The Ommelanden
The Ommelanden (Surrounding Lands) is the area around the city of Groningen, capital of the province with the same name. This area used to be Frisian-speaking, but in the 13th century, under the influence of the Saxon city of Groningen, its dialect became the common tongue. A reminder of the Frisian past is the flag of the Ommelanden, which is similar to the Frisian provincial flag but has its diagonal stripes reversed with 11 red pompeblêdden, the stylised heart-shaped water-lily leaves.