Surhuisterveen is one of the 12 villages of the municipality of Achtkarspelen

Achtkarspelen

-History:The name Achtkarspelen is derived from the original eight kerspelen within the grietenij, namely: Augustinusga, Buitenpost, Drogeham, De Kooten, Kortwoude, Lutkepost, Surhuizum and Twijzel. Achtkarspelen held a separate status within Friesland for many years...

, Province Friesland

Friesland

Friesland is a province in the north of the Netherlands and part of the ancient region of Frisia.Until the end of 1996, the province bore Friesland as its official name. In 1997 this Dutch name lost its official status to the Frisian Fryslân...

, The Netherlands

Netherlands

The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...

. As of 1 January 2010, Surhuisterveen had a population of 5,865 http://www.achtkarspelen.nl/Actueel/Nieuws-1/Archief/Mediaitem/Alle-dorpen.htm#surhuisterveen/surhústerfean.

The name Surhuisterveen refers to the time of the peat

Peat

Peat is an accumulation of partially decayed vegetation matter or histosol. Peat forms in wetland bogs, moors, muskegs, pocosins, mires, and peat swamp forests. Peat is harvested as an important source of fuel in certain parts of the world...

-colonies, and means "the peat-bogs of Surhuizum

Surhuizum

Surhuizum is a small village in Achtkarspelen in the province Friesland of the Netherlands and has around 1350 citizens ....

". Surhuizum is another constituent village of Achtkarspelen which is much smaller than, but much older than, Surhuisterveen.

Surhuisterveen began to develop at the end of the 16th century as peat-diggers and boatmen built their homes in the area.

The Lauwers

Lauwers

The Lauwers is a river in the Netherlands. It forms part of the border between the provinces of Friesland and Groningen. From the 730's to Widukind's defeat in 785 it was part of the border of the Frankish Empire....

river, as a small stream, has its source southeast of the village of Surhuisterveen.

Surhuisterveen serves a regional function.