Hoofddorp is a town in North Holland, the main settlement of the Haarlemmermeer district. It has a population of 58,000 (2002). Hoofddorp was founded in 1853. After the draining of the Haarlemmermeer, it was decided to establish two villages, Kruisdorp and Venneperdorp, in the centre of the polder. In 1868 they were renamed to Hoofddorp and Nieuw-Vennep respectively. The development of Hoofddorp was more prosperous than that of Nieuw-Vennep, and it rapidly became the most important place of the district, even though Badhoevedorp still had more inhabitants, due to its economic and administrative functions and favourable location.