The old Hanseatic town of Kampen is picturesquely situated on the left bank of the IJssel, 4km/2.5mi above its outflow into the IJsselmeer. It is the principal town and market center of the surrounding agricultural area. It has an old-established theological college and a college of agriculture. The town's main source of income is industry -
foodstuffs, shipbuilding, the manufacture of agricultural machinery and building materials, woodworking and the manufacture of cigars, as well as a few smaller industries. Tourism now also makes a contribution to the economy.
Kampen was founded in the second half of the 12th century and first appears in the records in 1227. It received its municipal charter in 1240, and became the most important commercial town in the eastern Netherlands, trading with the Baltic area, France and England. When the town acquired the fertile delta area at the mouth of the IJssel in 1363 it became so wealthy that right into the 20th century the inhabitants paid no local taxes. Its admission to the Hanseatic League in 1441 and its elevation to the status of free imperial city in 1495 gave a further boost to its economy, which suffered a setback in the 16th century when it came under Spanish rule (1578). Only the towns of Kampen, Zwolle and Deventer were represented in the provincial States.
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