West Friesland (region)

For the history of West Friesland, see West Friesland (historical region)

West Friesland (also West Frisia; Dutch: West-Friesland; West Frisian: West-Fryslân) is a contemporary region in the northwestern Netherlands, in the province of North Holland.

The region covers an area of about 800 km2 (309 sq mi), delineated by the Westfriese Omringdijk. It consists of the municipalities of:

Dutch name West Frisian Name
Alkmaar Alkmar
Andijk Andik
Drechterland Drechterland
Enkhuizen Henkhúze
Harenkarspel Harenkarspel
Heerhugowaard Heerhugoweerd or Heregeweerd
Hoorn Hoorn
Koggenland Koggeland
Langedijk Lengedik
Medemblik Memelik
Niedorp Nierup
Opmeer Obmar or Opmar
Schagen Skagen
Stede Broec Stee Broek
Wervershoof Wurrevershouf
Venhuizen Venhûze

Major cities include Hoorn and Alkmaar.

Dialect

The traditional dialect of the region is the West Frisian dialect of Hollandic Dutch. The contemporary region is similar in size and location to the historical district (gouw) of Westflinge which itself was a part of a much larger historical region of West Friesland.

See also