Heerenveen (Frisian: It Hearrenfean) is a municipality and a town in the province of Friesland, in the north of the Netherlands.

Population centres

Population as of January 1, 2002:

Heerenveen (29,093), Bontebok (415), De Knipe (1,382), Gersloot (311), Hoornsterzwaag (810), Jubbega (3,327), Katlijk (623), Luinjeberd (444), Mildam (717), Nieuwehorne (1471), Nieuweschoot (141), Oranjewoud (986), Oudehorne (850), Oudeschoot (142), Terband (310), and Tjalleberd (755).

The town of Heerenveen

The town was established in 1551 by three lords as a location to win peat and turf, hence the name (heer is "lord", veen is "peat").

The Thialf speed skating stadium was one of the first indoor rings in the world, and annually held international events draw large crowds. The city's football team, SC Heerenveen, plays in the Dutch Premier Division.

External link

• Official website (in Dutch)