Harkema

Harkema (West Frisian: De Harkema) is a village in the municipality of Achtkarspelen, province of Friesland, the Netherlands.

Harkema De Harkema (West Frisian) Opeinde
Village
Reformed church
Flag Coat of arms
Location in Achtkarspelen municipality
Harkema Location in the Netherlands Show map of Friesland Harkema Harkema (Netherlands) Show map of Netherlands
Coordinates: 53°11′N 6°8′E
Country	Netherlands
Province	Friesland
Municipality	Achtkarspelen
Area [1]
• Total	6.53 km2 (2.52 sq mi)
Elevation [2]	2 m (7 ft)
Population  (2021)[1]
• Total	4,295
• Density	660/km2 (1,700/sq mi)
Postal code	9281[1]
Dialing code	0512

Harkema is in the eastern part of Friesland, 9 km (6 mi) north of Drachten. It was once known as Harkema-Opeinde. As of January 2017, the village had a population of 4,295.^[3]

History

The village was first mentioned in 1530 as Opeyndt. The name Harkema means 'settlement of the descendants of Buwe Harkema'. In 1972, the name was officially changed from Harkema-Opeinde to Harkema.^[4]

Harkema was originally a peat-excavation settlement. The initial linear settlement which mainly consisted of sod houses disappeared in the 18th century, but re-emerged during the 19th century. In 1840, it was home to 484 people. In 1883, a church was opened in a wooden shed, and was replaced in 1891 by a real church. The church was too small and was replaced by the current church in 1913. In the 1960s, Harkema experienced growth and started to attract industry.^[5]

Sports

Harkema is home to the amateur football club Harkemase Boys. Cyclist Pieter Weening, who was the first Frisian to win a stage in the Tour de France, is from Harkema—along with another former cyclist pro, Wiebren Veenstra.

Gallery

• 
  House in Harkema
• 
  Camping during football season
• 
  Apartment house
• 
  Protestant church