Smallingerland

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Smallingerland

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mapsize = 280px
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Netherlands
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_name1 = Friesland
area_footnotes = (2006)
area_total_km2 = 126.15
area_land_km2 = 118.48
area_water_km2 = 7.67
population_as_of = 1 January, 2007
population_note = Source: CBS, [http://statline.cbs.nl/ Statline] .
settlement_type = Municipality
population_total = 54993
population_density_km2 = 464
timezone = CET
utc_offset = +1
timezone_DST = CEST
utc_offset_DST = +2

Smallingerland (Pronunciation|463 Smallingerland.ogg) is a municipality in the northern Netherlands.

Population centres

Boornbergum, De Tike, De Veenhoop, De Wilgen, Drachten (main town), Drachtstercompagnie, Goëngahuizen, Houtigehage, Kortehemmen, Nijega, Opeinde, Oudega, Rottevalle and Smalle Ee.

History

The name 'Smallingerland' is derived from the former hamlet Smalle Ee, which used to have a major monastery. In the 14th century the annual fair of Smalle Ee became equally important as the ones of Leeuwarden and Dokkum. The name Drachten is possibly a derivative from the old Frisian word Darch, meaning peaty soil.

The central function of Drachten in the district goes back to 1641. A Holland businessman thought it would pay to exploit the peat. Eight hundred workers were employed to dig the Drachtstervaart canal. The peat exploitation was a disappointment, however the Drachtstervaart triggered economical activities, such as the shipbuilding industry. The typical peat bog landscape can still be seen, particularly near Drachtstercompagnie. Since the 1950's Drachten developed rapidly. Right now, Drachten has an important function in the region. The Smallingerland District has thirteen smaller villages besides Drachten, the largest being Opeinde with 1731 residents, the smallest is Smalle Ee counting 57 villagers.

Of course there is much more to the history of the Smallingerland District. The 1998 publication 'Het Gezicht van Smallingerland' (The Scope of Smallingerland) gives a clear and easy to read overview of the district's history. A few passages from this publication:

'along the lush road-sides both at the north and the south side of the canal as well as along the picturesque east-branching side channel, farm houses and other buildings lie scattered on either side, including the mansion on the South Road, charmingly standing out with its own splendid and tasteful lay-out.As such Drachten, risen from the barren moors to the largest spot on the provincial maps, now shines as a magnificent jewel in Friesland's crown. Thus to sensible people Drachten displays the striking scene of shining pastures created by industrious men from desolate places.'Notary Public J.G. van Blom wrote those words of praise about his hometown in 1840 A.D.. Most of the 3,000 residents from those days would have had no chance to enjoy the umbrageous scenery; people had to make a living and after work little spare time was left.Some 200 years earlier, in 1640 A.D., the hamlets of Drachten North and Drachten South were little more than a small church and some farm houses. Other villages in the region were older, bigger and more important, for example Smalle Ee with its monastery and subsequent activities such as an annual fair, which was always bracketed together with those of Leeuwarden en Dokkum. Or Oudega, where a stone church had been erected even before 1100 A.D. Peat exploitation brought a turn-around. Peat had become an important source of energy, not only for private households but also for the industry. The need in the rapidly growing province of Holland during the 17th century was higher than Friesland could supply. Most of the transport was over water, therefore often by track boat. Peat exploitation meant a welcome activity for many villages, although most of the income did not flow into the pockets of the struggling peat cutters.In 1641 A.D. farmers in Drachten North and Drachten South entered into an agreement with financiers from the province of Holland, the 'Drachten Associates'. One of these moneylenders was businessman Passchier Hendriks Bolleman from The Hague.The agreement stipulated that peat cut in Smallingerland was designated for the Holland industry. For transport by boat the Drachtster Compagnonsvaart canal and two side channels had to be constructed. During one year 800 workers had been digging every day. And where people spent their days, other developments followed, such as dwellings, places for storage, hostels and businesses.Although the economic success of cutting peat was short-lived (it even led to Passchier Bolleman's financial ruin), it spurred on to the foundation of Drachten. The Drachtstervaart brought in ships and the ships brought in not only return freight, but also their own service industry: rope-yards, carpenter's yards and forges. In 1746 the first real shipyard was established on the Langewijk, initially only for the construction of timber flatboats, but after 1895 also for iron hull ships. In 1902 a second shipyard followed on the Drachtstervaart. Even in our days 'skûtsjes' from these shipyards take part in the major Frisian sailing event, the 'skûtsjesilen'.

In the 17th century the governor of Smallingerland - the predecessor of our current mayor - was located in Oudega, which had taken over the annual fairs from Smalle Ee. After completion of the Drachtstervaart the economic activities, and therefore also the annual fairs, had moved to Drachten; it would only be a matter of time for the District Council to follow. This was the basis for the current structure of the Smallingerland District: Drachten with more than 44,000 residents and the thirteen surrounding villages totalling more than 10,000 residents. Along the 'lush road-sides' from the notary public Van Blom era residential areas have mushroomed and businesses, big and small, opened their doors. As far as employment opportunities are concerned, Smallingerland is the fourth best district in the north of the Netherlands and ranks number two within the province of Friesland. Shopping centre, nightlife, education and health care are focussed on a catchment area of more than 150,000 people.

External links

* [http://www.smallingerland.nl/ Official website]
* [http://www.dragten.nl/ Website with a lot of old pictures of Drachten (Dragten.NL)]

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