Achterhoek

The original languages of the Achterhoek are Achterhooks and Kleverlandish, varieties of Low Saxon and South Guelderish (classified as Low Franconian dialects). The language can also differ per municipality or town, even in such a way that a person speaking the 'Grols' variant (meaning the dialect of Groenlo) will pronounce words differently from a person from Winterswijk which is merely 10 km (6.2 mi) to the east, although they will probably understand each other. The number of inhabitants whose sole language is Achterhooks has greatly declined since World War II. People in the Achterhoek are raised with Dutch at school and the dialect is only spoken (sometimes) at home. Partly due to immigration from outside the region and the effects of national policy, the Dutch language is having a significant impact on the dialect. Many old words have been forgotten and replaced by their Dutch-derived equivalents. ==Economy==

Export Products • Export value of 20%: meat, dairy, fruits, and other crops. • Potatoes, among others, by Aviko. • Animal feeds, among others, by ForFarmers. • Technological products (such as Nedap) with over 25% export value. ==Tourism==

The downsizing of agriculture has contributed to the emergence of rural tourism within the region. The area is popular among those seeking peace or an active vacation. Various activities such as cycling (such as the 80-year-war route, Arfgoodroute), hiking, horseback riding, nordic walking, carriage rides, canoeing, and hot air ballooning, as well as stays at recreation lakes, such as Stroombroek, Slingeplas, and Hilgelo, are popular among tourists. Doetinchem, Braamt, Bronkhorst and Zutphen are the most popular tourist destinations. The majority of tourists visiting the Achterhoek region are from other European countries, including Germany, Belgium, Denmark, and Ireland. ==Municipalities==

The largest cities in the Achterhoek are Doetinchem, Winterswijk and Zutphen. Doesburg and Zutphen are old Hanseatic cities. Both have centres with well-preserved historical buildings. • Aalten • Berkelland • Bronckhorst • Brummen • Doesburg • Doetinchem • Lochem • Montferland (also considered part of Liemers region locally) • Oost Gelre • Oude IJsselstreek • Winterswijk • Zutphen Doetinchem, Sint Catharinakerk RM13084 in straatzicht foto7 2012-07-22 14.54.jpg|Doetinchem Zutphen, de Walburgiskerk RM41195 met stadsmuur vanaf de Martinetsingel IMG 3870 2020-03-31 13.44.jpg|Zutphen Raadhuis, Winterswijk, Netherlands 2019.jpg|Winterswijk 2024-06-06 Industriepark DRU in Ulft ZvD 06.jpg|DRU Industriepark, Ulft Museum Erve Kots ingang.jpg|Erve Kots, Lievelde 's-Heerenberg, Huis Bergh RM526787 IMG 5366 2020-05-09 10.34.jpg|Huis Bergh, 's-Heerenberg == References ==