Friesland

Friesland, or VRIESLAND (ancient Frisia), in its widest sense, as the country of the Frisian race, included the modern provinces of Zeeland, North and South Holland, part of Utrecht, Friesland proper, and Groningen in Holland, together with Prussian East Friesland and a part of Oldenburg, the western coast of Sleswick between the Eider and the Tondern, and the islands of Sylt, Föhr, Nordstrand, and others. The province of Friesland proper in the Netherlands is bounded N. by the German Ocean and W. and SW. by the Zuider Zee. It is sometimes called West Friesland to distinguish it from East Friesland. Area, 1282 sq. m.; pop. (1875) 311,246; (1894) 337,765. The land is flat, in some parts below the level of the sea, and is cut up by canals and streams. The lowlands are protected by artificial banks or dykes. Lakes and marshes are numerous. The dykes, sluices, and canals are under the care of a special board, and are kept up at the local expense. The inland and sea waters abound with fish. Rich pastures cover a third part of the surface. The horses, cattle, and sheep are all of excellent breeds. Large quantities of peat are dug. The capital is Leeuwarden, and the chief port Harlingen, whence are shipped cheese and butter (mostly to London), horses, cattle, leather, and wool. The climate is moist and misty, but not raw. The inhabitants, who are descended from the ancient Frisians, speak a peculiar dialect. The industries are unimportant.—East Friesland, with an area of 1200 sq. m., and a pop. amounting (1885) to 211,825, formerly a principality of Westphalia, now forms the Hanoverian district of Aurich; chief towns, Emden and Aurich. It is bounded N. by the German Ocean and W. by the Netherlands. Like West Friesland it is low and flat. With the help of the Prussian government the moors are being reclaimed and cultivated. Fishing and agriculture constitute the chief employment of the inhabitants, who are Frisians. This province has frequently changed owners since 1744, when the family of Cirksena, in whose possession it had been for 300 years, became extinct. It was first ceded to Prussia, next incorporated by Napoleon with Holland and France; in 1813 it was restored to Prussia; in 1815 it was ceded to Hanover, along with which it again forms part of Prussia. See FRISIANS, and H. M. Doughty's Friesland Meres (1889).