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.
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.