gemeente (municipality), southern Netherlands, on the Wilhelmina Canal. A small village until 1800, it grew rapidly into one of the chief industrial centres of the south, specializing in woolen textiles. However, textiles have been severely eclipsed, and the town's main industries are now food processing, printing, and the manufacture of paper, chemicals, and metals. The tourist office is located in the former palace of King William II, who died there in 1849. Much of the surrounding area is wooded; there is a 375-acre (152-hectare) recreation and amusement park, De Efteling, 8 miles (13 km) north. Pop. (2007 est.) 201,259.