Opsterland Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Opsterland

Opsterlân

Former court in Beetsterzwaag

Flag	Coat of arms

Location in Friesland

Government

• Body

Municipal council

Area

• Total

227.64 km² (87.89 sq mi)

• Land

224.63 km² (86.73 sq mi)

• Water

3.01 km² (1.16 sq mi)

Elevation

3 m (10 ft)

Population

(May 2014)

• Total

29,883

• Density

133/km² (340/sq mi)

Time zone

UTC+1 (CET)

• Summer (DST)

UTC+2 (CEST)

Postcode

8400–8409, 9240–9249

Area code

0512, 0513, 0516

Opsterland (pronounced like "OP-ster-land") is a special area in the Netherlands. It is a municipality, which is like a local government area, found in the northern province of Friesland. It's a place with many small towns and villages, known for its green landscapes and quiet life.

Towns and Villages in Opsterland
Building Bridges: Opsterland's International Friendships
- Twin Towns: Friends Across the Globe
Famous People from Opsterland
- Sports Stars from Opsterland
Images for kids
See also

Towns and Villages in Opsterland

Opsterland is home to several communities. These are the main places where people live and work.

Main Population Centres

Here are the larger towns and villages in Opsterland:

Bakkeveen
Beetsterzwaag
Drachten-Azeven [nl]
Frieschepalen
Gorredijk
Hemrik
Jonkerslân
Langezwaag
Lippenhuizen
Luxwoude
Nij Beets
Olterterp
Siegerswoude
Terwispel
Tijnje
Ureterp
Wijnjewoude

Drachten-Azeven is a business area. It is part of the larger town of Drachten, but this specific part is located within Opsterland.

Smaller Hamlets and Neighbourhoods

Besides the main villages, Opsterland also has many smaller hamlets. These are tiny communities or groups of houses. They include: Ald Beets, Allardsoog (partially), De Hanebuert, De Koaibosk, Easterein, Foarwurk, Haneburen, Heidehuizen, Hemrikerverlaat, Klein Groningen, Kortezwaag, Moskou (partially), Nieuwe Vaart, Petersburg (partially), Rolbrêge, Selmien, Sparjebird, Ulesprong, Ureterp aan de Vaart, Vosseburen, Welgelegen (partially), Wijngaarden and Wijnjeterpverlaat.

Exploring the Map of Opsterland

Map of the municipality of Opsterland, June 2015

This map shows you where Opsterland is and all its different parts. You can see the main villages and how they are spread out across the area.

Building Bridges: Opsterland's International Friendships

Opsterland believes in connecting with places around the world. They have special friendships with two cities, which is called "town twinning."

Twin Towns: Friends Across the Globe

Opsterland is twinned with:

Ra'anana, Israel (since 1963)
Beit Sahour, Palestine

Opsterland chose to be friends with both an Israeli city and a Palestinian city. They hope this helps bring people together and encourages peace in a region that has faced challenges. Officials from Opsterland try to help Ra'anana and Beit Sahour connect with each other. Even though these two cities are close geographically, they are often separated by disagreements. Opsterland's goal is to encourage more understanding and contact between them. For example, in 2012, the mayors of Opsterland, Ra'anana, and Beit Sahour held a photo exhibition together in Opsterland. This showed their shared commitment to peace.

Famous People from Opsterland

Many interesting people have come from Opsterland. They have made their mark in different fields, from art to sports.

Tinco Lycklama, 1869

Tinco Martinus Lycklama à Nijeholt (1837–1900) was born in Beetsterzwaag. He was an aristocrat, which means he came from a noble family. He was also an adventurer, writer, and an expert on the Middle East.
Sytze Wierda (1839–1911) was from Hemrik. He was an architect and engineer who helped design buildings in South Africa.
Tjeerd Bottema (1884–1978) was born in Langezwaag. He was a talented painter, illustrator, and designed covers for books.
Hein Vos (1903–1972) from Tijnje was a politician and an economist. He worked to improve the country's economy.
Eduard Meine van Zinderen-Bakker (1907–2002) was born in Opsterland. He moved to South Africa and became a famous palynologist, someone who studies pollen and spores to learn about past environments.
Gerard van Klaveren (born 1951) is a Dutch politician.

Sports Stars from Opsterland

Opsterland has also produced some well-known athletes and sports figures:

Riemer van der Velde (born 1940 in Bakkeveen) used to be the chairman of the famous football club SC Heerenveen.
Foppe de Haan (born 1943 in Lippenhuizen) is a well-known Dutch football coach, also associated with SC Heerenveen.
Lieuwe de Boer (born 1951 in Ureterp) was an ice speed skater. He won a bronze medal at the 1980 Winter Olympics.
Hilbert van der Duim (born 1957 in Beetsterzwaag) is a former speed skater who competed in the 1980 and 1984 Winter Olympics.