The nameTexel isFrisian, but because ofhistorical sound-changes in Dutch, where all -x- sounds have been replaced with -s- sounds (compare for instance Englishfox, Frisianfokse, GermanFuchs with Dutchvos), the name is typically pronouncedTessel in Dutch.[5]
On the night of 31 August 1940, the sea to the northwest of Texel was the scene of the sinking of two Royal Navy destroyers and the severe damage of a third by German mines in what is known as theTexel Disaster.
At the end of theSecond World War in 1945, theGeorgian uprising on Texel took place on the island. Following a German decision to redeploy Georgian soldiers to the mainland, they revolted and killed hundreds of their German comrades while they slept. The uprising lasted from 5 April 1945 until 20 May 1945, two weeks afterV-E Day. At that point, Canadian troops arrived and arranged for the two sides to separately leave the island. For that reason, the uprising is often referred to as the final battle of the Second World War in Europe. Hundreds of Georgians who died fighting against the Germans are buried in a special cemetery on Texel commonly known as the "Russian cemetery".[7]
The municipality lies north of the mainland of the province ofNorth Holland and west of the mainland of the province ofFriesland. The island of Texel is situated north of the city ofDen Helder, northeast of the uninhabited island ofNoorderhaaks, which is part of the municipality, and southwest of the island ofVlieland.
The island of Texel was originally made up of two islands, Texel proper to the south andEierland to the northeast, which were connected byshoals. In the early seventeenth century, the islands were connected by adyke to keep theNorth Sea from ravaging the coastal areas of Texel proper. In the mid-nineteenth century apolder completed the northern half of the island. Today, Texel forms the largest natural barrier between the North Sea and theWadden Sea.
The island is 23.7 km long and 9.6 km wide, its surface is 162.00 square kilometres.[8] The highest point of the island is the dune "Bertusnol" (also "Nol van Bertus"), which is situated in theDunes of Texel National Park, at 19.6 m.
The dune landscape on Texel is an important habitat for wildlife. Notable areas includeDe Slufter, where the tide comes in and meets the dunes, forming a marshy environment rich in both fauna and flora. In winter,birds of prey andgeese take up residence. About a third of Texel is a protected nature reserve. A wetland called Utopia has been designed for birds to nest in.[9]
Texel has anoceanic climate (KöppenCfb) that is heavily influenced by its offshore position. The annual average high oscillation is between 5 °C (41 °F) and 21 °C (70 °F). While winters are similar to mainland areas, summers remain cooler. The relative proximity to the mainland still renders heat bursts to reach Texel with five months having recorded temperatures above 30 °C (86 °F). While the island is relatively rainy, the precipitation is generally quite even and moderate throughout most of the year although there is a dry peak in late spring and a rain peak in autumn.
The tourism industry forms a substantial part of the economy in Texel. Approximately 70% of activities on Texel are in some way related to tourism. Popular forms of tourism on Texel include cycling, walking, swimming and horse riding. Farming (sheep, potatoes, dairy, tulips, and grain) and fishing (primarily fromOudeschild) are traditional.
Transport around the island is typically by bicycle, bus (Texelhopper) or car. The island has an extensive cycle path network. It is connected to the mainland via a ferry operated byRoyal TESO fromDen Helder, and by air viaTexel International Airport. The ferry Texelstroom uses 80%compressed natural gas.[13]
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