De Wilp | |
---|---|
Location of De Wilp in the province of
Groningen | |
Coordinates: 53°7′6″N 6°15′21″E / 53.11833°N 6.25583°E | |
Country | Netherlands |
Province | Groningen |
Municipality | Westerkwartier |
Area | |
• Total | 21.31 km2 (8.23 sq mi) |
Elevation | 5 m (16 ft) |
Population (2021)
[1] | |
• Total | 2,330 |
• Density | 110/km2 (280/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+1 ( CET) |
• Summer ( DST) | UTC+2 ( CEST) |
Postal code | 9367 |
Dialing code | 0594 |
De Wilp ( West Frisian: De Wylp) is a village in the Netherlands south of the town of Marum. It is largely located in the municipality of Westerkwartier in the province of Groningen, but a few houses of the village are in the municipality of Opsterland in the province of Friesland. [3]
The village was founded by labourers from Friesland; a part of the population still speaks West Frisian. [4]
The area around De Wilp was a raised bog which formed the boundary between the province of Friesland and Groningen. The border was not defined, because it contained swamps and heaths with few inhabitants. In the late-18 century, the Company of Drachten started exploiting the peat. The labour force mainly came from Friesland. [5] A linear settlement appeared along the canal, [6] and was named De Wilp after a sign with a Eurasian curlew (Wylp in Frisian) of a local tavern. [7] The border was defined later, and the Frisian side of the village is in Siegerswoude. [3] The village was first mentioned in 1828. [7]
The peat workers were joined by small farmers. In 1838, a school was founded, and in 1868, the Dutch Reformed Church was built. [3] In 1840, the population was 482 people and 142 in Siegerwoude. [4] De Wilp has an active village community which organises many events and is home to several sports organisation. [8] [4] In 2018, it became part of the municipality of Westerkwartier. [4]