded
| established_date   = 98, as Novio Magus
| founder            = [[Trajan]]
| government_footnotes = <ref name="mayor_now">{{cite web|url = http://www2.nijmegen.nl/gemeente/burgemeester__wethouders/burgemeester|title = Burgemeester|trans-title = Mayor|language = nl|publisher = Gemeente Nijmegen|access-date = 10 June 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140731022008/http://www2.nijmegen.nl/gemeente/burgemeester__wethouders/burgemeester|archive-date = 31 July 2014|url-status = dead}}</ref>
| governing_body     = [[Municipal council (Netherlands)|Municipal council]]
| leader_party       = [[Christian Democratic Appeal|CDA]]
| leader_title       = [[Burgomaster|Mayor]]
| leader_name        = [[Hubert Bruls]]
<!-- Geographic information -->| total_type         = Municipality
| unit_pref          = Metric
<!-- ALL fields with measurements have automatic unit conversion -->
<!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->| area_footnotes     = <ref>{{Dutch municipality total area|dataref}}</ref>
<!-- square kilometers -->| area_total_km2     = {{Dutch municipality total area|Nijmegen}}
| area_land_km2      = {{Dutch municipality land area|Nijmegen}}
| area_water_km2     = {{Dutch municipality water area|Nijmegen}}
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name="AHN">{{cite web
 |url = http://www.ahn.nl/postcodetool
 |title = Postcodetool for 6511PP
 |language = nl
 |author = <!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->
 |work = Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland
 |publisher = Het Waterschapshuis
 |access-date = 10 June 2014}}</ref>
| elevation_m        = 29
| elevation_max_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| elevation_max_m    = 88
| elevation_min_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| elevation_min_m    = 7
<!-- Population, demographics -->| population_footnotes = <ref>{{Dutch municipality population|dataref}}</ref><ref>{{Dutch municipality population urbanmetro|dataref}}</ref>
| population_total   = {{Dutch municipality population|Nijmegen}}
| population_as_of   = Municipality, {{MONTHNAME|{{Dutch municipality population|popbasemonth}}}} {{YEAR|{{Dutch municipality population|popbaseyear}}}}; Urban and Metro, {{MONTHNAME|{{Dutch municipality population urbanmetro|popbasemonth}}}} {{YEAR|{{Dutch municipality population urbanmetro|popbaseyear}}}}
| population_density_km2 = {{Dutch municipality population density|Nijmegen}} <!-- For automatic calculation: auto-->
| population_urban   = {{Dutch municipality population urbanmetro|Nijmegen Urban}}
| population_metro   = 801.973<ref>[https://groenemetropoolregio.nl/actueel/groene-metropoolregio-arnhem-nijmegen-groene-groei-voor-nederland/ "Actueel - Groene Metropoolregio Arnhem-Nijmegen: Groene Groei voor Nederland"]. (in Dutch). ''Groenemetropoolregio.nl''. Retrieved 2024-11-03.</ref><ref>[https://cbs.nl/nl-nl/maatwerk/2023/09/voorlopige-bevolkingsaantallen-per-gemeente-1-1-2023 "Voorlopige bevolkingsaantallen per gemeente, 1-1-2023"]. (in Dutch). [[Statistics Netherlands|''CBS'']]. 2 March 2023. Retrieved 2024-11-03.</ref>
| population_demonym = Nijmegenaar
<!-- Other information -->| timezone           = [[Central European Time|CET]]
| utc_offset         = +1
| timezone_DST       = [[Central European Summer Time|CEST]]
| utc_offset_DST     = +2
| postal_code_type   = [[Postal codes in the Netherlands|Postcode]]
| postal_code        = 6500–6547, 6679, 6683
| area_code_type     = [[Telephone numbers in the Netherlands|Area code]]
| area_code          = 024, 0481
| website            = {{URL|1=http://www.nijmegen.nl}}
| module             = {{infobox mapframe|zoom=5}}
| footnotes          = Click on the map for a fullscreen view
| image_blank_emblem = Nijmegen 2017.svg
| blank_emblem_type  = [[Brandmark]]
| blank_emblem_size  = 120px
}}
[[File:Grote Markt, Grootemarkt, Kruismarkt. Nijmegen, Terassen. Zicht richting Burchtstraat.jpg|thumb|Market square]]
[[File:Waaggebouw Boterwaag Nijmegen Renaissance Grote Markt Waag.jpg|thumb|Weighhouse (1613)]]
[[File:Concertgebouw de Vereeniging Nijmegen Art Deco Jugendstil 1915 Concert hall Opera.jpg|thumb|Concert hall Opera [[Concertgebouw de Vereeniging]]]]
[[File:Romeins Masker Ruitermasker Gezichtshelm Romeinse Andreas Hetfeld 2020 Nijmegen.jpg|thumb|A sculpture from 2020 inspired by the [[Nijmegen Helmet]]]]
[[File:Nijmegen Stadscentrum Kronenburger park zomer.jpg|thumb|[[Kronenburgerpark]]]]
[[File:Molenstraat met nummer 95 Pand uit 1902 met stijlkenmerken van de neorenaissance, de Art Nouveau en het Berlagianisme. Architect P.G. Buskens Nijmegen.jpg|thumb|Terraces Molenstraat]]

'''Nijmegen''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|n|aɪ|m|eɪ|ɡ|ən}} {{respell|NY|may|gən}},<ref>{{Lexico|Nijmegen}}</ref><ref>{{cite Collins Dictionary|Nijmegen}}</ref>  {{IPA|nl|ˈnɛimeːɣə(n)|lang|Nl-Nijmegen.ogg}};{{efn|Obsolete Dutch spellings include ''Nijmwegen'', ''Nymegen'' and ''Nieumeghen''; {{langx|fr|Nimègue}}; {{langx|de|Nimwegen}}; Spanish and {{langx|it|Nimega}}.}} [[Kleverlandish|Nijmeegs]]: {{lang|mis|Nimwèège|italics=yes}} {{IPA|mis|ˈnɪmβ̞ɛːçə|}}) is the largest city in the Dutch province of [[Gelderland]] and the ninth largest of the [[Netherlands]] as a whole. Located on the [[Waal (river)|Waal River]] close to the [[Germany–Netherlands border|German border]], Nijmegen is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands and the first to be recognized as such in Roman times. In 2005, it celebrated 2,000 years of existence.

Nijmegen became a [[free imperial city]] in 1230 and in 1402 a [[Hanseatic League|Hanseatic]] city. Since 1923 it has been a university city with the opening of a Catholic institution now known as the [[Radboud University Nijmegen]]. The city is well known for the annual [[International Four Days Marches Nijmegen]] event.

Its population as of 2024 was 187,011.<ref name=pop/>

== Population centres ==
The municipality is formed by the city of Nijmegen, incorporating the former villages of [[Hatert]], Hees and Neerbosch, as well as the urban expansion projects in [[Veur-Lent]], Nijmegen-Oosterhout and [[Ressen, Nijmegen|Nijmegen–Ressen]], all situated north of the [[Waal (river)|river Waal]].

=== Proximity of border with Germany ===
The city lies a few kilometers from the border with Germany, and to some extent the westernmost villages in the municipality of [[Kranenburg, North Rhine-Westphalia|Kranenburg]], Germany, function as [[commuter town|dormitories]] for people who work in the Dutch city of Nijmegen in part due to the immigration of Dutch people from the region who were attracted by the lower house pricing just across the border.

The German city of [[Duisburg]] (in the [[Ruhr]] region) is about {{convert|78|km|1|abbr=on}} away, while the German town of [[Kleve]] (in the [[Lower Rhine region]]) is about {{convert|20|km|1|abbr=on}} away.

== History ==
{{For timeline}}
{{Historical populations
|title       = Historical population
|align       = left
|cols        = 
|pop_name    = 
|percentages = pagr
|footnote    = 
|source      = {{Harvnb|Lourens|Lucassen|1997}}
|1400|10800
|1500|12000
|1560|10000
|1611|11780
|1651|8160
|1741|12000
|1795|11008
}}

=== Antiquity ===
The first mention of Nijmegen in history is in the first century BCE, when the [[Roman Empire|Romans]] built a military camp on the place where Nijmegen was to appear; the location had great strategic value because of the surrounding hills, which give a good view over the river Waal and [[Rhine]] valley.

By 69, when the [[Batavi (Germanic tribe)|Batavi]], the original inhabitants of the [[Rhine]] and [[Meuse]] (''Maas'') delta, [[Revolt of the Batavi|revolted]], a village called ''[[Oppidum]] Batavorum'' had formed near the Roman camp. This village was destroyed in the revolt, but when it had ended the Romans built another, bigger camp where the [[Legio X Gemina|Legio X ''Gemina'']] was stationed. Soon after, another village formed around this camp.

In 98, Nijmegen was the first of two settlements in what is now the [[Kingdom of the Netherlands]] to receive [[municipium|Roman city rights]].

In 103, the X ''Gemina'' was restationed in [[Vindobona]], now [[Vienna]], which may have been a major blow to the economy of the village around the camp, losing around 5000 inhabitants. In 104 Emperor [[Trajan]] renamed the town, which became known as ''Ulpia Noviomagus Batavorum'', Noviomagus for short, the ultimate origin of the current name.

A collection of artifacts from Roman antiquity were compiled by [[Johannes Smetius]] in the 17th century, called the [[Smetius Collection]].<ref>Nellissen, L. (translator), ''Nijmeegse Oudheden'', Stichting Stilus, {{ISBN|90-808719-1-5}}.</ref>

In January 2022, archeologists led by Pepijn van de Geer announced the discovery of an intact 2,000-year-old blue glass bowl with a vertical stripe pattern in Nijmegen. Researchers assume that this well-preserved bowl was made in a glass workshop. According to van de Geer, this type of bowl was made by allowing molten glass to cool and harden over a mold.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=McGreevy|first=Nora|magazine=Smithsonian|title=2,000-Year-Old Roman Bowl Discovered Intact in the Netherlands|url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/2000-year-old-ancient-roman-glass-bowl-found-in-netherlands-180979461/|access-date=2022-02-20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Nijtmans |first=Anne |date=2022-01-20 |title=Archeologen vinden bijna 2000 jaar oude puntgave schaal in Nijmegen: 'Topstuk met museale waarde' |language=nl |work=[[De Gelderlander]] |url=https://www.gelderlander.nl/nijmegen/archeologen-vinden-bijna-2000-jaar-oude-puntgave-schaal-in-nijmegen-topstuk-met-museale-waarde~a7b2f01f/ |access-date=2023-10-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Aton|first=Francesca|date=2022-01-25|title=Perfectly Preserved 2,000-Year-Old Roman Glass Bowl Unearthed in the Netherlands|url=https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/roman-glass-bowl-nijmegen-1234616630/|access-date=2022-02-20|website=ARTnews.com|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Liu|first=Jasmine|date=2022-01-24|title=2,000-Year-Old Roman Glass Bowl Unearthed "Like New"|url=http://hyperallergic.com/707260/2000-year-old-roman-glass-bowl-unearthed-like-new/|access-date=2022-02-20|website=Hyperallergic|language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Middle Ages ===
Beginning in the latter half of the 4th century, Roman power decreased and Noviomagus eventually became part of [[Francia]]. It also appeared around this time on the {{Lang|la|[[Tabula Peutingeriana]]}}. In the 8th century Emperor [[Charlemagne]] maintained his ''palatium'' in Nijmegen in 777,<ref>{{Cite book |url= https://hdl.handle.net/2027/mdp.39015055306438?urlappend=%3Bseq=35 |title=Oorkondenboek der Graafschappen Gelre en Zutfen tot op den Slag van Woeringen, 5 Juni 1288|last=Baron Sloet|first=L. A. J. W.|publisher=Martinus Nijhoff|year=1872|location=s'Gravenhage|pages=13 (no. 11)|hdl=2027/mdp.39015055306438?urlappend=%3Bseq=35}}</ref> and possibly on at least three more occasions. During his brief deposition of 830, the emperor [[Louis the Pious]] was sent to Nijmegen by his son, [[Lothair I]]. Thanks to the [[Waal (river)|Waal]], trade flourished.

[[Henry VI, Holy Roman Emperor]], was born at Nijmegen in 1165. In 1230 his son [[Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor|Frederick II]] granted Nijmegen [[City rights in the Low Countries|city rights]]. In 1247, the city was ceded to the count of [[Guelders]] as [[collateral (finance)|collateral]] for a loan. The loan was never repaid, and Nijmegen has been a part of Gelderland ever since. This did not hamper trade; Nijmegen even became part of the [[Hanseatic League]] in 1364.

The arts also flourished in this period. Famous medieval painters like the [[Limbourg brothers]] were born and educated in Nijmegen. Some of [[Hieronymus Bosch]]'s ancestors also came from the city.<ref>Hieronymus Bosch. Complete Works, published by Taschen.</ref>

=== Early modern period ===
During the [[Dutch Revolt]], trade came to a halt and even though Nijmegen became a part of the Republic of United Provinces after its [[Siege of Nijmegen (1591)|capture from the Spanish in 1591]], it remained a [[border town]] and had to endure multiple sieges. [[File:View on the waal janvangoyen.jpg|thumb|right|260px|The Waal river near Nijmegen, 1641]]
[[File:Nijmegen - Stadhuis en Grote Markt 1900.jpg|thumb|right|260px|Nijmegen town hall (left) around 1900]]
In 1678 Nijmegen was host to the negotiations between the European powers that aimed to put an end to the constant warfare that had ravaged the continent for years. The result was the [[Treaty of Nijmegen]] that failed to provide for a lasting peace.

In 1702, at the start of the [[War of the Spanish Succession]], the French nearly took Nijmegen by surprise. Only because of the intervention of an Anglo-Dutch army under the [[Godert de Ginkel, 1st Earl of Athlone|Earl of Athlone]] and the bravery of the citizens of Nijmegen was the [[Assault on Nijmegen (1702)|Assault on Nijmegen]] repulsed.

In the second half of the 19th century, the fortifications around the city became a major problem. There were too many inhabitants inside the walls, but the fortifications could not be demolished because Nijmegen was deemed as being of vital importance to the defence of the Netherlands. When events in the [[Franco-Prussian war]] proved that old-fashioned fortifications were no longer of use, this policy was changed and the fortifications were dismantled in 1874. The old castle had already been demolished in 1797, so that its bricks could be sold.

Through the second half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, Nijmegen grew steadily. In 1923 the current [[Radboud University Nijmegen]] was founded and in 1927 a channel was dug between the [[Waal (river)|Waal]] and [[Meuse]] (''Maas'') rivers.

The Waal was bridged in 1878 by a [[Nijmegen railway bridge|rail bridge]] and in 1936 by a [[Waalbrug|road bridge]], which was claimed to be Europe's biggest bridge at the time. In November 2013 a second road bridge ({{langx|nl|[[De Oversteek]]}}), 2&nbsp;km downstream, was opened to ease congestion.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 2013 |title=Tweede verkeersbrug bij Nijmegen |url=https://www.absolutefacts.nl/gelderland/nijmegen/oversteek-nijmegen.htm | access-date=5 January 2024|website=Absolutefacts.nl |language=nl}}</ref>

=== World War II ===
In 1940, [[Battle of the Netherlands|the Netherlands was invaded]] by Germany, with Nijmegen being the first Dutch city to fall into German hands. On 22 February 1944, [[Bombing of Nijmegen|Nijmegen was heavily bombed]] by American planes, causing great damage to the city centre. It was subsequently claimed by the Allies that the American pilots thought they were bombing the German city of [[Kleve]], while the Germans alleged that it was a planned operation authorised by the Dutch government in exile. The Dutch organization for investigating wartime atrocities, the [[NIOD]], announced in January 2005 that its study of the incident confirmed that it was an accident caused by poor communications and chaos in the airspace. Over 750 people died in the bombardment.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.godutch.com/newspaper/index.php?id=684|title = U.S. Air Force deadly 1944 bombing of Nijmegen accidental » the Windmill news articles » goDutch}}</ref>

During September 1944, the city saw heavy fighting during [[Operation Market Garden]]. The objective of the [[Battle of Nijmegen]] was mainly to prevent the Germans from destroying the bridges. Capturing the road bridge allowed the British Army [[XXX Corps (United Kingdom)|XXX Corps]] to attempt to reach the [[1st British Airborne Division]] in [[Arnhem]]. The bridge was heavily defended by over 300 German troops on both the north and south sides with close to 20 [[anti-tank guns]] and two [[anti-aircraft guns]], supported with artillery. The Germans' late attempt to blow the road bridge was possibly foiled by a local Dutch resistance hero, [[Jan van Hoof]], who is said to have cut the wires to the bridge. The Germans made repeated attacks on the bridge using bombs attached to driftwood, midget submarines and later resorted to shelling the bridge with [[88mm]] barrages. Troops {{Clarify | post-text = German or Allied? | date = September 2019}} were positioned on the bridge giving an excellent [[arc of fire]] in case of attack. Troops that could not fit onto the bridge were positioned in a bombed-out house slightly upstream of the bridge. During the shelling, the house was hit, killing six soldiers and wounding one. Nijmegen was liberated from German occupation by the British [[Grenadier Guards]] of the [[Guards Armoured Division]], as well as elements of the American [[82nd Airborne Division]] in September 1944. The city was later used as a springboard for [[Operation Veritable]], the invasion across the Rhine River by Allied Troops.

=== Post-war period ===
From 1946 to 1948 [[Mariënbosch concentration camp]], near Nijmegen, was used to house German nationals who were to be deported from the Netherlands.

On 23 February 1981, the Nijmegen police department and the [[Royal Netherlands Army|Dutch Army]] stormed the [[Piersonstraat riots|Piersonstraat]] and Zeigelhof, a squatted housing block in the city centre of Nijmegen. Using 200 riot vans, three [[Leopard 1]]s, three [[armoured personnel carrier]]s, a helicopter, 1,200 policemen, and 750 members of the armed forces, they evicted the squatters and demolished the block, while clouding the entire area in teargas and [[CS gas]]. This received enormous backlash in local politics. While the city government wanted the squatters out to build a parking garage, most of the population wanted affordable housing to be built in the area.

The [[city council]] was largely dominated by left-wing and progressive parties such as the [[GroenLinks|Green Party]], [[Democrats 66]], [[Socialist Party (Netherlands)|Socialist Party]], and [[Labour Party (Netherlands)|Labour]]. At times Nijmegen has been the only major city in the Netherlands with a solely left-wing government, and received the nickname '[[Havana]] on the Waal'.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.eupedia.com/netherlands/nijmegen.shtml|title = Eupedia}}</ref>

Nijmegen celebrated its 2000th year of existence in 2005. It is considered the oldest city in the Netherlands. In gaining this qualification, it has competed with the city of [[Maastricht]].

In November 2005, the city centre of Nijmegen was the site of the assassination of political activist [[Louis Sévèke]] by a former activist, Marcel Teunissen, who was arrested in 2007 in Spain and extradited to the Netherlands. Teunissen has also been accused of bank robbery. He committed his acts out of revenge for a forcible eviction from the squatter scene by Louis Sévèke.

== Geography ==

=== Climate ===
Nijmegen has an [[oceanic climate]] (''Cfb''). It is one of the warmest cities of the Netherlands, especially during summer, when the highest temperatures in the country are usually measured in the triangle Roermond–Nijmegen–Eindhoven. The lack of north–south oriented mountain ranges in Europe make this area prone to sudden shifts in weather, giving the region a semi-continental climate.

Some of the northernmost wineries in the world are found just outside Nijmegen, around [[Groesbeek]], a suburban village south-east of Nijmegen.

During the [[2006 European heat wave]], closest official weather station Volkel reached a high of {{convert|36.7|°C|1|abbr=on}} on 19 July. The heat wave coincided with that year's Four Day Marches, which were cancelled after the first day, when two people died of [[hyperthermia]]-related causes. Temperatures on that day, 18 July, reached around {{convert|36|°C|1|abbr=on}} in the city.

{{Weather box
|location = Nijmegen, Netherlands (1971–2000)
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|Jan record high C = 15.0
|Feb record high C = 17.7
|Mar record high C = 23.0
|Apr record high C = 27.1
|May record high C = 31.9
|Jun record high C = 34.8
|Jul record high C = 36.7
|Aug record high C = 36.3
|Sep record high C = 31.0
|Oct record high C = 27.5
|Nov record high C = 18.4
|Dec record high C = 16.0
|year record high C = 36.7
|Jan high C = 5.2
|Feb high C = 6.2
|Mar high C = 9.8
|Apr high C = 13.3
|May high C = 18.1
|Jun high C = 20.4
|Jul high C = 22.6
|Aug high C = 22.9
|Sep high C = 19.0
|Oct high C = 14.3
|Nov high C = 8.9
|Dec high C = 6.2
|year high C = 13.9
|Jan mean C = 2.6
|Feb mean C = 2.9
|Mar mean C = 5.8
|Apr mean C = 8.4
|May mean C = 12.9
|Jun mean C = 15.5
|Jul mean C = 17.5
|Aug mean C = 17.3
|Sep mean C = 14.1
|Oct mean C = 10.2
|Nov mean C = 6.0
|Dec mean C = 3.8
|year mean C = 9.8
|Jan low C = -0.2
|Feb low C = -0.4
|Mar low C = 1.7
|Apr low C = 3.4
|May low C = 7.4
|Jun low C = 10.2
|Jul low C = 12.2
|Aug low C = 11.7
|Sep low C = 9.4
|Oct low C = 6.1
|Nov low C = 2.8
|Dec low C = 1.0
|year low C = 5.4
|Jan record low C = -20.1
|Feb record low C = -15.3
|Mar record low C = -13.7
|Apr record low C = -7.4
|May record low C = -1.7
|Jun record low C = 0.9
|Jul record low C = 3.8
|Aug record low C = 3.5
|Sep record low C = -0.9
|Oct record low C = -5.5
|Nov record low C = -9.8
|Dec record low C = -18.8
|year record low C = -20.1
|Jan precipitation mm = 64.8
|Feb precipitation mm = 42.7
|Mar precipitation mm = 63.0
|Apr precipitation mm = 44.4
|May precipitation mm = 58.8
|Jun precipitation mm = 74.3
|Jul precipitation mm = 62.6
|Aug precipitation mm = 56.2
|Sep precipitation mm = 68.9
|Oct precipitation mm = 66.2
|Nov precipitation mm = 69.9
|Dec precipitation mm = 72.3
|year precipitation mm = 744.1
|Jan humidity = 89
|Feb humidity = 86
|Mar humidity = 82
|Apr humidity = 77
|May humidity = 75
|Jun humidity = 76
|Jul humidity = 77
|Aug humidity = 77
|Sep humidity = 83
|Oct humidity = 87
|Nov humidity = 90
|Dec humidity = 90
|year humidity = 82
|Jan precipitation days = 22
|Feb precipitation days = 17
|Mar precipitation days = 21
|Apr precipitation days = 18
|May precipitation days = 17
|Jun precipitation days = 18
|Jul precipitation days = 17
|Aug precipitation days = 17
|Sep precipitation days = 18
|Oct precipitation days = 19
|Nov precipitation days = 21
|Dec precipitation days = 22
|year precipitation days = 227
|Jan sun = 47.4
|Feb sun = 74.1
|Mar sun = 105.7
|Apr sun = 151.7
|May sun = 193.5
|Jun sun = 172.5
|Jul sun = 183.1
|Aug sun = 182.9
|Sep sun = 127.4
|Oct sun = 102.8
|Nov sun = 55.8
|Dec sun = 40.0
|year sun = 1436.9
|source 1 = Klimaatatlas van Nederland, normaalperiode 1971–2000, {{ISBN|90-389-1191-2}}
|date=June 2013
}}

=== Historical remains ===
Few Roman remains are visible today; a fragment of the old city wall can be seen near the [[casino]] and the foundations of the [[amphitheatre]] are traced in the paving of the present-day Rembrandtstraat. The [[Valkhof Museum]], on the Valkhof, has a permanent display of the history of Nijmegen, including artifacts from the Roman era.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Collectie Museum Het Valkhof Nijmegen |url=https://www.museumhetvalkhof.nl/zien-en-doen/collectie/ |access-date=2022-10-21 |website=www.museumhetvalkhof.nl}}</ref> Additionally, they usually have temporary exhibitions of more and less famous artists. During building works in the Waalsprong area, ruins from before the Roman times were found which were identified in 2022 as those of a sauna. This 3,600 year-old sauna is the first of its kind in mainland Europe.<ref>{{Cite web |title=3,600-year-old sauna found in Nijmegen; Unique on mainland Europe |url=https://nltimes.nl/2022/09/28/3600-year-old-sauna-found-nijmegen-unique-mainland-europe |access-date=2022-10-21 |website=NL Times |language=en}}</ref>

Not many very old buildings are left in town: first the Americans bombed it in February 1944, later the Germans shelled it for about five months after the liberation in September 1944, and finally there were a number of vigorous city planners in the 1950s, 60s and 70s who finished the demolition. There are still a few noteworthy sights, however. Valkhof hill downtown features a Carolingian chapel (eighth, ninth century AD) and a small remainder of an imperial castle that was demolished in 1798. The 750-year old Stevenskerk had to be reconstructed after WWII.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Icon fullof stories {{!}} Stevenskerk Nijmegen |url=https://www.stevenskerk.nl/en |access-date=2022-10-21 |website=www.stevenskerk.nl |language=nl-nl}}</ref>

== Demographics ==
As of 2023, Nijmegen has a total population of about 182,465.<ref name="pop">{{Cite web |title=CBS Statline |url=https://opendata.cbs.nl/statline/#/CBS/nl/dataset/70072ned/table?dl=25C66&ts=1716890868783 |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=opendata.cbs.nl |language=nl}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
!2020<ref>{{Cite web |title=CBS Statline |url=https://opendata.cbs.nl/statline/#/CBS/nl/dataset/37713/table |access-date=2023-11-18 |website=opendata.cbs.nl |language=nl}}</ref>
!Numbers
!%
|-
!Dutch natives
|130,549
|73.4%
|-
!Western migration background
|21,457
|12%
|-
!Non-Western migration background
|25,653
|14.4%
|-
|''[[Turkey]]''
|5,553
|3.1%
|-
|''[[Indonesia]]''
|4,167
|2.3%
|-
|''[[Morocco]]''
|3,930
|2.2%
|-
|''[[Netherlands Antilles]] and [[Aruba]]''
|2,197
|1.23%
|-
|''[[Suriname]]''
|1,590
|0.89%
|-
|Total
|177,659
|100%
|}

== Politics ==
The city is governed by a council of 39 councillors, elected every four years.
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="float:left;"
|+ '''Council seats 2018–2022'''
|-
!Party||Seats<br>2022<ref name=Nij22>{{Cite web |date=16 March 2022 |title=Nijmegen municipal election 2022 |url=https://www.verkiezingsuitslagen.nl/verkiezingen/detail/GR20220316/731291| access-date=28 September 2023|website=www.verkiezingsuitslagen.nl|language=nl}}</ref>

!Change from<br>2018<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 March 2018 |title=Nijmegen municipal election 2018 |url=https://www.verkiezingsuitslagen.nl/verkiezingen/detail/GR20180321/671615 |access-date=28 September 2023|website=www.verkiezingsuitslagen.nl|language=nl}}</ref>
|-
|[[GroenLinks]] (Greens)||9
| -2
|-
|Stadspartij Nijmegen||7
| +4
|-
|[[Democrats 66|D66]] (Liberal Democrats)||6
| -0
|-
|[[Labour Party (Netherlands)|PvdA]] (Labour)||4
| +1
|-
|[[Party for the Animals|PvdD]] (Party for the Animals)||4
| +2
|-
|[[Socialist Party (Netherlands)|SP]] (Socialists)||3
| -2
|-
|[[People's Party for Freedom and Democracy|VVD]] (Conservative Liberals)||3
| -1
|-
|[[Christian Democratic Appeal|CDA]] (Christian–Democrats)||2
|0
|-
|Gewoon Nijmegen||1
| 0
|-
|[[50PLUS]]||0
| -1
|-
|VoorNijmegen.NU||0
| -1
|}
{{clear|left}}

After the 2022 municipal elections,<ref name=Nij22/> the three largest parties, [[GroenLinks]] (9 seats), Stadspartij Nijmegen (7 seats) and the [[Democrats 66|D66]] (6 seats) formed a coalition.<ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=Coalitieakkoord 'Ons Nijmegen, Stad van Iedereen'
|url=https://www.nijmegen.nl/over-de-gemeente/burgemeester-en-wethouders/coalitieakkoord/|access-date=28 September 2023|website=www.nijmegen.nl|language=nl}}</ref> Since 2012 the mayor has been [[Hubert Bruls]] of the [[Christian Democratic Appeal]] party (CDA), the city council approving a third six-year term from 2024.<ref>{{cite news |last=Veenink |first=Erin |title=Bruls mag nog zes jaar blijven van Nijmeegse gemeenteraad |website=Rgld.nl |date=20 December 2023 |url=https://www.gld.nl/nieuws/8066410/bruls-mag-nog-zes-jaar-blijven-van-nijmeegse-gemeenteraad |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240413130655/https://www.gld.nl/nieuws/8066410/bruls-mag-nog-zes-jaar-blijven-van-nijmeegse-gemeenteraad |archive-date=13 April 2024 |access-date=28 July 2024|language=nl}}</ref>

In addition to the city council, since 1988 Nijmegen has been part of a [[City region#Netherlands|regional body]]. Since 2021 this has been the Arnhem-Nijmegen Green Metropolitan Region ({{langx|nl|Groene Metropoolregio Arnhem-Nijmegen}}), which aids co-operation in planning and development in the region's eighteen municipalities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Website Groene Metropoolregio Arnhem-Nijmegen |url=https://www.groenemetropoolregio.nl |access-date=13 January 2024|language=nl}}</ref>

=== Twin and sister cities ===
Nijmegen is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:
* [[Albany, New York]]
* [[Gaziantep]], Turkey
* [[Higashimatsuyama]], Japan
* [[Masaya]], Nicaragua
* [[Oulu]], Finland
* [[Pskov]], Russia
* [[Suzhou, Jiangsu|Suzhou]], China

== Culture ==

=== Events ===
[[File:Aankomst deelnemers van de Vierdaagse Nijmegen 2019 op de Sint Anna straat St Annastraat Via Gladiola.jpg|thumb|Four Days Marches]]

==== Four Days Marches ====
Nijmegen has hosted since 1925 the annual [[International Four Days Marches Nijmegen|Four Days Marches]] (Vierdaagse), as a means of promoting sport and exercise.<ref>{{cite book |title=De Wereld Wandelt |publisher=KNBLO, Nijmegen |page=32 |year=1991 |language=nl}}</ref> Beginning on the third Tuesday of each July, over 40,000 participants from about 70 countries undertake four days of walking with distances ranging from {{convert|30|to|50|km|0|abbr=on}} a day.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.4daagse.nl/nl/service/downloads.html|title= 4daagse website|access-date= 2018-11-10|archive-date= 2018-11-11|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181111133644/https://www.4daagse.nl/nl/service/downloads.html|url-status= dead}}</ref> The marches are supplemented with festivities such as the ''Vierdaagse Festival''.

=== People ===
[[File:Saint Petrus Canisius.jpg|100px|thumb|Saint Petrus Canisius]]
[[File:Margarita de Bourbon de Parme (2016).jpg|100px|thumb|Margarita de Bourbon de Parme, 2016]]
[[File:TitusBrandsma.jpg|100px|thumb|Titus Brandsma, 1920s]]

==== Natives ====
* [[Henry VI, Holy Roman Emperor]] (1165–1197)
* [[Jean Malouel]] (1365-1416), painter
* [[Limbourg brothers]] (1385–1416), medieval painters
* [[Giovanni Antoniano]] (died 1588), Patristic scholar
* [[Petrus Canisius]] (1521–1597), Catholic [[saint]]
* [[Henriette Pressburg]] (1788–1863), mother of [[Karl Marx]]
* [[Henriette Pressburg#Sophie Pressburg and Lion Philips|Sophie Pressburg]] (1797–1854), grandmother of [[Anton Philips|Anton]] and [[Gerard Philips]] who founded [[Philips Electronics]]
* [[Pieter Claude Bijleveld]] (1828–1898), mayor 
* [[Carli Biessels]] (1936–2016), writer
* [[Roosje Glaser]] (1914–2000), dancer and Holocaust survivor
* [[Daphne Deckers]] (born 1968), model, host, writer and occasional actress
* [[Princess Margarita of Bourbon-Parma]] (born 1972), member of the [[Dutch royal family]]
* [[Prince Hugo de Bourbon de Parme]] (born 1997), member of the Dutch royal family
* [[Jos Hermens]] (born 1950), athlete
* [[Alex Van Halen]] (born 1953), musician
* [[Eddie Van Halen]] (1955-2020), musician
* [[Frank Boeijen]] (born 1957), musician
* [[Anne Quist]] (born 1957), Olympic rower
* [[Ron de Groot]] (born 1960), footballer
* [[Pie Geelen]] (born 1972), Olympic swimmer
* [[Roxane van Iperen]] (born 1976), writer
* [[Frank Demouge]] (born 1982), footballer
* [[Saadia Himi]] (born 1984), Miss Netherlands Earth 2004
* [[Nacer Barazite]] (born 1990), footballer
* [[Amira Willighagen]] (born 2004), classical singer
* [[Prince Bernhard of Orange-Nassau, van Vollenhoven]] (born 1969), racing driver, entrepreneur and member of the Dutch royal family
* [[Prince Pieter-Christiaan of Orange-Nassau, van Vollenhoven]] (born 1972), racing driver and member of the Dutch royal family

==== Other residents ====
* [[Titus Brandsma]] – (1881–1942), Carmelite friar, philosopher and Resistance member
* [[Dries van Agt]] – (1931–2024), politician, Prime Minister of the Netherland
* [[Nina Simone]] – (1933–2003), jazz musician
* [[Edward Ka-Spel]] – (born 1954), vocalist of [[The Legendary Pink Dots]]
* [[Perry Ubeda]] – (born 1971), kickboxer
* [[Karapet Karapetyan]] – (born 1982), kickboxer
* [[Sóley Tómasdóttir]] - (born 1974), activist and former Icelandic politician

=== Religion ===
[[File:Grote of Sint-Stevenskerk.jpg|thumb|Grote of Sint-Stevenskerk Church Nijmegen]]
In 1968, theologians in the Catholic Church issued what is now known as the [[Nijmegen Statement]], demanding sweeping reforms in the Vatican's Holy Office, previously known as The Inquisition, and calling for greater scope for theological inquiry. Among its signatories was theologian Fr. [[Joseph Ratzinger]], then a member of the faculty at the [[University of Tübingen]], but later the head of the successor to the [[Holy Office]], the [[Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith]], and later still [[Pope Benedict XVI]].

The Nijmegen Statement said: "Any form of Inquisition however subtle, not only harms the development of sound theology, it also causes irreparable damage to the credibility of the church". The signatories, a group of predominantly German-speaking theologians asserted that "the freedom of theologians, and theology in the service of the church, regained by [[Vatican II]], must not be jeopardised again." The signatories pledged their loyalty to the Pope, but argued that the teaching office of pope and bishops "cannot and must not supersede, hamper and impede the teaching task of theologians as scholars."

=== Sport ===
[[File:Goffertstadion N.E.C. Nijmegen.jpg|thumb|Goffertstadion NEC Nijmegen]]

Sport in the city is principally focused on its football club [[NEC Nijmegen]] or just NEC, short for Nijmegen Eendracht Combinatie, which plays at the 12,500-seat [[Stadion de Goffert]]. The club plays in the [[Eredivisie]].

[[Bandy Vereniging Nijmegen]] is the biggest [[bandy]] club in the country. [[Netherlands national bandy team|The national team]] got celebrated by over a hundred fans and Mayor Hubert Bruls after winning Division B of the [[2018 Bandy World Championship]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=nl&u=https://www.omroepgelderland.nl/nieuws/2304761/Toeters-en-confetti-voor-kampioensteam-bandy|title = Google Translate| date=5 February 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://bandynijmegen.nl/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/huldiging-Triavium.jpeg| title = Image from the celebration}}</ref>

The city is also home to one of the country's oldest [[cricket]] clubs, [[Quick 1888]], a current member of the [[Koninklijke Nederlandse Cricket Bond|KNCB]]. Formed in 1888, it is the largest cricket club in the east of the country and was formed 13 years after the first club, Utile Dulci from [[Deventer]]. The cricket club has two men's teams. The city also has the [[Nijmegen Devils]], an [[Ice hockey]] club. Nijmegen also plays host to the annual [[Zevenheuvelenloop]] (''Seven Hills Run''), an annual {{convert|15|km|0|abbr=on}} run recognised by the [[IAAF]] as a Bronze Label race.

== Economy and infrastructure ==

=== Economy ===
The three main employers<ref>{{Cite web|title=Nijmegen|url=https://urbact.eu/nijmegen|website=Urbact|date=3 December 2014}}</ref> in Nijmegen are:

1. [[Radboud University]];

2. The three hospitals in the city: [[Radboud University Medical Center]], [[:nl:Sint Maartenskliniek|Sint Maartenskliniek]], and [[:nl:Canisius-Wilhelmina Ziekenhuis|Canisius-Wilhelmina Ziekenhuis]] (CWZ);

3. The semiconductor industry. [[Nexperia]] and [[Ampleon]] (both spun off from [[NXP Semiconductors]]) are headquartered in the city. Multinational companies such as [[Qualcomm]], [[Photronics Inc]], and [[Applied Materials]] also have facilities in Nijmegen.

Other notable companies headquartered in Nijmegen include [[Synthon (company)|Synthon]], a Dutch multinational pharmaceutical company and [[Vaxxinova]], an [[:de:EW Group|EW group]] subsidiary which produces animal vaccines.

=== More room for the river Waal ===
To prevent flooding in the near future, the Dutch government is changing the course of more than 30 rivers throughout the country. These measures, taken along the rivers IJssel, Lek, Maas and Waal, are known as ‘Room for the River’. Room for the river Waal as it passes Nijmegen is one of these measures. As part of this, the artificial island [[Veur-Lent]] was created in 2015.

The river Waal not only has a sharp bend near Nijmegen, it also forms a bottleneck. In 1993 and 1995, this led to high water and floods. To prevent this from happening again, and to protect inhabitants of the city and its surroundings against the water, work has been done to relocate the Waal dike in Lent and to excavate a large ancillary channel in the flood plains, creating an island in the Waal opposite Nijmegen. The large-scale project involved the construction of three bridges, new dikes and concrete water barriers. The island contains an urban river park with possibilities for recreation, culture, water and nature.
[[File:Nijmegen Centraal Station.jpg|thumb|Nijmegen Central Station]]

=== Transport ===
Nijmegen has five railway stations: [[Nijmegen railway station|Nijmegen]], [[Nijmegen Dukenburg railway station|Nijmegen Dukenburg]], [[Nijmegen Heyendaal railway station|Nijmegen Heyendaal]], [[Nijmegen Lent railway station|Nijmegen Lent]] and [[Nijmegen Goffert railway station|Nijmegen Goffert]]. The central station is connected to the national Intercity network. The bus company [[Breng]] operates the city buses in the Arnhem-Nijmegen metropolitan area.
[[File:Het Keizer Karelplein, met op de achtergrond de Stadsschouwburg Nijmegen.jpg|thumb|Keizer Karelplein]]
Like most Dutch cities, bicycles are an important mode of transport. The city is connected to Arnhem, {{convert|18|km|0|abbr=on}} to the north, by a "fietssnelweg" (fast cycle highway) which crosses the Snelbinder bridge in the city. During 2010–2012 the cycle highway received upgrades to further encourage the use of bicycles for transport between Nijmegen and Arnhem.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hembrow |first=David |url=http://hembrow.blogspot.com/2010/10/mobility-man-cycle-superhighway.html |title=A view from the cycle path: Mobility man – cycle superhighway |publisher=Hembrow.blogspot.com |date=2010-10-04 |access-date=2013-03-26}}</ref> In May 2016, the Dutch [[Fietsersbond]] (Cyclists' Union) awarded the 2016 [[Cycling in the Netherlands#The Fietsstad (Bicycle city) awards|Fietsstad]] (Cycling City) award to the city of Nijmegen.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gemeente Nijmegen uitgeroepen tot Fietsstad 2016|url=http://www.fietsersbond.nl/nieuws/gemeente-nijmegen-uitgeroepen-tot-fietsstad-2016|publisher=[[Fietsersbond]]|access-date=19 May 2016|language=NL|date=19 May 2016}}</ref>

[[Kaizer Karelplein (Nijmegen)|Kaizer Karelplein]] ([[English (language)|English]] ''The Plaza of Emperor [[Charlemagne]]''), a roundabout in the center of the city with seven busy connecting or almost connecting roads, is one of the most accident-prone roads in the Netherlands, and Nijmegen has an extensive, overcrowded road network that splits up the city in separate parts instead of having the busy roads out-of-center away from densely populated areas as is the norm in the rest of the country. The roundabout surrounds a park which is not used because it would be life-threatening to attempt to cross the road of the roundabout to get to and from the park. There is also a [[Kaizer Karelplein (Maastricht)|Kaizer Karelplein]] in Maastricht.

The river is a busy freight transport route, with barges passing through on the way between the industrial regions of Germany and the docks at Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Hook of Holland. The [[Maas–Waal Canal]] also carries freight through the city.

== Education ==
[[File:Erasmusgebouw Erasmusplein 1 Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen gezien vanaf Heyendaalseweg.jpg|thumb|[[Radboud University Nijmegen]]]]
Nijmegen is host to [[Radboud University Nijmegen]]. Founded in 1923 as the first [[Catholicism|Catholic]] university in the Netherlands, it used to be called ''Catholic University of Nijmegen'' until 2004, when it took its current name. {{As of|2018|October|df=}}, it had 22,142 students and 4,921 staff.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ru.nl/english/about-us/our-university-0/facts-figures/|title=Facts & Figures|date=May 30, 2019|website=Radboud University|access-date=May 30, 2019|archive-date=May 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530063242/https://www.ru.nl/english/about-us/our-university-0/facts-figures/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Radboud University runs the High Field Magnetic Laboratory which is able to achieve some of the highest fields available in Europe at 38 [[tesla (unit)|teslas]] (continuous). The facility is available to outside users, primarily for research purposes.

[[File:HR-HAN-Nijmgn-5857.jpg|thumb|alt=HAN Building in Nijmegen with big HAN letters|[[HAN University of Applied Sciences]] in Nijmegen]]Nijmegen is also home to [[HAN University of Applied Sciences]], one of the largest universities of applied sciences in the Netherlands. Founded in 1996 through the merger of several institutions, HAN has over 35,000 students and 4,000 staff members.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hanuniversity.com/en/about-us/han-organization/annual-report/|title=Annual Report 2023|date=2023|website=HAN University of Applied Sciences|access-date=March 4, 2024}}</ref> It offers a wide range of bachelor's and master's programs, with a strong focus on applied research and professional development. The university has campuses in both Nijmegen and Arnhem, with its education, medical, and health-related programs, based in Nijmegen.

In addition to these institutions, there is also an intermediate-level vocational school and a number of secondary schools: Groenschool Nijmegen, Kandinsky College, Nijmeegse Scholengemeenschap Groenewoud (NSG), Citadel College, Stedelijke Scholengemeenschap Nijmegen (SSGN), Canisius College, St. Jorisschool, Mondial College, the Stedelijk Gymnasium (formally the "Latijnse school", founded in the 16th century), the Karel de Grote College, Montessori College and the Dominicus College. Of note is also [[Leefwerkschool Eigenwijs]], which caters to students from all over the Netherlands who have been repeatedly expelled from "regular" high schools. Leefwerkschool Eigenwijs has its roots in the local activist movement of the early 1980s and is the only school of its kind recognised in the Netherlands.

Nijmegen is also an important centre of [[Psycholinguistics]], home to the [[Max Planck Institute]] of Psycholinguistics and the [[F.C. Donders Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging]].

The Nobel Prize for Physics in 2010 was awarded to [[Andre Geim]] and [[Konstantin Novoselov]] while at Radboud University "for groundbreaking experiments regarding the two-dimensional material [[graphene]]."

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

'''Literature'''
*{{cite book |last1=Lourens |first1=Piet |last2=Lucassen |first2=Jan |title=Inwonertallen van Nederlandse steden ca. 1300–1800 |year=1997 |place=Amsterdam |publisher=NEHA |isbn=9057420082 }}

== Bibliography ==
{{See also|Timeline of Nijmegen#Bibliography|l1=Bibliography of the history of Nijmegen}}

== External links ==
{{Commons|Nijmegen}}
{{Wikivoyage|Nijmegen}}
* {{Official website|http://www.nijmegen.nl}}
* https://en.intonijmegen.com
*https://www.nijmegenmijnstad.nl

{{Geographic location
|Centre    = Nijmegen
|North     = 
|Northeast = [[Lingewaard]]
|East      = [[Berg en Dal (municipality)|Berg en Dal]]
|Southeast = 
|South     = [[Heumen]]
|Southwest = [[Wijchen]]
|West      = [[Beuningen]]
|Northwest = [[Overbetuwe]]
}}

{{Hanseatic League}}
{{Gelderland Province}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Nijmegen| ]]
[[Category:Cities in the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Municipalities of Gelderland]]
[[Category:Populated places in Gelderland]]
[[Category:Populated places established in the 1st century]]
[[Category:0s establishments in the Roman Empire]]
[[Category:Free imperial cities]]
[[Category:Members of the Hanseatic League]]
[[Category:Roman legionary fortresses in Netherlands]]
[[Category:Roman fortifications in Germania Inferior]]