Westerveld

Westerveld is a municipality in the northeast of the Netherlands, in the province of Drenthe. It was established on 1 January 1998 by merging the former municipalities of Diever, Havelte, and Vledder. The municipality covers a largely rural area and includes several villages, with Diever and Havelte as its largest towns. The landscape encompasses farmland, woodlands, and small-scale natural areas that are used for recreation and conservation. Local government is based on a municipal council, elected by residents, with a mayor as the ceremonial and executive head appointed by the Crown. Westerveld participates in regional cooperation on issues such as infrastructure, housing, and public services with neighboring municipalities. The economy is predominantly agricultural, complemented by small businesses and a growing role for tourism, particularly nature and heritage tourism in and around its villages. Cultural and historical features include local churches and historic cores in the villages. The municipality is part of the broader Drenthe region, known for its pastoral landscapes and historic peat-cutting heritage.