FRIESLAND, or Vriesland, sometimes called West Friesland, to distinguish it from East Friesland in Hanover, is the most northerly province of the Netherlands. It is bounded on the S.W., W., and N. by the Zuyder Zee and the North Sea, on the E. by the provinces of Groningen and Drenthe, and on the S.È. by that of Overyssel. The area is 1281 English square miles; and the population in 1875 was calculated at 317,405, being an increase since 1853 of 57,897. The chief town is Leeuwarden, a place of 27,085 inhabitants in 1876, and the province is divided into the three districts of Leeuwarden, Heerenveen, and Sneek. Other towns of importance are Harlingen, a seaport with 11,043 inhabitants; Weststellingwerf, 13,969; Opsterland, 13,753; Schoterland, 12,893; Sneek, 9990; and Franeker, 6643. For history, <fcc., see Frisians.