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Heerenveen

Heerenveen
Highlighted position of Heerenveen in a municipal map of Friesland
Location in Friesland
Coordinates: 52°58′N 5°55′E / 52.967°N 5.917°E / 52.967; 5.917Coordinates: 52°58′N 5°55′E / 52.967°N 5.917°E / 52.967; 5.917
Country Netherlands
Province Friesland
Government
 • Body Municipal council
 • Mayor Tjeerd van der Zwan (PvdA)
Area
 • Total 187.76 km2 (72.49 sq mi)
 • Land 180.86 km2 (69.83 sq mi)
 • Water 6.90 km2 (2.66 sq mi)
Elevation 1 m (3 ft)
Population (May 2014)
 • Total 49,528
 • Density 274/km2 (710/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Heerenvener
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postcode 8410–8459
Area code 0513, 0516
Website www.heerenveen.nl

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.

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 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).


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