text: History The town was established in 1551 by three lords as a location to dig peat which was used for fuel, hence the name (heer is "lord", veen is "peat"). Heerenveen was not one of the traditional eleven cities in Friesland (Fryslân) as it did not have so-called city rights. However, it is now one of the larger municipalities of the province.
  The windmill Welgelegen or Tjepkema's Molen is the only survivor of seventeen which have stood in Heerenveen.
  Population centres
  Population as of 1 January 2018:
  Heerenveen (32,900), Akkrum (3406), Aldeboarn (1479), Bontebok (445), De Knipe (1470), Gersloot (280, together with Gersloot-Polder), Hoornsterzwaag (815), Jubbega (3510), Katlijk (630), Luinjeberd (450), Mildam (740), Nes (1104), Nieuwebrug (210), Nieuwehorne (1500), Nieuweschoot (180), Oranjewoud (1610), Oudehorne (840), Oudeschoot (1480), Terband (265) and Tjalleberd (800).
  Hamlets
  The hamlets are: Anneburen, Birstum, Brongergea, Easterboarn, Jinshuzen, Meskenwier, Oude Schouw (partially), Pean, Poppenhúzen, Schurega, Soarremoarre, Spitsendijk, Sythuzen, Warniahúzen en Welgelegen (partially).
  Museums
  Museum Belvédère, modern art and contemporary art
  Museum Heerenveen, local history and culture
  Transport
  Railway station: Heerenveen
  Local government
  The Heerenveen municipal council consists of 31 seats, which at the 2022 municipal elections divided as follows:
  Labour Party – 7 seats
  VVD – 4 seats
  Frisian National Party – 3 seats
  Heerenveen Lokaal – 3 seats
  Green Left – 3 seats
  CDA – 3 seats
  D66 – 3 seats
  Socialist Party – 2 seats
  Local Interest (GemeenteBelangen) – 2 seats
  ChristianUnion – 1 seat