gemeente (municipality), western Netherlands, 8 miles (13 km) southwest of Amsterdam, on the Ring Canal and Westeinder Lake, a remnant of Haarlem Lake. The older part of the town is on peaty soil at about sea level, surrounded by polders with loamy soil 9–15 feet (3–5 m) below sea level. Once known for its eels, whence its name (aal, “eel”; meer, “lake”), it is the flower-growing centre of The Netherlands, with numerous nurseries, the largest flower auction in the world, and a state experimental station for floriculture. Blooms include carnations, roses, lilacs, freesias, chrysanthemums, and potted plants such as cyclamens and begonias. Many flowers are exported by air, and there is a thriving trade in seeds and nursery plants. There are also television studios in Aalsmeer, and tourism is significant. Pop. (2007 est.) 25,019.