Ferwerderadeel

Ferwerderadeel was a municipality in the province of Friesland in the Netherlands. It was located in the north of the province, bordering the Waddenzee. The municipality had an area of approximately 100 square kilometers and a population of around 9,000 inhabitants. The administrative center was the village of Ferwert.

The area of Ferwerderadeel is characterized by its rural landscape, with villages and hamlets scattered across the polderlands. Agriculture has historically been the dominant economic activity, with dairy farming being particularly prevalent. The proximity to the Waddenzee also influenced the region, with fishing and related activities playing a role in its past.

Ferwerderadeel was known for its historic villages, many of which feature terp settlements, mounds built to protect houses from floods. Notable villages within the former municipality included Blija, Hallum, Jislum, Lichtmis, Marrum, Reitsum, Tzummarum, and Wier. Each village possessed its own character and history, often centered around a church and a community life.

In 2019, Ferwerderadeel merged with the municipalities of Dongeradeel and Kollumerland en Nieuw Kruisland to form the new municipality of Noardeast-Fryslân. This administrative reform aimed to create larger, more efficient local governments. Following the merger, Ferwerderadeel ceased to exist as an independent municipality, and its territory became part of Noardeast-Fryslân. The legacy of Ferwerderadeel continues through the villages and cultural heritage that remain within the new administrative structure.