Friesland

Friesland Fryslân / Friesland
Province
Kroon's Polders (municipality of Vlieland)
Flag Coat of arms
Location
Map
Coordinates: 53°8′N 5°49′E / 53.133°N 5.817°E / 53.133; 5.817
Country	Netherlands
Established	1815
Seat	Leeuwarden
Area
• Total	5,753 km2 (2,221 sq mi)
• Land	3,340 km2 (1,290 sq mi)
• Water	2,413 km2 (932 sq mi)
Highest elevation	45 m (148 ft)
Lowest elevation	−2 m (−7 ft)
Population  (2023)
• Total	660,000
• Density	197/km2 (510/sq mi)
Website	www.fryslan.frl

Friesland (Fryslân in West Frisian, Friesland in Dutch) is a province in the north of the Netherlands. The capital (city) of Friesland is Leeuwarden (Ljouwert in Frisian). People in Friesland speak West Frisian and Dutch. People also speak Frisian in a small part of Groningen (province), and in East Friesland and North Friesland in Germany. In North Holland there is a region called West Friesland, but people who live there are not called Frisians. About 660,000 people are living in Friesland (2023).

Agriculture and tourism, on the lakes and the isles in the Wadden Sea, are important sources of income.

The province is also famous for its ice skaters and its Elfstedentocht (Eleven cities tour), an ice skating race of 200 kilometers.

It is also known for being home to some breeds of animals, such as the Stabyhoun and Wetterhoun dog breeds, the Friesian horse breed and the Holstein Friesian cattle breed.