Heerenveen

Heerenveen (Dutch pronunciation: [ˌɦeːrə(n)ˈveːn], West Frisian: It Hearrenfean [ət ˌjɛrn̩ˈfɪən]) is a town and municipality in the province of Friesland (Fryslan), in the north of the Netherlands.

History

The town was established in 1551 by three lords as a location for the purpose of digging peat which was used for fuel, hence the name (heer is "lord", veen is "peat"). Heerenveen was not one of the traditional eleven cities in Friesland (Fryslan) as it did not have so-called city rights. However, it is now one of the larger municipalities of the province.

The windmill Welgelegen or Tjepkema's Molen is the only survivor of seventeen which have stood in Heerenveen.

Population centres

Population as of 1 January 2004:

Heerenveen (29,750), Bontebok (440), De Knipe (1470), Gersloot (290), Hoornsterzwaag (890), Jubbega (3270), Katlijk (630), Luinjeberd (450), Mildam (740), Nieuwehorne (1500), Nieuweschoot (140), Oranjewoud (1030), Oudehorne (850), Oudeschoot (1480), Terband (290), and Tjalleberd (730).