a sea-port town of the United Netherlands, in West Friesland. It stands on the coast of the Zuyder Sea, at the mouth of a large canal, in E. Long. 5. 22. N. Lat. 53. 9. It was only a hamlet till about the year 1234, when it was destroyed by the sea; and being afterwards rebuilt, became a considerable town. In 1579, it was considerably enlarged by the care of William prince of Orange. It is now very well fortified, and is naturally strong, as the adjacent country can very easily be laid under water. The city is square; and the streets are handsome, straight, and clean, with canals in the middle of them. It has five gates; four towards the land, and one towards the sea; but though the harbour is good, yet vessels of great burden cannot get into it until they are lightened, for want of water. The admiralty college of Friesland has its seat here. The manufactures are salt, bricks, and tiles, a considerable trade is also carried on in all sorts of linen cloth, and the adjacent country yields abundance of corn and good pastures.