Historical atlas of Alkmaar

The reclamation of the Heerhugowaard and the Schermer provided a tremendous impulse and the Alkmaar cheese market grew into the largest in Holland. After a period of decline, the nineteenth century offered new opportunities, partly due to the construction of the Noord-Hollandsch Kanaal and rail and tram lines. The first factories also appeared. The number of inhabitants grew again and in the twentieth century the growth continued: in 1972 Alkmaar was designated as a growth center to absorb the "overflow" of the Randstad. Neighboring municipalities were annexed and many new neighborhoods were built. Alkmaar acquired an important central function in an urbanized region; the recent merger with Graft-De Rijp and Schermer confirms this position.

Note: The book is in Dutch.