Drijke

Drijke is a fictional village in the coastal region of Veridia, situated along the bend of the River Laar and surrounded by orchards and fields. It lies about 40 kilometers north of Veridia's regional capital, and its historic center is framed by canals and brick houses. As of 2022, the population was around 2,900. The village covers roughly 24 square kilometers, and the terrain is gently rolling with protected wetlands nearby.

The name Drijke derives from the old Veridian word driik, meaning sheltered place, a reference to the river valley that buffers the settlement from coastal winds.

The area has a temperate maritime climate with mild winters and cool summers. Rainfall is evenly distributed, aiding the surrounding orchards and fields.

Drijke is first mentioned in 1120 in a monastic charter. It developed as a market and river port in the late Middle Ages, expanding with textile crafts. A 19th-century railway junction increased trade, while postwar restructuring shifted the economy toward services and tourism.

Today the local economy relies on agro-tourism, small-scale manufacturing, and craft studios. Notable landmarks include the Drijke Windmill (1742) and the Canal House Museum. The annual Watersong festival celebrates river life with boat parades, concerts, and markets.

Drijke is part of the Veridian province of Northshore, administered by a municipal council. The population is predominantly Veridian-speaking, with a small community of immigrants contributing to the cultural mix.

Notable residents include the ceramic artist Mira van Drijke (born 1978) and the 20th-century writer Joris Verdrijk, both associated with the village’s cultural scene.