TILBURG

gemeente (commune), Noord-Brabant provincie, southern Netherlands, on the Wilhelmina Canal. A small village until 1860, it grew rapidly into one of the chief industrial centres of the south; woolen textiles are of prime importance. The town hall is 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. (1985 est.) 153,812; metropolitan area, 222,397.