Harkema () is a village in the municipality of Achtkarspelen, province of Friesland, the

Netherlands , Terminology of the Low Countries, informally Holland, is a country in Northwestern Europe, with Caribbean Netherlands, overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is the largest of the four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Nether ...

. Harkema is in the eastern part of Friesland, north of Drachten. It was once known as ''Harkema-Opeinde''. As of January 2017, the village had a population of 4,295.

History

The village was first mentioned in 1530 as ''Opeyndt''. The name ''Harkema'' means 'settlement of the descendants of Buwe Harkema'. In 1972, the name was officially changed from ''Harkema-Opeinde'' to ''Harkema''. Harkema was originally a peat-excavation settlement. The initial linear settlement which mainly consisted of sod houses disappeared in the 18th century, but re-emerged during the 19th century. In 1840, it was home to 484 people. In 1883, a church was opened in a wooden shed, and was replaced in 1891 by a real church. The church was too small and was replaced by the current church in 1913. In the 1960s, Harkema experienced growth and started to attract industry.

Sports

Harkema is home to the amateur football club Harkemase Boys. Cyclist Pieter Weening, who was the first Frisian to win a stage in the Tour de France, is from Harkema—along with another former cyclist pro, Wiebren Veenstra.

Gallery

File:Betonwei 30 Harkema.jpg, House in Harkema File:Boelenslaan Oranje gekte.JPG, Camping during football season File:De Bôge..JPG, Apartment house File:De Harkema, PKN-tsjerke.jpg, Protestant church

References

External links

www.mooiharkema.nl
{{Dutch municipality Achtkarspelen Achtkarspelen Populated places in Friesland