Wirdum is a small rural village in the province of Groningen in the Netherlands. It is situated close to the Damsterdiep - a channel connecting the city of Groningen to Delfzijl - on two artificial dwelling hills, known locally as 'Wierden'. As of 2010, Wirdum had a population of 310.[1]
The Damsterdiep is a channel connecting the city of Groningen to the coastal town of Delfzijl, allowing access to the Dutch most eastern part of the Wadden Sea, the Eems. Historically the channel can be divided into two parts at the village of Ten Post, approximately 5 km southwest of Wirdum. The oldest northeastern part was constructed before the year 1000 and was directly connected to the sea up until the 1300s. Because of this the course of the channel was affected by tidal changes resulting in an almost meandering layout. The southwestern part of the channel, being constructed much later, was not exposed to these changes allowing it to maintain its original straight course. Until the construction of the far wider and deeper Eemskanaal in the 19th century, the Damsterdiep was an important trade route.
Between Appingedam and Wirdum lies the estate of Ekenstein.