Friesland facts for kids

Friesland (Fryslân in Frisian, Friesland in Dutch) is a province in the north of the Netherlands. The capital (city) of Friesland is Leeuwarden (Ljouwert in Frisian). People in Friesland speak Frisian and Dutch. People also speak Frisian in a small part of Groningen (province), and in East Friesland and North Friesland in Germany. In North Holland there is a region called West Friesland, but people who live there are not called Frisians.

Agriculture and tourism, on the lakes and the isles in the Wadden Sea, are important sources of income.

The province is also famous for its ice skaters and its Elfstedentocht (Eleven cities tour), an ice skating race of 200 kilometers.

Notable Frisians

In Friesland the Frisians live. They are an old ethnic group. Members of this ethnic group are:

• Pier Gerlofs Donia was a giant from Friesland. He was said to be about 7 feet tall (2 meters and 15 centimeters).
• Wijerd Jelckama was a legendary freedom fighter, rebel and warlord who was as tall as his uncle Pier Gerlofs Donia
• Mata Hari was a famous courtesan and spy who was born a Frisian.
• Doutzen Kroes, a Frisian born supermodel, speaks Frisan and encourages people to learn about it.

Provinces of the Netherlands

Drenthe • Flevoland • Friesland • Gelderland • Groningen • Limburg • North Brabant • North Holland • Overijssel • South Holland • Utrecht • Zeeland

Images for kids

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  Map of the North Sea coast, ca. 150 AD. (erroneously shows late 20th century land masses)

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  The Frisian representative refusing to kneel before Philip II at his coronation

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  De Alde Feanen National Park

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  De Fryske Marren

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  Wadden Sea

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  View of the northern coast of Friesland

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  Municipalities of Friesland (2019)

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  Friesian horse

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  Finish of the Elfstedentocht in 1956

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  Leeuwarden railway station is a national heritage site