Photos of Central Friesland, the Netherlands

Central Fryslân is characterised by lakes, and shallow pools that are a result of the extraction of peat in the Middle Ages. Canals and ditches traverse the meadows and it is said that any place can be reached by boat. It isn't surprising that this region is very popular with boating enthusiasts.

The Sneekermeer (Snitser Mar in Frisian) is one of the most popular. Connected to this lake, just to the south, are the Goingarijpster Poelen; the village of Goingarijp (Goaiïngaryp in Frisian) has a church with a "Klokkestoel", a free-standing clock tower, typical of the region. Further to the north east is a complex of small lakes called "Oude Venen" (Old Peats, another reminder how these were formed) with its aquatic centre of Earnewâld (Eernewoude in Dutch).

The Sneekermeer is named after and linked via the Houkesloot canal to Sneek (Snits in Frisian), one of Friesland's eleven cities; it has around 33,000 inhabitants. Small picturesque farming villages surround it, like Tersoal, a Frisian speaking community of around 300, with a rustic old church, and Offingawier (Offenwier), just to the east of the city. It is a region that is ideal to explore on a bicycle - like much of Fryslân.