Hoorn (population: 67,952 in 2004) is a municipality and a town in the north-western Netherlands, in the province of North Holland, and was the main market-town for the region of West-Friesland. The municipality covers an area of 52.24 kmē (of which 32.93 kmē is water). The municipality of Hoorn also includes the following towns, villages and townships: Blokker, Zwaag. Hoorn is located on the IJsselmeer. There is a small shell beach opposite the Nieuwsteeg street. There is a historical railway between Hoorn and Medemblik.