Aalsmeer

Aalsmeer
Aerial photo of Aalsmeer, 2014
Nickname: 
Flower capital of the world
Location in North Holland
Aalsmeer
Location in the Netherlands
Coordinates: 52°16′N 4°45′E / 52.267°N 4.750°E / 52.267; 4.750
CountryNetherlands
ProvinceNorth Holland
RegionAmsterdam metropolitan area
Government
 • BodyMunicipal council
 • MayorGido Oude Kotte (CDA)
 • Aldermen
List of aldermen
  • Robert van Rijn (VVD)
  • Bart Kabout (CDA)
  • Willem Kikkert (D66)
Area
 • Total
32.29 km2 (12.47 sq mi)
 • Land20.12 km2 (7.77 sq mi)
 • Water12.17 km2 (4.70 sq mi)
Elevation
−0.1 m (−0.33 ft)
Population
 (January 2021)
 • Total
31,991
 • Density1,590/km2 (4,100/sq mi)
DemonymAalsmeerder
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postcode
1430–1433
Area code0297
WebsiteAalsmeer.nl

Aalsmeer (Dutch: [aːlsˈmeːr] ) is a municipality and a town in the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland. Its name is derived from the Dutch for eel (aal) and lake (meer). Aalsmeer is bordered by the Westeinderplassen lake, the largest open water of the Randstad, and the Ringvaart Canal. The town is located 13 km (8 mi) southwest of Amsterdam.

The town is sometimes referred to as the flower capital of the world, as the largest flower auction in the world is based in Aalsmeer, along with numerous nurseries and an experimental station for floriculture.