Achtkarspelen Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Achtkarspelen

Road into Surhuizum

Flag	Coat of arms

Location in Friesland

Government

• Body

Municipal council

Area

• Total

103.98 km² (40.15 sq mi)

• Land

102.40 km² (39.54 sq mi)

• Water

1.58 km² (0.61 sq mi)

Elevation

2 m (7 ft)

Population

(May 2014)

• Total

27,938

• Density

273/km² (710/sq mi)

Time zone

UTC+1 (CET)

• Summer (DST)

UTC+2 (CEST)

Postcode

Parts of 9000 range

Area code

0511, 0512

Achtkarspelen (Dutch pronunciation: [ɑxtˈkɑrspələ(n)]) is a municipality, which is like a local government area, in the province of Friesland. Friesland is located in the northern part of the Netherlands. In 2021, about 27,900 people lived here.

History of Achtkarspelen
Towns and Villages
Famous People
Gallery
See also

History of Achtkarspelen

The name Achtkarspelen means "eight parishes." A parish was like a church district in the past. The area got its name from the eight original parishes within a grietenij. A grietenij was an old type of local government area in Friesland.

These eight parishes were: Augustinusga, Buitenpost (which is the main town today), Drogeham, De Kooten, Kortwoude, Lutkepost, Surhuizum, and Twijzel.

Achtkarspelen was special in Friesland for many years. In the Middle Ages, it was part of the Bishopric of Münster. Meanwhile, most of Friesland belonged to the Bishopric of Utrecht. A bishopric was an area ruled by a bishop.

The grietenij of Achtkarspelen officially became a municipality in 1851. This happened because of a new law called the Municipality Act. This law was introduced by Minister of the Interior Johan Rudolph Thorbecke.

Towns and Villages

Topographic map of Achtkarspelen, June 2015

The main town and administrative centre of the municipality is Buitenpost. This is where the local government offices are located.

Here are the towns and villages in Achtkarspelen, along with their names in the local West Frisian language and their populations:

Dutch name	West Frisian name	Population
Augustinusga	Stynsgea	1332
Boelenslaan	Boelensloane	1145
Buitenpost	Bûtenpost	5785
Drogeham	Droegeham	1751
Gerkesklooster-Stroobos	Gerkeskleaster-Strobos	1140
Harkema	De Harkema	4235
Kootstertille	Koatstertille	2595
Surhuisterveen	Surhústerfean	5810
Surhuizum	Surhuzem	1371
Twijzel	Twizel	1093
Twijzelerheide	Twizelerheide	1889

Famous People

Many interesting people have come from Achtkarspelen. Here are a few:

Derk Holman (1916 in Buitenpost – 1982 in Groningen) was a Dutch sculptor and ceramist. He created art using clay and other materials.
Louw de Graaf (born 1930 in Kootstertille) is a retired Dutch politician. He was also a leader in trade unions, which are groups that protect workers' rights.
Gerriet Postma (1932 in Twijzelerheide – 2009) was a Dutch painter. His artworks are known for their unique style.
Johannes Lützen Bouma (born 1934 in Twijzelerheide) is a Dutch economist and academic. He studied how money and resources are used.
David Porcelijn (born 1947 in Achtkarspelen) is a Dutch composer and conductor. He writes music and leads orchestras.
Joop Atsma (born 1956 in Surhuisterveen) is a Dutch politician and sports administrator. He helps manage sports organizations.
Meindert Talma (born 1968 in Surhuisterveen) is a Dutch lo-fi singer and keyboardist. He makes music with a simple, raw sound.
Oedo Kuipers (born 1989 in Stroobos) is a Dutch singer and actor. He performs in musical theatre shows.