Drachten

Drachten is the capital of the municipality of Smallingerland within the Dutch province of Friesland. It is placed northeast of Heerenveen and southeast of Leeuwarden. The Drachtstervaart runs via Drachten. In 2017, Drachten had a population of 45,168 and consequently the second largest in terms of population within the province of Friesland.

Drachten includes the neighborhoods; Buitenstverlaat, Folging, Nijtap, Noorderend, Zuidereind and Zuiderheide. Drachten arose in the 17th century from the villages Noorder-Dragten and Zuider-Dragten or Noorderragen and Zuyderragen at the river Drait of Dracht. The location turned into rich in peat bathrooms and the Drachtster Compagnonsvaart become dug to drain the peat extracted from it. Later, shipyards additionally emerged within the place, which include De Pijp Shipyard. Many skutsjes are built on those yards. The status quo of a Philips factory in 1950 attracted many task seekers to Drachten, in order that the population multiplied inside the 1950s to 10 thousand.