Friesland

Friesland (Fryslân in West 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 West 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. About 660,000 people are living in Friesland (2023).

Friesland Fryslân / Friesland
Province
Kroon's Polders (municipality of Vlieland)
Flag Coat of arms
Map: Province of Friesland in the Netherlands Location
Map
Coordinates: 53°8′N 5°49′E
Country	Netherlands
Established	1815
Seat	Leeuwarden
Area
• Total	5,753 km2 (2,221 sq mi)
• Land	3,340 km2 (1,290 sq mi)
• Water	2,413 km2 (932 sq mi)
Highest elevation	45 m (148 ft)
Lowest elevation	−2 m (−7 ft)
Population  (2023)
• Total	660,000
• Density	197/km2 (510/sq mi)
Website	www.fryslan.frl

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.

It is also known for being home to some breeds of animals, such as the Stabyhoun and Wetterhoun dog breeds, the Friesian horse breed and the Holstein Friesian cattle breed.

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.

Population

In 2021, Friesland had a population of 651,459 and a population density of 196/km² (510/sq mi).

The years 1880–1900 showed slower population growth due to a farm crisis during which some 20,000 Frisians emigrated to the United States.^[1]

Historical population of Friesland^[2][3]

Year Population 1714 129,243 1748 135,195 1796 161,513 1811 175,366 1830 204,909 1840 227,859 1850 243,191 1860 269,701 1870 300,863 1880 329,877 1890 335,558 1900 340,263	Year Population 1910 363,625 1920 385,362 1930 402,051 1940 424,462 1950 465,267 1960 478,206 1970 521,820 1982 592,314 1990 599,151 1999 621,222 2010 646,305 2020 649,944

Anthropometry

Since the late Middle Ages, Friesland is known for the exceptional height of its inhabitants.^[4] Even early Renaissance poet Dante Alighieri refers to the height of Frisians in his Divine Comedy when, in the canticle about Hell, he talks about the magnitude of an infernal demon by stating that "not even three tall Frieslanders, were they set one upon the other, would have matched his height".^[5]