Kampen

   City on the estuary of the River IJssel founded during the 12th century. Kampen received autonomy about 1240 and became a prosperous commercial town where ships could arrive by way of the Zuiderzee. It was a member of the Hansa, which also included many German and Scandinavian ports on the North Sea and the Baltic. During the 16th century, the city lost its prominent position because of the rivalry of many ports in Holland. After the Revolt of the Netherlands against Spain, Kampen, together with Zwolle and De venter, was still one of the three main cities in the provinceof Over ijssel. The city, with about 33,500 inhabitants, has many kinds of in dustry, such as timber, cigars, chemical products, and shipbuilding. Two Protestant universities of divinity are established in Kampen, which also houses some fine 16th- and 17th-century buildings, such as the town hall and the St. Nicolas Church.