Heerenveen (Dutch pronunciation: [ˌɦeːrə(ɱ)ˈveːn] , West Frisian: It Hearrenfean [ət ˌjɛrn̩ˈfɪən] ) is a town and municipality in the province of Friesland (Fryslân), in the Northern Netherlands. In 2021, the town had a population of 29,790 (1 January) while the municipality had a population 50,859 (1 July).

Heerenveen
It Hearrenfean (West Frisian)
Heeresloot
Heeresloot
Flag of Heerenveen
Official seal of Heerenveen
Highlighted position of Heerenveen in a map of Friesland
Location of the municipality (red) and the city (dark red) in the province of Friesland in the Netherlands
Coordinates: 52°58′N 5°55′E / 52.967°N 5.917°E / 52.967; 5.917
CountryNetherlands
ProvinceFriesland
Government
 • BodyMunicipal council
 • MayorAvine Fokkens-Kelder (VVD)
Area
 • Total
198.17 km2 (76.51 sq mi)
 • Land190.09 km2 (73.39 sq mi)
 • Water8.08 km2 (3.12 sq mi)
Elevation1 m (3 ft)
Population
 (January 2021)[4]
 • Total
50,650
 • Density266/km2 (690/sq mi)
DemonymHeerenvener
Time zoneUTC 1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC 2 (CEST)
Postcode
8410–8459
Area code0513, 0516
Websitewww.heerenveen.nl

History

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The town was established in 1551 by three lords as a location to dig 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 (Fryslân) 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.[5]

Population centres

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Population as of 1 January 2018:

Heerenveen (32,900), Akkrum (3406), Aldeboarn (1479), Bontebok (445), De Knipe (1470), Gersloot (280, together with Gersloot-Polder), Hoornsterzwaag (815), Jubbega (3510), Katlijk (630), Luinjeberd (450), Mildam (740), Nes (1104), Nieuwebrug (210), Nieuwehorne (1500), Nieuweschoot (180), Oranjewoud (1610), Oudehorne (840), Oudeschoot (1480), Terband (265) and Tjalleberd (800).

Hamlets

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The hamlets are: Anneburen, Birstum, Brongergea, Easterboarn, Jinshuzen, Meskenwier, Oude Schouw (partially), Pean, Poppenhúzen, Schurega, Soarremoarre, Spitsendijk, Sythuzen, Warniahúzen en Welgelegen (partially).

Museums

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Transport

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Railway station: Heerenveen

Local government

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The Heerenveen municipal council consists of 31 seats, which at the 2022 municipal elections divided as follows:[6]

Sports

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Abe Lenstra Stadium

Heerenveen is notable for its world class sports facilities. These include the Abe Lenstra football stadium and the Thialf speed skating arena which was one of the first indoor 400m ice rinks in the world, and where international events draw large crowds. Thialf is also home to the city's ice hockey team, the Heerenveen Flyers. In 2006, the "Sportstad" (Sport City) project was completed, which included a gymnastics hall, swimming pool and an extension to the football stadium, all clustered together. The Abe Lenstra stadium is unusual because its capacity is larger than the number of inhabitants of the town. One of the few football venues to shares this distinction is Stade Félix Bollaert in Lens, France.

The town's football team, SC Heerenveen, plays in the first-tier Eredivisie, topped by the team's biggest achievement when they qualified for the UEFA Champions League in 2000.

Notable residents

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Mme Manet at the Piano, 1867–1868, Musée d'Orsay, Paris
 
Cissy van Marxveldt, ca.1915
 
Wim Duisenberg, 2001

Sport

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Sven Kramer, 2009

Twin cities

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Heereveen's longstanding connection with Rishon LeZion, Israel ended in 2016 after the supporting organizations shut down in both countries.[7]

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References

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  1. ^ "Burgemeester Avine Fokkens-Kelder" [Mayor Avine Fokkens-Kelder] (in Dutch). Gemeente Heerenveen. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
  2. ^ "Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2020" [Key figures for neighbourhoods 2020]. StatLine (in Dutch). CBS. 24 July 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  3. ^ "Postcodetool for 8441ES". Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (in Dutch). Het Waterschapshuis. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
  4. ^ "Bevolkingsontwikkeling; regio per maand" [Population growth; regions per month]. CBS Statline (in Dutch). CBS. 1 January 2021. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  5. ^ "Geschiedenis" (in Dutch). De Hollandsche Molen. Archived from the original on 3 June 2012. Retrieved 20 March 2010.
  6. ^ "Heerenveen municipal election 2022". verkiezingsuitslagen.nl (in Dutch). 16 March 2022. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  7. ^ "Onthulling gedenksteen Rishon LeZion". Heerenveense Courant.
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