Westergeast

Westergeast (Dutch: Westergeest, Low German: Westergaist) is a village in Noardeast-Fryslân in the province of Friesland, the Netherlands. It has a population of around 621 in January 2017.[3] Before 2019, the village was part of the Kollumerland en Nieuwkruisland municipality.[4]

Westergeast
Village
The Dutch Reformed church of Westergeast
The Dutch Reformed church of Westergeast
Flag of Westergeast
Flag
Coat of arms of Westergeast
Coat of arms
Location in the former Kollumerland municipality
Location in the former Kollumerland municipality
Westergeast is located in Friesland
Westergeast
Westergeast
Location in the Netherlands
Westergeast is located in Netherlands
Westergeast
Westergeast
Westergeast (Netherlands)
Coordinates: 53°17′28″N 6°5′8″E
CountryNetherlands Netherlands
ProvinceFriesland Friesland
MunicipalityNoardeast-Fryslân
Area
[1]
 • Total9.83 km2 (3.80 sq mi)
Elevation
[2]
0.2 m (0.7 ft)
Population
 (2021)[1]
 • Total610
 • Density62/km2 (160/sq mi)
Postal code
9295[1]
Dialing code0511

History

The village was first mentioned around 1333 as Ghaest.[5] It is located on a slight hill (geast). The village uses west to distinguish with Wygeast.[5] The Dutch Reformed church dates from 1200. In 1807, the tower was lowered. The church was restored between 1954 and 1957.[6] Some of the stones from the tower were reused in a little woudhuisje (forest house) next to the church. The little house was demolished in 2018.[7]

In 1840, it was home to 263 people.[4] There is a restored windmill north of the village, De Beintemapoldermolen. It is a polder mill built in 1870. In 1950, a pumping station made the wind mill obsolete.[8]

The village's official name was changed from Westergeest to Westergeast in 2023.[9][10]

  • Landscape (Westergeast)
    Landscape (Westergeast)
  • House in Westergeast
    House in Westergeast
  • Street view
    Street view
  • Bed & Breakfast in Westergeast
    Bed & Breakfast in Westergeast

References
  1. "Kerncijfers wijken en buurten 2021". Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 1 April 2022. two entries
  2. "Postcodetool for 9295KA". Actueel Hoogtebestand Nederland (in Dutch). Het Waterschapshuis. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  3. Inwonertal en info 2017 - Kollumerland
  4. "Westergeest". Plaatsengids (in Dutch). Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  5. "Westergeest - (geografische naam)". Etymologiebank (in Dutch). Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  6. Ronald Stenvert & Sabine Broekhoven (2000). "Westergeest" (in Dutch). Zwolle: Waanders. ISBN 90 400 9476 4. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  7. "Een mooi ensemble verdwijnt: Uniek woudhuis in Westergeest tegen de vlakte". Friesch Dagblad (in Dutch). Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  8. "De Beintemapoldermolen". Molen database (in Dutch). Retrieved 1 April 2022.
  9. "22 dorpen in Noardeast-Fryslân krijgen op 1 januari 2023 een nieuwe Friese naam" [22 villages in Noardeast-Fryslân will receive a new Frisian name on 1 January 2023]. RTV NOF (in Dutch). 10 December 2022. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  10. "Friese namen" [Frisian names]. Taalunie (in Dutch). Retrieved 7 April 2023.

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